South Ayrshire Local Plan

Community Facilities

The Council provides a number of facilities throughout South Ayrshire, including those relating to leisure, recreation and tourism. These facilities include schools, public halls, libraries, community centres, cemeteries, sports halls, sports grounds and play areas. Additional facilities are also provided by private companies or clubs which are also of importance to both residents and visitors to the area. In recognition of the benefits these facilities offer, the Council is keen to ensure their retention.

In particular, the Council recognises the importance schools and other educational institutions have, not only in terms of education, but also in terms of their central role in the social structure of many settlements and neighbourhoods - especially where additional use is made of facilities by sports clubs, social clubs or other community organisations. It is this pivotal role schools provide that the Council wishes to safeguard. School grounds may also offer an important element of maintained open space within a predominantly urban environment.

Most of South Ayrshire's settlements are well served by a range of facilities, or are within a short distance of them. However, whilst the overall provision may be adequate, localised shortfalls may require to be addressed within the Plan period.

POLICY SERV18^

The Council will seek to retain and improve existing educational and community facilities, especially where identified on the Proposals Map, whenever practicable, and will favourably view proposals for new educational and community facilities.

NOTE 1
Should educational facilities become surplus to requirements, the Council will seek to retain any associated sport or playing fields for public use. This consideration is in addition to the requirement of policies ENV5 and ENV6.

NOTE 2
In exceptional circumstances, and where no alternative site can be identified within a settlement, the Council may give favourable consideration to the provision of new community facilities (e.g. school building) outwith, but still adjacent to, a settlement.