Policy E13
Arts, culture, entertainment and indoor leisure
a) The council will support the enhancement of arts, culture and entertainment uses in appropriate locations, meeting the ambitions for the evening economy in the Cultural Strategy and Upstream – the Industrial Strategy for Hammersmith and Fulham. Large scale facilities must be located in the three town centres and indicated site allocations in the opportunity and regeneration areas, where they can contribute to economic diversification and town centre vibrancy.
b) The council will meet the identified need for indoor leisure, recreation and indoor sports uses by protecting existing land and premises where these are in suitable locations and, by supporting new proposals including in mixed use development, taking account of other policies in the Local Plan including Policy E1 (Achieving Inclusive Growth and Optimising Use of Land); Policy E10 (Managing the Impact of Food, Drink and Entertainment Uses); and T2 ( Transport Assessment and Travel Plans). The council's licencing policy provides further information and provision to control and manage impacts.
c) Proposals for new and expanded venues should demonstrate sustainable and inclusive design principles and be flexibly designed to meet a range of uses and provide access for all.
d) Loss of facilities will be resisted unless there is clear evidence that there is no longer an identified need for a particular facility or for any alternative community arts, culture, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sport uses. In these circumstances, a viability report will be required that demonstrates to the council's satisfaction that the facility, or an alternative arts, culture, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sport use is not economically viable, including evidence of active and appropriate marketing and as set out in Appendix 5.
e) Temporary uses may be appropriate to meet short term needs particularly on sites or premises which have been vacant or are awaiting redevelopment and which would contribute to town centre diversification and vibrancy.
6.97 Accessible arts, cultural, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sports facilities are important elements of social infrastructure and contribute greatly to the quality of life of all members of the community as well as visitors to the borough by enhancing social inclusion and community cohesion. Such facilities are particularly important elements of town centres and will be essential in supporting the borough's growth which is particularly directed to the regeneration areas. add Upstream Industrial Strategy ambitions for cultural and arts ambitions, and Cultural Strategy that seeks to promote the sector and promote access for local residents to culture and the arts. The council has been successful in retaining its Creative Enterprise Zone accreditation (CEZ) covering part of the Hammersmith regeneration area and extending to the new development in the wider Olympia area.
Leisure needs
6.98 The council's emerging retail and leisure needs study will provide forecast information on the quantum of new leisure and indoor recreation uses the needed to be provided within the local plan period and beyond. The evidence will cover main town centre uses, however outdoor recreation and sports uses and needs are addressed in the 'Green and Open Space' chapter of this Local Plan. Some indoor sports uses are also main town centres uses such as padel and indoor gyms and can provide footfall in the town centres and regeneration areas, contributing to vitality and viability.
6.99 Accessible arts, cultural, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sports facilities are important elements of social infrastructure and contribute greatly to the quality of life of all members of the community as well as visitors to the borough by enhancing social inclusion and community cohesion. Such facilities are particularly important elements of town centres and will be essential in supporting the borough's growth which is particularly directed to the four regeneration areas (see also policies for these areas).
6.100 The venues occupied by these uses vary greatly from purpose-built premises to conversions from other uses. They are often open during the evening and at night-time, for example music venues, and along with uses such as restaurants and pubs and bars, help sustain a night-time economy which is particularly vibrant in the town centres. 6.101 However, because such uses can also impact on residential amenity, for example through comings and goings, it is necessary for new or expanded venues to be appropriately located and managed. Policy E10 provides more detail on managing the impacts of town centre uses.
6.102 Notwithstanding the presence within Hammersmith and Fulham of a varied range of arts, cultural, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sports facilities, there are some parts of the borough that are not well served by such uses. It is important to try and reduce these deficiencies. Facilities within the borough has must therefore be protected. Consequently, the council will require adequate justification for any proposals for change of use or redevelopment of premises to other uses.
Loss of arts, culture, entertainment and indoor leisure uses
6.103 The proposed loss of buildings and land that are used for arts, culture, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sports uses will be considered against criteria such as the suitability and viability of the site or premises for such uses with or without adaption, evidence of unsuccessful marketing, evidence of need and community asset value. In addition, to try to reduce deficiencies in provision, when regeneration schemes come forward, the council will seek to ensure that these are accompanied by arts, cultural, entertainment, leisure, recreation and sports uses that are appropriate to the scale and location of the development and are accessible and affordable and meet the needs of the community. Appendix 5 provides more detail on the marketing in evidence that will need to accompany a planning application for change of use.
6.104 Some leisure and recreation uses now fall with the general use class E which provides flexibility to change within a wide range of commercial uses without the need for planning permission. The council is proposing to remove the permitted development rights to change from an E class use to residential use in areas designated for commercial uses such as town and local centres, via a draft Article 4 Direction. Where a planning application is required, the council will where justified, use planning conditions to protect the supply of leisure and recreation use to ensure that current and forecast needs can be met.
6.105 Temporary use of buildings may offer the opportunity for community uses, particularly those that are transient or may have a short life. They may help to enliven town centres where vacancy is an issue.