Great Aycliffe & Area Action Partnership Profile Draft 4 December 2011

Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

CONTENTS

1.0 Great Aycliffe & Middridge Playing Pitch Profile

2.0 Pitch Provision by Sector

3.0 Teams

4.0 Consultation Profile

5.0 Quality & Provision

6.0 Pitch Capacity

7.0 Strategic Recommendations

8.0 Potential Hub Sites

2 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

1.0 GREAT AYCLIFFE & MIDDRIDGE PLAYING PITCH PROFILE

1.1 Area Action Partnership

The Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership (AAP) serves the area highlighted in the map below. The geographical area covered by the AAP includes the major town of and other settlements such as Middridge and Woodham Village to the north.

Great Aycliffe & Middridge includes the following wards:

• Woodham • Greenfield Middridge • Neville & Simpasture • Shafto St Marys • West

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

3 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

1.2 Total Area Population: 26,319 Map 1: Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP

As highlighted in the table below, 65% of the population for Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP is considered to fall within the active age group as defined by Sport .

Table 1: Great Aycliffe & Middridge Population by Active Age Groups Active Age Sport Male Female Mixed Group

0-5 years Non active 1821

6-9 years Football 1156 8-12 years 1576 10-15 years 1069 1013 11-15 years 912 855 11-17 years 1321 1195 13-17 years Rugby 973 873 16-17 years Rugby 340 Football/ 16-45 years Hockey 4802 4957 18-45 years Rugby 4393 4617 18-55 years Cricket 6276 6599

Over 55 years Non active 7636

Total area population within Active Age Groups 16862 (6-55yrs)

4 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

2.0 PITCH PROVISION BY SECTOR

2.1 Public Sector Provision Map 2: Great Aycliffe & Middridge Pitches Managed by the Public Sector

5 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

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

Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Ward Changing Full size Junior Mini Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Sports Field West Y 3 1 4 (Oakfield Pitches)

Simpasture Park West Y 1 1 2

4 1 1 0 0 0 0 6

NOTE: Horndale Park is co-owned by Newton Aycliffe Town Council and Durham County Council. There are 4 full-size football pitches at the site which is currently closed.

6 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

2.2 Education Provision Map 3: Great Aycliffe & Middridge Pitches Managed by Educational Facilities

7 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 3: Names & Types of Pitches managed by Educational Facilities Football Pitches Rugby Pitches Name Ward Changing Full size Junior Mini Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Greenfield School Greenfield N 5 1 1 7 Community And Middridge Arts College St Joseph’s RC West N 1 1 Primary School Stephenson Way Community West N 1 1 Primary School Sugar Hill Newton Aycliffe N 1 1 Primary School Aycliffe Village Neville & N 1 1 Primary School Simpasture Byerley Park Greenfield N 1 1 Primary School Middridge Woodham Burn Infant & Jnr West N 1 1 School St Francis CoE Greenfield N 1 1 School Middridge Horndale Infant School Greenfield N 1 1 2 (Horndale Middridge Pitches) Vane Road Shafto St Mary N 1 1 Primary School St Oswald’s Park Shafto St Mary N 1 1 St Mary’s RCVA Shafto St Mary N 1 1 Primary School Woodham Community Shafto St Mary N 6 1 1 8 Technical College

13 10 1 0 0 2 1 26

8 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

2.1 Private Provision Map 4: Great Aycliffe & Middridge Pitches Managed by Sports Clubs

9 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

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

Name Ward Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Newton Aycliffe Sports Neville & N 2 1 1 4 Club – Moore Lane Park 1 Simpasture

2 0 1 0 1 0 4

1 There is also reference to INEOS Sports Facilities – it has not been confirmed is this is the same site at Newton Aycliffe Sports Club

10 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

3.0 TEAMS

3.1 Football Team Information

Table 5: Football Clubs & Teams

Club Ground Mens Vets Ladies Total Senior Total Mini Total Junior Newton Aycliffe FC Moore Lane Park - Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 1 1 0 1

Newton Aycliffe Cobblers Hall Moore Lane Park - Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 1 1 0 0

Newton Aycliffe Royal British Legion Moore Lane Park - Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 1 1 0 0

Newton Aycliffe U18 Moore Lane Park - Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 0 0 1

Newton Aycliffe The North Briton INEOS Sports Facilities 1 1 0 0

Newton Aycliffe WMC Simpasture Park 1 1 0 0

Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre INEOS Sports Facilities 1 1 0 0

Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre Juniors INEOS Sports Facilities 0 7 11

Newton Aycliffe Juniors Woodham Community Technology College 0 0 0 0 5 6

Total 6 0 0 6 12 19

There are 6 senior football teams in Great Aycliffe & Middridge, and no female teams recorded. There are 19 junior football teams including 4 junior girls’ teams and 12 mini football teams. The teams are all accommodated on 4 different pitches within the AAP as detailed in the table below.

11 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

3.2 Rugby Team Information

There is 1 rugby ground in the area with a team registered and the ground is combined with a cricket wicket and football pitches.

Table 6: Rugby Clubs & Teams

Club Ground Mens Vets Ladies Senior Junior Mini

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club – Moore Lane Newton Aycliffe RUFC Park 1 1

3.3 Cricket Team Information

There are 2 senior cricket teams in Great Aycliffe & Middridge and 4 junior teams. The teams play on 1 cricket ground as detailed below.

Table 7: Cricket Clubs & Teams Club Ground Mens Ladies Total Senior Total Junior Newton Aycliffe CC Newton Aycliffe Sports Club – Moore Lane Park 2 2 4

3.4 Hockey Team Information

There are no hockey teams recorded in the Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP.

12 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.0 CONSULTATION PROFILE

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

4.1 Methodology

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

In general the notes which accompanied the feedback maps detailed the following:

• Newton Aycliffe Sports Club could accommodate 1 extra junior football pitch with increased investment • INEOS Sports Facilities could accommodate 1 extra mini football pitch although space is tight. It was suggested that further development could take place behind the council maintenance depot • Woodham Community College could accommodate a further 2 full-size and 3 junior football pitches with increased investment • Cumby Arms could provide a further 2 full-size pitches, but requires improved changing facilities • Horndale Park pitches are currently closed, but have potential to offer extra provision in the area. There is shared ownership of this site between Great Aycliffe Town Council and Durham County Council.

Table 8: Pitch Usage from Club Feedback Questionnaires

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

14 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Graph 1: Club Feedback on Pitch Usage in Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP

NOTE: Cumby Arms, Heighington is outside the boundary of Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP, however it is used by Cumby Arms FC who responded to the questionnaire.

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

The findings are outlined under 3 main headings:

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

15 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.2 Football Consultation

Table 9: Football Club Survey

Details of the findings were as follows:

• Newton Aycliffe Juniors report insufficient pitches for fixtures and three out of four clubs say there are insufficient pitches for training • Newton Aycliffe Juniors report that their main pitch is of poor quality and the Youth Centre juniors pitch is “below average” • Newton Aycliffe Juniors and WMC both report that their changing facilities are poor • Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre Juniors fielded more teams this season than last and the other three clubs the same number as last.

16 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 10: Football Club Future Plans Survey

Comments were as follows:

• All 4 clubs plan to increase their membership and the Youth Centre Juniors aim to run more teams • The 2 junior teams wish to expand their facilities • Newton Aycliffe FC and Newton Aycliffe Juniors also wish to refurbish their facilities • The most common barriers to development were a shortage of all weather pitches for training, a shortage of indoor training facilities and the cost of hiring facilities • Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre Juniors FC specifically highlighted the need to improve pitch drainage. They added that they always apply for funding when available.

17 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.3 Community Sports Network Consultation Workshop (Comments relating to football)

At the consultation workshop those involved in pitch sports worked together to draw up the following information.

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

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

Aspirations • Better facilities – aim for all sites where league football is played to have changing rooms and showers • Some funding system to encourage growth of clubs and quality club development • Strategic investment into drainage improvements so that key sites can accommodate more games • Secure funds to provide more 3G artificial pitches at strategic sites e.g. Newton Aycliffe Sports Club – for training and to develop as a football hub.

18 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

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

4.4 Cricket Consultation

(National Governing Body)

Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club did not reply to the survey but the officer from the National Governing Body made some interesting points about cricket facilities in County Durham:

• Cricket is very much a club based sport and in general there are sufficient outdoor facilities are considered to be available to meet current demand and most clubs have control over the facilities they use • Whilst a majority of grounds are well maintained there is an issue in relation to the quality of built facilities – mainly club houses • Whilst the ECB can offer interest free loans to support the provision of new facilities there are now very limited funds available for providing grant support i.e. £300,000 for the whole of the north • The provision of indoor training facilities is the most pressing issue particularly in relation to the difficulty of accessing some provision on school sites e.g. a new school in Durham City with a four lane centre that can’t be accessed, at present, during the evenings or at weekends • The indoor facilities that are available are not spread evenly through the county and access is, therefore, a problem as demand is still high • The biggest threat for the future is the continuity of available outdoor and indoor facilities, particularly those provided by the public sector.

19 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.5 Community Sports Network Consultation Workshop

(Comments relating to Cricket)

Strengths • The supportive league structure • The recent raising of the sports profile • Improved access to grants to help with pitch and facility improvements • Links to the Community Sports Network.

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

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

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

20 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.6 Rugby Consultation

Newton Aycliffe RFUC plays at Newton Aycliffe Sports Centre but did not respond directly to the survey. The Rugby Union National Governing body view was that currently in Newton Aycliffe there are sufficient pitches to meet the need for league match play and that the quality of their main pitch was reasonable but that there were insufficient pitches to accommodate training needs.

The shortage of good quality well maintained pitches for match and practice use is considered to be the most significant problem for the sport in general. A number of clubs would like to undertake drainage works to their pitches but cannot secure sufficient funds.

The governing body officer highlighted that current trends in participation are seeing a large increase in youth players however and sufficient pitches need to be planned for to accommodate such growth.

21 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.7 Hockey Consultation

There are no hockey clubs registered within the Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP. However, the North East Hockey League provided a good overview of Hockey in the County.

(North East Hockey League)

In the north-east hockey is a minority sport but it remains vibrant and there is a great deal of junior development activity bringing boys and girls into the sport across the whole region. Unfortunately, there is very little scope for them to take their interest into club hockey within County Durham.

(Trends)

In County Durham there has been a slow decline in standards of hockey, but not the numbers involved, in recent years. However current investment in junior development is beginning to reverse that trend. Demand is increasing gradually.

(Current facilities)

There are only a few pitches within County Durham and there is very little scope for further development of the game within the county. However, the facilities at Durham City are among the best in the country and provide the County Association with an excellent venue for representative matches etc.

(Issues)

There is very limited scope for bringing the sport to the majority of urbanised areas within the county and a tendency for local authorities to build new artificial pitches with new '3G' surfaces which, although good for rugby and football, cannot be used for hockey. In addition, there are no hockey facilities in places such as , , Crook, Willington, Newton Aycliffe, , Stanley, Easington, and .

22 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.8 Town Council

We received information from Great Aycliffe Town Council as summarised below.

Table 11: Town Council Response. Council Information/Issues Future Plans/Aspirations Great The Town Council are responsible for the management of: Aycliffe • Oakleaf Pitches, School Aycliffe - 4 pitches • Simpasture Pitch, Simpasture Park - 1 pitch and changing rooms (no showers) • Re-instatement of initiative to re-open • Moore Lane Pitch, Moore Lane Park - 1 pitch and changing Horndale Pitches with changing rooms rooms • Horndale Pitches, Horndale Park - 4 pitches (closed) • Pitches would be available if investment is put • Oakleaf Golf Course and Driving Range into improving drainage and changing facilities. Projects were shelved due to local government Currently all teams applying for GATC pitches can be accommodated. re-organisation. The Town Council feels it is However, junior football is always expanding. unlikely that these will now be resurrected.

Poor quality playing pitches is an issue as is the quality/lack of changing facilities.

23 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.9 Schools Sport Partnership (SSP)

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

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

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

Table 12: Schools School Community Use and Sports club links/Issues Plans/Aspirations Aycliffe • No current community use Village • As regards any future community use the school think that • The school reported that they have little room Primary insurance and vandalism could be issues for improvement on the space available. School • The school has hosted orienteering sessions on their field for the SSP “cluster”. Stephenson • No plans due to lack of funds – “our building is Way very poor and uses up all our capital. We • No current community use Primary compete in every sporting festival and • As regards any future community use the view is that the school School competition we can despite our facilities. We is unsuitable - no staff available to manage the facility when use our space very well indeed but it is not closed; no changing rooms available. marked for anything at all and is not suitable for community use”.

24 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

4.10 Conclusions / Key Issues

It is disappointing that a more rounded response could not be established due to the lack of feedback from different sports clubs and organisations with Great Aycliffe & Middridge. However, those that did engage in the process have provided a valuable insight into the problems and opportunities that they face and we hope that these are representative of the views of those involved in pitch sports in this AAP.

(Football) • One club reported insufficient pitches (junior) for fixtures and 75% of clubs say there are insufficient pitches for training • Newton Aycliffe Juniors report that their main pitch is of poor quality and the Youth Centre juniors pitch is “below average” • Half the clubs report that their changing facilities are poor • Four clubs plan to increase their membership and the Youth Centre Juniors aim to run more teams. The two junior teams wish to expand their facilities. Newton Aycliffe FC and Newton Aycliffe Juniors also wish to refurbish their facilities • The most common barriers to development were a shortage of all weather pitches for training, a shortage of indoor training facilities and the cost of hiring facilities.

• Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre Juniors FC specifically highlighted the need to improve pitch drainage.

(Cricket)

• Cricket clubs – overall facilities tend to be quite good and there appear to be enough pitches to meet demand • Some clubs face problems with maintenance due to damage to pitches/ground over winter caused by football use – this means of quality of pitch can be a problem • A general priority is to maintain what is already there and improve the quality of such as needed • Sports development is important – e.g. to increase numbers playing and to improve routes from schools to clubs • Need to improve the security of playing fields.

25 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

(Rugby)

• Newton Aycliffe RFUC plays at Newton Aycliffe Sports Centre. There are sufficient pitches to meet the need for league match play and the quality of the main pitch is reasonable • The shortage of good quality well maintained pitches for match and practice use is considered to be the most significant problem for the sport in general. A number of clubs would like to undertake drainage works to their pitches but cannot secure sufficient funds • Current trends in participation are seeing a large increase in youth players however and sufficient pitches need to be planned for to accommodate such growth.

26 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

5.0 QUALITY & PROVISION

5.1 Supply & Demand Model: Football

Peak time analysis identifies that Sunday mornings are the busiest times for football pitches used in Great Aycliffe & Middridge, with 94% of weekly usage by junior teams taking place at this time and 67% for seniors.

Table 13: Football Peak Times

Football

Senior Junior Ratio of home games 0.5 0.5 Temporal Use % Saturday AM Saturday PM 33% 6% Sunday AM 67% 94% Sunday PM Mid week 1- Specify day Mid week 2- Specify day

Play times for junior teams show that there are 41 junior games taking place on average on a Sunday morning. As these games are primarily played on INEOS Sports Facility and Woodham Community Technology College, it is clear that over usage of these pitches is occurring. These findings support the comments in the consultation section which suggests that there is a shortfall in junior pitch provision for both games and training.

27 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 14: Football Shortfall or Surplus

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

Total 12.0 11.0 2.0 1.4 10.0 12.0 -6.9 2.0

Woodham 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Greenfield Middridge 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Neville and Simpasture 2.0 1.5 0.0 -0.1 1.0 2.0 -0.9 0.0

Shafto St Marys 6.0 6.0 2.0 1.8 6.0 6.0 -0.8 2.0

West 4.0 3.5 0.0 -0.3 3.0 4.0 -5.2 0.0

The shortfall/ surplus football analysis table above shows there are several shortfalls in provision for junior football in the AAP, specifically in the wards of Neville and Simpasture, Shafto St Marys and West. If all pitches were secured under an appropriate management and letting system, most fixtures at peak times could be accommodated without over using pitches. This is specifically the case for junior usage on Saturday afternoons as there are a sufficient number of pitches across the AAP to meet demand, however currently all usage falls upon a small number of grounds.

Some pitches are in need of improvement such as the School Aycliffe site and Woodham Community Technology College. However, with increased investment other pitches such as those located at Woodham School could offer extra pitch provision, helping to cover current and future demand. In addition other schools in the area, not currently utilised or suitable to offer community use can be adapted to help meet junior demand. Stephenson Way Primary School is a good example of this.

28 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

5.2 Supply & Demand Model: Rugby

Peak time analysis identifies that Saturday afternoons are the busiest times for Rugby in Great Aycliffe & Middridge, with 80% of weekly usage by senior teams only taking place at this time. There are no junior teams recorded in the AAP.

Table 15: Rugby Peak Times

Rugby

Senior Junior

Ratio of home games 0.5 0.5

Temporal Use %

Saturday AM

Saturday PM 80%

Sunday AM

Sunday PM 20% Mid week 1- Specify day Mid week 2- Specify day

The shortfall/surplus rugby analysis table below shows that there is currently sufficient provision for senior rugby matches in the Great Aycliffe & Middridge AAP. However junior teams needs to be encouraged in the area.

29 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 16: Rugby Shortfall or Surplus

Rugby Union (senior) (senior) (senior) SundayAM SundayPM SaturdayPM

Total 0.6 1.0 1.0

Woodham 0.0 0.0 0.0

Greenfield Middridge 0.0 0.0 0.0

Neville and Simpasture 0.6 1.0 1.0

Shafto St Marys 0.0 0.0 0.0

West 0.0 0.0 0.0

30 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

5.3 Supply & Demand Model Cricket

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

Table17: Cricket Peak Times

Cricket

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

31 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 18: Cricket Shortfall or Surplus AM AM PM PM AM AM Cricket PM AM PM (junior) (junior) (senior) (senior) Sunday (senior) Sunday (senior) Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday

Total 2.0 1.4 1.0 1.3 1.4 2.0

Woodham 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Greenfield Middridge 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Neville and Simpasture 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.4 1.0

Shafto St Marys 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

West 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

The shortfall/surplus cricket analysis table above indicates that all areas provide sufficient wickets. However, there are issues with quality at some clubs where winter sports such as football affect the quality of the wickets for summer demand. Newton Aycliffe Sports Field is a prime example of the issues caused with mixed use provision across a range of sports.

32 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

5.4 Peak Demand with Adjusted Carrying Capacity Informed Through Team Equivalents

Table 19: Senior Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Rugby League Rugby League Rugby Union Rugby Union Senior Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Total 8.5 7.5 6.5 8.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.6 1.0 1.0 Woodham 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Greenfield Middridge 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Neville and Simpasture 2.0 1.5 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.6 1.0 1.0 Shafto St Marys 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West 4.0 3.5 3.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Table 20: Junior Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Rugby League Rugby League Rugby Union Rugby Union Junior Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM Total 0.5 -0.1 -8.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodham 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Greenfield Middridge 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Neville and Simpasture 0.0 -0.1 -0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Shafto St Marys 0.5 0.3 -2.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West 0.0 -0.3 -5.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

33 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 21: Mini Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Mini Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM Total 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Woodham 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Greenfield Middridge 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Neville and Simpasture 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Shafto St Marys 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

In Great Aycliffe & Middridge the wards largely affected by including team equivalents are Shafto St Mary and West. For senior football supply there is a small drop which occurs in these two wards. The main issue for this AAP is the significant drop in junior provision which means that Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning are both under supplied. Rugby union is generally unaffected by the changes through team equivalents.

34 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

6.0 PITCH CAPACITY ISSUES

6.1 Average Number of Games Table 22: Average Number of Games per Pitch Home Games Per Week

Total Total Total Rugby Rugby Total Total Football Union League Cricket Hockey Games Games Games Games Games Average Number Of AAP Name Played Played Played Played Played Games Per Pitch Great Aycliffe & Middridge GREENFIELD SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND ARTS COLLEGE 0 0 0 0 0 0 Great Aycliffe & Middridge INEOS SPORTS FACILITIES 0 0 0 0 0 0 Great Aycliffe & Middridge MOORE LANE PARK 2.5 0 0 0 0 2.5 Great Aycliffe & Middridge NEWTON AYCLIFFE SPORTS CLUB 0 0.5 0 3 0 0.875 Great Aycliffe & Middridge SCHOOL AYCLIFFE SPORTS FIELD 10 0 0 0 0 1.67 Great Aycliffe & Middridge SIMPASTURE PARK 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Great Aycliffe & Middridge ST JOSEPHS RC PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Great Aycliffe & Middridge STEPHENSON WAY COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Great Aycliffe & Middridge SUGAR HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL 0 0 0 0 0 0 Great Aycliffe & Middridge WOODHAM COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE 5.5 0 0 0 0 1.1

Table 22 provides analysis of the average use of each pitch at the sites allowing public access across the AAP. The exercise is theoretical, as it assumes all pitches are used equally, but it does identify the sites which potentially overused such as Moore Lane Park. The pitch capacity should be viewed in conjunction with the pitch quality information detailed in appendix 9.

35 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

6.2 Additional Pitch Availability in Great Aycliffe & Middridge

Table 23: Additional Grounds Available in Great Aycliffe & Middridge Football Pitches Rugby Pitches

Name Location Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total School Aycliffe Sports West Y 3 1 4 Field (Oakfield Pitches)

Tables 23 and 24 (above and below) identify provision within the AAP which are either used infrequently or have no formal use. Where possible formal use of the pitches should be considered to address the supply issues identified in sections 4 and 5 of the report.

36 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 24: Additional Education Pitches Available in Great Aycliffe & Middridge Football Pitches Rugby Pitches Name Location Changing Full size Junior Mini Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Greenfield School Greenfield Y 5 1 1 7 Community And Middridge Arts College St Josephs RC West N 1 1 Primary School Stephenson Way Community Newton Aycliffe N 1 1 Primary School Byerley Park Greenfield N 1 1 Primary School Middridge Woodham Burn Infant & Jnr West N 1 1 School St Francis CoE Greenfield N 1 1 School Middridge Horndale Infant Greenfield N 1 1 School Middridge Vane Road Shafto St Mary N 1 1 Primary School St Oswald’s Park Shafto St Mary N 1 1 St Mary’s RCVA Shafto St Mary N 1 1 Primary School Sugar Hill Shafto St Mary Y 1 1 Primary School Aycliffe Village Neville & N 1 1 Primary School Simpasture

37 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 25: Existing and Required Provision

38 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 25 identifies that 11 pitches would be required to accommodate the current demand within the AAP areas. With around 19 pitches potentially available in the AAP, supply should exceed demand. It is clear from section 4 that in some instances this is not the case, consultation with clubs which require access to additional pitches should be carried out. Appropriately securing the pitch supply would enable the authority to allocate pitches where demand exceeds supply.

Table 26 identifies that the following pitches should be secured and laid out appropriately to ensure the provision caters for the current teams.

Table 26: Pitch Requirements Type Of Pitch Size Number of Pitches Senior Football 90 x 60 1.5* Junior Football 70 x 50 5 Mini Football 24 x 18 3 Senior Rugby 100 x 70 0.5 Junior Rugby 70 x 55 0 Cricket 105 x 110 1.5 Hockey 95 x 70 0

*Number is rounded up to the nearest 0.5 pitches.

39 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

7.0 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

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

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

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

40 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Map 5: Pitches with Community Use

41 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Map 6: Pitches to be Secured

42 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Map 7: Potential Hub Sites

43 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Map 8: Access to Potential Hub Sites

44 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Table 27: Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action-Plan

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

Policy Monitoring Strategy Reference Lead Timescale Recommendations Ref Success Existing playing fields are There is an overall sufficient supply of pitches in this safeguarded, with consideration only AAP, therefore decisions need to be made about which given to disposal when a secured LDF Safeguarded P1 Planning Immediate pitches are safeguarded and secured. Some pitches pitch stock can be demonstrated, or Policy could be omitted to improve the benefits of alternative high quality provision can reinvestment across the AAP. be generated by the loss of pitches.

Contributions towards off site or on- site provision of playing pitches will be sought under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 There is a need to consider investment in the existing from all housing developments in stock (i.e. off site contributions) within this AAP. In proposals of 1 or more units. general, supply is good, but quality is poor. It is likely Provision will also be sought for LDF Safeguarded that larger developments (e.g. 500 dwelling +), would P2 Planning Immediate subsequent maintenance costs for a Policy require on site provision, but other developments period of fifteen years. The would secure contributions for off site improvements. following types of dwelling will not The decision for on/off site provision should be made be subject to obligations in respect on a case by case basis. of playing pitch provision; replacement dwellings, extensions and very sheltered housing.

The level of provision at educational facilities in the Influence the design, layout of AAP is extremely high when compared to pitches in pitches and specification of school Education private or LA ownership. These facilities are derived facilities to ensure their suitability / Planning PFI Projects: D1 Short from a mix of schools across the AAP. Some schools for school and community use, / Sport & Stanley, Consett already have community-use agreements in place. securing formal community use Leisure There is a need to maintain these types of agreements where appropriate. organisational set-up and to develop further additions

45 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

where appropriate.

Develop new multi pitch/ multi sport ‘hub’ sites which can provide Develop AAP facilities for a range of training, Profile Themes, development and performance sport. Identifying The Key Where appropriate Hub sites should Planning / Sites. Influence A number of potential hub sites have been suggested D2 Short embrace artificial turf pitches Education Planning Consents (see maps 7 & 8). technology (ATP) for training and As A Delivery formal fixtures, floodlit multi use Mechanism; games courts, grass pitches and Burnopfield adequate changing facilities. Implement The Individual AAP Prioritise investment to existing Themes, Where Sport & Existing sites include: 1. Newton Aycliffe Sports Club – D3 multi-pitch sites which can offer Medium Possible Moving Leisure Moore Lane Park (football, rugby and cricket). secure environments for facilities. Teams And Resources From The Poorest Sites Develop AAP Profile Themes, Identifying Key The Sites. Influence Develop new junior pitches across Planning Consents the County, establishing a minimum Sport & Medium / As A Delivery With the number of school sites available in the AAP, D4 of one multi-pitch junior soccer site Leisure Long Mechanism. Work this policy should be prioritised. in each AAP. With Schools To Ensure Appropriate Sized Pitches Are Laid Out To Reflect Their Pupil Ages

46 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

Develop On AAP Profile Improve the quality of pitches, Recommendations Priority pitches need to be secured once the agreed setting a quality standard. Prioritise Implement The Sport & stock is confirmed. Policy will need to enable Q1 improvements that increase pitch Long Quality Assessment Leisure investment across the AAP for priority sites within capacity in areas and sports that are As Part Of The which development takes place. currently most deficient. Clean And Green Teams Site Inspections. Influence PFI Projects, Support Increase the use of synthetic pitches The Current for training and where difficulty in Sport & Short / Q2 Applications And pitch quality unduly limits carrying Leisure Medium Ensure Dual Use capacity. Agreements Allow Community Use Identify a long term framework of Develop Principles Sport & Short / Q3 ancillary facilities for retention, Set Out In AAP Leisure Medium improvement and disposal Profiles

Seek to attract commercial Encourage Several colleges in the AAP have space to investment to deliver high quality Commercial Sector accommodate new pitches and there is also a recorded Sport & Medium / M1 training and performance sports To Engage And need for these. Where investment is available a Leisure Long facilities: 5 a-side leagues; softball; Tender Within PFI priority scheme should be constructed to ensure touch rugby. Opportunities demand is maintained at the most beneficial sites.

Contact Support development of facilities Commercial Sector that provide for growing mid week And Develop M2 Planning Long sports demand, such as 5 a-side Opportunities soccer and floodlit cricket. Which Tie In With Hub Site Concepts Ensure that ‘hub’ or integrated facility developments are reflective of the needs identified within Influence Design Of Sites have been identified which would be suitable for M3 Planning Short consultation (feedback from clubs) PFI Schools hub sites but do need increased investment. and contribute to the achievement of locally determined sports

47 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Great Aycliffe & Middridge Area Action Partnership Profile

development targets and priorities.

Develop On Themes Within The Enable and support self management AAP Profiles, of facilities by voluntary sports clubs Sport & M4 Short Where Consultation and other organisations where Leisure Has Identified applicable. Clubs Seeking To Self Administer Create Working Group With Education Sites Without Formal Dual Use Sport & Agreements. A priority for this area with so much provision currently A1 Administration Immediate Leisure Develop A within the education sector. Communication Process To Enable Schools, The Local Authority And Teams To Liaise

48