The Bournemouth and Poole Sports Strategy Non-Traditional Facilities

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE

SPORTS FACILITIES STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

2014-26

‘NON-TRADITIONAL’ SPORTS FACILITIES ASSESSMENT

DECEMBER, 2013

CONTENTS

Section Page

Introduction 3

Wheel Parks 11

Water Sports 33

Beach Sports 76

Off-road Cycling 93

Parkour 119

Orienteering 124

Outdoor Gyms 127

Outdoor Table Tennis 131

Appendix 1 ETTA Outdoor Table Tennis Pilot Findings 135

Introduction

This ‘Non-traditional’ Sports Facilities Assessment report forms one of a suite of documents which provide evidence for or ‘sit behind’ the Sports Strategy for Bournemouth and Poole.

Figure 1: Bournemouth and Poole Sports Strategy Documents

Methodology Report

Strategic and Facilities and Literature Pitch Audits Review Report Report

Consultation Sports and Data Profile Engagement Strategy & Report Report Action Plans

Non-traditional Sports Playing Pitch Facilities Assessment Assessment

Built Facilities Assessment

The report utilises information and data set out or referenced in the ‘sister’ documents to provide an assessment and analysis of existing ‘non-traditional’ facility provision, demand and gaps in provision and the identification of future needs. It therefore provides the link for non-traditional sports facilities between evidence collected through audits, surveys, consultation and data analysis and the Sports Strategy itself which will set out the strategic approach to sports facility and pitch provision in Bournemouth and Poole in the period to 2026.

Scope of Assessment

The typology for the ‘non-traditional’ sports facilities assessment is as follows:

 Wheel parks (which incorporate use by skateboards, scooters, freestyle BMX and in-line skating etc);  Informal watersports (which include surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, SUP (stand-up paddle surfing), bodyboarding, open water swimming, wake boarding, scuba, parasailing, etc.);  Marine / harbour / organised watersports (which include sailing and rowing);  Beach sports (which include beach soccer and beach volleyball);  Off-road cycling (which include cycle speedway, BMX racing and informal dirt track BMX, track cycling, cyclocross); and,  Other outdoor pursuits (including parkour, orienteering, outdoor gym, outdoor park table tennis).

The assessment focuses on the facilities used by people playing these sports and have been assessed as far as is possible within the limitations of this strategic study. In some cases, sports could benefit from additional assessment to identify specific actions and deliverables. Some of the above sports facilities have more evidence behind conclusions than others, which is well-documented in the assessment report which follows.

Key Stages of Assessment

There is no formal methodology or guidance on how to approach an assessment of facilities for the non-traditional list of sports. Therefore, a ‘good practice’ approach has been adopted which broadly follows that used for built facilities.

The assessment therefore focuses on following things and seeks to gather data and information for each:

 Current supply and quantity of existing provision;  Quality of existing provision;  Accessibility of existing provision (local catchment areas, cost of use, physical access, ownership, management and use constraints);  Current demand and capacity of existing provision;  Shortfalls / gaps in existing provision;  Projecting future demand and needs; and,  Identifying future provision requirements and standards.

Following assessment, the Sports Strategy will utilise the conclusions, setting out how best to respond to changes implied by analysis in the period to 2026.

It is important to recognise that this analysis and assessment does not consider commercial or competitive issues, but takes a fact-based strategic look at provision and existing and future needs and demand.

Responsibility for delivering improved and additional pitches and facilities

The assessment identifies both shortfalls in existing provision and demands and needs of sports in the period to 2026. While the development of the Strategy has been commissioned by Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole (with support from Active Dorset and Sport England) it is not suggested that any additional pitches or facilities proposed to fill identified shortfalls or future provision should be funded and delivered by the local authorities. The nature of sports facility and pitch provision has changed over the last decade or so with the role of local authorities now moving away from that of a provider and operator of facilities to that of a facilitator.

New pitches and facilities are most likely to be provided in partnership by local authorities, sports organisations, national sports governing bodies, the education sector / establishments, clubs, businesses and operators,

5 community groups, or more commonly by a combination of one or more of these. Local authorities will play a key enabling and co-ordination role in planning for and delivering new facilities across their respective Boroughs. The same applies to the improvement of existing facilities, where management and / or ownership of existing facilities is no longer (or never has been) the responsibility of the Council.

Sources of Information

The main sources of information used for this assessment are as follows. Some of the sources identified below are not available for some of the non- traditional sports or facilities included in the assessment, but where they are relevant they are used.

 The audit of facilities which takes a ‘snapshot’ of facilities’ condition in terms of quality, quantity and accessibility (see the Audit Report);  The Sport England collated data from Active People Survey and illustrated by the Market Segmentation Tool;  Stakeholder surveys (sent to clubs, schools / colleges / Academies, leagues and key local individuals where known) for those sports identified in the typology) (see Consultation and Engagement Report);  Stakeholder interviews, workshops and meetings (see Consultation and Engagement Report);  User and Council resident surveys (where already available);  National Sports Governing Bodies (NGB) comments and priorities for their sport in Bournemouth and Poole;  Local authority officer and Member (Councillor) views; and,  Other sources of information as detailed in the Data Profile Report.

National Sports Governing Bodies

As stated in the Consultation & Engagement Report which accompanies the Sports Strategy, all relevant National Sports Governing Bodies (NGBs) were approached during preparation of this assessment and strategy and given the

6 opportunity to provide their thoughts on provision in Bournemouth and Poole. Where responses were received from NGBs, their key issues and priorities have been noted and taken into consideration in the assessments. Where an assessment does not have reference to NGB priorities or key issues, no response from the relevant NGB was received.

Sub-areas

Much of the data on pitches is listed and broken down into sub-areas within Bournemouth and Poole. This has been done to help provide more localised assessment than that provided at a Borough-wide scale if required at a later date. The sub areas comprise aggregations of wards and are as follows:

Figure 2: Sub-areas

Sub-area Wards reference

Bournemouth

B1 Talbot & Branksome Woods, Central, Westbourne & West Cliff

B2 Boscombe East, Boscombe West, East Cliff & Springbourne

B3 Kinson North, Kinson South, Redhill & Northbourne

B4 Wallisdown & Winton West, Winton East, Queen’s Park

B5 Throop & Muscliff, Strouden Park

West Southbourne, East Southbourne & Tuckton, Littledown & B6 Iford

Poole

P1 Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, Poole Town

P2 Parkstone, Penn Hill, Newtown

P3 Canford Cliffs, Branksome East, Branksome West, Alderney

P4 Oakdale, Canford Heath East, Canford Heath West

P5 Creekmoor, Broadstone, Merley & Bearwood

Figure 3: Sub-areas mapped

However, sub areas are more helpful for Sports Strategy development in less urbanised areas where there are distinct settlements and catchments within a large area of land. These assessments, however, refer to areas of Bournemouth and Poole with which people are familiar more often than the more artificially constructed sub-areas, which it is considered is more helpful to those reading and delivering the strategy and action plan.

Accessibility

Accessibility is an important issue, both for able-bodied people and those with a disability and local authority and other owners, managers and providers of facilities and pitches should respond positively to their responsibility to ensure that good access is maintained.

Sport England’s current strategy sets out its focus for the period to 2017 which is to increase regular participation in sport amongst young people aged 14 - 25 and disabled people. These aims encapsulated by Sport England are also translated to aims and objectives for specific sports through the individual strategies of the National Sports Governing Bodies (NGBs) and also tied to their funding from Sport England by setting targets for increasing participation rates for both able-bodied and disabled people wanting to take part in sport at all skill / ability levels.

This assessment and the audits which form the evidence which underpin the strategy have identified the existing facilities and pitches where there is a need to improve accessibility. Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole officers have the records from the detailed audits undertaken by their staff during the assessment process which can be used as a basis for establishing a programme of scheduled improvements.

All new facilities should be designed so that there is good accessibility and should follow design and access requirements for access outlined by the

9 appropriate Building Regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act1. This will be a requirement on all new developments enforced through the planning system and building control processes overseen by the Councils as local planning authority and responsible authority for enforcing building regulations.

The importance of access goes beyond physical access to facilities and pitches to, for example, good coaching, joining clubs or getting informal access, ease of booking, an understanding of availability of facilities to play sport and provision of affordable sports opportunities. These issues are covered by this

1 the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires service providers to make 'reasonable adjustments' to their premises to tackle any physical features that prevent disabled people from using their services. See the Planning Portal here http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partm/approved#D ownload and the NHBC guidance note here http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/ProductsandServices/BuildingControl/documents/filedownload, 40529,en.pdf for further information on the DDA and Building Regualtions (Part M). 10

Wheel Parks

Wheel park information and data has been gathered from a number of sources including:

 an audit of all existing wheel parks;  a survey distributed to Youth Leaders who run youth centres, where they discussed questions (including, but not exclusively about, wheel parks) on quality, quantity and accessibility to facilities for young people. 14 surveys were returned;  Bournemouth Borough Council Parks Survey (February 2013) data;  Borough of Poole Children and Young People’s Services Consultation (March 2013);  Discussion with a key local adult skater who uses the parks; and,  Wider consultation as documented in the Consultation & Engagement Report which accompanies the Sports Strategy.

Defining wheel parks

For the purposes of this assessment, wheel parks are outdoor structures which provide ramps for use by skateboards, freestyle BMX, scooters and in- line skating. They tend to be openly accessible facilities in parks or other public areas. While it is important to note any commercially run wheel parks in the Boroughs, they are considered within that context, i.e. that they provide some of the supply but that they may be restricted to some parts of the population due to cost.

Outdoor informal BMX tracks are more specifically designed to cater for off- road cycles, even though largely for informal use, and are therefore considered as part of the assessment on cycling facilities.

Current supply and quantity of existing provision

Figure 4a lists the location of wheel parks in Bournemouth and Poole (and their size). All apart from one are public and open facilities.

Figure 4a: Wheel Parks in Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth Poole

Slades Farm (large site) Fleetsbridge (medium)

King’s Park (large) Rossmore (medium)

Duck Lane / Poole Lane (small) Harbourside Park (medium)

Redhill Park (small) Arne Valley / Arne Avenue (mini)

Townsend / Noyce Gardens (small / Sherborne Crescent (small / mini) mini)

Moore Avenue (small) Prevail Skatehouse (large, indoor, commercial)

We understand that there is an additional new skate park proposed at Turlin Moor Recreation Ground in Poole.

Location of Facilities and Catchment areas

The map below shows the location of wheel parks in Bournemouth and Poole. It is considered appropriate to adopt a 20 minute walking distance for medium and large parks and a 10 minute walking distance for small and mini sites. The catchments are also shown on the map.

Figure 4b: Location and catchments for wheel parks

Source: Borough of Poole

N.B. Map and key courtesy of Borough of Poole

The mapping shows that there are a number of gaps in supply where opportunities could be taken to provide one or more facility, depending on the size and demonstrated demand locally. These areas are:

Bournemouth  East Southbourne / Tuckton  West Southbourne  Throop / Muscliff  Charminster / Moordown  Strouden  Boscombe East  Queen’s Park – Winton Recreation Ground  Meyrick Park / Talbot Woods  Westbourne and Westcliff  Central Bournemouth

Poole  Branksome Park  Branksome East  Parkstone  Canford Cliffs  Hamworthy / Turlin Moor  Longfleet  Creekmoor  Broadstone  Merley

Bournemouth / Poole  West Howe / Bearwood / Bearcross

Immediately outside of Bournemouth and Poole, there are skate parks nearby, the most significant of which is the Arena Wheel Park (at Two Riversmeet) in Christchurch.

Population Density

In relation to the gaps identified above, some areas have a higher existing population density than others, suggesting a greater need for additional wheel parks which can help to prioritise delivery of additional facilities.

Amongst the areas with gaps in provision, the following have the highest densities (areas at or around 6,000+ people per sqkm.):

In Poole  Parts of Poole town centre;  Longfleet; and,  Creekmoor.

In Bournemouth  Westbourne / West Cliff; and,  East of Meyrick Park.

Source: Data sourced from ONS interactive mapping http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/interactive/census-map- 1-4/index.html

Index of Multiple Deprivation

There are a number of areas which have relatively high levels of deprivation and which correlate with gaps in provision of wheel parks in Bournemouth and Poole:

In Poole  Hamworthy and Turlin Moor; and,  Sterte / Longfleet / area east of Twin Sails Bridge.

In Bournemouth  Westbourne and West Cliff.

Quality and accessibility of existing provision

The main source of information about the quality of wheel parks has come from the audit, survey returns from youth clubs and discussion with other key interested parties. The key issues, which focus on where improvements could be made, are summarised below. The absence of comments on quality means that quality has been rated as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

Findings from the audit and consultation

Bournemouth Key issues raised

Some ramps are in poor condition.

Youth survey comments suggested a need for safe toilet facilities, floodlights on at appropriate times and a seating area, although the priority was identified as Slades Farm (large improving the surface of the wheel park so that it is site) ‘not like sandpaper’. Resurfacing would increase its use.

An adult skater consulted suggested that the surface will be in need of replacement soon.

An adult skater consulted suggested that the surface is King’s Park (large) getting ‘tired’.

Overall condition rated as ‘adequate’. Duck Lane / Poole An adult skater consulted suggested that the facility Lane (small) needs to be refurbished.

Overall condition rated as ‘poor’. Redhill Park (small) Surface quality rated as ‘poor’.

Townsend / Noyce Gardens (small / Overall condition rated as ‘adequate’. mini)

Bournemouth Key issues raised

Moore Avenue Overall condition rated as ‘adequate’. (small)

Poole Key issues raised

Fleetsbridge Some signs of vandalism. (medium)

Some signs of vandalism.

Rossmore (medium) The audit notes that there appears to be some conflict between the leisure centre and the skate park.

Some signs of vandalism.

Overall condition rated as ‘adequate’.

Harbourside Park Youth survey comments suggested a desire for the (Baiter) (medium) park to be rebuilt as a concrete facility.

An adult skater consulted suggested that the quality of the facility is ‘poor’ and needs to be refurbished.

Arne Valley / Arne Some signs of vandalism.

Avenue (Mini) Overall condition rated as ‘adequate’.

Sherborne Crescent Some signs of vandalism.

(small / mini) Overall condition rated as ‘adequate’.

Prevail Skatehouse This has been identified as the best facility in (large, indoor, Bournemouth and Poole. commercial)

Other issues about quality which have arisen from consultation are summarised below:

 From other sources of information, the following additional key comments have been identified:

 An adult skater consulted suggested that the quality of most skate parks in Bournemouth and Poole are ‘not in very good condition’. This is a valid comment to take into account as users know what makes a good quality facility.

 From the surveys returned, the following additional key comments arise:  There are good quality facilities in places like Christchurch, Ferndown and Verwood, the type of which should be provided in Bournemouth and Poole; and,  One survey (returned from a Youth Leader in Poole) suggested that there is little need for additional wheel parks, with the focus needing to be on improving existing provision as a priority.

Current demand and capacity of existing provision

The key issues in relation to each wheel park in terms of demand and capacity are identified below:

Bournemouth Key issues raised

Youth survey comments suggested a desire for new

Slades Farm (large ramps and a half pipe at Slades Farm, which would site) increase use of the facility.

Surveys also suggested that the facility is well-used.

Youth survey comments suggested that the facility is King’s Park (large) well-used.

Duck Lane / Poole None. Lane (small)

Redhill Park (small) None.

Townsend / Noyce Gardens (small / None. mini)

Moore Avenue None.

(small)

Poole Key issues raised

Fleetsbridge Youth survey comments suggested that the facility is (medium) well-used.

The Borough of Poole Children and Young People’s Rossmore (medium) Services Consultation suggested that more equipment is needed at the facility.

Harbourside Park Youth survey comments suggested that the facility is (Baiter) (medium) well-used.

Arne Valley / Arne None. Avenue (Mini)

Sherborne Crescent None. (small / mini)

Prevail Skatehouse (large, indoor, None. commercial)

Other issues which have arisen from consultation are summarised below:

 From the surveys returned, the following key comments arise:  There is demand for an additional good quality wheel park within riding distance of Slades Farm;  Some respondents identified a need for a wheel park in Townsend;  Demand will tend to be high for free to access facilities like wheel parks as formal sport and leisure facilities can restrict use due to the cost to use them;  As identified above, one survey (returned from a Youth Leader in Poole) suggested that there is little need for additional wheel parks, with the focus needing to be on improving existing provision as a priority.

 From other sources of information, the following key comments have been identified: 20

 Some comments in the Borough of Poole Children and Young People’s Services Consultation suggested that there is a need for additional wheel parks in Poole and wheel parks were a popular choice when children were asked for their ‘likes’;  An adult skater consulted suggested that skate parks are under- provided for in Bournemouth and Poole, highlighting areas of Townsend and Kinson, Turlin Moor (although it was acknowledged that there is an active group seeking to deliver a skate park there) and West & East Howe.

Projecting future demand and needs

Housing growth and population change

As the Data Profile report highlights, the population of Bournemouth and Poole will increase significantly in the period to 2026 as Figure 5 shows.

Figure 5: Population Change Projected to 2026 by Sub-area2

Bournemouth Sub-area

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 Total

2011 30,130 33,610 29,560 43,240 18,620 28,300 183,460

2026 31,230 36,440 32,080 46,410 20,120 31,230 197,510

Poole Sub-area

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Total

2011 23,650 34,550 33,800 25,680 30,400 148,080

2026 24,840 37,400 36,270 27,150 33,210 158,870

2 Sub-areas contain the following wards: B1 - Talbot & Branksome Woods, Central, Westbourne & West Cliff; B2 – Boscombe East, Boscombe West, East Cliff & Springbourne; B3 – Kinson North, Kinson South, Redhill & Northbourne; B4 – Wallisdown & Winton West, Winton East, Queen’s Park; B5 – Throop & Muscliff, Strouden Park; B6 – West Southbourne, East Southbourne & Tuckton, Littledown & Iford; P1 – Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, Poole Town; P2 – Parkstone, Penn Hill, Newtown; P3 – Canford Cliffs, Branksome East, Branksome West, Alderney; P4 – Oakdale, Canford Heath East, Canford Heath West; P5 – Creekmoor, Broadstone, Merley & Bearwood. 21

Source: Bournemouth Borough Council, September 2013, using POPGROUP software developed by Bradford Council, the University of Manchester and Andelin Associates

These projections take into account allocated housing growth in the period to 2026. Figure 6 below sets out how population is anticipated to change in the 10 – 19 age group in the period to 2026, the age group which is most likely to use wheel parks. The significant rise in the number of young people in this age group suggests a rising need and demand for wheel parks to provide open access opportunities to play sport informally near to where young people live.

Figure 6: Projected Population Change in the 10 – 19 Age Group in Bournemouth and Poole 2011 - 2026

24,000

22,000

20,000

18,000 Bournemouth 10 - 19 Poole 10 - 19

16,000

14,000

12,000 2011 2016 2021 2026

Source: Bournemouth Borough Council Projections, 2013.

In addition to knowing how population might change during the plan period to help identify the implications for facilities, understanding where development is likely to happen and therefore where much of the population increase is likely to occur is important in order to understand where change might be needed. The adopted plans for the Boroughs identify around 10,000 dwellings to be provided in Poole between 2006 and 2026 and around 7,500 in Bournemouth between 2011 and 2026 in the following places.

Figure 7: Housing Allocations in Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth Poole

5,500 in appropriate locations across 1,850+ at the regeneration area sites the rest of the Borough fronting Back Water Channel between the lifting and twin sails bridges

2,000 on Town Centre Area Action 350–700 in the Town Centre North Plan sites area

1,450 in the rest of the town centre

6,000 in appropriate locations across the rest of the Borough

Sources: Adopted Bournemouth Borough Core Strategy October 2012 and Borough of Poole Adopted Core Strategy February 2009

Of particular importance to drawing the strategy together for facilities will be the area specific quanta of development identified above. Knowing that there will be a focus for development in the town centre in Bournemouth and on the regeneration sites and in the town centre north area in Poole will help to identify where the impact of growth is most likely to be felt.

Implications of growth

The single biggest area of population increase will be in and around the regeneration sites in Poole. There is already an existing deficit in provision of openly accessible wheel parks in the area which will be further exaggerated with around 1,850 new dwellings being developed.

Existing plans and programmes

23 provision to help determine the strategic approach to fill gaps in provision in the period to 2026.

Figure 8: Projects which relate to future strategic provision of cricket pitches in Bournemouth and Poole

Progress Does it remain a Project / proposal Source Document Underway / Not started Complete priority? * ongoing

New skate MUGAs facilities developed at planned for Bournemouth Redhill, Horseshoe Develop further teen zones. Playground Boscombe Common, Strategy, 2009 Chine, Moore Duck Lane Ave and and Townsend. Townsend.

Harbourside Park landscape enhancements, improve pavilion, youth Poole Infrastructure Yes hub, skate facility, sports equipment Programme, 2011 and event infrastructure

Develop Skate Parks and BMX Tracks. Northern Poole currently deficient and Poole Infrastructure Baiter Skate Park facility deficient in Yes Programme, 2011 provision and needs replacing with concrete bowl.

We understand that there are plans for Bournemouth Borough Council to replace the ramp at the Duck Lane site, refurbish it and relocate it to Swansbury Drive (Townsend) where it will complement an existing BMX pump track and half pipe used by skateboards and BMXs. The site will then be developed as a new concrete skate bowl.

Scale of Provision

The scale of provision of additional new parks will be often be determined by the site available, given other considerations, rather than a desired size and design of facility. However, there are a number of factors to be aware of in identifying suitable scale of additional facilities. These include the following:

 It is important to establish a network of different sizes and designs of facility as far as possible within the existing location and scales of facilities. A large park with a number of medium sized ‘satellite’ parks is a good principle to follow. Small and mini parks would be used to supplement provision rather than fill significant gaps in provision;  An estimate of capital cost for development of a large ‘hub’ concrete wheel park (800 – 900 sqm) is around £200,000 - £300,000 and a medium sized (300 – 500 sqm) ‘satellite’ concrete wheel park is around £100,000. As a rule of thumb a 10m x 30m wheel park could accommodate around 50 people with 5 users at any one time;  As ‘ringmaster’, the local authority should work closely with the local young community and any nearby residents to ascertain appropriate scale, design and location of facilities. Many young communities will be prepared to put significant time and effort into designing a wheel park to meet their needs but may need support in managing the task, process and delivery;  Consider that smaller facilities may generate a desire for a ‘phase 2’ to improve them within a short timescale of being built, so it is important to consider appropriate scale for the long-term from the outset;

 Some local communities may only need seed-corn funding, professional advice (for example on things like planning matters) and political support from the local authority to help achieve their goal of a new small or medium sized wheel park.

Conclusions

Wheel parks provide a free to access facility for use predominantly by young people who use BMXs and skateboards. They can also offer use to scooters, although there is some known conflict between users of BMX / skateboards with scooters largely due to the different age groups involved and speed of use of ramps. As well as performing a functional role, they can provide a social hub for young people just wanting to ‘hang out’, although the sometimes territorial nature of youth can mean that some wheel parks will be ‘off-limits’ to some young people.

Designed well and with the right materials and appropriate initial upfront investment they can also prove to be long-lasting and attractive additions to the urban landscape with minimal ongoing maintenance costs. For example, concrete parks are more durable and less noisy than metal ramps and can be designed in a sculptural / artistic way contributing positively to the urban environment.

At some existing wheel parks, improvements have been identified as necessary through an audit of quality and consultation. In addition, there are known gaps in provision of wheel parks across both Boroughs which should be addressed during the strategy period to 2026. There will also likely be demands placed upon facility provision in response to an increasing population and of an increasing proportion of the population being comprised of young age groups.

The successful provision of wheel parks hinges on the involvement of the local community to ensure that they are well-placed and have the right design for the needs of users and in all cases where refurbished or new additional parks are proposed, local authority managed but community led involvement is key.

Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth and Poole and reasonably well-served by wheel park facilities by number. However, the size and quality of some facilities means that improvements will be needed to some during the lifetime of the strategy and that gaps in provision should be filled if viable to do so in the short-term (i.e. having sufficient capital to develop them) and the longer-term (i.e. that they are sustainable into the future with sufficient maintenance funds). A network of small, medium and large facilities should be provided to cater for a range of skills and ages and types of interest. In summary, the approach to provision in Bournemouth and Poole should be:

 Maintain existing good facilities;  Enhance facilities which are in a poor condition;  Where a facility is unavoidably ‘lost’, ensure adequate replacement of the facility or rationalisation (without reducing it capacity) at a location within its catchment area;  Within this context, continue with current plans for scheduled improvements to existing facilities and provision of new facilities;  When considering additional (new or replacement) provision within the areas of search identified below:  ensure that capital funds are in place to deliver the facility;  ensure that sufficient funds are in place to maintain the facility into the future;  ensure that noise levels are not disruptive to neighbours;  deliver durable concrete facilities (which are also quieter than metal or wooden ramps);  seek to locate them where ‘hubs’ of facilities such as play facilities and MUGAs already exist or are planned to be located, if possible;  seek to locate them in accessible places are in locations where the catchment of young people likely to use them do not have significant physical barriers to access them (for example a main ‘A’ road which is difficult to cross safely within line of sight of the facility); 29

 consult in depth with young people who live locally to ensure that provision meets their needs;  consult with local residents within a reasonable radius of the proposed facility (for example, 100m-200m).  Prioritise delivery on the basis of ‘best fit’ in satisfying as many of the following conditions as apply:  absence of any provision (including wheel parks, MUGAs or BMX tracks) for young people in the vicinity or catchment identified for wheel parks;  absence of provision of wheel parks in the vicinity or catchment identified for wheel parks;  areas with poor IMD score (i.e. areas with higher levels of deprivation);  higher population densities;  site availability;  opportunity to deliver in conjunction with other scheduled improvements on the site / location;  pressures from population growth / housing development; and,  satisfactory consideration of the above criteria under ‘When making additional (new or replacement) provision”.

Bournemouth

In Bournemouth, within the context of the above recommendations for Bournemouth and Poole, the key issues for the strategy are:

 Ensure that the quality of facilities is improved as necessary at the following facilities (or at a site within its catchment if replacement is required):  Slades Farm;  King’s Park;  Duck Lane / Poole Lane; and,  Redhill Park.  Subject to locally demonstrable demand, viability of provision and maintenance of facilities in the future, consider making provision in the

following areas of search at the appropriate scale so that there is coverage of provision within walking distance where medium and large facilities have a coverage area or catchment of 20 minutes walking distance (approximately one mile) and where small facilities have a 10 minute walking catchment:  East Southbourne / Tuckton;  West Southbourne;  Throop / Muscliff;  Charminster / Moordown;  Strouden;  Boscombe East;  Queen’s Park – Winton Recreation Ground;  Meyrick Park / Talbot Woods;  Westbourne and Westcliff; and,  Central Bournemouth (if the proposals for a wheel park at Horseshoe Common are delivered, there may be no further need to find a site in central Bournemouth).

Poole

In Poole, within the context of the above recommendations for Bournemouth and Poole, the key issues for the strategy are:

 Ensure that the quality of facilities is improved as necessary at the following facilities (or at a site within its catchment if replacement is required):  Fleetsbridge; and,  Harbourside Park (Baiter).  Subject to locally demonstrable demand, viability of provision and maintenance of facilities in the future, consider making provision in the following areas of search at the appropriate scale so that there is coverage of provision within walking distance where medium and large facilities have a coverage area or catchment of 20 minutes walking distance

(approximately one mile) and where small facilities have a 10 minute walking catchment:  Branksome Park;  Branksome East;  Parkstone;  Canford Cliffs;  Hamworthy / Turlin Moor;  Longfleet;  Creekmoor;  Broadstone; and,  Merley.

Watersports

The Bournemouth and Poole coastlines are used extensively for watersports. Bournemouth lends itself to informal and beach based watersports while Poole sees more activity around harbour based watersports. Both Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole have done significant work in identifying a vision and plans for the future of their respective seafront areas. This assessment therefore focuses on supplementing that work where possible and building upon the consultation done for both the Bournemouth Seafront Vision and Masterplan and the Sustaining Poole Seafront Draft Development Plan Document, rather than seeking to challenge the work that has been done to date. In Poole, while the aforementioned work only covers the seafront, a recent study (the Poole Harbour VALMER Project) has provided a useful insight into watersports activities in Poole Harbour.

The assessment used the same basis and approach as that used for the built facilities assessment, including an audit of existing built land-side facilities undertaken by the local authorities, surveys sent out to clubs and key individuals in the area and seeking the views and priorities of key stakeholders such as the national sports governing bodies (NGBs). Despite reminders sent out to clubs and NGBs, the response remained lower than hoped for with one NGB responding and 15 surveys returned.

Defining watersports

For the purposes of this assessment, the ‘informal watersports’ considered include surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, SUP (stand-up paddle surfing), bodyboarding, open water swimming, wake boarding and parasailing. Lifeguard stations are also included in the assessment. The focus for assessment is to explore the supporting infrastructure needed for these sports to be maintained at current levels of participation and improve the quality and number of facilities to ensure that sports grow. It is also these supporting facilities, land-side, over which the local authorities can have an influence and help enable future provision. Essentially therefore, the focus is on toilets, changing and shower facilities and slipways. Coastal / water based outdoor

33 activity centres are also included in this assessment, although club based facilities such as yacht clubs are considered in a later section of this report.

The other sports considered have been those which are traditionally or more likely to be club based, which in Bournemouth and Poole, are sailing, canoeing and kayaking and sea rowing. For the purposes of the assessment, these are loosely termed as ‘formal watersports’. For these sports, the focus has been on assessing demands and need for improvement at built club bases or facilities which are not currently in private ownership (i.e. those over which the local authority and its partners can have the most influence and support in provision).

Current supply and quantity of existing provision

Figure 9 lists existing supporting infrastructure with community access for informal watersports.

Figure 9: supporting publicly owned infrastructure in Bournemouth and Poole

Type of Location supporting Opening hours infrastructure

Bournemouth

Slipway, showers, Open when the centre is Hengistbury Head Outdoor changing and open and for use by users Centre toilets of the centre only

Toilets and showers with limited open Boscombe Overstrand 8am – 6pm (approx.) changing (no cubicles)

Poole

Hamworthy Public Slipway Slipway na

Type of Location supporting Opening hours infrastructure

Open when the centre is Hamworthy Outdoor Changing, toilets, open and for use by users Recreation Centre showers (indoors) of the centre only

Whitley Lake car Showers 8am – 4pm (approx.) park/showers

Harbourside (Baiter) Slipway na Slipway

Lake Pier Showers 8am – 4pm (approx.)

Branksome Dene Chine Showers and toilets 9am – 3pm (approx.)

Location of facilities and catchments

Given the nature of informal watersports, people who participate could launch at many places to do their sport. Some watersports are restricted by the need for ramps to aid launch, and others are not. There are some restrictions placed on launching in some areas and launching for some sports will depend, to an extent on wind and tidal conditions, which may dictate where they launch from.

As access to watersports is coastal, there are no defined local catchment areas for informal waterports. Most people will travel by car to access informal watersport opportunities due to the need to transport craft and equipment needed like boards and boats. Use of particular stretches of coast can attract sub-regional and regional participants and favourite locations will see people return and so catchments are most likely to be wide and not restricted to the conurbation only.

For supporting infrastructure, slipways will not have catchments defined locally, again due to the nature of the sports they support. Infrastructure and facilities such as showers and changing facilities are likely to have a very local

35 catchment within which people will access them and it is reasonable to expect existing facilities to have a 5 minute maximum walking catchment (approximately 0.25 miles). However, new facilities should not be planned on the basis of having one every ten minutes walking distance, or 0.5 miles. Rather, it is more practical to ensure high quality provision at accessible ‘hub’ locations where those doing informal watersports will go to and use as a base for their informal watersport activity. Suitable locations will include where a focus of informal watersports already exists, for example, around a location used by a club or where the majority of particpants will go.

Figures 11 to 16 are reproduced from the iCoast website (www.icoast.co.uk), with permission from the Dorset Coast Forum. iCoast provides an accessible, interactive map and information on 26 different activities taking place along the Dorset coast from windsurfing and sea kayaking to fossil hunting. The figures show the location of clubs, facilities and areas where various informal and formal watersports can be experienced in Bournemouth and Poole.

Figure 11: Kite surfing, paragliding, kayaking, stand-up paddle surfing, surfing, swimming, wake boarding / water skiing and windsurfing locations and clubs in Bournemouth

Source: iCoast (www.icoast.co.uk). Image reproduced by kind permission of Dorset Coast Forum. Notes: turquoise symbols are club locations. Sports identified are those where the symbol is raised on the picture’s key along the bottom edge. The sports selected to be shown are, left to right along the bar in the picture, kitesurfing, paragliding, kayak / canoe, SUP, surfing, swimming, water-skiing / wakeboarding and windsurfing. The purple line identifies kayaking areas. Purple shaded areas are windsurfing areas.

denotes a slipway.

Figure 12: Kite surfing, paragliding, kayaking, stand-up paddle surfing, surfing, swimming, wake boarding / water skiing and windsurfing locations and clubs in Poole

Source: iCoast (www.icoast.co.uk). Image reproduced by kind permission of Dorset Coast Forum.

Notes: turquoise symbols are club locations. Sports identified are those where the symbol is raised on the picture’s key along the bottom edge. The sports selected to be shown are, left to right along the bar in the picture, kitesurfing, paragliding, kayak / canoe, SUP, surfing, swimming, water-skiing / wakeboarding and windsurfing. The purple line identifies kayaking areas. Purple shaded areas are windsurfing areas.

denotes a slipway.

Figure 13: Yacht, sailing, gig racing and rowing locations and clubs in Bournemouth and Poole

Source: iCoast (www.icoast.co.uk). Image reproduced by kind permission of Dorset Coast Forum.

denotes a slipway.

Figure 14: Lifeguard stations across Bournemouth and Poole

Source: iCoast (www.icoast.co.uk). Image reproduced by kind permission of Dorset Coast Forum.

denotes a slipway.

Figure 15: Public conveniences on the Bournemouth coastline

Source: iCoast (www.icoast.co.uk). Image reproduced by kind permission of Dorset Coast Forum.

Figure 16: Public conveniences on the Poole coastline

Source: iCoast (www.icoast.co.uk). Image reproduced by kind permission of Dorset Coast Forum.

Watersport Clubs in Bournemouth and Poole

The following list of watersports clubs in Bournemouth and Poole (compiled using local authority officers’ and Active Dorset’s knowledge and iCoast website data (www.icoast.co.uk) were contacted to respond to a survey about watersports. The list represents the majority of watersports clubs active in the area.

Figure 17: Watersport Clubs in Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth

Wessex Surf Club, Southbourne

Bournemouth Spartans Winter Sea Swimming Club

Boscombe Boardriders

Southbourne Kitesurfing club

RLSS Boscombe

Bournemouth Lifeguard Corps

Southbourne Surf Lifesaving Club

Poole

Bournemouth & Poole Kitesurf Club

Bay Standup Paddleboard Club

Poole Windsurfing Club

Poole Slalom Windsurfing Club

East Dorset Open Swimming Club

Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Club

RLSS Poole Lifeguards Club

Rockley Sports

Poole Yacht Club

Poole

Parkstone Yacht Club

East Dorset Sailing Club

Lilliput Sailing Club

Royal Motor Yacht Club

Poole Sailability

North Haven Yacht Club

RNLI Boat and Sailing Club

Poole Harbour Canoe club

Poole Amateur Rowing Club

Easyriders (kitesurfing, SUP, wakeboarding, etc.)

Quality and accessibility of existing provision

The main source of information about the quality of watersport facilities has come from the audit, survey returns from clubs and discussion with other key interested parties. The key issues, which focus on where improvements could be made, are summarised below. The absence of comments on quality means that quality has been rated as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. The table also identifies levels of community use where appropriate.

Findings from the audit and consultation

Levels of community Bournemouth Key issues raised use

Changing and showers

There are limited changing Boscombe facilities, although it is all na Overstrand open plan with no cubicles or male / female areas.

Levels of community Bournemouth Key issues raised use

Clubs and other bases

It is understood from discussion with local authority officers that the

Hengistbury Head centre is in need of some

Outdoor Centre refurbishment.

The slipway is identified as being in ‘adequate’ condition by the audit.

Levels of community Poole Key issues raised use

Slipways

The slipway has been Hamworthy Public identified as being in ‘poor’ na Slipway condition overall, with loose tarmac and no railings.

The audit suggests that it is Harbourside in a remote location with no na (Baiter) Slipway adjacent facilities.

Changing and showers

The facility has been audited Whitley Lake car as being in ‘adequate’ na park/showers condition overall.

The facility has been audited as being in ‘adequate’

Lake Pier condition overall. na

The facilities are likely to be replaced with the Poole

Levels of community Poole Key issues raised use Harbour Canoe Club having secured planning permission for a new clubhouse facility and public toilets.

The facility has been audited Branksome Dene as being in ‘adequate’ na Chine condition overall.

Clubs and other bases

Hamworthy 100% programmed Outdoor activity, pay and play and Recreation Centre block bookings.

The audit has identified that Members only. Mixture of Poole Canoe Club the club has insufficient block bookings and pay storage available. and play.

Members only. 100% The audit has identified that East Dorset Sailing programmed activity, pay the club has insufficient Club and play and block storage available. bookings

Royal Motor Yacht Members only. No

Club community use.

The audit has identified that the club has insufficient 20 – 30 hours per week storage available at Poole Rockley community use. 100% Park. Watersports programmed activity, pay The club has also suggested Training and play and block that there is a need for bookings increased accommodation at Rockley point.

Members only. 100% Poole Yacht Club programmed activity, pay

Levels of community Poole Key issues raised use and play and block bookings

Parkstone Yacht Members only. No

Club community use.

Members only. 100% Lilliput Sailing programmed activity, pay

Club and play and block bookings

Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Club currently shares use of the facility with the beach wardens and cleaning staff. The club has suggested that the facility is not suitable for the mixed- use and the building is in a poor state of repair. There Branksome Chine are no separate changing Beach Warden rooms and the club has na Office suggested that the quality of the facilities limits their capacity to grow. The club does not get an income to be able to raise funds easily for new premises. There is no space on site to store a boat and the club uses a container for storage located on Beach Road.

From other sources of information, the following additional key comments have been identified: 47

 Rockley Watersports has identified that water quality and improved weed prevention is needed in Poole Park Lake;  Watersports businesses which replied to the survey sent out have suggested that improved secure areas for belongings, better storage areas for equipment, better and more accessible information about where to go to do watersports and an improved offer of refreshments would help to improve the overall quality of experience for those doing watersports. Comments were also made about the need for cubicle changing facilities and enclosed warm shower facilities to support growth in watersports.

Current demand and capacity of existing provision

Estimating demand for most watersports, given their informal nature, is very difficult to achieve. However, there is some data available which can help to set out a broad understanding of demand for watersports, which can be supplemented by responses received to consultation.

Market Segmentation

The market segmentation tool provided by Sport England online, takes data gathered through the Active People Survey and sets out, for sports and local authority areas, the picture of demand and also for latent demand (i.e. as estimation of those people who would like play the sport but currently do not do so). The figures include those over the age of 16 and are based on resident participation only. They therefore mask demand from people coming to Bournemouth and Poole from outside the Boroughs, which, for coastal watersports is likely to be fairly high, particularly from day visitors but also from watersport breaks or tourism (particularly over long weekends).

For watersports, market segmentation data is categorised and available for canoeing and kayaking (which will include some freshwater demand), sailing and ‘other watersports’ (which excludes the other two). The agglomeration of data for other watersports is also therefore limited in use for individual activities but is useful when exploring potential demand from residents over 48

16 for use of supporting infrastructure. The market segmentation data provides a ‘direction of travel’ and useful indicator of demand, but should not be used in isolation. The sections which follow summarise the data.

In Bournemouth, 518 people currently participate in canoeing and kayaking, 600 participate in sailing and 567 participate in other watersports. In Poole, 417 people currently participate in canoeing and kayaking, 528 participate in sailing and 472 participate in other watersports. For each of these categories, for both Bournemouth and Poole, the figures represent less than 1% of the resident population.

The segments of population types which participate in these sports the most are identified below.

Figure 18: Top 3 segments of population which participate in watersports the most (number and % of total residents participating) in Bournemouth

Other Bournemouth Sailing Canoe & Kayak watersports

Segment Summary Population % Population % Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, buying a Tim 117 19.5 103 19.9 140 24.7 house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, sporty males Philip 94 15.7 74 14.3 68 12.0 with older children and more time for themselves

Competitive Male Urbanites: Male, recent graduates, with a Ben 80 14.1 ‘work-hard, play-hard’ attitude

Sports Team Lads: Young blokes enjoying football, pints and Jamie 91 17.6 pool

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples nearing the end 80 13.3 Joy of their careers

Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

Figure 19: Top 3 segments of population which participate in watersports the most (number and % of total residents participating) in Poole

Other Poole Sailing Canoe & Kayak watersports

Segment Summary Population % Population % Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, buying a Tim 105 19.9 93 22.3 126 26.7 house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, sporty males Philip 100 18.9 78 18.7 72 15.3 with older children and more time for themselves

Competitive Male Urbanites: Male, recent graduates, with a Ben 49 11.8 72 15.3 ‘work-hard, play-hard’ attitude

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples nearing the 77 14.6 Joy end of their careers

Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

VALMER Project

The VALMER Project3 aims to evaluate how effective marine ecosystem service valuation (e.g. monetary values of recreation in Poole Harbour) can contribute to enhanced marine planning and management in the Western Channel. Surveys issued between March and August 2013 have collected invaluable data about demand and use by 6 activities in Poole Harbour, 5 of which are watersports, kayak / canoeing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, jet skiing and water skiing. 132 responses were received from kayak / canoers, 104 from kitesurfers, 83 from windsurfers and 79 from jet and waterskiers.

The results provide information on: demographics, launch sites around the harbour, where kayakers go in the harbour, how far people have travelled from, travel cost and local spend, recreational users’ opinions on management of their activity in the harbour, factors influencing people's decisions to return to the harbour to do their activity and assessment of people's environmental attitudes.

The project provides useful data about aspects of watersports outside the remit of this study and therefore this assessment will need to be considered alongside the VALMER work to get a rounded picture of demands and needs for watersports in the harbour. Some of the key summary information of relevance to this assessment and which can help to understand levels of demand suggests the following4:

 kitesurfers and windsurfers mainly use Whitley Lake to launch;  15 comments were received from the of the 105 kitesurf respondents suggested that improved signage of launching areas and landing sites is needed at Whitley Lake and Poole Harbour and that a map of the

3 VALMER is an eleven partner, €4.7 million project co-funded by the INTERREG IV A Channel programme through the European Regional Development Fund, which aims to examine how improved marine ecosystem services assessment can support effective and informed marine management and planning. The Poole Harbour case study is investigating the monetary and non-monetary benefits derived from the cultural marine ecosystem service of recreation. More specifically, collecting primary data in the form of questionnaires with people actively taking part in six recreational activities within the harbour that use the marine environment; kitesurfing, windsurfing, birdwatching, canoeing/kayaking, jetskiing and waterskiing/wakeboarding. Results from this study will be made publically available by March 2013 via the Dorset Coast Forum website www.dorsetforyou.com/valmer. 4 Data from: A. Brocklesby, J, Feaver and T, Hooper 52

kitesurfing area is needed. 12 comments suggested a need to improve facilities, for example showers and changing facilities close to parking and fresh water tap for rinsing kit;  jetskiiers mainly used Baiter Park slipway to launch;  waterskiiers used 9 different sites to launch;  kayakers mainly used Lake Pier to launch but also used 14 other launch sites;  42% of the 132 kayak / canoe respondents suggested that changes are needed to the way their sport is managed. 11 comments reflected a need for better access points (particularly in the south) and 8% wanting better information about landing points, canoe trails, where to see wildlife etc.). 10 comments wanted to see improvements to facilities (which could be accommodated by changes being sought for improvements at the Poole Harbour Canoe Club site) and 6 comments wanted more or improved launching sites (at Frome, Holes Bay and the south side as well as a seal launch at lake Pier);  10 comments were received from 105 responses from windsurfers wanting improved facilities such as showers, toilets and refreshments, largely relating to the Shore Road area, and 7 comments related to a need for a rigging area;  most watersport respondents suggested that there is a need to improve parking, with common issues such as cost and permit opportunities for watersports being raised (8% to 15% of respondents for each type of watersport raised parking as an issue);  the majority of people were doing the activity in a group, with an average group size between 3- 10 (dependent on the activity);  72% of kitesurfers and 70% of jetskiiers thought there could be improvements to how their activities were managed;  increased industrial or recreational use of the harbour, decreased water quality and flooding of the harbour would decrease the frequency of return visits for people doing these activities; and,  people travelled from all over the South (between Lyme Regis to Hastings, Bristol to London and as far north as Sheffield).

Facility specific demand and capacity issues

The main issues identified by the audit and consultation relating to demand for facilities are summarised below:

 The audit has suggested that Harbourside (Baiter) Slipway is a well-used slipway. One survey response from a local watersports participant suggested a need for changing facilities at Baiter;  The Westover Sea Rowing Club in Bournemouth now has its base at a bowling club inland and there is therefore demand to identify a suitable coastal base for the club if possible. While the boats are kept at Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre (and they can use the changing facilities), they have to be kept outside and therefore are open to the elements. The club has suggested that their poor facilities and lack of a single clubhouse base limits the club’s capacity to grow its membership and they would like to secure a permanent base in the Hengistbury Head or Central Beach areas. This is a well-known demand issue and a new base for the club is identified in the Bournemouth Seafront Vision at the foot of the West Cliff zig-zag path (Joseph Steps);  We understand, from lifesaving clubs, that open water swimming has grown in levels of participation since the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012;  It is understood that RLSS Boscombe, Branskome Chine Surf Life Saving and Poole Lifeguards expect membership to grow in the future, with all clubs having seen membership numbers remain steady or increase in recent years. Branksome Chine SLSC has indicated that it has a waiting list to join (it currently has around 140 members);  Branksome Chine SLSC has indicated that it does not get sufficient time to train during the winter at swimming pools in Poole. The club currently uses Rossmore pool. This issue limits the club’s capacity to grow as well as the issues identified above with their base on the beach;  The Bay Stand-up Paddleboard Club and the Easyriders SUP School have both suggested that their membership and interest in the sport has grown substantially in recent years and they expect it to do so in the future. The

Bay club has stated that Bournemouth and Poole has the largest concentration of ‘SUP’ers’ in the country. The club currently meets at Branksome Chine in the summer as there are toilets there but it has no permanent base at the moment and therefore no fixed base for storage of equipment. The club also uses Alum, Durley and Middle Chines, East Cliff – Boscombe Pier and Hengistbury Head and Sandbanks areas to SUP. In the winter the club uses Christchurch slipway a lot. Locations used depend on weather conditions with seafront being used in good weather and Poole harbour and Christchurch river if sea conditions are poor. It has approximately 75 members. Easyriders has an office in Whitecliff and members get changed by the harbour. It is a school but will be forming a club in 2014 with an expected 100 members and mainly uses Baiter, Sandbanks and Poole harbour to SUP;  Responses from watersports businesses have suggested that surfing, SUP and kiteboarding are likely to continue to see a rise in popularity in the future with Bournemouth and Poole being one of the best places to surf, SUP and kiteboard on the south coast;  Watersports businesses have suggested that while multi-watersports hubs are a good idea, equitable access for all is important (i.e. not restricting use to particular clubs or groups);  Poole Harbour Canoe Club has indicated that its current poor facilities (it uses a hut and container at Lake Pier) limits its capacity to grow (although it has secured planning permission for replacement facilities at Ham Common (Lake Drive) as detailed below.

Latent demand

To get an idea of the number of people who might wish to anticipate in watersports, market segmentation data can be used. It identifies the number of people, form Active People Survey data, who would like to participate in watersports but currently do not do so. The limitations of data remain as those identified above and so provide a direction of travel rather than absolute number and should not be used in isolation.

The data suggests that 141 residents over the age of 16 would like to participate in sailing, 380 people would like to participate in canoeing and kayaking and 295 in other watersports at least once a month in Bournemouth. The data also suggests that 136 people over the age of 16 would like to participate in sailing, 316 people would like to participate in canoeing and kayaking and 249 in other watersports at least once a month in Poole. Potential demand is reasonably even across Bournemouth and Poole, with levels of less than 1% of the population expressing interest in taking up the sport.

Considering these numbers further, it is likely that around 20%, at most, from this latent demand will be likely to participate in the future, if issues relating to why they are not currently participating (which may largely be outside of the influence of providers and managers of facilities) are resolved. This would mean that, in Poole, demand for an additional 50 people may take part in ‘other watersports’ from the existing resident population, around 63 people will participate in canoeing and kayaking and around 27 in sailing. In Bournemouth, the numbers would be an additional 59 people taking part in ‘other watersports’ from the existing resident population, around 76 people will participate in canoeing and kayaking and around 28 in sailing.

Exploring the segmentation data further, the following types of people would like to participate in watersports the most.

Figure 20: Top 3 segments of population who would like to participate in watersports the most (number and % of total residents participating) in Bournemouth

Other Bournemouth Sailing Canoe & Kayak watersports

Segment Summary Population % Population % Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, buying a Tim house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, sporty males Philip with older children and more time for themselves

Competitive Male Urbanites: Male, recent graduates, with a Ben ‘work-hard, play-hard’ attitude

Sports Team Lads: Young blokes enjoying football, pints and Jamie pool

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples nearing the end

Joy of their careers

Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

Figure 21: Top 3 segments of population who would like to participate in watersports the most (number and % of total residents participating) in Poole

Other Poole Sailing Canoe & Kayak watersports

Segment Summary Population % Population % Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, buying a Tim 29 21.3 79 25.0 59 23.7 house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, sporty males Philip 35 25.7 58 18.4 48 19.3 with older children and more time for themselves

Competitive Male Urbanites: Male, recent graduates, with a Ben 40 12.7 42 16.9 ‘work-hard, play-hard’ attitude

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples nearing the 16 11.8 Joy end of their careers

Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

Of the residents in Bournemouth and Poole identified who would like to participate, it is likely that most of these will actually not be able to take up the sports. 20% is a reasonable number with which it could be assumed are more likely to take up the sports.

Club and sport development plans

The following clubs have identified plans or a desire to change facilities in the future:

 Branksome Chine SLSC has identified a need for a new building to house the club at the beach along Branksome Chine. The building would need to be purpose built but the club would be interested in being part of a water and beach sports hub building with facilities for other sports;  The Bay Stand-up Paddleboard Club has indicated a desire to share a multi-watersport hub if the opportunity becomes available (possibly sharing with a SLSC or rowing club). The Easyriders SUP Club has also indicated a desire to be involved in a hub facility;  Poole Harbour Canoe Club is at an advanced stage of discussion about the development of new facilities to host the club, and have gained planning permission for a new base (planning application reference APP/13/01025/F) which will replace the existing public toilets and boathouse at Lake Drive (Ham Common) car park;  One business which replied to the survey suggested that private businesses provide a lot of the provision for water sports which improves the attractiveness of the area to tourists and locals. It stated that “Although this is to (especially) the local government's advantage, there doesn't seem to be a co-ordinated and equitable approach to supporting and helping these businesses. In some cases, local government departments are responsible for most of obstacles for these businesses to grow or even survive!” This suggests that a holistic approach working in partnership between local government, the watersports and tourist

industries would help to overcome some of these obstacles and improve communication and promotion of Bournemouth and Poole as a destination for non-residents using the coastline.

National Sport Governing Bodies’ priorities in Bournemouth and Poole

The National Sports Governing Bodies for watersports are:

 British Canoe Union (incorporating Canoe England);  British Rowing;  British Water Ski and Wakeboard; and,  Royal Yachting Association.

The key issues identified by Canoe England in Bournemouth and Poole are:

 To see Poole Harbour Canoe Club secure a permanent base in order to help sustain and grow participation; and,  the development of Go Canoeing Trails in Poole Harbour (including working with the Dorset Coast Forum and VALMER project)5.

Economic Impact of Watersports

Watersports in Bournemouth and Poole are important not just locally but also within a wider, sub-regional or regional, context. This is not just in the individual or group context and their importance is not restricted to ensuring sustainability of a single facility.

5 The Dorset Coast Forum (DCF) is one of eleven partners involved in the VALMER project led by Plymouth University. The project aims to test different methods of valuing marine Ecosystem Services, in order to quantify and communicate these values (economic, social and environmental) to inform future marine management and policy. The project is specifically looking at six coastal case study sites in the Western English Channel area. The Dorset Coast Forum are leading on one of the case study areas, Poole Harbour, and investigating the economic value of recreation as an ecosystem service. 60

As a venue for watersports events, economic benefits can be gained through the hosting of watersport based events. For example, from the ‘Windfest’ event held in Poole in 2009, it is estimated that £72,000 was spent during the event6. During the same summer, two other events were held (Beach Polo and Beach Volleyball). Between the events it is estimated that the total impact on the local economy was around £468,000, with the events supporting an equivalent of 8 full-time equivalent jobs. Importantly, it was estimated that an additional 1,500 visitors would return to Poole as a result of the events.

The VALMER Project (summarised above) suggested that, in Poole, an average spend per day across watersports activities ranged between £20 - £105 (jet/waterskiers spent most, with half attributed to fuel costs). Most of the money spent went on food and accommodation. The importance of ensuring that visitors doing watersports return again was also highlighted by the research which suggested that 98% of the 400 or so respondents to the project’s surveys said they would return to do the activity again (apart from kitesurfers, where only 53% would).

6 Source: Bournemouth University and Borough of Poole research. 61

Projecting future demand and needs

Housing growth and population change

As the Data Profile report highlights, the population of Bournemouth and Poole will increase significantly in the period to 2026 as Figure 22 shows.

Figure 22: Population Change Projected to 2026 by Sub-area7

Bournemouth Sub-area

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 Total

2011 30,130 33,610 29,560 43,240 18,620 28,300 183,460

2026 31,230 36,440 32,080 46,410 20,120 31,230 197,510

Poole Sub-area

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Total

2011 23,650 34,550 33,800 25,680 30,400 148,080

2026 24,840 37,400 36,270 27,150 33,210 158,870

Source: Bournemouth Borough Council, September 2013, using POPGROUP software developed by Bradford Council, the University of Manchester and Andelin Associates

These projections take into account allocated housing growth in the period to 2026.

7 Sub-areas contain the following wards: B1 - Talbot & Branksome Woods, Central, Westbourne & West Cliff; B2 – Boscombe East, Boscombe West, East Cliff & Springbourne; B3 – Kinson North, Kinson South, Redhill & Northbourne; B4 – Wallisdown & Winton West, Winton East, Queen’s Park; B5 – Throop & Muscliff, Strouden Park; B6 – West Southbourne, East Southbourne & Tuckton, Littledown & Iford; P1 – Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, Poole Town; P2 – Parkstone, Penn Hill, Newtown; P3 – Canford Cliffs, Branksome East, Branksome West, Alderney; P4 – Oakdale, Canford Heath East, Canford Heath West; P5 – Creekmoor, Broadstone, Merley & Bearwood. 62 to be provided in Poole between 2006 and 2026 and around 7,500 in Bournemouth between 2011 and 2026 in the following places.

Figure 23: Housing Allocations in Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth Poole

5,500 in appropriate locations across 1,850+ at the regeneration area sites the rest of the Borough fronting Back Water Channel between the lifting and twin sails bridges

2,000 on Town Centre Area Action 350–700 in the Town Centre North Plan sites area

1,450 in the rest of the town centre

6,000 in appropriate locations across the rest of the Borough

Sources: Adopted Bournemouth Borough Core Strategy October 2012 and Borough of Poole Adopted Core Strategy February 2009

The single biggest area of population increase will be in and around the regeneration sites in Poole.

Existing plans and programmes

The Literature and Strategic Review of plans and programmes currently operational in Bournemouth and Poole has identified the following projects which will need to be considered alongside recent evidence gathered on provision to help determine the strategic approach to fill gaps in provision in the period to 2026.

Figure 24: Projects which relate to future strategic provision of cricket pitches in Bournemouth and Poole

Progress Does it remain a Project / proposal Source Document Underway Not started Complete priority? * / ongoing

Boscombe Coastal Activity Park (in relation to sports activity includes draft proposals for: a landmark lift building with commercial / catering facilities and toilets / showers; 5- a-side beach football and / or volleyball courts; dinghy park and kite and windsurfing Draft Seafront launch area; additional beach volleyball Yes Masterplan 2013 courts; surf school and coastal sports hub development; accessible sports zone with boccia and seated volleyball courts; accessible groyne leading to swimming hoist for disabled access; national event site; and, try-dive tank).

Development of new club based offer or facility for sea rowing, triathlon, lifeguards, Strategic Review, seafront operations, etc. For example, 2012 and Draft

Westover Rowing Club are currently training Seafront and storing equipment in Meyrick Park above Masterplan, 2013 the bowls club. Possible new facility near to

Progress Does it remain a Project / proposal Source Document Underway Not started Complete priority? * / ongoing West Cliff / Durley Chine area. (See Figure below for summary)

Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre - Bournemouth investment likely to be required during Strategic Review strategy period. 2012

Poole Leisure Support improvements to Hamworthy Strategy, 2011- Yes Outdoor Education Centre 2015

Improvements to beach and visitor facilities including refreshments, changing and toilets. The focus for watersports being changes Sustaining Poole’s proposed for Branksome Beach including Seafront Draft new watersports building with shop / Supplementary Yes changing / teaching space / stores. Planning Document, Improvements are also propose for the 2013 lifeguard station at Canford Cliffs Beach. (See Figure below for summary)

Figure 25: Plans for improvements along Bournemouth seafront: Central Beach (West)

Proposed Westover Rowing Club redevelopment

Source: Bournemouth Seafront Vision, 2013

Figure 26: Plans for improvements along Bournemouth seafront: Coastal Activity Park (West)

Source: Bournemouth Seafront Vision, 2013

Figure 27: Plans for improvements along Bournemouth seafront: Coastal Activity Park (East)

Proposed surf school and coastal sports hub development

Source: Bournemouth Seafront Vision, 2013

Figure 28: Plans for improvements along Poole seafront

Source: Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Draft Supplementary Planning Document, 2013

Figure 29: Plans for improvements along Branksome Beach seafront

Source: Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Draft Supplementary Planning Document, 2013

Figure 30: Plans for improvements along Canford Cliffs Beach seafront (west)

Source: Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Draft Supplementary Planning Document, 2013

Conclusions

Watersports are clearly important to the local economy in Bournemouth and Poole, and the coastline and Poole Harbour provide a beneficial asset for residents and visitors alike. Plans for seafront regeneration in both Bournemouth and Poole are well-advanced, with a draft masterplan and draft Supplementary Planning Document produced in Bournemouth and Poole respectively. From evidence gathered for the assessment, there is nothing to suggest that these plans should not be implemented and improvements to the facilities, both for sports specifically and for wider seafront visitor use such as toilets and accessible showers, will support growth in club based and informal watersport participation. Given the nature of many watersports accessing shared areas of coastline and the needs being similar (in terms of toilets, changing rooms, showers, refreshments and storage for equipment), the focus in additional provision should be for multi-sports hubs as proposed in the emerging plans.

With improvements to the infrastructure supporting watersports leading to anticipated increases in participation and return visitors, facilities for lifesaving clubs must also be improved given the important role they play (not only for watersport participants but also for visitors using the beaches for summer leisure).

No issues have been raised in Bournemouth or Poole suggesting that sailing provision and facilities needs improving at members’ sailing and yacht clubs.

It is important to ensure that a package of support is given to the coastline which embraces the wider visitor experience as well as providing supporting facilities for watersport participants, an approach being embraced by the emerging plans for the seafront in both Bournemouth and Poole. While some consultation has identified higher priority improvements to the coastline for visitors to Bournemouth than for watersports (largely around amenities and

72 leisure activities), improvements for the wider activities associated with the coastline will benefit watersport participants, reflected by comments received for this assessment highlighting the importance of supporting facilities such as good choices of refreshments.

Bournemouth and Poole

The overall strategy approach to watersports in Bournemouth and Poole is to improve the quality of existing facilities and provide new supporting infrastructure to help ensure a high quality experience for participants, where that provision serves multiple user groups and is capable of being used for other non-sporting coastline leisure and learning activities. This should focus on secure seafront and harbour facilities to support club development and increase in informal participation and be located at or near to most used and accessible parts of the coast used by watersport users. Wherever practicable to do so, facilities should be flexibly designed to enable access by a number of watersport users likely to be active in the area (acting as watersport ‘hubs’) and also be accessible by non-watersports users using the area for other leisure activities. Suitable scale and types of commercial opportunities (for example, refreshments and cafes, sports equipment / wear, hire of room space, etc.) at improved facility locations should be supported in principle.

Alongside improvements to facilities, the local authorities should work across departments (for example, Parks, Tourism, Economic Development, Planning) and with the appropriate organisations and local businesses to ensure that the quality of the offer is improved and delivered in a co-ordinated way and that the offer for watersports participants is widely communicated, using existing platforms for publicity and exploring new ways of communicating the offer. Any improvements to facilities should be sustainable in the long-term and be delivered within the context of the wider coast / seafront plans.

Across Bournemouth and Poole, in the medium to long-term, demand for watersports should be closely monitored through liaison with key local clubs, 73 watersports businesses and active individuals to identify future needs for participants beyond those identified to date. Future provision should be demand-led and also identified in conjunction with the relevant national sports governing body / bodies.

Bournemouth

In Bournemouth, within the context of the above approach, the initial priorities for watersports should be:

 To support the proposals being developed as part of the Seafront masterplan for a multi-watersports hub facility and supporting infrastructure within the proposed Boscombe Coastal Activity Park;  Support continual improvement to the facilities at Hengistbury Head;  Continue to explore solutions for more suitable facilities for the Westover Rowing Club through continuing work on the Seafront Masterplan, to include a new ‘hub’ facility (based on accessibility to multiple watersports) near to West Cliff / Durley Chine; and,  Maintain the quality of existing publicly accessible slipways and monitor their use to ensure that demand does not outstrip supply if watersport participation grows during the strategy period.

Poole

Consultation with Councillors at Borough of Poole suggested that there may be a lack of public access to the harbour. However, despite some respondents to the VALMER study requesting additional access points, on the whole, evidence has not identified an overwhelming demand for additional public slipways to be provided in the short-term. However, the use of public slipways in Poole should be monitored to ensure that demand does not outstrip the supply available during the strategy period, particularly if demand grows substantially.

In Poole Harbour, the VALMER project findings (expected to be published in full during March 2014) will need to be further scrutinised to inform improvements and additions to provision. However, in the short-term, proposals such as that at the Poole Harbour Canoe Club for replacement of existing facilities at Ham Common will improve the quality of provision if delivered.

In Poole, within the context of the above approach and this assessment, the initial priorities for watersports should be:

 To support the proposals being developed as part of the Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Draft Supplementary Planning Document, for example, a multi- watersports hub facility and supporting infrastructure at Branksome Beach (to provide a new facility for Branksome Chine lifesaving club but also wider use by watersports participants) and to improve or extend lifeguard station at Canford Cliffs Beach;  Support continual improvement to the facilities at Hamworthy Outdoor Centre;  Support the delivery of improvements to the supporting infrastructure for Poole Harbour Canoe Club;  Work with all relevant partners with an active interest in watersports in Poole Harbour to consider the full implications of the VALMER study on Poole Harbour (when published in full in March 2014) to introduce additional improvements where necessary and to further inform demand and need during the strategy period; and,  Maintain the quality of existing publicly accessible slipways and monitor their use to ensure that demand does not outstrip supply if watersport participation grows during the strategy period.

Beach Sports

Defining beach sports

Beach sports are played predominantly over the summer months along the seafront in Bournemouth and Poole. The exception is where teams and clubs use indoor facilities, of which there is one for beach volleyball in Bournemouth.

Beach sport facilities included in this assessment include courts (permanent or temporary) marked out for beach volleyball and beach soccer.

Current supply and quantity of existing provision

The audit has identified that the following locations host beach sport courts:

Bournemouth Poole

Canford Cliffs Beach Soccer Courts (2 Beach Soccer Courts (up to 4) permanent)

Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Courts Beach Volleyball Courts (2) (2-8 depending on demand / event)

LeAF Academy Indoor Beach Volleyball Courts (5 courts / 3 for international matches)

Provision in Bournemouth and Poole is very good, with the beaches hosting more courts for beach soccer than elsewhere in the country and the England beach soccer team training at the courts in Poole. Beach volleyball is also very well served with the indoor beach volleyball facility at the LeAF Academy in Bournemouth.

Location of facilities

Figure 31 below shows the locations of beach soccer and beach volleyball courts in Bournemouth and Poole. No catchments have been identified for beach sports. They will tend to attract both resident population from the conurbation as well as users from the wider sub-region.

Figure 31: Location of courts

Source: Borough of Poole

N.B. Map and key courtesy of Borough of Poole

Quality and accessibility of existing provision

All courts were audited by officers from Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole and discussion held with the managers of the outdoor beach courts.

Findings from the audit and surveys

The audit and surveys raised the following issues in relation to quality and accessibility:

 Courts are swept once a week and on request at the Bournemouth courts and not swept often at the courts in Poole. No problems with the quality of the courts were raised through surveys or audits;  The audit highlighted that more storage space, a better booking system and better advertising of the courts in Bournemouth would help to improve the quality of the offer and running of the courts;  There are no lockers for the secure storage of belongings at any beach court facility in Bournemouth or Poole. The lack of lockers for secure storage of possessions at the beach courts in Bournemouth was highlighted by managers of the courts;  Better nets are needed at Canford Cliffs Beach Soccer court in Poole; and,  The courts in Bournemouth are available to use throughout the year, although peak time of use (as expected) is the summer. The beach volleyball courts in Poole are also open all year and the beach soccer courts are open during the summer months only.

In addition to these findings, the Dorset FA has suggested that high nets around the goals at the soccer courts in Poole would be useful as the area is also popular with others using the beach and seafront. At peak times, nets could reduce the likelihood of balls hitting passers-by.

Current demand and capacity of existing provision

Findings from audit and surveys

The main findings from surveys and the audits relating to demand and capacity are as follows:

 From a 2011 visitor survey, around 9% of visitors (residents and non- residents) said that they would like to see a greater range of beach and water sport provision in Bournemouth;  Beach soccer courts in Bournemouth are bookable and in Poole are for open use. For beach volleyball, the courts are for open use and are bookable in Bournemouth and are for open use in Poole;  Peak demand for the courts, as expected, are the summer months and daytime at weekends. In Bournemouth, peak periods are also Wednesday evenings on the beach soccer courts and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the beach volleyball courts;  The main use of the beach soccer courts in Bournemouth comes from Bournemouth University Volleyball Team and Bournemouuth Beach Volleyball Club as well as from casual use. The beach volleyball courts in Poole are mainly used by informal teams, Wessex Volleyball Club, casual users and events;  The main use of the beach volleyball courts in Bournemouth comes from Bournemouth University Varsity Football Team and from casual use. The beach soccer courts in Poole are mainly used by informal teams;  No capacity problems have been identified by the managers of the courts, suggesting no need for additional courts;  The Wessex Volleyball Club stated that their membership has grown in recent years and that they expect it to grow in the future, although this applies to the main sport of volleyball as well as beach volleyball;  While the Wessex club has storage facilities close to the beach at Sandbanks where they play (provided by the Borough Council), they do not have changing or shower facilities, which they have raised as improvements which could be made; and,

 The Wessex club uses the indoor facility at LeAF Academy for training and both the courts at Sandbanks and indoor provision are sufficient for their demand.

Economic Impact of Beachsports

Beachsports in Bournemouth and Poole are important not just locally but also within a wider, sub-regional or regional, context. This is not just in the individual or group context and their importance is not restricted to ensuring sustainability of a single facility.

As a venue for beachsports events, economic benefits can be gained through the hosting of beachsport based events. For example, from the Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Festival event held in Poole in 2009, it is estimated that £44,000 was spent during the event8. During the same summer, two other events were held (Beach Polo and ‘Windfest’). Between the events it is estimated that the total impact on the local economy was around £468,000, with the events supporting an equivalent of 8 full-time equivalent jobs. Importantly, it was estimated that an additional 1,500 visitors would return to Poole as a result of the events.

In Bournemouth, research (Bournemouth Visitor Survey, 2011) has identified that the town has an estimated 4.2 million visitors a year with 100,000 visitors a day to the seafront at weekends in good summer weather.

8 Source: Bournemouth University and Borough of Poole research. 82

Projecting future demand and needs

Housing growth and population change

As the Data Profile report highlights, the population of Bournemouth and Poole will increase significantly in the period to 2026 as Figure 32 shows.

Figure 32: Population Change Projected to 2026 by Sub-area9

Bournemouth Sub-area

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 Total

2011 30,130 33,610 29,560 43,240 18,620 28,300 183,460

2026 31,230 36,440 32,080 46,410 20,120 31,230 197,510

Poole Sub-area

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Total

2011 23,650 34,550 33,800 25,680 30,400 148,080

2026 24,840 37,400 36,270 27,150 33,210 158,870

Source: Bournemouth Borough Council, September 2013, using POPGROUP software developed by Bradford Council, the University of Manchester and Andelin Associates

These projections take into account allocated housing growth in the period to 2026.

9 Sub-areas contain the following wards: B1 - Talbot & Branksome Woods, Central, Westbourne & West Cliff; B2 – Boscombe East, Boscombe West, East Cliff & Springbourne; B3 – Kinson North, Kinson South, Redhill & Northbourne; B4 – Wallisdown & Winton West, Winton East, Queen’s Park; B5 – Throop & Muscliff, Strouden Park; B6 – West Southbourne, East Southbourne & Tuckton, Littledown & Iford; P1 – Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, Poole Town; P2 – Parkstone, Penn Hill, Newtown; P3 – Canford Cliffs, Branksome East, Branksome West, Alderney; P4 – Oakdale, Canford Heath East, Canford Heath West; P5 – Creekmoor, Broadstone, Merley & Bearwood. 83 to be provided in Poole between 2006 and 2026 and around 7,500 in Bournemouth between 2011 and 2026 in the following places.

Figure 33: Housing Allocations in Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth Poole

5,500 in appropriate locations across 1,850+ at the regeneration area sites the rest of the Borough fronting Back Water Channel between the lifting and twin sails bridges

2,000 on Town Centre Area Action 350–700 in the Town Centre North Plan sites area

1,450 in the rest of the town centre

6,000 in appropriate locations across the rest of the Borough

Sources: Adopted Bournemouth Borough Core Strategy October 2012 and Borough of Poole Adopted Core Strategy February 2009

Estimating future demand for beach sports

There are no available figures with which to estimate demand with any accuracy in the future. Market segmentation data is not presented for beach sports and so there is no base data from which to make estimates against increasing population. However, the increases in population across Bournemouth and Poole are likely to increase demand and planned improvements for the seafront in both Bournemouth and Poole are likely to generate additional demand for the use of courts.

The approach that the strategy should take, given that there is currently surplus capacity at the existing beach courts, is to monitor their use prior to considering additional new courts over and above those proposed in the emerging seafront plans. If demand is demonstrated to exceed supply and this can be quantified on the basis of consistent capacity issues over two summers, additional courts could be provided.

Existing plans and programmes

Figure 34: Projects which relate to future strategic provision of cricket pitches in Bournemouth and Poole

Progress

Source Underwa Does it remain Project / proposal Not Document y / Complete a priority? * started ongoing

Boscombe Coastal Activity Park (in relation to sports activity includes draft proposals for: a landmark lift building with commercial / catering facilities and toilets / showers; 5-a-side beach football and / or volleyball courts; dinghy park and kite and windsurfing launch Draft Seafront Yes area; additional beach volleyball courts; surf school and Masterplan 2013 coastal sports hub development; accessible sports zone with boccia and seated volleyball courts; accessible groyne leading to swimming hoist for disabled access; national event site; and, try-dive tank).

Improvements to beach and visitor facilities including Sustaining Poole’s refreshments, changing and toilets. The focus for beach Seafront Draft sports being changes proposed for the courts at Canford Supplementary Yes Cliffs, with both beach soccer and volleyball courts being Planning located there and the courts for volleyball at Sandbanks Document, 2013 being removed. (See figure below for summary)

Figure 35: Plans for improvements along Bournemouth seafront: Coastal Activity Park (West)

Proposed 5-a-side beach soccer and / or beach volleyball courts

Source: Bournemouth Seafront Vision, 2013

Figure 36: Plans for improvements along Bournemouth seafront: Coastal Activity Park (East)

Proposed beach volleyball courts

Source: Bournemouth Seafront Vision, 2013

Figure 37: Plans for improvements along Poole seafront

Source: Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Draft Supplementary Planning Document, 2013

Figure 38: Plans for improvements along Canford Cliffs Beach seafront (east)

Source: Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Draft Supplementary Planning Document, 2013

Conclusions

Bournemouth and Poole are fortunate to have good beach soccer and beach volleyball facilities. As well as courts for each sport in both towns, there is a good indoor facility for beach volleyball at the LeAF Academy in Bournemouth. Poole has two permanent beach soccer courts which are used by England Beach Soccer team to train and which is the only location in England with this number of permanent courts. Plans are well-advanced for improving provision in both Bournemouth and Poole in their respective seafront plans and there is no new evidence which suggests any departure from proposals developed to date. Further shaping and confirmation of the emerging proposals should continue through each Councils’ consultation with the community and other key stakeholders. Support for beach sports will also be provided through the improvement to the overall quality of facilities and the visitor experience along the seafront areas.

Bournemouth

In Bournemouth, the key focus for the strategy should be to align with the emerging seafront plans and responding to the findings of this assessment in the short-term by:

 Continue to maintain the good quality of the courts;  Consider introducing secure lockers near to courts in appropriate locations; and,  Seek to improve marketing and publicity for the courts to increase their use.

Poole

In Poole, the key focus for the strategy should be to align with the emerging seafront plans and responding to the findings of this assessment in the short- term by:

 Continue to maintain the good quality of the courts;  Consider introducing secure lockers near to courts in appropriate locations;  Ensure that nets are in good condition at Canford Cliffs courts;  Consider the introduction of high nets around the goals at the Canford Cliffs courts; and,  Seek to improve marketing and publicity for the courts to increase their use.

Off-road cycling

Defining off-road cycling

For the purposes of this assessment, ‘off-road cycling’ includes cycling forms which use facilities such as cycle tracks, BMX racing and dirt tracks and velodromes and therefore includes cycle speedway, BMX racing and informal dirt track BMX, track cycling and (to a degree) cyclocross and mountain biking which could utilise these facilities in whole or in part. This section does not consider wheel parks which can be used for freestyle BMX which are assessed in the section on wheel parks.

Current supply and quantity of existing provision

Figure 39 lists the location of off-road cycling facilities and locations in Bournemouth and Poole. Facilities are split into BMX and non-BMX, with the latter comprising facilities for informal leisure cycling, cycle speedway and outdoor velodrome racing.

Figure 39: Off-road cycling facilities

Bournemouth Poole

BMX

Iford BMX Track (home to Hamworthy BMX Track (Carter Bournemouth BMX Club) School)

Haskells Recreation Ground BMX Townsend BMX Track Track

Duck Lane / Ringwood Road BMX Foreland Road / Turlin Moor Track (‘pump’ track) Recreation Ground BMX Track

Littledown Open Space BMX Track Bourne Valley Nature Reserve BMX (‘pump’ track) Track Queens Park BMX Track (‘pump’ Harbourside Park BMX Track* track)

Non-BMX

Bournemouth Cycling Centre (250m Poole Cycle Speedway, Harbourside banked velodrome), Slades Farm Park (Baiter), Catalina Drive

Winton Cycle Track, Winton Recreation Ground (informal path around edge of cricket pitch)

Notes: * BMX track classified as dangerous by Play Officer

Location of Facilities and Catchment areas

The following map identifies the location of these facilities. The catchment areas for the different types of facility are different. For the club based cycling sports, the catchment is likely to be conurbation-wide and therefore only catchments for the free-to-access BMX tracks are shown below. Freely accessible BMX tracks which are of good quality will tend to have a catchment of about 20 minutes riding time at around 10 mph. While this catchment area has been applied to the map below, this does not necessarily represent a true distance travelled to access all tracks. A track will need to be popular and of good quality for users to regularly travel this far and this will therefore not apply to all tracks. BMX users may use other open spaces to ride and are not restricted to using ‘set-aside’ or formally designated tracks which may also limit the catchments to certain tracks.

However, spatially, the map shows that there are gaps in provision in:

Poole  Broadstone;  Branksome / Canford Cliffs; and,  Merley.

Bournemouth  Muscliff / Moordown / Winton; and,  Meyrick / Westbourne / town centre. 94

Figure 40: Location of facilities and catchments

N.B. Map and key to be added by Borough of Poole / Bournemouth Borough Council. At the time of issue of this report, no map was made available to the consultants.

Source: Borough of Poole

Quality and accessibility of existing provision

The main source of information about the quality of off-road cycling facilities has come from the audit, survey returns from clubs and discussion with other key interested parties. The key issues, which focus on where improvements could be made, are summarised below. The absence of comments on quality means that quality has been rated as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

Findings from the audit and consultation

Bournemouth Key issues raised

BMX

The audit has identified that there is a need for Iford BMX Track improvements to the start gates and berm. (home to The Council has stated that it is working with the BMX Bournemouth BMX club on a bid to the ‘Inspired Facilities’ fund to make Club) these improvements and to develop floodlighting.

Duck Lane / The track is considered by local authority officers as Ringwood Road BMX being a very basic short ‘pump’ track in average Track condition.

The track is considered by local authority officers as Littledown Open being a basic 200m-300m ‘pump’ track in average Space BMX Track condition with a couple of ramps / jumps constructed from soil.

The audit identified the overall quality of the facility as Townsend BMX ‘adequate’ although officers have suggested that it is a Track low quality facility predominantly used by children very locally.

Queens Park BMX The track is considered by local authority officers as Track being a basic ‘pump’ track in average condition.

Non-BMX

Bournemouth The Cycling Centre has stated that apart from the

Bournemouth Key issues raised Cycling Centre track, they do not have suitable facilities as a base, (250m banked although there is a secure area with an administration velodrome), Slades office, toilets and two containers for storage. It has Farm indicated that there is a need to improve the toilets and changing rooms for visiting riders, as the current old cricket pavilion are inadequate for their needs.

The facility is accessible with no membership required to use the track and an annual competition licence of £10 being required for riders to compete in the Track League (with a programme in place to ensure riders receive appropriate training etc. to obtain the licence).

Winton Cycle Track, Winton Recreation The audit identified the overall quality of the facility as Ground (informal ‘poor’. path around edge of cricket pitch)

Poole Key issues raised

BMX

Hamworthy BMX The audit identified the overall quality of the facility as Track (Carter ‘poor’. School)

Haskells Recreation The audit identified the overall quality of the facility as Ground BMX Track ‘adequate’.

Foreland Road / Turlin Moor The audit identified the overall quality of the facility as Recreation Ground ‘poor’. BMX Track

Bourne Valley The audit identified the overall quality of the facility as Nature Reserve BMX ‘adequate’. Track

Harbourside Park The Play Officer has highlighted that this track is BMX Track ‘dangerous’.

Non-BMX

Poole Cycle Speedway, Harbourside Park (Baiter), Catalina Drive

Other issues about quality which have arisen from consultation are summarised below:

 From other sources of information, the following additional key comments have been identified:  Consultation with officers from Bournemouth Borough Council suggests that more BMX events (for example national events) could be held at the Iford track if it was of a better quality (track and facilities).  Informal BMX tracks can play an important role in offering protection to protected landscapes. Making them available and maintaining them can attract users who might otherwise seek out other areas of open land which may be protected for landscape, habitat and / or ecological value. A good track can also attract mountain bikers who traditionally will use more semi-natural landscapes and which can have an impact on the areas they use where not designated as mountain biking trails. This is important in Bournemouth and Poole where the conurbation is tightly bound by greenbelt and protected heathland.

Current demand and capacity of existing provision

Sport England data suggests that demand in Bournemouth and Poole for cycling is high. It is widely known that the Olympics and Paralympics has had a significant impact on the numbers of people taking up cycling, particularly informally, as a way of keeping fit or through clubs to train and compete. Data suggests (from the Active People Survey) that cycling is fourth in the top 98

5 sports played in Bournemouth with 7.7% of the population participating. In Poole, the sport is ranked as second most popular of five with 11.7% of the population participating, with the sport also being the second most popular sport that people want to do the most in both towns.

Market Segmentation

The market segmentation tool provided by Sport England online, takes data gathered through the Active People Survey and sets out, for sports and local authority areas, the picture of demand and also for latent demand (i.e. as estimation of those people who would like play the sport but currently do not do so). The figures include those over the age of 16. For cycling, this covers the following forms of cycling: BMX, cyclo-cross, mountain biking, recreational cycling and competitive cycling, but excludes any cycling which is exclusively for travel purposes only. It is a useful measurement for estimating demand for cycling in Bournemouth and Poole.

In Bournemouth, 12,558 people currently participate in cycling. In Poole, the number is 10,505.

The following maps set out the spatial picture of demand in Bournemouth and Poole.

Figure 41: Participation in Cycling in Bournemouth

Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

100

Figure 42: Participation in Cycling in Poole

Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

101

The segments of population types which participate in cycling the most are shown in Figure 43.

Figure 43: Segments of population which participate in cycling the most (number and % of resident cyclists at around 6%)

Bournemouth

Segment Summary Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, Tim 2,375 18.9 buying a house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, Philip sporty males with older children and more time for 1,713 13.6 themselves

Competitive Male Urbanites: Male, recent Ben 1,129 10.8 graduates, with a ‘work-hard, play-hard’ attitude

Sports Team Lads: Young blokes enjoying football, Jamie 1,356 9 pints and pool

Career-Focussed Females: Single professional Helena 829 6.6 women, enjoying life in the fast lane

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples 832 6.6 Joy nearing the end of their careers

Poole

Segment Summary Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, Tim 2,141 20.4 buying a house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, Philip sporty males with older children and more time for 1,818 17.3 themselves

Competitive Male Urbanites: Male, recent Ben 1,015 9.7 graduates, with a ‘work-hard, play-hard’ attitude

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples 806 7.7 Joy nearing the end of their careers

Helena Career-Focussed Females: Single professional 620 5.9

102

women, enjoying life in the fast lane Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

Facility specific demand and capacity issues

The key issues in relation to demand and capacity of cycling facilities are identified below:

 Bournemouth Cycling Centre

The managers of the Bournemouth Cycling Centre (Bournemouth Cycling Centre Ltd.) have stated that growth in rider numbers at the facility has grown in recent years and is anticipated to continue to do so. The facility has only been open for 2 years and awareness of it is still continuing to spread.

The facility is very well used. During the racing season, (April to August), the facility is booked every weekday evening for competition and training sessions by local clubs and other organisations. During the weekdays there are schools and other organisations using the track. During the weekend, there is a mixture of beginner and novice sessions, in addition to club and other organisations. There is a weekly league competition during the racing season. There are also a number of "open" British Cycling competition events held through the racing season, normally at the weekends. In addition British Cycling youth development squads also visit for coaching and competition training.

We understand that the facility managers would like the velodrome floodlit and covered to increase availability (capacity) of use as it is currently open and riding is subject to weather conditions and good light. However, the site is in a sensitive location close to woodland and nature conservation area and so improvements such as these would need to be introduced with care. A covering for the track would reduce the impact of floodlighting on the area, however.

The Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club which uses the track weekly (for training and summer track competitions) has seen its membership grow in recent years (currently having 120 members) and expects it to continue to do so into the future. The club currently has sufficient time at the track for its

103 needs but anticipates that more competition time will be required at the track as their membership grows. With regard to the quality of the facilities, the club concurs with the facility managers that the track is very good but supporting facilities are ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The club and facility managers support the principle of a multi-sports hub which could service the needs of cyclists using the track, at Slades Farm.

 Poole Cycle Speedway

Poole Cycle Speedway Club currently has around 200 members including non- riding officials etc. and membership has remained steady in recent years. The club expects this level of membership to continue into the future. This suggests that cost is not prohibitive with casual use for juniors costing £1 and annual junior membership £30 and senior membership £60. The club uses the facility during the season (February to October for around 2 to 3 evenings per week and at weekends.

 From other sources of information, the following additional key comments have been identified:  As stated earlier in this section, consultation with officers from Bournemouth Borough Council suggests that more BMX events could be held at the Iford track if it was of a better quality (track and facilities).  Demand for the use of cycling facilities can be increased if they can act more as hubs. Ensuring that facilities are well-connected to well- signposted and advertised cycle routes and networks across Bournemouth and Poole will help to enable this to happen, where this is not already the case.  Consultation with officers from the Borough of Poole has indicated that the cycle speedway is a ‘great facility’ and popular with children (including road training).  It has also indicated that there is no cycling track provision in Poole and the velodrome in Bournemouth is often too far for young people to travel to use it. However, consultation with Borough of Poole Councillors suggested that there is unlikely to be sufficient demand for a velodrome facility in Poole in addition to the provision in Bournemouth (which is central to the conurbation as a whole). 104

Demand has been suggested, however, for a BMX track in Poole which the Bournemouth BMX Club can utilise and it is understood that the club is keen to expand into Poole.

Latent demand

To get an idea of the number of people who might wish to anticipate in cycling, market segmentation data can be used. It identifies the number of people, form Active People Survey data, who would like to participate in cycling but currently do not do so.

The data suggests that 7,273 people over the age of 16 would like to participate in cycling at least once a month in Bournemouth and 6,018 in Poole. Potential demand is reasonably even across Bournemouth and Poole, with levels of 2.1 – 10% of the population expressing interest as the maps below show.

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Figure 44: Proportion of resident population wishing to participate in cycling but who currently do not in Bournemouth

Source: Sport England, Market Segmentation Tool 2013

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Figure 45: Proportion of resident population wishing to participate in cycling but who currently do not in Poole

Source: Sport England, Market Segmentation Tool 2013

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Exploring the segmentation data further, the following types of people would like to participate in cycling the most.

Figure 46: People who would like to participate in cycling the most in Bournemouth and Poole (those who make up around 6% of those interested)

Bournemouth

Segment Summary Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, Tim 1,283 17.6 buying a house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, Philip sporty males with older children and more time for 1,064 14.6 themselves

Sports Team Lads: Young blokes enjoying football, Jamie 645 8.9 pints and pool

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples 515 7.1 Joy nearing the end of their careers

Supportive Singles: Young busy mums and their Leanne 493 6.8 supportive college mates

Career-Focussed Females: Single professional Helena 475 6.5 women, enjoying life in the fast lane

Poole

Segment Summary Population %

Settling Down Males: Sporty male professionals, Tim 1,156 19.2 buying a house and settling down with partner

Comfortable Mid-Life Males: Mid-life professional, Philip sporty males with older children and more time for 1,129 18.8 themselves

Roger & Early Retirement Couples: Free-time couples 499 8.3 Joy nearing the end of their careers

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Helena Career-Focussed Females: Single professional 356 5.9 women, enjoying life in the fast lane Source: Sport England Market Segmentation Tool, 2013

Of the 7,273 people in Bournemouth and 6,018 in Poole which could participate from the latent demand, it is unlikely that most of these will actually be able to take up the sport.

British Cycling priorities in Bournemouth and Poole

British Cycling, the sport’s national governing body, has identified a number of key issues and priorities for cycling in Bournemouth and Poole, which are as follows:

 Bournemouth is seen as a priority area for British Cycling, although Poole currently is not. However, the NGB is keen to explore a partnership with the Borough of Poole.  Seeing interest and participation grow, with a focus on growing participation in organised rides such as Sky Ride Local, Breeze and social cycling groups.  The profile of Bournemouth as a cycling destination should be raised by holding top level events and elite racing.  Support for Bournemouth Borough Council’s strategic aims in transport and health to help get more people riding bikes informally and in sport.  Raise the profile of the velodrome in Bournemouth which British Cycling considers is under-utilised.  An iconic route that links Bournemouth, through Poole to Purbeck in the west and New Forest in the north east.

Projecting future demand and needs

Housing growth and population change

As the Data Profile report highlights, the population of Bournemouth and Poole will increase significantly in the period to 2026 as Figure 47 shows.

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Figure 47: Population Change Projected to 2026 by Sub-area10

Bournemouth Sub-area

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 Total

2011 30,130 33,610 29,560 43,240 18,620 28,300 183,460

2026 31,230 36,440 32,080 46,410 20,120 31,230 197,510

Poole Sub-area

P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Total

2011 23,650 34,550 33,800 25,680 30,400 148,080

2026 24,840 37,400 36,270 27,150 33,210 158,870

Source: Bournemouth Borough Council, September 2013, using POPGROUP software developed by Bradford Council, the University of Manchester and Andelin Associates

These projections take into account allocated housing growth in the period to 2026.

10 Sub-areas contain the following wards: B1 - Talbot & Branksome Woods, Central, Westbourne & West Cliff; B2 – Boscombe East, Boscombe West, East Cliff & Springbourne; B3 – Kinson North, Kinson South, Redhill & Northbourne; B4 – Wallisdown & Winton West, Winton East, Queen’s Park; B5 – Throop & Muscliff, Strouden Park; B6 – West Southbourne, East Southbourne & Tuckton, Littledown & Iford; P1 – Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, Poole Town; P2 – Parkstone, Penn Hill, Newtown; P3 – Canford Cliffs, Branksome East, Branksome West, Alderney; P4 – Oakdale, Canford Heath East, Canford Heath West; P5 – Creekmoor, Broadstone, Merley & Bearwood. 110

Figure 48: Housing Allocations in Bournemouth and Poole

Bournemouth Poole

5,500 in appropriate locations across 1,850+ at the regeneration area sites the rest of the Borough fronting Back Water Channel between the lifting and twin sails bridges

2,000 on Town Centre Area Action 350–700 in the Town Centre North Plan sites area

1,450 in the rest of the town centre

6,000 in appropriate locations across the rest of the Borough

Sources: Adopted Bournemouth Borough Core Strategy October 2012 and Borough of Poole Adopted Core Strategy February 2009

Participation rates

National Sports Governing Bodies have agreed targets for increasing participation rates within their sport with Sport England for the current funding period of 2013-17. For cycling, the target is to increase participation from its current base by 6.4% (although this figure relates to cyclists including those who would take-up road cycling, even if just doing it to keep fit). If this figure is applied to existing levels of participation in Bournemouth and Poole, this could equate to an additional 804 cyclists in Bournemouth and 672 in Poole taking up cycling. Many of these could come from the latent demand figure identified above.

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Existing plans and programmes

The Literature and Strategic Review of plans and programmes currently operational in Bournemouth and Poole has identified the following projects which will need to be considered alongside recent evidence gathered on pitch provision to help determine the strategic approach to fill gaps in provision in the period to 2026.

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Figure 49: Projects which relate to future strategic provision for off-road cycling in Bournemouth and Poole

Progress Does it Source Project / proposal Not Underway / remain a Document Complete started ongoing priority? *

Identified priorities (programmed year of improvement and H/M/L priority) relevant to Sports Strategy:

Develop 250m cycle track (2011 - H); repair and improve skate park (2012-14 - M); improve school Slades Farm pitch drainage (2013 - H); refurbish tennis / netball 250m cycle track Masterplan Yes courts at Glenmoor School (2014 - H); fitness trail in completed 2011 2012-2021 school or park (2014 – M); full size artificial turf pitch for rugby / football (2016 – M); new sports hall (2020 - M); new girls’ changing rooms (2015 - H); outdoor climbing wall (2014 – M); and, 1km cycling / training circuit (2015 - M).

Bournemouth Infrastructure To be Queens Park trails, cycle route, interpretation and Delivery and complete landscaping (delivery 2011-2012) Implementatio 2013-14 n, 2011

Stour Valley Project (masterplan being developed) Bournemouth To be Yes

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Progress Does it Source Project / proposal Not Underway / remain a Document Complete started ongoing priority? * Infrastructure complete Delivery and 2013-14 Implementatio n, 2011

Poole - Hamworthy / Carter School, Bournemouth Poole - Yes, Sherborne Crescent and Poole particularly at Provision of skate / BMX parks in higher density (dirt ramps) Sport and Turlin Park areas is poor. Need to improve quality of youth Bournemouth - Recreation (skate park) facilities at: Littledown open space BMX track, Redhill Littledown o/s track Built Facilities Bournemouth Park Skate Zone and Fleets Bridge Skatepark and improved 2010. Strategy and - Yes to BMX track. Minor Action Plan, improve Iford improvements to 2008 BMX track. Townsend pump track 2012.

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Conclusions

Cycling in all its forms is becoming more popular as an informal activity and sport in on and off road disciplines. As well as sporting and competitive riding, using a bike can positively contribute to general fitness and keeping fit and active and therefore has a cross-over to health and transport issues as well as sport. While the assessment has predominantly considered facilities for cycling, these must not be treated in isolation when considering strategy options. Opportunities should be taken to ensure that cycling facilities are well-linked to existing and future cycle routes across Bournemouth and Poole and are integrated within the planning of the cycling network across the conurbation. While outside the remit of this assessment, where opportunities arise, sport tourism should be embraced both at the informal leisure level and at the competitive and spectator level by attracting elite cycling competition to the area.

Both Bournemouth and Poole are fortunate to have some very good facilities for cycling: Bournemouth with the BMX racing track at Iford and the outdoor velodrome at Slades Farm (which is a good central location to serve the conurbation as a whole) and in Poole with the Cycle Speedway facility. In addition both have informal access BMX dirt tracks with 2 in Bournemouth and 5 in Poole, which are important not just to young people (in that they provide a very different riding experience to freestyle BMX facilities shared with skateboards at wheel parks), but perform an important role in offering a set- aside area for BMX riding which can take pressure away from other green spaces and semi-natural areas of land which may have landscape, habitat, ecological or other environmental protection and which may otherwise be at greater risk from BMXs (and mountain bikes) if the ‘formally designated’ tracks were not there.

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Bournemouth and Poole

The strategy in Bournemouth and Poole should be to:

 Seek to ensure that existing provision is maintained and enhanced where improvements are necessary. This means supporting, in principle and in partnership, improvements to informal BMX tracks and also improvements to formal cycling facilities. Growth in the use of formal facilities should be supported by helping clubs and facilities to grow patronage and membership where necessary to maximise their use. For informal use BMX tracks it also means that, although demand is difficult to quantify with accuracy, recognising the important role that they can and should play as a facility for young people but also as a way to help prevent damage to the local protected landscape and environment;  Seek to fill gaps in provision where necessary and viable to do so in the short term (in terms of initial capital required) and in the long-term (i.e. ensuring that maintenance can be sustained into the future). Potential should be explored further, locally, and action taken to deliver additional BMX tracks if demand is demonstrated and they are deliverable;  Where a facility is unavoidably ‘lost’, ensure adequate replacement of the facility or rationalisation (without reducing it capacity) at a location within its catchment area;  Within this context, continue with current plans for scheduled improvements to existing facilities and provision of new facilities;  When considering additional (new or replacement) provision of informal (non-club based) cycling facilities or BMX tracks:  ensure that capital funds are in place to deliver the facility;  ensure that sufficient funds are in place to maintain the facility into the future;  ensure that noise levels are not disruptive to neighbours;  seek to locate them where ‘hubs’ of facilities such as wheel parks and MUGAs already exist or are planned to be located, if possible;  seek to locate them in accessible places are in locations where the catchment of young people likely to use them do not have significant

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physical barriers to access them (for example a main ‘A’ road which is difficult to cross safely within line of sight of the facility);  consult in depth with young people who live locally to ensure that provision meets their needs; and,  consult with local residents within a reasonable radius of the proposed facility (for example, 100m-200m).  Monitor changes to demand in off-road cycling by keeping regular contact with facility management and local clubs to enable demand-led additional provision to be made as necessary for ‘formal’ cycling facilities.

Bournemouth

Within this context, in Bournemouth, the strategy’s focus should be to:

 Improve the quality of the Townsend BMX track and Winton Cycle track;  Continue to work with the Bournemouth BMX Club to secure and deliver required improvements to the Iford BMX track;  Continue to work with the Bournemouth Cycling Centre to make improvements to the supporting facilities on site and to increase capacity of the track (through introducing a covering structure over the track and floodlighting if possible) as part of the Slades Farm masterplan; and,  Should demand be demonstrated ‘on the ground’ and short term (capital investment) and long term (maintenance) viability be secured consider provision for up to 2 additional informal BMX tracks in areas outside of the existing catchments of provision of freely accessible tracks.

Poole

Within this context, in Bournemouth, the strategy’s focus should be to:

 Improve the quality of the Hamworthy, Foreland Road and Harbourside Park BMX tracks; and,  Work with Bournemouth BMX Club to identify a suitable site and draw-up a business case for an additional BMX track in an area of search north of the

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A35 or improve an existing track where the location is suitable for increased club based use to provide capacity should they wish to expand. Should demand be demonstrated ‘on the ground’ consider provision for an additional informal BMX track north of the A35 should delivery and long- term maintenance prove viable (should a club based track not be forthcoming in that area).

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Parkour

The focus of the assessment for parkour has been on identifying the demand for dedicated facilities in Bournemouth and Poole. There are currently no parkour facilities in Bournemouth and Poole, but Bournemouth Borough Council has been keen to explore levels of demand and potential need for some type of parkour facility, hence its place as part of this assessment. It does not seek to persuade or dissuade the need for provision of a facility, but seeks to inform existing debate and consideration of a facility in the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation.

Defining parkour

Parkour, also known as ‘free running’ is an activity or discipline which requires strength, acrobatic skill and balance to jump and move between obstacles. With the majority of the parkour community being most active in Bournemouth, the assessment naturally focuses on potential in Bournemouth rather than Poole although it is likely that any facility need identified as a result of this assessment will cover a wide catchment which is likely to encompass much of Poole, together with parts of the rest of south east Dorset.

Understanding supply and demand

While there is currently no permanent provision or facility for parkour in Bournemouth (nor across Dorset, with the nearest facility being in Andover), there is an active parkour group in the town with almost 200 members from within and outside Bournemouth11. The group has been building momentum and generating significant levels of interest, engaging positively with Bournemouth Borough Council, the Police and the local community.

To seek to quantify levels of interest in a facility, a survey was sent out on the Project Team’s behalf to members of the Bournemouth parkour community. The survey generated over 170 responses, from which key issues raised are

11 See https://www.facebook.com/BournemouthParkourFacility 119 summarised later in this assessment. The overall impression from responses is that demand is growing, with coaches which responded suggesting that the number of coaching sessions held regularly need to be increased due to demand.

While there are no formal training facilities for parkour, the sport is actively and widely practiced in Bournemouth and Poole. Maps put together online by people practising parkour12 demonstrate the popularity and current use of existing urban structures to practice parkour, with 10 locations identified for doing parkour in central locations in Poole, 4 elsewhere in Poole, 15 in central Bournemouth and 16 elsewhere in Bournemouth at the time of drafting this assessment. Responses to the surveys suggest that people come to Bournemouth to train but also go to other towns from Bournemouth to train and practice the sport. The Embassy Youth Centre is used by around 15% of respondents to the survey of the respondents.

It is understood that some people attend gymnastics clubs to enhance their training and many respondents to the survey said they train to improve strength at gyms. Many respondents also mentioned that they use slack lines and climbing walls to supplement their parkour interest and training. There is nothing, however, with the primary purpose of enhancing a parkour practitioner’s training or that makes it easier for beginners to connect with experienced practitioners and learn in a risk assessed environment.

There are several parkour freerunning groups (informal ‘clubs’) which are active in Bournemouth, a number of which have campaigned to secure local authority support for a dedicated facility.

The Train Hard13 Parkour and Freerunning Community Interest Company (CIC) is a not-for-profit organisation set-up to promote and help provide a structure for learning in Dorset. The group has ADAPT qualified14 and insured

12 See https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=215848030669121299 704.0004d8c41fe6be6ac38b7 13 See http://train-hard.org/ 14 See http://www.parkouruk.org/?page_id=1441 for more information. The ADAPT (Art du Deplacement And Parkour Teaching) Qualifications are developed in conjunction with 1st4sport 120 parkour coaches and has run taster sessions and indoor training sessions at the Sir David English Sports Centre.

Parkour UK

Parkour UK is the national sports governing body for parkour. Its priorities for Bournemouth and Poole are to:

 Develop coaches via the ADAPT qualification;  Club and organisation development;  Schools delivery; and,  Facility development.

Survey responses

A survey asking about the demands and needs for parkour was distributed via Train Hard Parkour and Freerunning amongst the parkour community in Bournemouth and Poole. Around 170 responses were received. Of the responders most were in the 15 – 21 age group, with some in older age groups who have been doing parkour for some time. A mix of skill levels were represented with some adults with a lot of experience responding. As expected, the results are firmly in favour of providing a facility. However, with this anticipated response in mind, surveys also focused on understanding what type of facility and where it could be provided.

Popular suggested locations or types of area for a facility included the following:

 Central Bournemouth;  An area easily accessible by train and bus;  Near to or adjacent to a sports centre or busy area which is overlooked or has regular passers-by to help prevent misuse and vandalism;

Qualifications, the awarding body for active learning and leisure, and are recognised and accredited by both QCA and Ofqual. 121

 Avoiding areas which are already subject to vandalism. Examples of vandalism at parkour facilities in Bristol and Basingstoke were cited as examples of a poor location where facilities were vandalised;  King’s Park;  Slades Farm;  Redhill Park;  Winton Rec.;  Quieter beach areas; or,  Poole Park.

Preference for an indoor or outdoor facility was fairly evenly split. Some suggested indoor as it gives a greater opportunity to practice in the winter. Those people involved in coaching seem to suggest that an outdoor facility is better. A few respondents suggested that an indoor and outdoor facility would be beneficial as safe training can be done indoors and an outdoor facility can be used to put that training to the test. However, more people responded suggesting that it does not matter with a strength of feeling that just providing a facility is better than having no facility at all.

Conclusions

The level of interest in parkour in Bournemouth and Poole seems to support a need for a facility for the sport. A well-designed facility meeting the needs of participants will provide a hub for parkour. It could help to alleviate concerns which may exist about people using existing structures and provide a focus around which safe and structured learning and training can take place as well as informal use. There are lessons that can be learnt from existing parkour facilities provided elsewhere in the country and a number of useful suggestions have been made through the survey undertaken for the assessment to help frame appropriate provision.

It is suggested that a site for a facility is identified in Bournemouth Borough, given the town being the focus of support for parkour in the south east Dorset 122 conurbation. If a site for a facility can be found, plans should be deliverable (i.e. have capital investment up front to build it) and sustainable in the long- term (i.e. have sufficient funds available for maintenance or at least a mechanism through which funds can be raised to secure maintenance) prior to commitment.

The search for a suitable site for a facility should consider the following criteria. An appropriate site should:

 Be in an overlooked or well-used area such as a well-used park or adjacent to a leisure centre to minimise the potential for vandalism to the facility;  Be in a central location within easy (walkable) distance to public transport nodes;  Be located alongside existing or proposed wheelpark or MUGA to encourage use of the facilities, creating an outdoor activity ‘hub’ for young people; and,  Be located or have the opportunity to be near to refreshments.

Due to cost, it is likely that an outdoor facility will be more viable than an indoor one (although a shared facility with use for gymnastics as identified in the sports halls assessment may be an attractive proposition for parkour for the winter months and for training, if provided in addition to an outdoor facility). However, close consultation with users of a facility and groups such as Train Hard Parkour and Freerunning CIC and the sports governing body, Parkour UK, should take place to help determine an appropriate site and nature of the facility.

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Orienteering

Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole were keen to have a brief assessment done of the potential needs and demand for orienteering in and around the conurbation. This assessment draws on local knowledge about demands and needs of the sport.

Defining orienteering

For the purposes of this assessment formal orienteering routes only are considered. While the routes have not been audited to assess their quality, rather, it relies upon information about key issues gathered from key active individuals and the club operating in and around Bournemouth and Poole who know and use the routes week to week. This provides a more accurate appraisal of quality, quantity and accessibility issues than if someone who does not do the sport undertakes an audit.

Due to its nature, orienteering clubs use routes across Dorset and do not confine themselves to using routes within the conurbation. However, this brief assessment focuses on the needs and demand of orienteering taking place within the Borough boundaries.

Understanding supply and demand

There are no readily available data about orienteering in and around Bournemouth and Poole. Understanding supply and demand in Bournemouth and Poole therefore depends on the input from key individuals involved in orienteering across the area.

There are 3 formal orienteering trails in Bournemouth at Littledown Centre, King’s Park and Slades Farm and 1 in Poole at Poole Park. Other routes used locally include one in Upton Country Park just outside Poole, one at Moors Valley Country Park near Verwood and areas such as Brownsea Island and

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Studland. The Wessex Orienteering Club website15 states that permanent courses perform a role both for clubs and for the general public wanting to try orienteering out at any time. Park based course suit those starting out in orienteering while forest-based courses (outside of Bournemouth and Poole) provide more of a challenge.

When asked about the top 5 things which could be done to improve orienteering in general in Bournemouth and Poole, the Wessex Orienteering Club (the club which operates out of Bournemouth and Poole) suggested:

 Regular publicity and communication about courses and club opportunities to access the sport;  A funded post to focus on promotion;  Formal links with schools;  Funding for or production of mapping of routes; and,  Transportation for young people to get to events and routes.

The club also suggested that the biggest challenges to orienteering in Bournemouth and Poole are lack of awareness of the sport, people requiring transport to events outside of the Borough boundaries and involving families with young children to help ensure the next generation of orienteers.

The club suggested that they would be interested in having a ‘base’, perhaps as part of a multi-sports hub. They do not currently operate from any particular location, instead meeting at the start of orienteering routes. A hub could also act as a social base for members, which is currently lacking.

We also received comments relating to access to land. Improved access would enable additional routes to be set out. Key restrictions include protected areas for landscape, wildlife and habitats, and shooting tenants.

The club has seen membership numbers remain stable in recent years and expects it to remain the same, assuming that new and young members can be attracted to help sustain levels as some members get older.

15 See http://www.wessex-oc.org/home.htm 125

The club’s top 5 priorities for the next 3 – 5 years are to attract more young people, hold more local events, get more areas and routes mapped, involve more schools in the sport and encourage younger members to volunteer to help.

British Orienteering

The national sports governing body, British Orienteering, has stated that its main priority is to support clubs to deliver regular weekly activity from a fixed base.

Conclusions

Orienteering has an opportunity to grow as a sport in and around Bournemouth and Poole. However, due to the nature of the sport requiring predominantly open green space, there are limitations to how many trails can be set-up and formally designated across the Boroughs. However, as far as practicable, Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole should work with the orienteering club to designate additional new trails if the demand suggests a need and there is funding available to do so in the initial and longer-term to sustain routes. There are a number of other things that the Borough Councils could help with, including exploring with the clubs opportunities to help promote the sport more widely to young people and families and exploring opportunities to allow the club access to a multi-sport hub facility if developed as part of other wider plans for sports hubs.

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Outdoor gyms

Bournemouth Borough Council has asked for an assessment to be done of demand and need for outdoor gyms. The assessment has utilised information gathered for other assessments such as that for running and athletics and also data collected by Bournemouth Borough Council on use of parks. As the Borough of Poole already has outdoor gyms, evidence of use of has also used to benchmark potential use in Bournemouth.

Defining outdoor gyms

Outdoor gyms are freely accessible outdoor gym equipment most often placed in parks on popular running routes, for people to incorporate into their running or training regime. They are also a useful facility for sports clubs training outside to use.

Bournemouth Borough Council has requested an assessment of the potential demand and need for outdoor gyms. The Borough of Poole already has a good supply of the facilities (which are well-used) and so therefore has not required an assessment. Information on the outdoor gyms in Poole has been useful in helping to understand potential demand in Bournemouth.

Understanding supply and demand

Bournemouth currently has one outdoor fitness area in Littledown Park known as the ‘Trim Trail’. This comprises seven ‘stations’ allowing users to do hurdle jumps, recline pulls, tricep dips, knee raises, lateral jumps, press-ups and step-ups. By comparison, Poole has 4 areas at Baiter, Hamworthy, Branksome Recreation Ground and Poole Park. It is worth mentioning these as Poole has undertaken surveys of use which provide a good indicator of demand to inform provision in Bournemouth (see below).

We understand that Bournemouth Borough Council currently has plans to provide up to four additional outdoor fitness areas at Slades Farm (in the

127 process of being delivered), on the seafront, Horseshoe Common and King’s Park.

Bournemouth Borough Council Parks Survey

In February 2013, the Borough Council published the results of a Parks Survey. Its results are based on 517 responses, all of which were from Bournemouth residents. Of those who responded, 58% said they would like to see outdoor gym equipment in more public parks and green spaces. This represents a significant amount of interest from a cross-section of residents which warrants serious consideration of provision of outdoor gym equipment.

Use of outdoor fitness equipment in Poole

Poole’s outdoor fitness equipment is located at Baiter (1 cluster of equipment with 4 stations), Hamworthy (2 stations), Branksome Recreation Ground (3 stations) and Poole Park (6 clusters with 20 pieces of equipment). In 2009, a survey of use was undertaken. The survey projected use of 9 users per hour for 12 hours daylight between May and September equating to over 17,000 user sessions and over 14,000 users during the months of October to April. The survey found that most use was made during afternoons with weekends seeing greater use. There were strong links made between runners and use of the equipment but also walkers, dog walkers and those using the public slipway for watersports at Baiter. Users asked thought it was a good use of money and appreciate the free open access to the equipment and being able to factor it in to their training or exercise routine.

Linking outdoor fitness equipment with other sports and activities

The evidence from the Poole survey and experience elsewhere suggests that outdoor fitness equipment is popular with runner and joggers in park and on seafront locations. As the assessment for athletics has highlighted, informal running and Park Runs are becoming more popular and, together with other evidence summarised in this assessment, suggest there would be demand for outdoor fitness equipment in Bournemouth in locations popular with runners.

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Other locations where there are clear benefits are parks and recreation grounds where there are multiple sports using the pitches and facilities. Equipment should be well-signposted to ensure opportunity to use the facilities is well known.

Existing plans and programmes

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Figure 50: Projects which relate to future strategic provision of cricket pitches in Bournemouth and Poole

Progress Does it

Project / proposal Source Document Not Underway / remain a Complete started ongoing priority? *

Horseshoe Common Parks Investment – gym trail and skate bowl – linked to Plan 2009-13 and

Horseshoe Common Feasibility Study Horshoe Park Masterplan 2011/2012

Identified priorities (programmed year of improvement and H/M/L priority) relevant to Sports Strategy:

Develop 250m cycle track (2011 - H); repair and improve skate park (2012-14 - M); improve school 250m cycle Slades Farm pitch drainage (2013 - H); refurbish tennis / netball track Masterplan 2012- Yes courts at Glenmoor School (2014 - H); fitness trail completed 2021 in school or park (2014 – M); full size artificial turf 2011 pitch for rugby / football (2016 – M); new sports hall (2020 - M); new girls’ changing rooms (2015 - H); outdoor climbing wall (2014 – M); and, 1km cycling / training circuit (2015 - M).

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Conclusions

Based on evidence gathered on potential demand in Bournemouth and on experience of use of outdoor fitness equipment in Poole, provision should be made as currently proposed in Bournemouth (i.e. at Slades Farm, on the seafront, Horseshoe Common and King’s Park). When this provision has been delivered, its use should be monitored to determine whether additional facilities will be required. Any additional facilities should be provided in locations where they are likely to be used by runners and other users.

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Outdoor table tennis

Bournemouth Borough Council asked for an assessment to be undertaken of outdoor table tennis facilities. While it is very difficult to estimate likely demand, various sources of information have been used to help determine whether or not investment in such facilities is worthwhile and cost-effective.

Defining outdoor table tennis

Outdoor table tennis can be played in open spaces such as parks, beach and seafront locations. Tables are typically made from concrete, steel, fibreglass, resin laminate and concrete polymer. The cost of providing a table is typically around £500 - £4,000. Most tables already in use across the UK are free to access, but some tables are known to be operated on a nominal charge or pay and play basis (where located on a leisure centre site). Bats and balls can be kept at kiosk and café locations adjacent to the tables and users have tended also to bring their own at existing sites.

Understanding supply and demand

There are currently no outdoor table tennis tables in Bournemouth, although it is understood that temporary tables have been used in the past at conferences at the BIC.

Bournemouth Borough Council Parks Survey

In February 2013, the Borough Council published the results of a Parks Survey. Its results are based on 517 responses, all of which were from Bournemouth residents. Of those who responded, 25% said they would like to see outdoor table tennis tables in public parks and green spaces. This represents a reasonable level of interest from a cross-section of residents which warrants consideration of provision.

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In addition to interest from residents, there could be interest from the substantial number of international students who come to Bournemouth every year to study. While not quantified in this assessment, table tennis is popular socially in a number of European countries and publicly accessible tables could prove popular for international students, stimulating additional interest from residents.

English Table Tennis Association

In 2010, the English Table Tennis Association undertook a pilot project to install, monitor and evaluate the use of outdoor table tennis tables16. The findings of the pilot projects are appended for information. In summary, some of the key conclusions were:

 47 permanent public outdoor tables were set up in partnership with London Borough Councils;  Tables were widely used and popular with the public;  Value for money equates to between 0.085p (peak periods of use) and 0.88p (less busy period) per participant;  concrete tables are the best in terms of permanency, vandal and weather resistance. They also have very good playability. However concrete is generally heavier and more expensive than models made of other materials and they require specialist installation. It was also felt that the steel tables used are very durable, extremely well made, though playability is slightly inferior to concrete and they are at the high end of the price range; and,  Critical success factors are focused around putting the table in the right location to enable screening from wind, giving access to bats and balls and ensuring they are located somewhere with a good footfall past the site.

Other guidance from the ETTA suggests that an outdoor table can last for up to 20 years and suggest using a deposit system for the loan / hire of bats and balls. Bats and balls can also be sold relatively cheaply. Further advice on establishing outdoor table tennis is available from the ETTA website17.

16 Findings can be seen here http://etta.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/london_pilot.pdf 17 See http://etta.co.uk/?s=outdoor+table+tennis

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When contacted, the ETTA suggested that one of their priorities is to bring ‘Ping!City’18 to Bournemouth in the next 4 – 5 years with outdoor tables and high profile spaces being a focus.

Conclusions

Bournemouth

While there is little evidence locally to substantiate the provision of a particular number of outdoor table tennis tales in Bournemouth, an indication of demand from the Parks Survey and the success of pilot projects elsewhere supported by the ETTA suggest that having a similar pilot project in a park in Bournemouth would be beneficial to help establish whether provision on a more permanent basis in other locations across the town would be worthwhile. This could be developed in partnership with the ETTA and other interested stakeholders. Temporary provision in seafront locations may also be worth trialling at the height of summer (although success will be closely linked to the weather conditions).

Should a pilot prove successful, further tables could installed at other locations during the middle and later parts of the strategy period if funding for their provision and long-term maintenance can be secured.

18 See http://www.pingengland.co.uk/

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Appendix 1

ETTA Outdoor Table Tennis Pilot Findings

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