The Trust is supportive of the objective of adding additional performance venues, which is a positive statement to enable greater diversity of uses within the town centre and support its vitality. Arts and cultural uses are increasingly important in maintaining footfall and bringing people into centres which in turn supports other businesses and minimises vacancies. They also contribute towards the cultural and social well-being of local people.

As set out in the previous consultation from which this policy appears unchanged, we are supportive and consider it to address the requirements of the NPPF in relation to community, cultural and social facilities.
We also welcome clarification that it applies to cultural facilities such as theatres, arts venues and those which support and facilitate performance such as community halls and pubs.

This policy appears unchanged from the previous version to which we also submitted comment. We consider the use of 'viable' to be problematic because without further clarification and requirement it can be used narrowly in terms of financial considerations on a full commercial basis rather than looking at alternative models such as voluntary, community and not-for-profit as may be the case for these types of uses. Viability can also be manipulated, we suggest viability, robust marketing and evidence of need are more suitable indicators. We also consider this policy to undermine and conflict with Policy INF4. This policy may be sound if dealing with local shops and other services in isolation; given the coverage of INF4 to community and cultural facilities including pubs it may be advantageous for these uses to be removed from this policy.