Protection of Existing Tourism, Leisure and Cultural Facilities

The council will protect existing tourism, leisure and cultural provision and assets from being adversely affected by new development. Only in exceptional circumstances as outlined below will the loss of these facilities and assets be considered acceptable: a. That similar or better replacement is made elsewhere within the same catchment area, which is readily accessible by public transport, pedestrians and cyclists; b. That there is no longer a viable need for the facility. A viability report that demonstrates to the council's satisfaction that the facility or alternative tourism leisure and cultural development use is not economically viable, including evidence of active and appropriate marketing for a continuous period of 18 months, will be required; c. It is unsuitable for conversion to an alternative tourism leisure and cultural use; d. That the site is allocated for other development use defined in the LDP; or e. Demonstrate mitigation measures to protect the asset from new development.