Stage 3: Needs and Provision Assessment

Building a local evidence base

Before embarking on a project, policy or programme, local authorities or lead delivery partner need to carry out assessments to:

a.    identify the extent of local needs,

b.    audit local provision for cultural and sporting activities, services facilities and heritage assets, and

c.    set relevant benchmarks for quantity and quality of provision.

These assessments need to be linked to an iterative process of monitoring and evaluation as part of Stage 5.

In undertaking these assessments, key planning objectives should be taken into account, and complement one another, including

• support housing development (PPS3: Housing)
• increase and improve accessibility (PPG13: Transport)
• support town centre development (PPS6: Planning for Town Centres)
• contribute to the character of the existing and historic environment (PPG15: Planning and the Historic Environment)
• meet identified sport and recreational needs (PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation)
• meet identified disability, race and gender equality needs (EHRC and MPA)
• address sustainability and environmental impacts (CLG)

There is no “one size fits all” approach to undertaking assessment but a range of tools and techniques are available for different stages, including qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (statistics analysis and GIS cultural mapping) methods.