Playing Pitch Assessment and Strategy 2014 – 2019 Document updated August 2017 Appendix C CONTENTS 1.0 Background 1 1.1 Introduction and Vision 1 1.2 Executive Summary 1 1.3 Why produce a Playing Pitch Strategy? 2 2.0 Context 4 2.1 Local Context 4 2.2 Strategic Context 6 3.0 Methodology 9 4.0 Assessment Findings –Supply and Demand 11 4.1 Playing Pitch Assessment by Neighbourhood Areas 11 Chorley Town East 11 Chorley Town West 13 Clayton and Whittle 15 Eastern Parishes 16 Euxton, Astley and Buckshaw 17 Southeast Parishes 18 Southern Parishes 19 Western Parishes 20 4.2 Assessment Findings by Sport 22 Football 22 Artificial Grass Pitches 27 Cricket 28 Rugby Union 31 Rugby League 32 Hockey 33 Education Provision 35 Bowling Greens 35 Athletics 35 Archery 35 American Football 35 4.3 Assessment Summary and Key Findings 36 5.0 Key Issues and Objectives for Action 39 5.1 Key Issues and Management Objectives 39 5.2 Sports Specific Objectives and Actions 40 6.0 Future Provision: Recommendations and Priorities 45 6.1 Polices and Supplementary Planning Document 45 6.2 Qualitative Standards 46 6.3 Recommended New Pitch Provision 46 6.4 Priorities for Investment 47 6.5 Priorities for Action by Neighbourhood Area: 50 Chorley Town East 50 Chorley Town West 51 Clayton and Whittle 52 Eastern Parishes 53 Euxton, Astley and Buckshaw 54 Southeast Parishes 55 Southern Parishes 56 Western Parishes 57 6.6 Asset transfer Policy – Lease arrangement recommendations to clubs 58 7.0 Strategy Review 59 APPENDICES Appendix A: Contact List 60 Appendix B: Funding Opportunities 63 Appendix C: Maps by Neighbourhood Area 64 NOTE As part of the Central Lancashire Development Plan consultants are currently in the process of being appointed to review and reassess all sites across Chorley, Preston and South Ribble to write an updated strategy 2020 – 2025 linking into the forthcoming local plan review and evidence base. This is in line with Sport England guidance and new methodology. Site assessments are proposed to take place throughout 2018 with consultation and document preparation taking place to aim for a new strategy to be ready for the period 2020-25. 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction and Vision This document has been produced by Chorley Council to set out the provision of playing pitches in Chorley. It provides a clear, strategic framework for the management, maintenance and development of playing pitches and ancillary facilities within the Borough. The strategy covers the following key areas: Background - why produce a playing pitch strategy? Context - strategic background and local demographic data Methodology - site assessments, research, consultation and analysis Assessment Findings: Supply and Demand - playing pitch facilities and associated sports activities in Chorley Key issues and Objectives for Action Future Provision - recommendations and priorities Strategy Review - reassessment and refresh This factual report is a 5 year plan which provides an audit based assessment of the quality and quantity of outdoor sport and recreation facilities, highlighting deficiencies in this provision, identifying opportunities for its enhancement and providing information for decision making. From this data, an Action Plan has been written to consider the future provision and investment to make positive improvements to our playing pitch assets, this can be found in the Executive Summary/Action Plan that accompanies this document. This report focuses on football, cricket, hockey, rugby union, rugby league and Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) but also takes into consideration athletics, archery, American football and bowling. Our vision is: To secure the future provision, improvement and maintenance of playing pitches in Chorley, supporting safe, healthy and sustainable communities. To ensure that playing sport is a lifelong habit for more people and a regular choice for the majority. Ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access good sport, physical activity and recreation facilities. Adapt to changing demands and trends. 1.2 Executive Summary The key findings are: All playing pitches in Chorley are to be protected. There is currently an overall surplus of pitch supply in the Borough however, this is weighted to adult football. In reality there are potential pitch shortfalls in junior football, mini football, cricket, hockey and AGPs projecting to 2026. There are specific pitch shortfalls in the following area due a lack of quality facilities for hire:- Chorley and Adlington. 1 The overall pitch quality needs to be addressed, particularly drainage and waterlogging issues across key sites. Look to improve maintenance programmes, specifically across Borough owned and managed sites. Ancillary facilities are varied across the Borough, many clubs have had new facilities built or existing facilities upgraded in recent years and yet some key strategic sites have no facilities or very poor facilities. The overall quality of artificial pitches is varied; older sites such as Buckshaw Village and Holy Cross High School are deteriorating and require investment to upgrade. Sand-based pitches are paramount to supporting the development of multi sports in the Borough such as hockey and netball. There is a shortage of 3G pitches in the Borough. Secondary schools in the Borough do provide pitches with secured community use but mainly to a single club policy, this is to preserve high pitch standards to best serve the school need. Some primary schools do provide pitches with secured community use but the pitches are poorly maintained. Improving pitch quality and the number of schools providing community use could significantly reduce the shortfall of junior and mini pitches. There is no provision for athletics training or competitions in the Borough though Chorley has lots of talented athletes and a dedicated Athletics and Tri Club with a waiting list of juniors. Many clubs reported a lack of strategic sites where all teams could train and play matches in one location. Many clubs reported aspirations to grow the number of teams and junior team numbers are building to provide a stable progression of players into senior squads. However a lack of access to good quality pitches and ancillary facilities will see a pitch shortage within 5 years. Priorities for investment owing to existing site quality are: o Westway Playing Fields, Astley Village o King George V Playing Fields, Adlington o Jubilee Playing Fields, Adlington o Wigan Lane, Chorley o Highfield Primary School o Twin Lakes, Croston o Ken Mill Lane, Whittle o Astley Park, Chorley o Limbrick, Cowling Priorities for partnership working are: o Albany Academy o Southlands High School 2 1.3 Why Produce a Playing Pitch Strategy? Chorley Council embarked on developing a playing pitch strategy for the following reasons: Corporate and Strategic To provide a strategic approach to playing pitch provision through an audit of existing provision of different types of outdoor facilities detailing quantity, quality, accessibility and wider value to the community. To provide an assessment of supply and demand for outdoor sports facilities. To provide information for decision making and future development proposals. To provide a clear investment strategy through internal and external funding opportunities for the development of pitches and ancillary facilities at priority sites. To address issues of community need, social inclusion, open space protection, population growth up to 2026 and health of the population linking to objectives in the Chorley Council Corporate Plan. Consider the use of cross boundary facility provision with neighbouring authorities. Link to an Action Plan which identifies any surpluses/deficiencies in playing pitch provision and priorities’ actions relating to individual sites that are identified as having issues i.e. the pitch is overplayed or is of poor quality in order of need. Planning – Protection and Provision Link into the Central Lancashire Open Space Study and Playing Pitch Strategy 2012 2016 (KKP Study), Chorley Council Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans providing a holistic approach to open space improvement and protection. Identify how future provision of playing pitches will be protected and secured, whether any new pitches are needed and if so identify suitable locations for new provision. Establish an approach to securing developer contributions through new housing development which prioritises projects and sites according to a range of core criteria. Form the basis for negotiating with developers to secure new outdoor sports facilities or upgrading existing sites and associated long term maintenance. Sports Development – Maximising Benefit To work in a partnership approach with local leagues, clubs and schools to support the development of their sites meeting their needs for the future. Clearly address the needs of all identified sports within the local area, picking up particular local demand issues, aiding the growth and development of clubs. Address issues of accessibility, quality and management with regard to facility provision. Help to support external funding bids for ancillary facility development and pitch improvements. Operational – Efficiencies It will improve asset management through delivery of the strategy resulting in more efficient use of resources and reduced overheads. It highlights locations where quality of provision can be enhanced. 3 2.0 CONTEXT 2.1 Local Context Chorley Council is a key provider of playing pitches along with other partners which