Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile Draft 4 December 2011
Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
CONTENTS
1.0 Bishop Auckland & Shildon Playing Pitch Profile
2.0 Pitch Provision by Sector
3.0 Teams
4.0 Consultation Profile
5.0 Provision
6.0 Pitch Capacity
7.0 Strategic Recommendations
2 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
1.0 BISHOP AUCKLAND & SHILDON PLAYING PITCH PROFILE
1.1 Area Action Partnership
The Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership (AAP) serves the area highlighted in the map below. The geographical area covered by the AAP includes the major town of Coundon to the west along with other major settlements such as Shildon, Witton Park and South Church. Other settlements in the AAP include Leeholme, Toronto, Binchester, Woodhouse Close, Tindale Crescent, St Helen Auckland and Eldon.
Bishop Auckland & Shildon includes the following wards:
• Coundon • Bishop Auckland Town • Escomb • West Auckland • Woodhouse Close • Cockton Hill • Henknowle • Dene Valley • Byerley • Sunnydale • Thickley
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 Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
1.2 Total Area Population: 41,416 Map 1: Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP
As highlighted in the table below, 63% of the population for Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP is considered to fall within the active age group as defined by Sport England.
Table 1: Bishop Auckland & Shildon Population by Active Age Groups
Active Age Group Sport Male Female Mixed
0-5 years Non active 3,052
6-9 years Football 1896 8-12 years 2564 10-15 years 1511 1491 11-15 years 1269 1242 11-17 years 1809 1830 13-17 years Rugby 1283 1350 16-17 years Rugby 588 Football/ 16-45 years Hockey 7355 7972 18-45 years Rugby 6815 7384 18-55 years Cricket 9688 10324
Over 55 years Non active 12326
Total area population within Active 26038 Age Groups (6-55yrs)
4 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
2.0 PITCH PROVISION BY SECTOR
2.1 Public Sector Provision Map 2: Bishop Auckland & Shildon Pitches Managed by the Public Sector
5 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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 Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total Binchester Recreation Ground Coundon N 1 1
Cockton Hill Recreation Ground Bishop Auckland Y 2 2
Coundon Gate Coundon N 1 1
Coundon Grange Recreation Ground Coundon N 1 1
Dovecote Hill Dene Valley N 1 1 St Helen Deborah Wood N 1 1 Auckland Escomb Recreation Ground Escomb N 1 1
Eldon Football Pitch Dene Valley N 1 1
Hackworth Park Shildon Y 1 1
Henknowle Recreation Ground Henknowle N 1 1
Jubilee Fields Shildon Y 1 1 Leeholme & Coundon Recreation Bishop Auckland Y 1 1 2 Ground
Shildon Railway Sports Club Shildon Y 1 1 2 St Helen Auckland Recreation St Helen Ground Auckland N 1 1 Thompsons Fields Shildon N 1 1
The Shildon Scout Memorial Field Trust Shildon Y 1 1 Toronto Recreation Ground Bishop Auckland N 1 1
Town Recreation Ground Bishop Auckland N 1 1
Witton Park Recreation Ground Escomb N 1 1
1 22 0 0 0 2 0 24
1 There are also 2 senior football pitches at sites with unknown names (GIS ref: OSNA/3/266 & OSNA/7/295) – these are included in the total. 6 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
2.2 Education Provision Map 3: Bishop Auckland & Shildon Pitches Managed by Education Facilities
7 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 3: Names & Types of Pitches managed by Educational Facilities Football Pitches Rugby Pitches
Name Ward Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket ATP Total
Aclet Close Nursery School Woodhouse Close N 1 1
Evergreen Primary School Cockton Hill N 1 (Informal) 1
Oakley Cross Primary School West Auckland N 1 1 Prince Bishop’s Community Primary Dene Valley N 1 1
Shildon/ Thornhill Primary Sunnydale N 1 1
Woodhouse Close Junior School Woodhouse Close N 1 1 Bishop Barrington School (Sports Centre) Cockton Hill Y 1 1 1 3 King James 1st Community Bishop Auckland College/ Stan Laurel’s School Town Y 4 1 1 6
St Anne’s C of E Primary School Cockton Hill N 2 2
St John’s CE Primary School Thickley N 1 1
St Chad’s RC Primary School Escombe N 1 1
St Helen Auckland Primary School West Auckland N 1 1 St Johns RC Comprehensive School/ Bishop Auckland College Woodhouse Close N 5 5 Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre/ Community College Thickley Y 8 1 9
18 12 1 0 2 1 34
8 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
2.3 Private Provision Facilities Map 4: Bishop Auckland & Shildon Pitches Managed by Private Sports Clubs
9 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 4: Names & Types of Pitches Managed by Private Sports Clubs Football Pitches Rugby Pitches Name Location Changing Cricket ATP Total Full size Junior Senior Junior
Heritage Park (Bishop Bishop Auckland Y 1 1 Auckland Fc) Kingsway (Bishop Bishop Auckland Y 1 1 Auckland Cc)
Shildon Football Club Shildon Y 1 1
West Auckland Town Afc West Auckland Y 1 1 (Darlington Road Ground) West Mills (Bishop Wear Valley Y 3 1 4 Auckland Rugby Club)
Shildon Stadium Sunnydale Y (restricted) 7 7
10 0 3 0 2 0 15
10 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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
Bishop Auckland Cricket Club Kingsway - Bishop Auckland CC 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland King James Academy King James 1st Comm. College (Stan Laurel's Sch) 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland Social Club King James 1st Comm. College (Stan Laurel's Sch) 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland The Welcome Tavern King James 1st Comm. College (Stan Laurel's Sch) 1 1 0 0
Shildon Grey Horse Over 40s Hackworth Park 1 1 0 0
Shildon The Flag & Whistle Hackworth Park 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland Beehive Cockton Hill Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland Hospital Club Cockton Hill Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Tindale Crescent WMC Cockton Hill Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland Masons Arms Escomb Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland The Cumberland Arms Escomb Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland The Sausage Escomb Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Witton Park Rose & Crown Witton Park Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Coundon & Leeholme Youth Leeholme & Coundon Recreation Centre 1 1 0 0
Coundon Forrester's Arms Leeholme & Coundon Recreation Centre 1 1 0 0
Coundon Miners Arms Leeholme & Coundon Recreation Centre 1 1 0 0
Shildon Athletic Thompsons Field at Waverley Terrace 1 1 0 0
Shildon Railway Shildon Railway Sports Club 1 1 0 0
Shildon FC Shildon Football Club 1 1 0 0
Shildon Elm Road WMC Shildon Football Club 1 1 0 0
Shildon Elm Road WMC (Sat) Shildon Football Club 1 1 0 0
11 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Shildon Royal George Tavern Shildon Stadium 1 1 0 0
Shildon Three Tuns Shildon Stadium 1 1 0 0
Shildon Three Tuns Goodfellas Shildon Stadium 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland Bay Horse Shildon Stadium 1 1 0 0
Shildon Jubilee Jubilee Fields Community Ass. 1 0 0 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland FC Heritage Park 1 1 0 0
West Auckland Town West Auckland Town FC - Darlington Rd Ground 1 1 0 0
West Auckland Town U10s West Auckland Town FC - Darlington Rd Ground 0 1 0
West Auckland U13s St Helen Auckland Recreation Ground 0 0 1
West Auckland WMC St Helen Auckland Recreation Ground 1 1 0 0
Bishop Auckland College Bishop Auckland College/ St John’s 6th Form 0 0 0
Bishop Auckland St Marys Juniors Bishop Auckland College/ St John's 6th Form 0 9 12 Totals 28 1 0 29 10 13
There are 29 senior football teams in Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP, one of which is a female team. There are 13 junior football teams including 2 junior girls’ teams and 10 mini football teams. The teams are all accommodated on 33 different pitches within the AAP as detailed in the table below.
12 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
3.2 Rugby Union Team Information
There is 1 rugby union club in the Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP, they play at West Mills Playing Fields. The ground is used by 9 rugby union teams and is combined with a cricket wicket.
Table 6: Rugby Union Clubs & Teams
Club Ground Mens Vets Ladies Senior Junior Mini
Bishop Auckland RUFC West Mills Playing Fields 2 2 3 4
3.3 Rugby League Team Information
Table 7: Rugby Union Clubs & Teams
Club Ground Mens Vets Ladies Senior Junior Mini
Durham Tigers ARLFC Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre 0 0 7 0
There are 7 junior rugby league teams registered in the Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP who utilise the Shildon Leisure Centre.
13 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
3.4 Cricket Team Information
There are 8 senior cricket teams in Bishop Auckland & Shildon and 7 junior teams. The teams play on 4 different cricket grounds in the Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP.
Table 8: Cricket Clubs & Teams Club Ground Mens Ladies Total Senior Total Junior Coundon CC Leeholme & Coudon Recreational Centre 1 1 0 Shildon Railway CC Shildon Railway Sports Club 2 2 3 Bishop Auckland CC Kingsway – Bishop Auckland CC 3 3 4 King James CC West Mills - Bishop Auckland RFC 2 2 0 Totals 8 0 8 7
3.4 Hockey Team Information
There are no hockey teams recorded in the Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP.
14 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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 Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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.
In general the notes which accompanied the feedback maps detailed the following:
• At Bishop Auckland College there are issues of over usage and a lack of protection of the facilities causing a decline in their condition • Thompsons Field could accommodate 1 additional senior football pitch with increased investment
15 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
• At Leeholme Recreation Ground there is sufficient space for an additional football or hockey pitch however this suggestion was ignored when the site was developed in 2000. The space limitations would however render the area inappropriate for rugby or hockey cricket games • The former Leeholme Secondary School already has one set of currently unused football posts and there is the potential to develop another two pitches with minimal investment. Currently horses graze on the site • Escomb Recreation Ground could also accommodate 2 extra pitches with increased investment.
Table 9: Pitch Usage from Club Feedback Questionnaires
Suitable Site Like formal Other pitches Main Ground Relocation to adapt access used
16 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Graph 1: Club Feedback on Pitch Usage in Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP
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, County Durham Sport, Durham University and relevant Durham County Council officers.
The findings are outlined under four main headings:
• Pitch Sports (by individual sport) • Non-pitch sports (by individual sport) • Town/parish councils • Schools
17 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
4.2 Football Consultation
Table 10: Football Club Survey
The findings highlight that pitch provision for most clubs is sufficient for their fixtures and for training. However a majority reported that pitch quality is average or below. 8 of the 9 teams who responded reported that they were fielding the same number of teams as last year, one team was fielding more but none had reduced numbers.
18 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 11: Football Club Future Plans Survey
The main barriers to future development are the shortage of senior pitches, indoor training facilities and all weather pitches for matches and for practice, the cost of hiring facilities and the difficulty of securing external funding.
19 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 12: Additional Football Comments
Club Other Comments
There are numerous groups that use our pitches and they are unprotected. Sufficient work to the pitches and Bishop Auckland St Mary’s Juniors fencing around the land would ensure the pitches are of good quality, not over used and of sufficient quantity
When the ground was redeveloped in 2000, it was suggested to make 2 pitches, but the idea was refused. There is also a large grassed area within walking distance from the recreation ground with a set of posts and Coundon Forrester’s Arms room for another 2 pitches with minimal investment. Horses currently graze on the site - shameful! (former Leeholme Secondary School)
Due to not having showers certain cup entries will not be accepted. We have regular problems with gypsy travellers taking over the whole football ground, the latest was June 2010 till September 2010 - a full 4 Shildon Elm Road WMC months. The gypsy problem has now happened maybe 20 times in the time we have held the lease (40 years). Parking is also a problem
Currently have problems with pitch quality but improvements are being carried out. Find it difficult to attract youngsters from the local community. The new stadium is a significant strength with disabled facilities and a Bishop Auckland FC function room. They would like to secure funding for further development to increase spectator provision and to provide a venue for youth and under 21 teams and open up for school use for cup ties and finals
Lack of changing rooms is a significant problem and pitches are in poor condition. Little funding seems to be Three Tuns Goodfella’s FC Shildon available for Sunday morning football. Would like to see a minimum requirement of changing rooms at every venue and improved pitches
20 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
4.3 Community Sports Network Consultation Workshop
(Comments relating to pitch based sports)
At the consultation workshop those involved in pitch sports worked together to draw up the following information.
Strengths • Plenty of opportunities to play pitch sports e.g. the junior football league is one of the biggest in Europe • Sports clubs have lots of in-house expertise • Skills also in schools e.g. children’s and youth coaching. Some schools even at primary level are very committed to sport e.g. Ox Close Primary • Community engagement and some good school-club links • There are good routes and opportunities for players to progress to higher levels of play • Sport provides great benefit to young people in terms of health and constructive recreational opportunities – impact on anti- social behaviour
Issues • Reducing funding for both maintenance and facility development e.g. new or re-furbished pavilions and changing rooms • Some clubs have had to reduce their number of teams at junior level due to lack of volunteers • There is a conflict between seasons e.g. football and cricket overlap meaning players have to choose between sports even if interested in both • Cost of training coaches is high and not many courses provided locally • Some higher level clubs “poach” junior players but don’t always give them much support – damage also to clubs who lose such players • Many schools would like to develop community use Multi-Use Games Areas but funding is short
21 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Priorities • Create better joined up networking across sports so that they can work together on shared priorities. Build a unified sport “movement” to provide a strong voice for sport. • Better advice and help as regards opportunities to secure funding to improve local facilities • More (and affordable) coaching courses locally • Better school sports facilities fully accessible by clubs and the wider community • Secure funding for new or refurbished pavilions and changing rooms • Building more partnerships between clubs and schools • Increased community use of school facilities – helps clubs and sports with a shortfall of pitches and builds community cohesion • More qualified coaches and course available locally – recruiting more volunteers to help run junior teams.
4.4 Cricket Consultation
Table 13: Cricket Survey
22 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 14: Future Plans Survey
Both clubs that responded are keen to increase membership, with funding for this identified as a primary issue.
Table 15: Additional Cricket Comments
Club Other Comments
Ground is shared with Bishop Auckland RUFC not enough changing rooms when both are playing, maintaining King James interest in the sport can be a problem. Would prefer a stand alone cricket field but Rugby Club are hoping to provide larger changing rooms in 2011
Concerned about the quality of playing surfaces, the lack of boundary fencing and the lack of indoor and outdoor practice facilities. The ground facilities generally though are good and a stable league structure is in place. Would Coundon Cricket Club like to see an increase in playing numbers, the development of a strong junior section, improved practice facilities, better square maintenance and improved fencing
23 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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 particularly with in relation to the Riverside • Improved access to grants to help with pitch and facility improvements • Links to a local sports development group
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.
24 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
4.6 Rugby Consultation
Table 16: Rugby Survey
Table 17: Future Rugby Survey
25 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 18: Additional Rugby Comments
Club Other Comments
In desperate need of additional changing space and need additional partnership funding to make the project Bishop Auckland RUFC work
4.7 Rugby League
Durham Tigers RLFC plays in Shildon. It has a large number of teams and the club has a strong tradition. It benefits from good links with Shildon Sports Centre. The main problems are maintaining pitch condition and the lack of changing rooms and catering facilities.
Priorities for the future are the continued use of the rugby pitches, use of changing rooms, and floodlighting for training sessions. The club wishes to use the grounds in the summer during the day for youth activities. They would also like to forge links with local primary and secondary schools and start an open age team based at Shildon.
4.8 Hockey Consultation
There are no hockey teams in the Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP area but the Durham League Secretary for the North East Hockey League and Conference has provided some useful general comments in relation to the sport within the Durham County Council area.
The league covers the NE area between the Scottish Border and Cleveland / part of North Yorks. There are 25 clubs fielding a total of 62 teams (a number of the clubs also have teams playing at a higher level). The league proper has 4 divisions of 12 teams and there are 2 'Conference' divisions (split North & South) which are principally for junior developmental purposes. The league feeds into the North structure and on into a national structure and a number of local clubs are represented at these levels.
In County Durham there has been a slow decline in standards of hockey, but not numbers involved, in recent years. However current investment in junior development is beginning to reverse that trend. There are currently only 3 men’s clubs based within the political boundaries of Durham although there are another 10 based within the 'traditional' boundaries and a further 5 south of the Tees affiliated to Durham County Hockey Association for geographical convenience. Clearly there is a need to develop the sport within the current County area.
26 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
There is very limited scope for bringing the sport to the majority of urbanised areas within the County. To make matters worse there is 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 facilities recorded in Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Crook, Willington, Newton Aycliffe, Consett, Stanley, Easington, Sedgefield etc.
4.9 Parish Councils
A certain amount of information from town/parish councils was collected as part of the PPG 17 Study carried out for Durham County Council in 2009. This was sent out to town councils to verify and update. Table 19: Parish Comments
Town/Parish Information/Issues Future Plans/Aspirations/Priorities
• There are plenty of football and cricket pitches. • King James pitch has poor marking, infrequent grass cutting and uneven surfaces Bishop • There are 4 netball courts at the town recreation ground which Auckland are in good condition but Cockton Hill courts are in disrepair • Improve the quality of changing facilities (PPG 17 Info • only) There are 3 outside bowling greens. The Town recreation ground bowling green facilities are in a very poor state • All changing facilities are inadequate, dated and in a poor state of repair and cleanliness
• The town council is responsible for Hackworth Park which has a football pitch with changing facilities, 2 tennis courts, a bowling Shildon green, Jubilee Park which has a football pitch and changing • A number of pitches require investment in Town facilities and Thompson’s Field which has a football pitch drainage Council • Existing changing facilities are in urgent need of refurbishment • Improve changing facilities (updated) • Sunnydale Leisure Centre provides a range of pitches and facilities • There is considered to be no scope for improving playing pitch provision in schools
27 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
• The parish council provides 1 adult pitch with limited changing • Protect the pitch and the village green from Eldon Parish facilities and there is a MUGA in the village on county council land, illegal occupation by travellers Council which is well used but is not floodlit • Provide floodlighting for the MUGA
4.10 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 20: Schools
School Community Use and Sports Club Links Plans/Aspirations
The school has a mini soccer pitch a junior soccer pitch and a St Johns CE MUGA. No community use of the pitches is currently (Aided) identified and the school does not envisage opening them up No plans to extend use of facilities to the community Primary to the community in the foreseeable future because of the School lack of changing facilities and toilets and issues of security
28 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
29 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
4.11 Conclusions / Key Issues
Given the significance of sporting activity in the area it is disappointing that more clubs and organisations didn’t respond to the questionnaire surveys or attend the consultation events.
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.
Key points/issues:
• The club structure and support for most sports is good but the age of those involved is increasing and volunteers are getting more difficult to find. • Whilst there are some exceptionally good facilities in the area the quality of the majority is mixed. • There are particular issues in relation to the quality of changing facilities, vandalism and security. • The long term future of some sports is under threat from the failure to attract younger players, the quality of facilities available and the cost of participation. • Communication between clubs and organisations and the council could be improved to share and help solve common problems and to improve understanding.
30 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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 Bishop Auckland & Shildon, with 100% of weekly usage by junior teams taking place at this time and 71% for seniors. This represents over usage of the facilities indicating a shortfall in junior provision.
Table 21: Football Peak Times
Football
Senior Junior Ratio of home games 0.5 0.5 Temporal Use % Saturday AM 4% Saturday PM 25% Sunday AM 71% 100% Sunday PM 0% Mid week 1- Specify day Mid week 2- Specify day
The shortfall/ surplus football analysis table below shows there are several shortfalls in provision for junior football on a Sunday morning in the AAP. These are specifically in the Woodhouse Close and West Auckland wards. If all pitches were secured under an appropriate management and letting system, all fixtures at peak times could be accommodated without over using pitches. This corroborates the responses taken from the club consultations which suggested that provision for senior football teams in Bishop Auckland & Shildon are currently adequate, however quality remains an issue and future team development could be hindered by this fact.
31 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 22: Football Shortfall or Surplus
Football Sunday(junior) PM SundayAM (junior) Sunday(senior) PM SundayAM (senior) Saturday Saturday (junior) PM Saturday Saturday (senior) PM AM Saturday (junior) Saturday AM Saturday (senior)
Total 44.4 41.4 0.0 0.0 34.7 45.0 -6.5 0.0 Bishop Auckland Town 4.9 4.5 0.0 0.0 3.6 5.0 0.0 0.0 Cockton Hill 2.9 2.6 0.0 0.0 1.9 3.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 2.9 2.6 0.0 0.0 1.9 3.0 0.0 0.0 Escomb 1.9 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 4.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -6.0 0.0 West Auckland 4.9 4.6 0.0 0.0 3.9 5.0 -0.5 0.0 Byerley 2.9 2.6 0.0 0.0 1.9 3.0 0.0 0.0 Sunnydale 9.8 9.0 0.0 0.0 7.2 10.0 0.0 0.0 Thickley 9.0 8.9 0.0 0.0 8.6 9.0 0.0 0.0
The analysis identifies that there is insufficient supply of junior playing pitches within the AAP. Whilst some pitches are in need of improvement such as Bishop Auckland College, some grounds including Thompsons Field and Leeholme Recreation Ground could accommodate increased pitches with investment. In addition the former Leehomle Secondary School site could be developed with minimal investment.
32 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
5.2 Supply & Demand Model: Rugby Union & Rugby League
Table 23: Rugby Union Peak Times Table 24: Rugby League Peak Times
Rugby Union Rugby League
Senior Junior Senior Junior
Ratio of home games 0.5 0.5 Ratio of home games 0.5 0.5
Temporal Use % Temporal Use %
Saturday AM 25% Saturday AM 20%
Saturday PM 90% Saturday PM
Sunday AM 10% 75% Sunday AM 80%
Sunday PM Sunday PM
Mid week 1- Specify day Mid week 1- Specify day Mid week 2- Specify day Mid week 2- Specify day
Peak time analysis identifies that Saturday afternoons are the busiest times for rugby union in Bishop Auckland & Shildon, with 90% of weekly usage by senior teams taking place at this time. The equivalent for junior usage is Sunday afternoon where 75% of matches and training takes place.
Peak time analysis for rugby league shows that the majority of junior rugby league matches are played on Sunday mornings when 80% of games take place. There are no senior teams registered for rugby league in the Bishop Auckland & Shildon AAP.
33 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 26: Rugby Shortfall or Surplus
Rugby Union Sunday(senior) PM SundayAM (junior) SundayAM (senior) Saturday Saturday (junior) PM Saturday AM Saturday (junior)
Total -0.9 0.0 3.9 4.0 -2.6 Bishop Auckland Town -0.9 0.0 3.9 4.0 -2.6 Cockton Hill 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Escomb 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West Auckland 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Byerley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sunnydale 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Thickley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
The peak time rugby analysis table above shows that in both instances where junior games occur in Bishop Auckland & Shildon, there is a shortfall in supply in the ward of Bishop Auckland Town. Due to the small number of grounds in the AAP it is clear that extra pitches are required to meet and grow current demand. Additional school provision could be considered, especially for junior use.
34 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Rugby League Sunday(junior) PM Sunday(senior) PM SundayAM (junior) SundayAM (senior) Saturday Saturday (junior) PM Saturday AM Saturday (junior)
Total -2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.7 0.0 Bishop Auckland Town 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Cockton Hill 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Escomb 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West Auckland 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Byerley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sunnydale -2.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.7 0.0 Thickley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
The shortfall/ surplus table above shows that there is a shortfall in pitch provision for junior rugby during the peak demand on Sunday morning. This occurs specifically in Sunnydale where the clubs main ground is located. There is a need to increased provision not only to ensure quality is maintained at Shildon and Sunnydale Leisure Centre but also to cater for a growth in the sport for the future.
35 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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.
Table 28: 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
36 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 29: Cricket Shortfall or Surplus
Cricket Sunday(junior) PM SundayAM (junior) Sunday(senior) PM SundayAM (senior) Saturday Saturday (junior) PM Saturday AM Saturday (junior)
Total 3.3 3.8 2.8 5.0 3.5 5.0 Bishop Auckland 2.0 2.3 1.6 3.0 2.2 3.0 Town Cockton Hill 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 1.0 1.0 0.7 1.0 1.0 1.0 Escomb 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West Auckland 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Byerley 0.3 0.5 0.4 1.0 0.4 1.0 Sunnydale 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Thickley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
The peak time cricket analysis table above indicates that all areas provide sufficient wickets. However, there are issues with quality at some clubs and King James Cricket Club has to share their facilities with Bishop Auckland RUFC, this has put a strain on changing rooms at the ground which are insufficient when both clubs play simultaneously. In addition teams are looking to increase their numbers which should be factored into the development and management plans of cricket provision for the future.
37 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
5.4 Peak Demand with Adjusted Carrying Capacity Informed Through Team Equivalents
Table 30: 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 36.9 33.9 27.2 37.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.5 2.6 3.4 3.5 Bishop Auckland Town 2.9 2.5 1.6 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.5 2.6 3.4 3.5 Cockton Hill 2.4 2.1 1.4 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 2.4 2.1 1.4 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Escomb 1.9 1.5 0.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West Auckland 4.9 4.6 3.9 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Byerley 2.4 2.1 1.4 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sunnydale 9.8 9.0 7.2 10.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Thickley 5.0 4.9 4.6 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Table 31: 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 0.0 0.0 -6.5 0.0 -2.8 0.0 -0.7 0.0 -0.9 0.0 -2.6 0.0 Bishop Auckland Town 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.9 0.0 -2.6 0.0 Cockton Hill 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Escomb 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 -6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 West Auckland 0.0 0.0 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Byerley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sunnydale 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.8 0.0 -0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Thickley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
38 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 32: Mini Peak Demand with Adjustments Football Football Mini Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday AM PM AM PM Total 0.0 0.0 -10.0 0.0 Bishop Auckland Town 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Cockton Hill 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Coundon 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Escomb 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Henknowle 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dene Valley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Woodhouse Close 0.0 0.0 -9.0 0.0 West Auckland 0.0 0.0 -1.0 0.0 Byerley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sunnydale 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Thickley 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
The peak demand including team equivalents tables above show several outcomes. In some instances such as junior football and rugby union, there is no affect on the demand for pitches in the wards where teams play. However, supply has dropped especially in senior football and slightly in senior rugby union. The wards affected include Bishop Auckland Town, Cockton Hill, Coundon and Byerely. With the largest drop in supply occurring in Thickley, where there is a reduction of 4 pitches for senior football on Saturday mornings.
39 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
6.0 PITCH CAPACITY ISSUES
6.1 Average Number of Games
Table 33: Average Number of Games per Pitch Home Games Per Week Total Total Rugby Total Rugby Total Total Average AAP Name Location Changing Football Union League Cricket Hockey Number Of Games Games Games Games Games Games Per Played Played Played Played Played Pitch Bishop Auckland & Binchester Recreation Ground Wear Valley N 1 0 0 0 0 1 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Bishop Auckland College Bishop Auckland Y 10.5 0 0 0 0 3.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Bishop Barrington Sports Centre Wear Valley Y 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Cockton Hill Recreation Ground Bishop Auckland Y 1.5 0 0 0 0 0.75 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Copeland Road Primary School Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Coundon Gate Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Coundon Grange Recreation Ground Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Deborah Wood St Helen Auckland N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Eldon Football Pitch Eldon N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Escomb Recreation Ground Escomb N 1.5 0 0 0 0 0.75 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Etherley Lane Primary School Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Hackworth Park Shildon Y 1 0 0 0 0 0.2 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Henknowle Recreation Ground Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Heritage Park (Bishop Auckland FC) Bishop Auckland Y 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Jubilee Fields Shildon Y 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & King James 1st Community Bishop Auckland Y 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.125 Shildon Association Bishop Auckland & Kingsway (Bishop Auckland Cc) Bishop Auckland Y 0 0 0 3.5 0 3.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Leeholme Recreation Ground Bishop Auckland Y 1.5 0 0 0.5 0 1 Shildon
40 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Bishop Auckland & Shildon Football Club Shildon Y 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Shildon Railway Sports Club Shildon Y 0.5 0 0 2.5 0 1.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & St Anne’s C Of E Primary School Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & St Chad’s RC Primary School Witton Park N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & St Helen Auckland Primary School St Helen Auckland N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & St Helen Auckland Recreation St Helen Auckland N 1 0 0 0 0 1 Shildon Ground Bishop Auckland & St Johns RC Comprehensive School Wear Valley Y 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Sunnydale Leisure Centre Shildon Y 2 0 7 0 0 1.285714 Shildon Bishop Auckland & The Shildon Scout Memorial Field Shildon Y 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Trust Bishop Auckland & Thompsons Fields Shildon N 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Toronto Recreation Ground Wear Valley N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Town Recreation Ground Bishop Auckland N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & Waverley Terrace Pitch Shildon N 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shildon Bishop Auckland & West Auckland Town AFC West Auckland Y 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Shildon (Darlington Road Ground) Bishop Auckland & West Mills (Bishop Auckland Rugby Wear Valley Y 0 4.5 0 1 0 1.375 Shildon Club) Bishop Auckland & Witton Park Recreation Ground Wear Valley N 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.5 Shildon
Table 33 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 are potentially overused such as Bishop Auckland College and the Kingsway. The pitch capacity should be viewed in conjunction with the pitch quality information detailed in appendix 9.
41 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
6.2 Additional Pitch Availability in Bishop Auckland & Shildon
Table 34: Additional Grounds Available in Bishop Auckland & Shildon Football Pitches Rugby Pitches Name Owner Location Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket Hockey Synthetic Total Binchester Recreation Ground Local Authority Wear Valley N 1 1
Coundon Gate Local Authority Wear Valley N 1 1 Coundon Grange Recreation Ground Local Authority Wear Valley N 1 1 St Helen Deborah Wood Local Authority Auckland N 2 2 Henknowle Recreation Ground Local Authority Wear Valley N 1 1 Toronto Recreation Ground Local Authority Wear Valley N 1 1 Town Recreation Bishop Ground Local Authority Auckland N 1 1 Waverley Terrace Pitch Sports Club Shildon N 1 1 The Shildon Scout Memorial Field Trust Other Shildon Y 1 1
42 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 35: Additional Education Pitches Available in Bishop Auckland & Shildon Football Pitches Rugby Pitches Name Owner Location Changing Full size Junior Senior Junior Cricket Hockey Synthetic Total Bishop Barrington Sports Bishop Centre Community School Auckland Y 2 1 3 Copeland Road Primary School Community School Wear Valley N 1 1 Etherley Lane Primary School Community School Wear Valley N 1 1 St Annes C Of E Primary Voluntary School Controlled School Wear Valley N 1 1 Voluntary Aided St Chads Rc Primary School School Witton Park N 1 1 St Helen Auckland Primary St Helen School Education Auckland N 1 1 St Johns Rc Comprehensive Voluntary Aided School School Wear Valley Y 5 2 7 Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre Community school Shildon Y 5 1 1 7
Tables 34 and 35 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.
43 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 36: Existing and Required Provision
44 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 36 identifies that 22 pitches would be required to accommodate the current demand within the AAP areas. With around 54 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 37 identifies that the following pitches should be secured and laid out appropriately to ensure the provision caters for the current teams.
Table 37: Pitch Requirements Type Of Pitch Size Number of Pitches Senior Football 90 x 60 7.5* Junior Football 70 x 50 4 Mini Football 24 x 18 2.5 Senior Rugby 100 x 70 0.5 Junior Rugby 70 x 55 3.5 Cricket 105 x 110 4 Hockey 95 x 70 0
* Pitches have been rounded up to the nearest 0.5 pitches.
45 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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.
46 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Map 5: Pitches with Community Use
47
Map 6: Pitches to be Secured
Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Map 7: Potential Hub Sites
49 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Map 7: Potential Hub Sites
50 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Table 38: Bishop Auckland & Shildon 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 Strategy Reference Lead Timescale Recommendations Ref
Existing playing fields are safeguarded, with consideration only given to disposal when a secured pitch stock can be Planning Immediate See Maps 4 & 5 P1 demonstrated, or alternative high quality provision can 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 There is a need to consider investment in the existing stock (i.e. off Planning Act 1990 from all housing site contributions) within this AAP. There is a general need for more developments in proposals of 1 or more changing facilities and increased practice facilities in the AAP, units. Provision will also be sought for Planning Medium particularly in the sport of cricket. It is likely that larger P2 subsequent maintenance costs for a period developments (e.g. 500 dwellings+) would require on site provisions, of fifteen years. The following types of but other developments would secure contributions for off site dwelling will not be subject to obligations improvements. The decision f9or on/off site provision should be in respect of playing pitch provision; made on a case by case basis. replacement dwellings, extensions and very
sheltered housing.
Influence the design, layout of pitches and Education specification of school facilities to ensure / Planning Short D1 their suitability for school and community / Sport &
use, securing formal community use Leisure agreements where appropriate.
51 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
Develop new multi pitch/ multi sport ‘hub’ sites which can provide facilities for a range of training, development and performance sport. Where appropriate Hub Planning / Short D2 sites should embrace artificial turf pitches Education A number of potential hub site have been suggested (see maps 7 & 8).
technology (ATP) for training and formal fixtures, floodlit multi use games courts, grass pitches and adequate changing facilities.
Existing sites include: 1. Leeholme & Coundon Recreation Centre
Prioritise investment to existing multi-pitch (cricket and football) 2. West Mills Playing Field (cricket and rugby SPORT & MEDIUM D3 sites which can offer secure environments union) 3. Kingsway - Bishop Auckland Cricket Club (cricket and LEISURE for facilities. football) 4. Shildon Railway Sports Club (cricket and football).
Develop new junior pitches across the County, establishing a minimum of one multi-pitch junior soccer site in each AAP. Sport & Medium / There is an opportunity to provide such facilities at hub sites and/ or D4 Leisure Long establish them at existing school sites.
Improve the quality of pitches, setting a quality standard. Prioritise improvements Sport & Priority pitches need to be agreed once the secured stock is Long Q1 that increase pitch capacity in areas and Leisure confirmed. Policy will need to enable investment across an AAP for
sports that are currently most deficient. priority sites, within which development takes place (i.e. not restricted within a set distance of development).
Increase the use of synthetic pitches for There is currently only 1 ground in the AAP which provides a synthetic Sport & Short / training and where difficulty in pitch pitch. An increase in this type of pitch would not only help to Q2 Leisure Medium quality unduly limits carrying capacity. improve carrying capacity but would also help to encourage other
types of sport such as hockey in the AAP.
Sport & Short / Q3 Identify a long term framework of ancillary Leisure Medium
52 Durham Playing Pitch Strategy Bishop Auckland & Shildon Area Action Partnership Profile
facilities for retention, improvement and disposal
There is a general concern that the age profile across all sports in the Seek to attract commercial investment to Sport & Medium / AAP is increasing and more investment is needed to encourage youth deliver high quality training and M1 Leisure Long activity. This investment could be linked in with PFI projects and in performance sports facilities: 5 a-side addition there is potential to provide these types of facilities through leagues; softball; touch rugby. any new major housing growth.
Support development of facilities that
provide for growing mid week sports Planning Long There are not enough artificial pitches in the AAP to meet demand. M2 demand, such as 5 a-side soccer and This issue could be alleviated with an increase in artificial pitches floodlit cricket. especially at designated hub sites.
Ensure that ‘hub’ or integrated facility developments are reflective of the needs
identified within consultation (feedback Planning Short There is potential at a number of sites for increase growth to meet M3 from clubs) and contribute to the the demands recorded in the consultation section. achievement of locally determined sports
development targets and priorities.
Enable and support self management of Sport & Short M4 facilities by voluntary sports clubs and A priority in this AAP, the key is to secure community use. Leisure other organisations where applicable.
Sport & There are a large number of sites which could be secured under one A1 Administration Immediate Leisure leasing arrangement.
53