Agenda item

The Principal Planning Policy Officer submitted a report that set out that Members had agreed to prepare a new Local Plan including an update of the evidence documents needed to support the new Plan.

Members were advised that the Indoor Sport Needs Assessment and Strategy provided updated and robust evidence to support the new local plan and development management decisions, thereby replacing the previous 2017 study.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that the first part of the sports evidence, the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy, was endorsed by the Executive at the end of 2025. This study on indoor sport-built facilities was the second part of the evidence in relation to sport requirements in East Herts and replaces the previous 2017 study.

The Panel was advised that the study had been developed collaboratively, in accordance with Sport England guidance, and the report assesses the supply of and demand for indoor sports facilities and sets out a framework for protecting and enhancing existing facilities and providing new facilities, to meet future needs.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that since the latest assessment in 2017 housing growth, together with changes to leisure facilities, has reshaped both the demand for and supply of provision. Notably, there has been the closure of some public leisure provision and significant development of a number of new sport halls.

Members were advised that paragraph 3.4 of the report summarises the findings of the needs assessment attached at Appendix B. In general, East Herts residents have access to a range of good quality sports facilities and closure of the three public leisure centres had created a small amount of localised unmet demand for swimming pools particularly to the north of the district where residents had to travel further to access a pool.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that the community group plans to reopen Ward Freman pool would positively help to address the unmet demand while also reducing travel time. Other key findings included the reliance on education facilities for sports hall provision, the important role played by community and village halls as locations for sport and physical activity in rural areas.

Members were advised of an identified club demand for more space for Badminton, Gymnastics and Padel. There are a number of strategic site allocations in the adopted District Plan that are yet to be built out, and it is important that Gilston Leisure Centre is delivered, and the community use of new secondary school sports facilities are secured to meet the needs of future growth.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that the strategy document, Appendix C to the report, provides a framework for the provision, maintenance and improvement of indoors sports facilities. Key highlights include the importance of working with developers to deliver new facilities, the need to protect existing facilities, the need to ensure new development supports the provision of enhancement of facilities to address demand and the importance of securing community use agreements at education sites.

Members were advised that the strategy includes an action plan to help prioritise improvement and guide investment, including through developer contributions. It should be noted that in many instances, the council will not be responsible for the delivery of the recommendations and actions as clubs, national governing bodies, town and parish councils, education providers and landowners can also be responsible.

Members were being asked to agree that the indoor sports and needs assessment and strategy becomes part of the local plan evidence base and is used as a material consideration in development management decisions. The action plan would be updated to ensure that the action plan document remained current and responsive, in accordance with guidance from Sport England.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said in the combat sport section of the document, there was missing explanatory text about the combat sport Krav Maga, which has a facility in Hertford. Officers would speak to the consultants to address that omission.

The Committee discussed the findings of the report and noted the importance of ensuring that sports facilities were accessible to local communities. Members commented on the shortfall of squash facilities and the lack of indoor bowls.

The Panel highlighted the contribution made by community halls and programmes supporting physical activity, particularly for older people. The potential benefits of locating future sports facilities close to town centres to support wider economic activity were also discussed.

In response to questions, officers confirmed that East Herts had a long-standing history of securing community use of school sports facilities through planning obligations and community use agreements. Members were advised that this approach would continue to be important in meeting future demand. Officers also confirmed that the strategy’s action plan would be reviewed annually in accordance with Sport England guidance.

The Committee discussed the proposed leisure centre at Gilston. Officers advised that the facility was secured through the Section 106 agreement for the outline planning permission. Detailed planning permission for the facility will come forward in due course. This assessment indicates a six-lane swimming pool would better meet future needs than a four-lane pool. It was also confirmed that the facility was expected to be operated by Places for Leisure.

Members welcomed the report and noted the overall findings regarding current and future indoor sports provision across the district. Discussion highlighted opportunities to align future leisure facility development with town centre regeneration, recognising the potential benefits of locating sports and leisure facilities close to retail and hospitality uses.

The Committee discussed the importance of partnership working with schools to secure community access to sports halls and other facilities. Officers confirmed that the Council had a long-standing history of such arrangements, often secured through Section 106 agreements and formal Community Use Agreements, and acknowledged the importance of maintaining these partnerships in the future.

Members reiterated the importance of swimming pool provision across the district and welcomed progress in reopening facilities for swimming lessons. It was noted that existing and proposed facilities, including those at schools and future developments, would help meet demand.

Officers also confirmed that the proposed leisure facility at Gilston, including swimming provision, were part of the relevant Section 106 obligations. In response to questions regarding the evidence base, officers advised that the action plan would be reviewed annually to ensure the strategy remained current and compliant with Sport England requirements. It was further noted that while the study focused on priority sports identified through the agreed methodology, emerging and locally identified needs could still be considered through future reviews, Local Plan consultations and the planning process.

The Panel noted the recommendation to establish a cross-boundary strategy implementation group to support collaboration with neighbouring authorities and leisure operators, recognising that participation in sport and leisure activities frequently extended beyond district boundaries.

Members also highlighted the significant contribution of community halls and local venues in supporting physical activity, particularly among older residents. The role of facilities such as Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall was acknowledged, together with the importance of wider infrastructure, including accessible walking routes, community spaces and seating, in promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

Councillor Dumont proposed, and Councillor Crystall seconded, a motion that the Executive be advised that (A) the Indoor Sport Assessment and Strategy, attached as Appendix A, B C and D be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications; (B) future updates of the Indoor Sport Action Plan be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Councillor Dumont proposed, and Councillor Crystall seconded, a motion that any minor amendments to the content of the Indoor Sport Needs Assessment and Strategy be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Executive be advised that (A) the Indoor Sport Assessment and Strategy, attached as Appendix A, B C and D be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications;

(B)   future updates of the Indoor Sport Action Plan be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth; and

(C)   any minor amendments to the content of the Indoor Sport Needs Assessment and Strategy be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.