Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment

Area Profile: Chester-le-Street

CONTENTS

Page (s)

1.0 Sub Area Map 2

2.0 Description of Sub Area 3

3.0 Local consultation findings

4.0 Quantity of provision 4 - 5

5.0 Access to facilities 6

6.0 Quality of facilities 7 - 9

7.0 Strategic Priorities 10

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1.0 Sub Area Map

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2.0 Description of Chester-le-Street Area Action Partnership

Population 51,214

Location & Demographics

The Chester-le-Street Area Action Partnership (AAP) covers approximately 68 square kilometres. It is densely populated with a mix of urban and semi-rural settings. The area has good connections with the A1M motorway and East Coast mainline links which allow for commuting to the larger employment centres within Tyne and Wear and Durham.

Over 17,000 residents live within the town of Chester-le-Street itself whilst the larger settlements of Sacriston, Great Lumley and Pelton all boast population figures in excess of five thousand residents. A number of Key attractions encourage people to visit the area. These include Beamish Museum, Riverside Cricket Ground and Lumley Castle.

This AAP contains 11 Parish Councils. In this area there is a strong sense of community spirit and pride, along with ongoing regeneration and renewal initiatives and active partnership working, leading to local improvements. However there are some issues that need to be tackled.

The area of Chester-le-Street contains the following parishes: Plawsworth, Pelton, Sacriston, Newfield, Perkinsville, , Burnmoor, Chester Moor, Waldridge, Kimblesworth, Chester-le-Street, Ouston, Great Lumley, Grange Villa, High Urpeth, Houghton Gate, Edmonsley, Holmside, West Pelton, Pelton Fell, Beamish

Further information can be found at http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/ChesterleStreetAAPProfile.pdf And http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/Profile_Chester_le_Street.pdf

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3.0 Local Consultation Findings

The following is a summary the main local findings of relevance from local consultations which are described in full in the Needs Assessment Report (Appendix 1 to the Main Report).

3.1 Detailed comments from web survey

Postcode Comment DH2 2DS More facilities for teenagers get them off the streets. Increased pedestrian crossings to the Rivers ide park in Chester le Street as I live a couple of minutes walks, although have to travel further to get to the park from Ropery Lane due to lack of crossings, using the footbridge instead, which is further to walk. Shame the old 'Lambton Lion Park' estate DH3 3NF is inaccessible as I remember it from childhood and it was lovely. DH2 1RS Talks/Sessions run by wildlife rangers or similar organisations to educate younger children especially primary age. This may help older kids as well ?? Expanded and more accessible leisure centre. the building itself is run down and it can be difficult to access free swimming because of taught DH3 3UN classes. Soft play is hosted in a very dowdy looking room DH7 6LG An ice rink would be great A Multi-Use Games area for residents of all ages, a new Third Generation football pitch as the current artificial football pitch is outdated, a skate park would also be an excellent addition to the local community and provide an un-staffed facility that young people would be able to use. These facilities would allow for diversionary activities, reduce ASB and fear of crime, and address the issue if there is never anything to do for young people!!! The park next to the local recreation ground is now no longer!! So an updated play/park facility would be well received, ideally it would DH7 6HN need to be vandal proof and allow for adventurous play for all young people!! It is important that younger children and teenagers have sufficient places to go and these facilities should provide organised games etc. or boredom DH2 3AL will set in too soon. Too many children spend too much time on computers, a reason why there is too much obesity. DH3 4HF Badminton Courts and Tennis at a reasonable price - Please update the swimming baths and make it more accessible for adult swimmers who work. Direct bus route restored to/from Durham City to Beamish Museum. The museum is going to be open all year now and it is impossible to get direct DH9 0QU from Durham. Visitors to the city do not go to the Museum because it is too difficult and long to get there.

3.2 Best Value Survey by Action Area Partnerships

The results of the 2006/7 Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys for parks and open spaces in each of the districts have been disaggregated to AAP level as shown below.

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Significant AAP % Very/fairly satisfied Rest of County Difference and 54.4 59.1 No Chester le Street 63.8 57.8 Yes 59.0 58.5 No Crook Willington and 56.6 58.6 No Durham City 59.6 57.9 No Easington 51.9 60.9 Yes East Durham rural corridor 62.3 58.3 No and Chilton 54.0 58.9 No Mid Durham rural west 59.3 58.5 No 72.6 59.6 Yes 74.3 58.1 Yes Stanley 42.4 59.6 Yes Teesdale 65.6 58.4 Yes Weardale 71.0 58.5 Yes

3.3 Summary of Relevant Findings from the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study

Not applicable (none conducted)

3.4 Summary of Relevant Findings from the Play Strategy

3.4.1 Main Conclusions

A number of distinctive themes were drawn from the research as detailed below:

• The overwhelming majority of children still play outside rather than inside. • Under 12’s would like more equipped play provision to be provided, • The major barriers to play for under 12’s are neighbours complaining, bullying and being scared of strangers. (The provision of more equipped play spaces could well have a positive impact on these concerns) • The overwhelming majority of teenagers play away from home, in the street, fields and woods, green open spaces or play

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areas. • The most important barrier to play for teenagers is neighbours complaining (this would link closely to the numbers who play in the street). • Only a small percentage of under-12’s use a leisure facility for play whereas almost a 25% of teenagers do. • Access charges are perceived as a barrier by teenagers and this links to less than a quarter who use leisure facilities for play. • Teenagers would like to see more free access sports based provision e.g. ball courts, ball walls, basketball and football. A significant percentage of teenagers would like to see more arts/crafts/dance activities provided

As a result of the strategy priorities for new or improved play space sites were identified and these findings should be considered in relation to any outcomes of the PPG17 assessment.

3.5 Town Council Survey findings of Relevance

Not applicable

3.6 Action Area Partnership Board Members Survey (main priorities identified)

• Improve the vitality of the town centre (44 votes) • Transport (infrastructure and speed) (42 votes) • Healthy lifestyles and well-being (42 votes) • Activities for young people (37 votes) • Supporting community groups and buildings (35 votes) • Parking issues (especially in the town centre) (33 votes) • Employment and training opportunities (22 votes) • Our environment should be clean, green and safe (22 votes) • Improved community spirit and working together (18 votes) • Perceptions of safety and crime (10 votes)

3.7 Main consultation findings from the Playing Pitch Study

Not applicable (none conducted)

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4.0 Quantity of provision

The table below shows provision against the County Durham standards for the AAP. The existing provision of open space is shown on the map on the following page. Further maps showing provision for each ward within the AAP are available and are held in a separate appendix. An analysis of findings are made in section 7.

Supply of open space (hectares) Semi- Amenity Natural Parks & Outdoor Sport Open Green WARD Gardens Space Play Space Space Space Allotments Chester Le Street (Total) -19.56 -0.89 6.77 53.8 107.95 -23.26 Edmondsley and Waldridge -5.03 -3.87 -0.44 2.8 119.17 -2.68 Sacriston 2.38 -0.55 -0.54 6.71 26.76 -1.47 Kimblesworth and Plawsworth -1.67 3.69 -0.25 3.45 51.16 0.57 Urpeth -3.27 -0.82 1 6.82 -1.46 1.13 Pelton -5.25 0.27 1.73 4.95 -5.25 1.03 North Lodge -2.24 12.1 0.55 9.58 -2.92 -2.63 Lumley -4.56 1.66 0.08 2.9 -4.56 -3.94 Bournmoor 5.44 -2.36 0.15 -1.42 -2.9 -1.88 Grange Villa and West Pelton -1.6 -1.22 0.51 2.16 25.91 4.66 Pelton Fell 0.12 1.59 3.71 5.13 38.42 0.07 Chester East 10.6 1.43 1.26 -1.48 -3.34 -2.45 Chester West -3.47 -3.47 -0.46 15.18 39.06 -3.47 Chester North -4.64 0.15 -0.09 1.09 -1.64 -2.78 Ouston -2.92 -0.53 -0.53 5.29 -2.92 -0.73 Chester South -3.24 -3.24 0.01 4.51 -3.24 -3.24 Chester Central -2.66 -2.66 -0.4 7.22 -2.66 -2.66

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5.0 Access to facilities

The following maps show the existing provision and access to different types of open space across the County. Further analysis has been made using the GIS toolkit developed as part of this study, which allows access to be analysed at a more local level (e.g. ward). The following maps have been used to ‘flag up’ access issues, and the ward maps should be used to determine issues. An analysis of findings are made in section 7.

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6.0 Quality of open space

The quality of open space within this AAP varies as much as it does across the whole County, and therefore the recommendations and observations made in part 1 of the study report should be referred to. A number of specific observations follow.

• The area has some good quality parks, and has already secured green flag award for Riverside Park. Further work is required to develop priorities and management plans for other parks. • A number of initiatives have been developed to create areas of semi-natural greenspace within the area. • Whilst some play spaces have enjoyed recent investment, there is a need to invest in play spaces, particularly provision for young people. • The quality of outdoor sport space varies, with some sites in need of considerable improvement. • Some amenity spaces in key areas have aesthetically attractive features (particularly in main urban areas), but there is an opportunity to improve other spaces in outlying settlement areas. • The area also has a green flag site at Ropery Lane Cemetery in Chester-le-Street, demonstrating the importance churchyards and cemeteries can have in providing open space.

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Play area in need of improvement Grassland management for biodiversity Good quality facilities

Creation of semi-natural greenspace Sports facilities in need of improvement Simple planting can enhance amenity space

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7.0 Analysis and Recommendations

This section includes an analysis of the main issues related to quality, quantity and access to open space within the Chester-le- Street AAP. It should be considered in context with the wider findings of the study, outlined in part 1 of the report. The analysis and recommendations are considered by typology.

Allotments

• There is an under supply of allotments across the AAP, with only five of the sixteen wards having sufficient provision. • A number of the wards within this AAP do not meet the access standard for allotments, particularly central parts of Chester- le-street. • As expected, the quality of existing provision varies greatly. • It is recommended that additional allotments are required within this AAP.

Amenity Open Space

• Overall, there is a sufficient supply of amenity open space across the AAP with only two wards falling below the standard. • Access to amenity open space is generally good with all the major settlements meeting the standard. • Quality varies greatly from some very poor areas of grass to some good examples where additional planting and features have added aesthetic value. • There is an opportunity to enhance amenity space within this area, potentially meeting shortfalls of provision of other typologies.

Parks & Gardens

• Overall, there is an under supply of parks and gardens across the AAP, with only 4 wards meeting the minimum standard. • Access to facilities is also poor, with few areas meeting the recommended standard. • Those parks that do exist are of good quality, with one achieving green flag status. • There is potential for additional provision within this AAP, particularly in parts of Chester-le-Street.

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Outdoor Sport Space

• Overall there is a small under supply of outdoor sport space across the AAP. This is further compounded by a lack of provision of Parks and Gardens in the area. • Access to facilities falls below the standard, particularly in parts of Chester-le-Street. • Quality of provision varies, with some areas in need of investment. • There is a need for additional provision of outdoor sport space within this AAP, which should be sought through development where possible. There is also opportunity for meeting shortfalls through more formal use of education facilities, as there is some 35 hectares of education space within this AAP.

Play Space

• Overall, there is sufficient provision of play space within the AAP. There are, however, local deficiencies with 7 wards falling below the standard, suggesting there is a requirements for additional provision in key areas. • Access to play space is generally good, with only a few local deficiencies. • The quality of play areas varies greatly, with some having enjoyed recent investment, and some in need of total refurbishment or replacement. • The priority for play in this AAP is to improve existing provision, and it is suggested that localised shortfalls in quantity could be met through increasing the size and quality of existing facilities. • There may be need for new facilities where development occurs, particularly where there is an existing shortfall in quantity and access.

Semi-natural greenspace

• This area has sufficient provision of semi-natural greenspace. • Access to semi-natural greenspace is generally good. • There still exists an opportunity to enhance existing amenity space to increase its value for biodiversity.

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