In its Corporate Plan 2005-2010, West Wiltshire District Council has identified ‘better access to recreation’ as a key spotlight area where particular improvement is needed.

A critical first task has been to undertake a fundamental review of leisure and recreation needs within the district. Until these have been assessed, we cannot plan for the future.

In July 2004, consultants Kit Campbell Associates were engaged to carry out a comprehensive leisure and recreation needs assessment for West Wiltshire, and this has now been completed.

The Needs Assessment report and appendices has now been published. Hard copies are available to purchase from the Planning Policy & Conservation section. Alternatively, files are available to download from the links below. (Files will open in a new browser window.)

• Needs Assessment Report (PDF file, opens in new window)
  Please note that this is a very large file and will take some time to open and display. If you have any problems you may wish to download a zipped version of the report.
• Appendix A to Needs Assessment Report (PDF file, 159 Kb)
• Appendices B, C and D to Needs Assessment Report (Excel file, 900Kb)
• Appendix E to Needs Assessment Report (PDF file, 107Kb)

In October 2005 the Council published a document setting out the issues and options for the future of recreation provision in the district as identified by consultants in the Leisure and Recreation Needs Assessment.

Consultation with stakeholders took place and a sustainability appraisal of all options was also prepared for the Council by consultants TRL Limited. The results have helped Council officers to identify possible preferred options for the Leisure and Recreation DPD. (link to PDF file).

We would like your views on these possible preferred options, and whether there are others that you would like us to consider.

The Council will formally consider all of the options taking account of feedback from stakeholders at meetings in May 2006. There will then be further consultation on the contents of a Preferred Options document.

Please respond to the questions set out in this paper and return your response to Planning Policy & Conservation, West Wiltshire District Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, BA14 0RD or e-mail districtplan@westwiltshire.gov.uk by 31 March 2006 if possible. However, all responses received before 10 May 2006 will be reported to Council.

The following documents are available to download or hard copies can be obtained from the above address.

• Issues & Options paper (PDF file, opens in new window);
• Summary of consultation responses received (PDF file, opens in new window);
• Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (PDF file, opens in new window);
• Sustainability Appraisal Working Note on Initial Issues and Options (PDF file, opens in new window).

A stakeholder event has been arranged for 28 March 2006 at the Council offices, Bradley Road, Trowbridge to provide a further opportunity for participation.

If you would like to attend this event or have any other questions or comments please contact the Planning Policy team on 01225 762471.