Borough Council of Wellingborough Open Space, Sports and Recreation Audit and Assessment Final Report November 2015 OVERVIEW Proposed Local Provision Standards 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Context 1 Support 1 2 PURPOSE & SCOPE 5 Overview 5 Objectives 6 Sites and Typologies 6 Location 7 Population 8 Strategic Development 10 3 METHODOLOGY 11 Guidance 11 Consultation 12 Audit and Assessment 14 4 POLICY & STANDARDS 18 Policy 18 Standards 21 5 CONSULTATION 24 Community Consultation 24 Ward Councillors 30 Parish Councils 30 Sports Clubs 31 Sports Facilities 32 County Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies 33 Neighbouring Councils 33 6 TYPOLOGY ASSESSMENT 36 Introduction 36 Parks and Gardens 39 Natural and Semi-Natural Open Spaces 45 Amenity Greenspace 51 Linear Greenspace 57 Provision for Children and Young People 63 Allotments and Community Gardens 69 Cemeteries and Churchyards 74 Civic Spaces 78 Outdoor Sports and Recreational Facilities 81 Football Pitches 87 Cricket Pitches 98 Rugby Pitches 106 Synthetic Turf Pitches 112 Bowling Greens and Rinks 118 Tennis Courts 125 Athletics Tracks and Training Facilities 132 Golf Courses and Golf Driving Ranges 136 Closed Road Cycle Track 140 Indoor Sports and Recreational Facilities 142 Swimming Pools 145 Sports Halls 150 Health and Fitness Facilities 159 Gymnastics Centres 162 7 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 164 Protection, Enhancement and Provision 164 Mechanisms for Delivery 168 Borough Council of Wellingborough Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Audit and Assessment Final Report November 2015 APPENDICES Appendix A Population Review and Local Sport Profile Appendix B Consultation Methodology and Questionnaires Appendix C Site Audit Methodology and Audit Forms Appendix D Site Designations Appendix E Planning Policy Review Appendix F Standards Review Appendix G Quantity Standards Review Appendix H Quality Standards Review Appendix I Accessibility Standards Review Appendix J Quality and Value Scores Appendix K Future Provision Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) Analysis Appendix L Churchyard and Cemetery Capacity Overview Appendix M Other Local Plan Policies Review OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION (SUPPLIED TO BCW SEPARATELY) Consultation Information: Consultation Data Site Audit Information: Site Quality and Value Data Sports Information: Sports Facilities and Team Data Standards Review: Quantity, Quality and Accessibility Standards 2005/2008/2015 Maps: Borough Wide 2015 Typology Overview, Accessibility and Quality Maps GIS Data: 2015 Sites Data Borough Council of Wellingborough Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Audit and Assessment Final Report November 2015 OVERVIEW Proposed Local Provision Standards Quantity Quality Accessibility Parks and Gardens – e.g. urban parks and formal gardens A welcoming, clean and litter free site providing a wide range of leisure, recreational and enriched play opportunities for all ages, varied and well-kept vegetation, lighting with attractive Urban: 1.5 ha per 1000 Borough Wide: and appropriate boundaries to promote the feeling of safety. population 15 minutes-walk The appropriate location and level of ancillary (equates to 1000 accommodation (including benches, signage, notice boards, metres walking Rural: 1.0 ha per 1000 toilets, litter bins and dog bins) with accessibility by various distance) population forms of transport. To encourage informal recreation with clear access and footpath surfacing which improves accessibility. Natural and Semi-Natural Open Spaces – e.g. country parks, nature reserves, woodlands, meadows A varied site that encourages wildlife conservation, biodiversity and environmental education and awareness, Urban: 1.8 ha per 1000 making the most of natural features such as the Borough Wide: population watercourses. To encourage informal recreation, clear 15 minutes-walk access and footpaths with surfaces which improve (equates to 1000 Rural: 6.0 ha per 1000 accessibility, signage and noticeboards, dog/litter bins and metres walking population other appropriate ancillary accommodation should be distance) provided. Boundaries should be attractive and promote a feeling of safety. Amenity Greenspace – e.g. spaces within residential areas for formal and informal recreation A clean and well maintained site, with appropriate ancillary Urban: 1.0 ha per 1000 accommodation (benches, signage and noticeboards, dog population fouling bins etc.) and landscaping in the right places, Borough Wide: enhancing the local environment and conveniently located 10 minutes-walk close to housing that is easily accessible and big enough to (equates to 700 metres Rural: 0.5 ha per 1000 encourage informal play. Boundaries should be attractive walking distance) population and promote a feeling of safety with improved surfacing facilitating accessibility across the site. Linear Greenspace – e.g. footpaths, cycleways, canal and river corridors A well-lit and clean route that provides well-maintained sustainable transport methods and varied vegetation linking Urban: 1.6 ha per 1000 major open spaces together with ancillary facilities such as Borough Wide: population bins and seating in appropriate places. Opportunities to 15 minutes-walk increase or enhance grenspace links between existing open (equates to 1000 Rural: 8.0 ha per 1000 spaces and the rural and urban areas should be taken where metres walking population possible, in particular where this can enhance Green distance) Infrastructure Networks. Provision for Children and Young People – e.g. sites with equipped play facilities Borough Wide: 0.65 no. of facilities per 1000 population A site providing a mix of well-maintained formal equipment Borough Wide: and enriched play environment for all young people, in a (equivalent to) 10 minutes-walk clean, safe and attractive setting with appropriate ancillary (equates to 700 metres accommodation (such as benches, dog fouling and litter Borough Wide: 0.065 walking distance) bins) and accessible to all. ha per 1000 population (based on an average site size of 0.1 ha) Borough Council of Wellingborough Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Audit and Assessment Final Report November 2015 OVERVIEW Proposed Local Provision Standards Quantity Quality Accessibility Allotments and Community Gardens – e.g. growing produce, promoting sustainability, health, social inclusion A site that encourages sustainable development, Urban: 0.38ha per biodiversity, healthy living and education objectives 15 minutes-walk 1000 population that is clean and well-maintained with clear footpaths, (equates to 1000 boundaries, good security and quality soils. Ancillary metres walking facilities to meet local needs including car parks, Rural: 1.2ha per 1000 distance) population toilets and water supply should be provided where appropriate. Cemeteries and Churchyards – e.g. including disused and other burial grounds A well-maintained, clean site with a known burial capacity and a plan for the future. Provision of seating areas, clear No quantity standard footpaths and varied vegetation that provides a sanctuary for No accessibility set for this typology. wildlife, where appropriate and particularly in areas devoid of standard set for this greenspace. The primary function of the decent and typology. dignified interment of human remains should be respected at all times. Civic Spaces – e.g. hard surfaced areas usually located in town or city centres A clean, safe and attractive site that is fit for purpose, No accessibility No quantity standard providing landscaping where appropriate and ancillary standard set for this set for this typology. accommodation (e.g. benches, toilets) should be provided to typology. meet local needs. Outdoor Sports and Recreational Facilities – e.g. includes playing fields, pitches, greens, courts and artificial pitches Borough wide: 2.40 ha per 1000 population Football: 1.18 ha A comprehensively well planned sports facility site, well-drained and well-kept surfaces, Cricket: 0.88 ha appropriate ancillary accommodation including 15 minutes-walk Rugby: 0.29 ha changing accommodation and toilets, suitable (equates to 1000 Synthetic Turf: 0.05 pitches lighting, good site access and varied and metres walking Bowling Greens: 0.21 ha attractive landscaping. Outdoor sports facilities distance) Tennis: 0.21 ha should be accessible by a variety of modes of transport. Athletics tracks: 0.04 no. Golf Bays: 0.24 no. Closed Road Cycle: 0.0023 no. Indoor Sports and Recreational Facilities – e.g. includes indoor sports halls, gyms, swimming pools Swimming Pools: 13m² Sports Halls: 0.4 courts A comprehensively well planned sports facility Health and Fitness: 2.85 stations site, with well-maintained facilities, appropriate 15 minutes-walk ancillary accommodation including changing (equates to 1000 Indoor Bowls: 0.08 rinks accommodation and toilets, suitable lighting and metres walking Indoor tennis: 0.02 ha good site access. Indoor sports facilities should distance) Indoor athletics: 0.0023 no. be accessible by a variety of modes of transport. Indoor athletics: 0.0023 no. Borough Council of Wellingborough Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Audit and Assessment Final Report November 2015 1 Introduction 1 INTRODUCTION Context 1.1 Open space, sport and recreational facilities are important due to their valuable contribution to quality of life, health and the local economy. Furthermore, open spaces provide green infrastructure benefits such as mitigating climate change, flood alleviation, and ecosystem services. 1.2 The provision of these facilities in our