Surrey Heath Council Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment Report May 2016
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SURREY HEATH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH STRATEGY ASSESSMENT REPORT MAY 2016 Integrity, Innovation, Inspiration 1-2 Frecheville Court off Knowsley Street Bury BL9 0UF T 0161 764 7040 F 0161 764 7490 E [email protected] www.kkp.co.uk SURREY HEATH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................. 1 PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ................................................................... 2 PART 2: FOOTBALL .............................................................................................................. 14 PART 3: THIRD GENERATION TURF (3G) ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES (AGPS) .................... 36 PART 4: CRICKET ................................................................................................................. 43 PART 5: RUGBY UNION ....................................................................................................... 57 PART 6: HOCKEY ................................................................................................................. 70 PART 7: TENNIS ................................................................................................................... 74 PART 8: BOWLS ................................................................................................................... 83 PART 9: ATHLETICS ............................................................................................................. 89 PART 10: NETBALL .............................................................................................................. 92 APPENDIX 1: SPORTING CONTEXT ...................................................................................... 95 APPENDIX 2: CONSULTEE LIST .......................................................................................... 105 SURREY HEATH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT GLOSSARY AGP Artificial Grass Pitch 3G Third Generation (artificial turf) NGB National Governing Body FA Football Association ECB England and Wales Cricket Board EH England Hockey RFU Rugby Football Union S106 Section 106 FIT Fields in Trust GIS Geographical Information Systems KKP Knight, Kavanagh and Page LDF Local Development Framework NPPF National Planning Policy Framework FPM Facilities Planning Model FE Further Education HE Higher Education TGR Team Generation Rate May 2016 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 1 SURREY HEATH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This is the Playing Pitch Assessment Report prepared by Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP) for Surrey Heath Council and its partners. The report presents a supply and demand assessment of playing pitch facilities in accordance with Sport England’s Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance: An approach to developing and delivering a playing pitch strategy. It has been followed to develop a clear picture of the balance between the local supply of, and demand for, playing pitches and other outdoor sports facilities. The guidance details a stepped approach to developing a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS). These steps are separated into five distinct sections: Stage A: Prepare and tailor the approach (Step 1) Stage B: Gather information and views on the supply of and demand for provision (Steps 2 & 3) Stage C: Assess the supply and demand information and views (Steps 4, 5 & 6) Stage D: Develop the strategy (Steps 7 & 8) Stage E: Deliver the strategy and keep it robust and up to date (Steps 9 & 10) Stages A to C are covered in this report. Stage A: Prepare and tailor the approach Why the PPS is being developed The primary purpose of the Playing Pitch Strategy is to provide a strategic framework which ensures that the provision of outdoor playing pitches meets the local needs of existing and future residents within Surrey Heath. The provision of suitable, accessible and readily available sports facilities underpins this and helps to deliver the social and economic beneficial by-products that can be attributed to an active community. Effective forward planning by Surrey Heath Council and its partners is therefore central to the achievement of this goal. The Strategy will be produced in accordance with national planning guidance and provide robust and objective justification for future playing pitch provision. The key drivers for the development of the Playing Pitch Strategy in Surrey Heath are set out below: To inform local planning policy in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and provide an evidence base for responding to planning applications affecting playing fields. To establish a clear strategic pathway for improvement, investment and protection of playing pitches. To have a robust evidence base upon which to be able to apply for external funding such as Sport England’s Protecting Playing Fields Fund. A recognised need to improve the quality and capacity of existing provision, regardless of ownership or management and to drive participation. A need to assess supply and demand issues with cross-boundary usage of sites in neighbouring local authorities. May 2016 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 2 SURREY HEATH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT The strategy will run to 2021 (five years based on Sport England guidance), but should be reviewed on an annual basis to keep it up-to-date and robust. As such, the tools used to develop the Strategy (i.e. the databases used to store information and inform supply and demand analysis) will be handed over to the Council and full training will be offered. The review and monitoring process will be developed in accordance with Stage E of the PPS guidance and adopted with the Strategy. Meeting Sport England PPS requirements To support the improving health and well-being and increasing participation in sport. Sports development programmes and changes in how the sports are played. The need to provide evidence to help protect and enhance existing provision. The need to inform the development and implementation of planning policy. The need to inform the assessment of planning applications. Potential changes to the supply of provision due to capital programmes e.g. for educational sites. To review budgetary pressures and ensure the most efficient management and maintenance of playing pitch provision. To develop a priority list of deliverable projects which will help to meet any current deficiencies provide for future demands and feed into wider infrastructure planning work. To prioritise internal capital and revenue investment. To provide evidence to help secure internal and external funding. Agreed scope The following types of outdoor sports facilities were agreed by the steering group for inclusion in the Assessment and Strategy: Football pitches (including 3G AGPs) Cricket pitches Rugby union pitches Rugby league pitches Hockey pitches (sand based AGPs) Outdoor tennis courts Outdoor bowling greens Outdoor athletics tracks Outdoor netball courts It should be noted that for the non-pitch sports (netball, bowls and athletics) included within the scope of this study the supply and demand principles of Sport England methodology: Assessing Needs and Opportunities Guide for Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities (ANOG) are followed, to ensure the process is compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This is less prescriptive than the PPS guidance. Thus, where applied, the approach to assessing non-pitch sports is a supply/demand assessment based on more a ‘light touch’ approach. May 2016 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 3 SURREY HEATH COUNCIL PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT It should also be noted that, although rugby league has been included within the scope of the study, no rugby league activity currently takes place within Surrey Heath. Consultation with the Rugby Football League also confirms that it is not considered to be a target location for future demand. As such, no information relating to the sport is included within the report. Management arrangements A Project Team from the Council has worked with KKP to ensure that all relevant information is readily available and to support the consultants as necessary to ensure that project stages and milestones are delivered on time, within the cost envelope and to the required quality standard to meet Sport England guidance. Further to this, the Steering Group is and has been responsible for the direction of the PPS from a strategic perspective and for supporting, checking and challenging the work of the project team. The Steering Group is made up of representatives from the Council, Sport England and NGBs. It will be important for the Steering Group to continue once the PPS has been finalised for several reasons, including a continuing responsibility to: Be a champion for playing pitch provision in the area and promote the value and importance of the PPS. Ensure implementation of the PPS’s recommendations and action plan. Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the PPS. Ensure that the PPS is kept up to date and refreshed. Context National Planning Policy Framework One of the core planning principles of the NPPF is to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing for all, and deliver sufficient community and cultural facilities and services to meet local needs. Section 8 of the NPPF deals specifically with the topic of healthy communities. Paragraph 73 discusses the importance of access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation that can make an important contribution