POLICY LL11: Infrastructure Priorities
- The Neighbourhood Plan identifies the following priorities to create additional social infrastructure within the town:
- A new Neighbourhood Health Centre.
- A multi-purpose space that can host large-scale meetings and events.
- An exhibition space to display Leighton Buzzard’s history.
- An indoor space for creative and cultural activities.
- Additional outdoor and indoor sports courts/hall space.
- Proposals which result in the creation and development of such facilities will be supported where both the social infrastructure and any enabling development to facilitate its delivery, are in accordance with the other policies within the Neighbourhood Plan.
- Where any social infrastructure facilities are proposed with the intention of being community owned and operated, these should be secured via legal agreement, including an option to transfer ownership of the facility to either the Town Council or other nominated community group upon completion.
- The Neighbourhood Plan is particularly keen for the creation of such facilities where there is an opportunity to reuse or repurpose an existing building due to the reduced carbon emissions associated with construction and the preservation of any historical and cultural heritage associated with the premises.
To maintain Leighton Linslade as a sustainable community there is a need to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the local population and those who visit or work in the area. Infrastructure can take many forms, but a number of the early policy ideas put forward for the LLNP referenced social and community infrastructure improvements for the area, reflecting the responses to early engagement.
This policy brings into sharp focus the top infrastructure improvements required for the town, to specifically support their development and direct developer contributions towards their implementation to facilitate their delivery.
During informal engagement, the School Sports Partnership for the Leighton Linslade area detailed the fantastic support they receive from local sports clubs and local community organisations in hosting and providing opportunities for young people, especially around outdoor facilities such as Cricket, Hockey, Rugby, Football and Netball. However, they noted access to indoor Sports Facilities, especially during the daytime is lacking. Whilst they have excellent support from the local Middle and Upper Schools, there is no facility within the area that can accommodate other groups doing the likes of daytime Badminton, indoor walking sports (Football, Netball), Carpet Bowls, Disability Sports etc. Such a facility could also host Lower School games events indoors.
The need for indoor sports hall space is echoed by other clubs such as the Table Tennis Club, who are concerned that with the new Leisure Centre not having a Sports Hall, and with the future of Tiddenfoot (the current Leisure Centre), uncertain, the town will need indoor courts, with dedicated space to accommodate badminton clubs, pickleball, table tennis, and padel etc. This is supported by the Tennis Club who have a need for indoor courts as well as at least 4 additional outdoor courts and Padel and Pickleball courts.
NHS Property Services have confirmed they support the principle of a new Neighbourhood Health Centre as there is a clear additional need for healthcare capacity within the Neighbourhood Plan area and in accordance with CBC Local Plan Policies HQ2 and HW3, will look to collaborate with service providers in partnership working to align health infrastructure delivery locally and strategically.