Following the successful delivery of its PPG17 compliant Leisure Facilities Strategy, Carrick District Council appointed KKP to develop a comparable strategy for Cultural Community Buildings in the Truro and Threemilestone Action Plan area.

Cultural facilities tend not to benefit in the same way as sport and recreation facilities through PPG17. This can mean that they miss out on investment and are less likely to be itemised as potential beneficiaries from Section 106 or related development funding.

Venues such as village halls, museums, libraries and art galleries (plus sport and recreation facilities and public open spaces) are key components of sustainable communities. They are integral components of stable and vibrant settlements, insufficient supply can inhibit community activity and cohesion however, providing too many can be counter-productive and not economically viable. It is, therefore, important to know about current facility supply and be able to evaluate whether it is sufficient to satisfy demand both now and in the future.

There is no "one size fits all" approach to assessments of cultural facilities, but by applying the principles of our open spaces, playing pitch and sport and recreation facilities PPG17 work, we based this strategy on a supply and demand assessment that:

• Provides baseline information on the quantity, quality and accessibility of community buildings (inclusive of public and voluntary sector provision).
• Identifies provision shortfalls alongside the key barriers that prevent people from making use of community facilities.
• Based upon present and future population estimates and demographic evaluation, helps to evaluate current and predict future demand and likely use of, facilities.
• Incorporates proposals about how provision could be improved.

It provides direction and a clear and robust rationale for the provision and development of community buildings.

Why develop a Cultural Facilities Strategy?

The Area Action Plan for Truro and Threemilestone is a comprehensive guide to development of new communities, including; road infrastructure, education provision, water management, waste disposal, education and cultural (including sport and recreation) facilities. Contributions from the latter are considered fundamental to creating sustainable communities.

There is, for example, an emerging culture, particularly in rural areas, to develop community facilities where local services and facilities (e.g. post offices, village shops, etc.) are declining. Increasing demand for ‘in-home entertainment' and the growth of self-help mean that cultural facilities are set to become more significant. They provide a diverse range of spaces and activities that are vital to the development and continuance of cohesive, inclusive communities. Development managers and planners need to know what is currently available and whether it is sufficient for the future.

Applying PPG17

For Carrick, a systematic, justified approach (underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of what is available, how it is provided and what is required) to develop, support and safeguard community facilities was needed to address present requirements and accommodate anticipated housing development. We developed a bespoke audit framework to assess current provision and a range of interview questions to elicit qualitative information such as:

• The facility's development history?
• The level of latent demand?
• Current development priorities?
• Present fees and charges policy?
• Identification of effective catchment areas and principal users?

The report also detailed local minimum provision standards including future shortfalls, financial contributions and strategic policy options including a headline action plan detailing the way forward in the form of short, medium and long term objectives.

In addition to financial investment, successful strategy implementation requires improved integration of community buildings, provision of ongoing support and operational advice for the management committees of such facilities. The strategy is a significant part of the evidence base for the Truro and Threemilestone Action Plan Area.

Pre local authority unification in Cornwall, Carrick District Council aspired to assessing need for all cultural, sport and recreation facilities in Truro and Threemilestone. Cornwall Council is now progressing its Local Development Framework, the Core Strategy is timetabled to be adopted in 2011. The methodology used has potential to be rolled out county wide, as part of the Core Strategy evidence base and ongoing complementary work on a county wide Community Infrastructure Levy., The strategy findings will provide evidence to inform the ongoing management and development of community facilities in the Area.

Jonathan Woods, Principal Consultant led on this assignment. He said,

"This is an area in which we come highly commended. KKP has delivered more than 70 assessments and strategies for playing pitches, open spaces and sport and recreation facilities. Expanding our portfolio into cultural and other community facilities is a natural progression and we expect more local authorities to adopt similar approaches, using the principles of PPG17 to ensure that strategic outcomes and plans are robust, justifiable and can stand up to scrutiny."