c. Set relevant benchmarks

In relation to local circumstances, this should define for the local area:

  • how current provision meets needs, both for the existing population and future population growth,
  • whether current provision meets accepted guidelines for levels of provision, and what the potential future requirements may be for new provision, and
  • how cultural and sporting facilities can be sustainably built and integrated into existing neighbourhoods.

In determining benchmarks that are appropriate to the local circumstances, this guidance emphasises the need to carry out robust assessments of need and provision. These should be based on the actions outlined in identifying local needs (section a) and auditing local provision (section b).  

National benchmarks provide a useful starting point for negotiation but should not necessarily be considered as the ultimate standard to be applied.

Example: Benchmarks for culture and sport

An evidence based approach should wherever possible be undertaken. A local needs assessment should first be developed into identified facilities, linked to a policy mechanism to deliver/fund these new facilities.  Sport England has developed this approach through needs/provision assessments providing identified facility needs being secured through Sport & Recreation Supplementary Planning Documents.   This approach was undertaken for the Milton Keynes expansion areas, see example on right.

Quality of Provision

The process for setting relevant benchmarks needs to emphasise and ensure a high quality of provision. This means taking into account factors such as appropriateness of location, relationship to the existing environment, design and the technological quality of the facility. It also needs to consider the diversity of services to be provided to meet identified local need and anticipated future demand. Assess yourself against your nearest neighbour or authority using neighbourhood statistics from the Office for National Statistics.

Local approach for culture facilities
Local approach for culture facilities
See examples of local approaches to cultural facilities provision. These are usually linked to planning obligations within supplementary planning documents. These are available in the Supplementary Planning Documents examples section of the toolkit.

Planning Obligations for Leisure, Recreation and Sports Facilities - Milton Keynes
This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) covers the built up area of the City of Milton Keynes, including the City Expansion Areas, with the exception of Central Milton Keynes, which has its own SPG. Click here to view the full SPG.

Supplementary Planning Documents for Sport
Sport England’s Planning Kitbag includes other examples of where Supplementary sport facilities provision has been secured through Supplementary Planning Documents and planning obligations. Click here to link to the Kitbag examples.