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COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH STRATEGY ASSESSMENT REPORT JULY 2014 Integrity, Innovation, Inspiration 1-2 Frecheville Court off Knowsley Street Coventry BL9 0UF T 0161 764 7040 F 0161 764 7490 E [email protected] www.kkp.co.uk COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT CONTENTS PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY .......................................................... 4 PART 2: FOOTBALL ..................................................................................................... 13 PART 3: CRICKET ......................................................................................................... 49 PART 4: RUGBY ............................................................................................................ 67 PART 5: HOCKEY ......................................................................................................... 82 PART 6: OTHER SPORTS ............................................................................................. 91 6.1 Bowls ....................................................................................................................... 91 6.2 Golf .......................................................................................................................... 97 6.3 Tennis .................................................................................................................... 101 6.4 Athletics ................................................................................................................ 108 6.5 Netball ................................................................................................................... 111 6.6 Other sports .......................................................................................................... 116 APPENDIX ONE: CONSULTEE LIST .......................................................................... 125 APPENDIX TWO: CONTEXT ....................................................................................... 131 COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This is the Playing Pitch Assessment Report prepared by Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP) for Coventry City Council (CCC). The Assessment Report provides the detail as to what playing pitches and outdoors sports facilities exist in the city, their condition, spread and overall quality. It also considers the demand for facilities based on population spread and planned growth, and further takes account of other factors such as health and economic deprivation. The Playing Pitch Strategy (which will follow this Assessment Report) will provide direction on the future provision of accessible, high quality, financially sustainable facilities for sport and physical activity in Coventry. The initial research for this study was undertaken during the period April 2010 to October 2010. However, significant political decisions at a national level embodied in the Comprehensive Spending Review of October 2010 (such as the cessation of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme and cessation of funding for School Sport Partnerships) and the City Council’s required response to this, delayed this study for a period of time. Therefore, this Assessment Report builds upon this original research, through updated consultation with key organisations and further reviews and refinements of the facility audit results. This report presents a supply and demand assessment of playing pitch facilities in accordance with Sport England’s Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance: An approach to developing and delivering a playing pitch strategy. It has been followed to develop a clear picture of the balance between the local supply of, and demand for, playing pitches and other outdoor sports facilities. The guidance details a stepped approach to developing a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS). These steps are separated into five distinct sections: Stage A: Prepare and tailor the approach (Step 1) Stage B: Gather information and views on the supply of and demand for provision (Steps 2 & 3) Stage C: Assess the supply and demand information and views (Steps 4, 5 & 6) Stage D: Develop the strategy (Steps 7 & 8) Stage E: Deliver the strategy and keep it robust and up to date (Steps 9 & 10) Stages A-C are covered in this report. July 2014 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 4 COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT 1.1: Stage A: Prepare and tailor the approach (Step 1) To ensure that the PPS will be robust and successful and make the best use of available resources, the following steps were followed: Why the PPS is being developed The PPS is a key evidence base for Coventry’s Sports Strategy. There are already a number of significant developments proposed that impact upon playing pitch provision. The PPS will provide a framework to help inform decision making with regard to planning applications both now and in the future. Other key drivers for the Playing Pitch Strategy include: National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) have specific plans for the development of their sports nationally and locally and these need to be explored and accommodated within the Strategy. Sport England has announced that they will not accept an application for funding from local authorities whose Playing Pitch Strategy is out of date (five years if the audit/assessment is regularly updated). Coventry has a number of applications that have been delayed by this requirement. The overall objectives of this Study are: To assess current and future needs and demands for playing pitches. To seek to protect, enhance and improve existing playing pitch stock. To provide an evidence base to update planning policy to ensure there is adequate provision of new pitches in relation to new housing developments. It is also intended to inform planning applications that affect the loss of pitches and outdoor sports facilities. To provide an evidence base to support future funding bids for new and improved pitch provision. To improve community access to educational and privately owned pitches. Sports Vision The PPS sits within the context of an eight-point Sports Vision for Coventry with the following aspirations: To inspire more people within the city to take up and regularly take part in sport. To provide a wide range of high quality and exciting sporting opportunities and experiences. To inspire more people to volunteer, coach and be facilitators of sport. To identify and support talented athletes to reach their sporting potential. To provide a range of modern, accessible and high quality sports facilities in the city. To attract high profile sporting events to the city and to celebrate sporting achievement. To grow and promote sport in the city through effective partnerships. For sport to make Coventry a better place to live, work and visit. July 2014 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 5 COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT The Sports Strategy sets the following vision aim that relates to sports facilities and which should be adopted for the Playing Pitch Strategy: To provide a range of modern, accessible and high quality [outdoor] sports facilities in the city The following strategic objectives have also been set: To develop city centre sports and leisure facilities that are accessible, high quality, sustainable and of significance to the Midlands. To invest in the development of sports and leisure facilities where justified by demand, strategic programming needs and financial sustainability To provide accessible and high quality outdoor sports, leisure and ancillary facilities across the city To support sports clubs, venues and schools to secure a total of £4m of investment into their community sports facilities. To partner with National Governing Bodies and funding agencies to support the development of facilities for Coventry’s key sports. Management arrangements The project team (KKP) is responsible for the day to day development of the PPS and ensuring that tasks are completed in line with the project plan. In order to ensure effective and continued PPS management, it has been supported by the Steering Group comprising representatives from Coventry City Council, NGBs and Sport England. This Steering Group is and has been responsible for the vision and direction of the PPS from a strategic perspective and for supporting, checking and challenging the work of the project team. It will be important for the Steering Group to continue once the PPS has been finalised for several reasons, including a continuing responsibility to: Be a champion for playing pitch provision in the area and promote the value and importance of the PPS. Ensure implementation of the PPS’s recommendations and action plan. Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the PPS. Ensure that the PPS is kept up to date and refreshed. Assessment data was identified and predominately collated/updated between July and September 2013. Consistent with the Coventry Greenspace Strategy 2008-2018, for the purposes of this Strategy Coventry has been divided into three analysis areas (shown overleaf). Analysis areas allow a more localised assessment of provision and examination of playing pitch surplus and deficiencies at a local level. Use of analysis areas also allows local circumstances and issues to be taken into account. Hence the analysis areas are as follows: North West North East South July 2014 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 6 COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT Figure 1.1 Map of analysis areas July 2014 Assessment Report: Knight Kavanagh & Page 7 COVENTRY PLAYING PITCH ASSESSMENT 1.2: