Page 363 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

7 km zone of influence. Developers have the alternative of providing a local SANG to
serve a development and such a site within the parish would be an asset to the
community and would reduce the need to travel by car to sites elsewhere.

Recreation Facilities

There are two recreation spaces that are valued by the community: John Pears Field
and the Recreation Ground.

John Pears Field (also known as John Pears Recreation Ground) was given by the late
Molly Pears to the then East Grinstead Urban District Council in 1974, for the
purposes of recreation and physical training. Ownership was later transferred to
MSDC and tennis courts, a children’s play area and a small car park have been added
over the years. A new pavilion was built in 2005 to replace one that had been burned
down. The Village Council manages the facilities on behalf of MSDC. The field is
popular with dog and recreational walkers. It is also used by the local youth football
club and for community events which have included summer fairs, music/beer
festivals and Jubilee celebrations. The Pavilion is used by the Village Council and the
village’s Youth and Tennis Clubs and is available for private hire. The tennis courts are
used regularly by local residents including members of the Tennis Club.

The Recreation Ground is owned and managed by MSDC. It is in a central position and
easily accessible for walkers. The ground was used by the local cricket club
(disbanded in 1999) and has been used for many years by Ashurst Wood Youth and
Senior Football clubs. There is a pavilion, which is in need of renovation. There is also
a children’s play area. There are no parking facilities, so when the ground is in use
there can be parking problems along Hammerwood Road and in other nearby roads.

POLICIES

Policy ASW 1 - Protection of the Countryside

Outside of the Built Up Area Boundary, which is defined in Map 1, priority will
be given to protecting and enhancing the countryside from inappropriate
development. A proposal for development will only be permitted:

(a) in exceptional circumstances for essential utility infrastructure where no
other feasible alternative site is available,

or where

(b) Specific provision has been made in this Plan or the proposal is in
accordance with other planning policies applying to the area, and

(c) The proposal would conserve and enhance landscape and scenic beauty,

AWNP March 2016 Page 20