Spennymoor Area Action Partnership Profile

Draft 4 December 2011

Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Area Action Partnership CONTENTS

1.0 Spennymoor Playing Pitch Profile

2.0 Pitch Provision by Sector

3.0 Teams

4.0 Consultation Profile

5.0 Quality & Provision

6.0 Pitch Capacity

7.0 Strategic Recommendations

8.0 Potential Hub Sites

2 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 1.0 SPENNYMOOR PLAYING PITCH PROFILE

1.1 Area Action Partnership

The Spennymoor Area Action Partnership (AAP) serves the area highlighted in the map below. The geographical area covered by the AAP includes the major town of to the South and to the north. The Spennymoor AAP also includes the settlements of , Mount Pleasant, Croxdale, Todhills, Tudhoe Grange and Low Butterby.

Spennymoor includes the following wards:

• Middlestone • Tudhoe • Low Spennymoor & Tudhoe Grange • Spennymoor

Note: All maps presented in this report are for indicative purposes only. A full set of larger scale detail maps are available separately.

3 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

1.2 Total Area Population: 19,444 Map 1: Spennymoor AAP

As highlighted in the table below, 63% of the population for the Spennymoor AAP is considered to fall within the active age group as defined by Sport .

Table 1: Spennymoor Population by Active Age Groups

Active Age Group Sport Male Female Mixed

0-5 years Non active 1255

6-9 years Football 789 8-12 years 1074 10-15 years 692 654 11-15 years 559 542 11-17 years 805 795 13-17 years Rugby 577 592 16-17 years Rugby 253 Football/ 16-45 years Hockey 3577 3651 18-45 years Rugby 3331 3398 18-55 years Cricket 4735 4861

Over 55 years Non active 5959

Total area population within Active 12230 Age Groups (6-55yrs)

4 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 2.0 PITCH PROVISION BY SECTOR

2.1 Public Sector provision Map 2: Spennymoor Pitches Managed by the Public Sector

5 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Table 2: Names & types of grounds managed by the Public Sector Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Location Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total

Byers Green Football Pitch Byers Green Y 1 1

Spennymoor & Daisy Fields Sports Ground N 3 3 Tudhoe Grange

Victoria Jubilee Park Spennymoor Y 1 1

Kirk Merrington Football Middlestone Y 1 1 Pitch Middlestone Moor Middlestone N 1 1 Community Centre

Tudhoe Community Centre Tudhoe Y 1 1

8 0 0 0 0 0 8

6 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 2.2 Education provision Map 3: Spennymoor Pitches Managed by Educational Facilities

7 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Table 3: Names & Types of Pitches managed by Educational Facilities Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Ward Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Byers Green Primary Middlestone N 1 1 2 School Kirk Merrington Primary Middlestone N 1 1 School

Oxclose Primary School Spennymoor N 2 2

Rosa Street Primary School Spennymoor N 1 1

Spennymoor School Spennymoor N 2 1 3

St Charles RC Primary Spennymoor & N 1 1 School Tudhoe Grange

The Meadows School Spennymoor Y 1 1

Tudhoe Colliery Primary Tudhoe Colliery N 1 1 School Tudhoe Grange School - Spennymoor & N 5 1 6 Upper School Tudhoe Grange Tudhoe Green School – Spennymoor & N 2 1 3 Lower School Tudhoe Grange Spennymoor & King Street Primary School N 1 1 Tudhoe Grange The Oaks Secondary School Spennymoor N 2 2 (Whitworth Sch) Middlestone Moor Primary Spennymoor N 1 1 School St Paul's Gardens (Spennymoor Cricket Club – Spennymoor Y 1 1 leased from school) 11 11 0 0 4 0 26

8 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 2.3 Private Sector provision Map 4: Spennymoor Pitches Managed by Sports Clubs

9 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Table 4: Names & Types of Pitches Managed by Sports Clubs Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Location Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Tudhoe Cricket Club Tudhoe Y 1 1

Brewery Field – STFC Spennymoor & Y 1 1 Spennymoor Town AFC Tudhoe Grange

High Whitworth Pitches Spennymoor Y 2 2

Middlestone Moor Football Middlestone N 1 1 Pitch 4 0 0 0 1 0 5

10 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 3.0 TEAMS

3.1 Football Team Information

Table 5: Football Clubs & Teams Club Ground Mens Vets Ladies Total Senior Total Mini Total Junior Spennymoor Salvin Arm Daisy Fields Sports Ground 1 1 0 0 Spennymoor Town Brewery Field/ STFC Spennymoor Town AFC 1 1 0 0 Spennymoor Town Youth Academy Brewery Field/ STFC Spennymoor Town AFC 0 0 4 Kirk Merrington Half Moon Kirk Merrington Football Pitch 1 1 0 0

Kirk Merrington Juniors Kirk Merrington Football Pitch 0 1 2 Middlestone Moor Masons Arms Middlestone Moor Football Pitch 1 1 0 0 Middlestone Moor Masons Arms (Sun) Middlestone Moor Football Pitch 1 1 0 0 Byers Green Youth The Meadows School 0 7 7 Spennymoor The Voltigeur Jubilee Park - Victoria Jubilee Park 1 1 0 0

Tudhoe United Tudhoe Community Centre 1 0 0 1 0 0 Totals 7 0 0 7 8 13

There are 7 senior football teams in the Spennymoor AAP, but no senior female teams were recorded. There are 13 junior football teams all of which are male and 8 mini football teams. The teams are all accommodated on 7 different pitches within the AAP as detailed in the table below.

3.2 Cricket Team Information

There are 3 senior cricket teams in Spennymoor and 4 junior teams. The teams play on 2 different cricket grounds in the Spennymoor AAP.

Table 6: Cricket Clubs & Teams Club Ground Mens Ladies Total Senior Total Junior Spennymoor CC St Paul’s Gardens – Spennymoor Cricket Club 1 1 0 Tudhoe CC Tudhoe Cricket Club 2 2 4 Total 3 0 3 4

11 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 4.0 CONSULTATION PROFILE

This section provides stakeholder feedback and the details of findings secured from local sports clubs, schools and town/parish councils.

4.1 Methodology

Consultation and engagement with local stakeholders was undertaken using two main methods:

• Questionnaire surveys (postal and/or e-mail as appropriate) to pitch sports clubs (football, cricket, rugby and hockey); outdoor non-pitch sports clubs (bowls, tennis, netball and basketball); schools; and town/parish councils

• A community workshop organised with the local Community Sports Network (CSN)

The surveys were tailored to the different types or respondent. For example the surveys to pitch sport clubs were posted directly to the club secretary and were individualised to contain team and pitch information relevant to that club gathered from Sport England (clubs were then invited to amend that information if incorrect). The survey also contained a local map on which clubs could indicate other grounds that they might be prepared to play on as well as providing an opportunity to highlight any open space that they thought had potential for the development of new facilities.

The community workshops provided an opportunity for clubs and parishes to raise their own club/parish specific issues but were primarily aimed at securing collective views on key issues for the various sports. As the meetings were arranged on a Community Sports Network basis the general findings will often apply to more than one Action Area Partnership.

The results of the questionnaires which were returned from clubs in the Spennymoor AAP are shown below. The table show the responses whilst the graph maps these responses in relation to specific pitches detailing those which are used most frequently and those which could accommodate extra provision.

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Table 7: Pitch Usage from Club Feedback Questionnaires

Suitable Site Like formal Other pitches Main Ground Relocation to adapt access used

Graph 1: Club Feedback on Pitch Usage in Spennymoor AAP

13 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership This local profile complements a county wide/strategic consultation report that provides an overview of findings from strategic stakeholders including Sport England, the individual sports’ national governing bodies, Sport, Durham University and relevant Durham County Council officers.

The findings are outlined under 3 main headings:

• Pitch Sports (by individual sport) • Town/parish councils • Schools

14 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 4.2 Football Consultation

Table 8: Football Club Survey

Table 9: Football Club Future Plans Survey

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Table 10: Additional Football Comments Club Other Comments As the club grows they are running out of places to play and have to share with other clubs. Because of the poor quality of the pitch games are regularly called off. There are no changing rooms or toilet facilities. They receive no support from the local authorities and there is no real understanding of their needs. Lots of Kirk Merrington Juniors discussions but no action. The club is well organised and efficient at fund raising.

They would like all weather floodlit training facilities, a higher number of and better quality pitches and changing /toilet facilities and a home ground that they can identify with.

16 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 4.3 Community Sports Network Consultation Workshop

(Comments relating to football)

A number of clubs from the wider Community Sports Network area attended the CSN network consultation events. In relation to football the following issues were raised.

Strengths • Strong demand for football in County Durham – huge numbers play • Good organisation and league structures e.g. Russell Foster • Good programme of coach education • Good volunteer input into local football clubs • Wide range of opportunities to play football at all ages and levels of ability e.g. children, youth, adult, veterans, Futsal etc • Some good links between schools and clubs • Girls football is strong in County Durham.

Issues • Shortage of accessible pitches in some areas • It is particularly difficult to meet the demand for children’s and junior football (pitch availability and volunteers) • Over-use of pitches (games and training) means poor pitch quality in many areas • Poor drainage at many sites • Poor or non-existent access to schools pitches • Some clubs have identified DCC land for pitches where lack of pitches is a problem but can’t get permission of DCC to use • Many ancillary facilities are of very poor quality e.g. changing rooms and showers – many pitches still have no changing facilities at all • Many sites need better pitch marking to accommodate the various kinds of games played e.g. mini-soccer, 4x4, 5x5, 7x7 up to full 11-a-side.

17 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership Aspirations • Better facilities – aim for all sites where league football is played to have changing rooms and showers • Some funding system to encourage growth of clubs and quality club development • Strategic investment into drainage improvements so that key sites can accommodate more games • Secure funds to provide more 3G artificial pitches at strategic sites for both training and to develop as football hubs.

Priorities • Quantity – in areas of shortfall secure access to sites that are not currently available e.g. schools, public open space etc and upgrade to enable league play • Quality – improve drainage at key sites and provide good quality changing facilities so that more games can be accommodated • Communications – improve systems to circulate information e.g. examples of good practice, funding opportunities etc.

18 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 4.4 Cricket Consultation

Table 11: Cricket Survey

Table 12: Future Plans Survey

Spennymoor Cricket Club also commented that they receive an annual grant from the town council.

19 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 4.5 Community Sports Network Consultation Workshop (Comments relating to Cricket)

Whilst no cricket teams from the Spennymoor Partnership attended the Community Sports Network workshops others from the broader network area did and the comments below are based on their discussions.

Strengths • The supportive league structure • The recent raising of the sports profile particularly with in relation to the Riverside • Improved access to grants to help with pitch and facility improvements • Links to a local sports development group.

Issues • The lack of junior players • The lack of umpires and supporters for teas etc. • The variable quality of playing surfaces and the misuse of pitches by informal recreation dog walking, golf practice etc. • Lack of practice facilities • Security of pitches and facilities • General lack of funding.

Aspirations • To improve playing numbers • To improve the quality of pitches • To move up the County Pyramid structure.

Priorities • Increase player numbers • Improve playing surfaces and facilities • Improve the security of playing fields • Improve the links to schools.

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4.6 Rugby Consultation

There is currently no Rugby Union or Rugby League Teams based in the Spennymoor Partnership area.

4.7 Hockey Consultation

There are currently no Hockey Clubs operating in the Spennymoor partnership area but the North East Hockey League and Conference has provided some useful general comments in relation to the sport within the Durham County Council area. The league covers the NE area between the Scottish Border and Cleveland / part of North Yorks. There are 25 clubs fielding a total of 62 teams (a number of the clubs also have teams playing at a higher level). The league proper has 4 divisions of 12 teams and there are 2 'Conference' divisions (split North & South) which are principally for junior developmental purposes. The league feeds into the North structure and on into a national structure and a number of local clubs are represented at these levels.

In County Durham there has been a slow decline in standards of hockey, but not numbers involved, in recent years. However current investment in junior development is beginning to reverse that trend. There are currently only 3 men’s clubs based within the political boundaries of Durham although there are another 10 based within the 'traditional' boundaries and a further 5 south of the Tees affiliated to Durham County Hockey Association for geographical convenience. Clearly there is a need to develop the sport within the current County area.

There is very limited scope for bringing the sport to the majority of urbanised areas within the County. To make matters worse there is a tendency for local authorities to build new artificial pitches with new '3G' surfaces which, although good for rugby and football, cannot be used for hockey.

There are currently no known facilities in towns such as , , Spennymoor, Crook, Willington, , , Stanley, Easington, etc. There is very limited scope for bringing the sport to the majority of urbanised areas within the County. To make matters worse there is a tendency for local authorities to build new artificial pitches with new '3G' surfaces which, although good for rugby and football, cannot be used for hockey.

21 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 4.8 Schools Sport Partnership (SSP)

The School Sport Partnership promotes opportunities for children and young people using school and community sports facilities. Three key points were highlighted:

• Need for 3G/4G/Multi-Use Games Area synthetic pitches as many events and matches are cancelled due to weather or poor quality pitches • Improving school/community links and securing more community use of school facilities. Not all schools allow for hire for various reasons, such as costs of staff to open and close facilities • Need better parking access at sites for large events. Access is needed for buses carrying school children (this includes size of parking areas and spaces being available at time of events).

School questionnaires were distributed through the local School Sports Partnership co-ordinators. Information was received from one school in the AAP as detailed in the table below.

Table 13: Schools

School Community Use, Sports club links and Comment Plans/Aspirations

Kirk Merrington • The school has a junior football pitch and a generic field • The school is to be re-built shortly and the Primary School • The facilities are not currently available to the local availability of any facilities will need to be community. restricted for the next 2-3 years.

St Charles RCVA • The school has a junior football pitch, a generic field and a • They would like to have an all weather Primary School - hard surfaced area pitch. Spennymoor • 1 netball court is provided on the tarmac area • The facilities are not currently available to the local community because of security/maintenance concerns • The school has links with the Cricket Club for coaching sessions.

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Spennymoor School • The school has 4 adult football pitches a generic field and • The school is due to be merged in the near a hard surfaced area future and very little is known yet about any • There is an agreement in place for the community use of proposals for the school grounds. facilities • There is a problem with community use of the pitches as this has lead to over use. Users also didn’t respect the school and caused problems e.g. parking on the fields, litter and mess in the changing rooms. So community use has now been withdrawn. Oxclose • They would like to provide a MUGA as there isn’t one • A MUGA is required to increase all year Primary School - available locally and feel they can’t engage with the round activity, including community use, for Spennymoor children or community unless one can be provided a wide range of sports • Parking could potentially be a problem • There is a vision to make the school a centre • The school is keen to engage more with sport and to work of sporting provision for all sports and not with partner schools. just football and to engage other local schools in partnership competitions.

4.9 Conclusions / Key Issues • Football and cricket are the predominant sports in the area with little or no participation in other pitch sports and little engagement with non-pitch sports • The club structure and support for most sports is good but the age of those involved is increasing and volunteers are getting more difficult to find • The quality of pitches generally is considered to be a problem and improvements are needed to playing surfaces and changing facilities • Training facilities and opportunities need to be improved for all sports • There are particular issues in relation to the quality of changing facilities, vandalism and security • The long term future of some sports is under threat from the failure to attract younger players, the quality of facilities available and the cost of participation • Communication between clubs and organisations and the council could be improved to share and help solve common problems and to improve understanding. • There appears to be only limited community use of school facilities.

23 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 5.0 QUALITY & PROVISION

5.1 Supply & Demand Model: Football

Peak time analysis identifies that Sunday mornings are the busiest times for football pitches used in Spennymoor, with 100% of weekly usage by junior teams taking place at this time and 61% for seniors. This represents over usage of the facilities indicating a shortfall in junior provision. Table 14: Football Peak Times

Football

Senior Junior Ratio of home games 0.5 0.5 Temporal Use % Saturday AM Saturday PM 39% Sunday AM 61% 100% Sunday PM Mid week 1- Specify day Mid week 2- Specify day

The shortfall/ surplus football analysis table below shows there are several shortfalls in provision for junior football on a Sunday morning in the AAP. These are specifically in the Middlestone, Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange and Spennymoor wards. If all pitches were secured under an appropriate management and letting system, all fixtures at peak times could be better accommodated for without over using pitches.

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Table 15: Football Shortfall or Surplus

Football (junior) (junior) (junior) (junior) (senior) (senior) (senior) (senior) Sunday PM Sunday PM SundayAM SundayAM Saturday Saturday PM Saturday Saturday PM Saturday AM Saturday Saturday AM Saturday

Total 14.0 12.6 1.0 1.0 11.9 14.0 -5.5 1.0

Middlestone 4.0 3.4 0.0 0.0 3.1 4.0 -1.0 0.0

Tudhoe 1.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.0 0.0 0.0 Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange 4.0 3.6 0.0 0.0 3.4 4.0 -2.0 0.0

Spennymoor 5.0 4.8 1.0 1.0 4.7 5.0 -2.5 1.0

However, this corroborates the responses taken from the club consultations which suggested that quantity of pitches in Spennymoor AAP is an issue. As the club grows they are running out of places to play and often have to share with other clubs. In addition, Kirk Merrington Juniors commented that due to the poor quality of the existing pitches, their games are regularly called off.

25 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 5.2 Supply & Demand Model Cricket

Peak time analysis identifies that Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning are key play times for senior cricket. This is a similar scenario for junior cricket although the spread is more even also including Saturday morning.

Table 16: Cricket Peak Times

Cricket

Senior Junior Ratio of home games 0.7 0.7 Temporal Use % Saturday AM 35% Saturday PM 45% 25% Sunday AM 40% 30% Sunday PM Mid week 1- Specify day 15% 10% Mid week 2- Specify day

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Table 17: Cricket Shortfall or Surplus

Cricket (junior) (junior) (junior) (junior) (senior) (senior) (senior) (senior) Sunday PM Sunday PM SundayAM SundayAM Saturday Saturday PM Saturday Saturday PM Saturday AM Saturday Saturday AM Saturday

Total 3.0 1.4 2.5 2.7 1.6 3.0 2.6 3.0

Middlestone 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Tudhoe 1.0 -0.3 0.5 0.7 -0.1 1.0 0.6 1.0 Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Spennymoor 2.0 1.7 2.0 2.0 1.7 2.0 2.0 2.0

The shortfall/ surplus cricket analysis shows that there is a shortage in senior provision on both Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Further use of school facilities could help to alleviate this problem. Tudhoe Green Comprehensive School has a cricket wicket which is not currently used by any club. However if future demand grows, extra wicket provision needs to be sourced in this area. A hub site combining both football and cricket would be an ideal solution for the Spennymoor AAP.

27 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 5.3 Peak Demand with Adjusted Carrying Capacity Informed Through Team Equivalents

Table 18: Senior Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Rugby League Rugby League Rugby Union Rugby Union Senior Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Total 9.0 7.6 6.9 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Middlestone 3.5 2.9 2.6 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Tudhoe 1.0 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange 0.0 -0.4 -0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Spennymoor 4.5 4.3 4.2 4.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Table 19: Junior Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Rugby League Rugby League Rugby Union Rugby Union Junior Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Total 0.0 0.0 -6.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Middlestone 0.0 0.0 -1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Tudhoe 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange 0.0 0.0 -2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Spennymoor 0.0 0.0 -3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Table 20: Mini Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Mini Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM Total 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Middlestone 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Tudhoe 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Spennymoor 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

In Spennymoor the inclusion of tam equivalents sees a drop in provision of a third across senior and junior football. The result of this drop is a shortage which appears in the Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange ward on Saturday afternoon. Other wards affected in supplying senior pitches include Tudhoe and Spennymoor. In terms of junior football provision, there is also a small reduction in supply, however, the deficiency for Sunday morning is exacerbated by including team equivalents. Mini football is generally unaffected.

29 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 6.0 PITCH CAPACITY ISSUES

6.1 Average Number of Games

Table 21: Average Number of Games per Pitch Home Games Per Week

Total Total Total Rugby Rugby Total Total Football Union League Cricket Hockey Games Games Games Games Games Average Number Of AAP Name Played Played Played Played Played Games Per Pitch Spennymoor BREWERY FIELD 2.5 0 0 0 0 2.5 Spennymoor BYERS GREEN FOOTBALL PITCH 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor BYERS GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor DAISY FIELDS SPORTS GROUND 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor HIGH WHITWORTH PITCHES 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor JUBILEE PARK 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.1 Spennymoor KIRK MERRINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor KIRK MERRINGTON RECREATION GROUND 2 0 0 0 0 2 Spennymoor MIDDLESTONE MOOR COMMUNITY CENTRE 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor MIDDLESTONE MOOR FOOTBALL PITCH 1 0 0 0 0 1 Spennymoor OXCLOSE PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor ROSA STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor SPENNYMOOR SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor ST CHARLES RC PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor ST PAUL'S GARDENS (Spennymoor Cricket Club) 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 Spennymoor THE MEADOWS SCHOOL 7 0 0 0 0 3.5 Spennymoor TUDHOE COLLIERY PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor TUDHOE COMMUNITY CENTRE 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Spennymoor TUDHOE CRICKET CLUB 0 0 0 3 0 3 Spennymoor TUDHOE GRANGE SCHOOL - UPPER SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spennymoor TUDHOE GREEN COMP SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0

30 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership Table 21 provides analysis of the average use of each pitch at the sites allowing public access across the AAP. The exercise is theoretical, as it assumes all pitches are used equally, but it does identify the sites which are potentially overused such as Tudhoe Cricket Club and The Meadows School. The pitch capacity should be viewed in conjunction with the pitch quality information detailed in appendix 9.

6.2 Additional Pitch Availability in Spennymoor

Table 22: Additional Grounds Available in Spennymoor Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Ward Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total

Byers Green Football Pitch Middlestone Y 1 1

High Whitworth Pitches Spennymoor Y 2 2

Middlestone Moor Middlestone Y 1 1 Community Centre

31 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Table 23: Additional Education Pitches Available in Spennymoor Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Location Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Byers Green Primary Middlestone N 1 1 2 School Kirk Merrington Primary Middlestone N 1 1 School

Oxclose Primary School Spennymoor N 2 2

Rosa Street Primary School Spennymoor N 1 1

Spennymoor School Spennymoor N 2 1 3

St Charles RC Primary Spennymoor & N 1 1 School Tudhoe Grange Tudhoe Colliery Primary Tudhoe Colliery N 1 1 School Tudhoe Grange School - Spennymoor & N 5 1 6 Upper School Tudhoe Grange Tudhoe Green School – Spennymoor & N 2 1 3 Lower School Tudhoe Grange Spennymoor & King Street Primary School N 1 1 Tudhoe Grange The Oaks Secondary School Spennymoor N 2 2 (Whitworth Sch) Middlestone Moor Primary Spennymoor N 1 1 School

Tables 22 and 23 identify provision within the AAP which are either used infrequently or have no formal use. Where possible formal use of the pitches should be considered to address the supply issues identified in sections 4 and 5 of the report.

In the Spennymoor AAP, school provision of extra pitches is currently the most viable option, however there have been problems with the community use of school facilities which has led to the revocation of this usage, particularly at Spennymoor School.

32 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Table 24: Existing and Required Provision

33 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership Table 24 identifies that 9 pitches would be required to accommodate the current demand within the AAP areas. With around 20 pitches potentially available in the AAP, supply should exceed demand. It is clear from section 4 that in some instances this is not the case, consultation with clubs which require access to additional pitches should be carried out. Appropriately securing the pitch supply would enable the authority to allocate pitches where demand exceeds supply.

Table 25 identifies that the following pitches should be secured and laid out appropriately to ensure the provision caters for the current teams.

Table 25: Pitch Requirements Type Of Pitch Size Number of Pitches

Senior Football 90 x 60 2* Junior Football 70 x 50 3.5 Mini Football 24 x 18 2 Senior Rugby 100 x 70 0 Junior Rugby 70 x 55 0 Cricket 105 x 110 2 Hockey 95 x 70 0

*Number is rounded up to the nearest 0.5 pitches.

34 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership 7.0 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Securing and formalising access to the following sites and working with the providers to establish a system which allows pitches to be maintained, laid out and accessed under a central system would ensure the current and future pitch provision for the AAP.

Although the privately run clubs generally cater for their demand, accessing additional pitches when required will be key to ensuring the club development. Education and local authority maintained pitches need to work together, enabling rotation of pitches, whilst ensuring appropriately sized pitches can be laid out to cater for demand.

The following action plan and maps identifies potential strategic recommendations to address the issues identified.

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Map 5: Pitches with Community Use

36 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Map 6: Pitches to be Secured

37 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Map 7: Potential Hub Sites

38 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Map 8: Access to Potential Hub Sites

39 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Table 26: Spennymoor Area Action-Plan

The following table outlines key policies that have been recommended in the main playing pitch strategy document. Where relevant, recommendations related to the AAP have been made for each policy. It is important to note, that more site specific recommendations have been put forward for each of the AAPs as part of the study. These are not published in this document, but are being considered by Durham County Council, and will inform future work as part of the neighbourhood planning process.

Policy Ref Strategy Reference Lead Timescale Monitoring Success Recommendations

Existing playing fields are An overall sufficient supply of pitches safeguarded, with consideration within the AAP indicates that a system only given to disposal when a for securing and investment should be P1 secured pitch stock can be Planning Immediate LDF Safeguarded Policy constructed. There may be a potential demonstrated, or alternative for a loss of some pitches where high quality provision can be reinvestment is unviable. generated by the loss of pitches. Contributions towards off site or on-site provision of playing pitches will be sought under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 from all housing developments in There is a need to consider investment proposals of 1 or more units. in the existing stock (i.e. off site Provision will also be sought for P2 Planning Immediate LDF Safeguarded Policy contributions) within this AAP. In subsequent maintenance costs general, supply is good, but quality is for a period of fifteen years. The poor. following types of dwelling will not be subject to obligations in respect of playing pitch provision; replacement dwellings, extensions and very sheltered housing. Influence the design, layout of A proposed school merger has made the pitches and specification of future of some grounds unclear. There school facilities to ensure their Education / is a vision to make 1 school a centre of PFI Projects: Stanley, D1 suitability for school and Planning / Sport Short sporting provision for all sports and to Consett community use, securing formal & Leisure engage other local schools in partnership community use agreements competitions. Such ideas should tie in where appropriate. with the strategy for pitch safeguarding.

40 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Develop new multi pitch/ multi sport ‘hub’ sites which can provide facilities for a range of Develop AAP Profile training, development and Themes, Identifying The performance sport. Where Planning / Key Sites. Influence A number of potential hub sites have D2 appropriate Hub sites should Short Education Planning Consents As A been suggests (see maps 7 & 8). embrace artificial turf pitches Delivery Mechanism; technology (ATP) for training and formal fixtures, floodlit multi use games courts, grass pitches and adequate changing facilities. Implement The Individual Prioritise investment to existing AAP Themes, Where multi-pitch sites which can offer D3 Sport & Leisure Medium Possible Moving Teams secure environments for And Resources From The facilities. Poorest Sites Develop AAP Profile Themes, Identifying Key Over usage has forced some junior clubs The Sites. Influence Develop new junior pitches to share facilities with other clubs. The Planning Consents As A across the County, establishing a strategy should look to address such D4 Sport & Leisure Medium / Long Delivery Mechanism. minimum of one multi-pitch issues and make these a priority in order Work With Schools To junior soccer site in each AAP. to encourage future growth of sports in Ensure Appropriate Sized the AAP. Pitches Are Laid Out To Reflect Their Pupil Ages

Improve the quality of pitches, Develop On AAP Profile There is a general theme of overuse of setting a quality standard. Recommendations pitches in the AAP. Games are regularly Prioritise improvements that Implement The Quality called off at some sites due to the poor Q1 Sport & Leisure Long increase pitch capacity in areas Assessment As Part Of quality of pitches. Priority pitches need and sports that are currently The Clean And Green to be secured once stock is confirmed most deficient. Teams Site Inspections. and investment attributed accordingly.

Influence PFI Projects, Increase the use of synthetic Support The Current pitches for training and where There are currently no synthetic pitches Q2 Sport & Leisure Short / Medium Applications And Ensure difficulty in pitch quality unduly recorded in the AAP. Dual Use Agreements limits carrying capacity. Allow Community Use

41 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Identify a long term framework Investment should be prioritised at sites of ancillary facilities for Develop Principles Set that are to be retained. Sites which Q3 Sport & Leisure Short / Medium retention, improvement and Out In AAP Profiles potentially could be disposed should be disposal disinvested.

Seek to attract commercial Encourage Commercial investment to deliver high quality A per D1 there are valuable schemes Sector To Engage And M1 training and performance sports Sport & Leisure Medium / Long which should be considered for Tender Within PFI facilities: 5 a-side leagues; commercial investment. Opportunities softball; touch rugby.

Contact Commercial Support development of facilities Sector And Develop that provide for growing mid The inclusion of artificial pitches should M2 Planning Long Opportunities Which Tie week sports demand, such as 5 a- be considered in the AAP. In With Hub Site side soccer and floodlit cricket. Concepts Ensure that ‘hub’ or integrated facility developments are reflective of the needs identified within consultation (feedback Influence Design Of PFI M3 Planning Short from clubs) and contribute to the Schools achievement of locally determined sports development targets and priorities. Develop On Themes Enable and support self Within The App Profiles, management of facilities by M4 Sport & Leisure Short Where Consultation Has voluntary sports clubs and other Identified Clubs Seeking organisations where applicable. To Self Administer

42 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Spennymoor Area Action Partnership

Create working group with education sites This is key. Some sites which have a without formal dual use community use agreement have agreements. Develop a experienced problems with community A1 Administration Sport & leisure immediate communication process use leading to withdrawals. This to enable schools, the problem should be addressed within the local authority and strategy where possible. teams to liaise.

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