b. Audit local provision

This should develop a comprehensive understanding of cultural and sporting provision within and close to the area. Preparing a culture and sport baseline involves:

• identifying existing assets and provision,
• assessing usage of current provision, and
• determining locational opportunities for more effective use of existing assets and provision, including historic buildings.  

Outputs include:

• Baseline along with database of cultural and sporting provision and facilities and key attributes and historic assets,
• Baseline quality assessment of the facilities by using quality standards such as Quest and Green Flag,
• Map(s) of above cultural and sporting provision and facilities, and
• Map(s) of creative economy firms/jobs,
• Potential locations where future demand can be met through joint provision or co-location with other service providers, such as health and education, and
• Potential locations for more effective re-using of existing assets, such as historic buildings, and a checklist of considerations for new build versus refurbishment. In drafting this checklist you should  consider the following arguments:

For new build    

• A building tailored to its purpose.
• Easier to design for flexibility of use.
• Opportunity for iconic architecture/design.
• Lower running and maintenance costs.    

For refurbishment

• Retains heritage buildings and townscapes/ landscapes.
• Does not disrupt existing patterns.
• Easier to build community support for.
• Planning approval likely to be simpler

Against new build     

• Additionality/displacement issues: Will a project harm the viability of an existing facility?
• Perception of poor quality of many modern buildings.
• Potential high cost of demolishing an existing building and site remediation.  

Against refurbishment

• A suitable building may not exist.
• Compromises necessary to fit new uses into an existing building.
• Can be difficult or impossible to meet modern standards.
• Cost can exceed that of new build.

Click here to download this checklist of considerations from the Cultural Framework and Toolkit for Thames Gateway North Kent.