London Borough of Southwark Playing Pitch Strategy
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London Borough of Southwark Playing Pitch Strategy A Report by pmpgenesis Contents 1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1 2. The Current Picture ........................................................................................................... 4 3. Playing Pitch Methodology.................................................................................................25 4. Supply of Pitches..............................................................................................................30 5. Methodology Findings.......................................................................................................51 6. The Future Delivery of Playing Pitch Provision in Southwark.................................................64 Appendix A..........................................................................................................................89 1. Introduction 1.1 pmpgenesis was commissioned in March 2009 to develop a Playing Pitch Strategy for the London 01 Borough of Southwark (LBS). 1.2 This Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) has been developed alongside a PPG17 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study and is also designed to complement the recently published Sport and Physical Activity Strategy. 1.3 The PPS has been developed following the methodology outlined by Sport England in ‘Towards a Level Playing Field – A Manual for the Production of Playing Pitch Strategies’. 1.4 The key objectives of this Playing Pitch Strategy are to: • Analyse the current level of pitch provision, including the geographical spread and quality of pitches; • Identify the demand for pitches in Southwark; • Evaluate levels of over / under supply through the application of the Playing Pitch Methodology (PPM - explained in detail later); • Identify how facilities for pitch sports can be improved to meet the needs of residents; • Provide strategic options including - provision to be protected - provision to be enhanced - relocation of pitches - proposals and opportunities for new provision - sites considered to be surplus. • Provide information to inform the decision making process and evaluate both current and future development proposals including the production of specific local standards relating to playing pitch provision. 1.5 Ultimately, the aspirations of the authority and Proactive Southwark (the sport and physical activity network or CSPAN) are to raise participation levels in physical activity across the Borough. It is therefore intended that the findings of this strategy will help to ensure that the quantity and quality of playing pitches, and accessibility to pitches, meets the needs of the local population, now and in the future, thus maximising the opportunity for participation. 1.6 This PPS is primarily concerned with voluntary participation by adults and young people in competitive association football (referred to in this document as ‘football’), cricket, rugby union and hockey. It presents the key findings arising from survey work and consultation, highlighting areas of both concern and opportunity and sets a vision and strategy for the future delivery of sports pitches across the Borough. London Borough of Southwark Playing Pitch Strategy 1 1.7 It is important to emphasise that this document examines the provision of playing pitches (i.e. the playing surface, safety margins and the wider area for repositioning the pitch within the playing field) and not playing fields or open spaces (which include grass or other areas which are not used for sport). This is a key distinction as some of the areas surrounding pitches are not used for sport but are important in terms of open space. 1.8 The strategy is structured as follows: • Section 2 – The Current Picture - A review of key documents, policies and initiatives on a national, regional and local level; - An examination of key contextual and demographic information; and - Evaluation of current participation trends and playing pitch provision at a national and local level • Section 3 – Methodology for Assessing Supply and Demand - A summary of the process that has been followed. • Section 4 – Supply and Demand Analysis - A quantitative and qualitative appraisal of current playing pitches across Southwark, and an evaluation of demand for pitches in the borough. • Section 5 – Key Findings - The results of the application of the PPM with detailed analysis across the geographical areas (see below) and the calculation of Team Generation Rates across various sports. • Section 6 – Strategy for the Delivery of Playing Pitches across Southwark - The vision, aims and objectives for pitch provision across Southwark. • Section 7 – Action Plan for Future Delivery. 1.9 The adequacy of provision is analysed both on a Borough wide level and within eight more localised analysis areas. These areas correspond to the existing Community Council areas and enable a more detailed understanding of the adequacy of pitches to meet demand across the borough. 1.10 The geographical areas used are shown in Table 1.1 overleaf and identifies the wards that fall into each community council area and the population of the area. Population statistics are based on 2007 estimates as produced in January 2009 by the Southwark Analytical Hub.1 1 Southwark Analytical Hub – Southwark’s Population: Now and the Future, Jan 2009 London Borough of Southwark Playing Pitch Strategy 2 Table 1.1 Locality area breakdowns Community Council Population Wards Area Borough & Bankside 29,076 Cathedrals, Chaucer Camberwell 37,460 Camberwell Green, Brunswick Park, South Camberwell Bermondsey 37,271 Grange, Riverside, South Bermondsey Dulwich 32,778 Village, East Dulwich, College Nunhead and Peckham 36,245 The Lane, Nunhead, Peckham Rye Rye Peckham 19,468 Peckham, Livesey Rotherhithe 18,831 Rotherhithe, Surrey Docks Walworth 39,379 Newington, East Walworth, Faraday Total 250,508 1.11 All data collected as part of this study has been entered into an Excel spreadsheet which automates the calculations within the PPM process. This spreadsheet has also been provided to the Council, enabling analysis of supply and demand issues at a geographical level. This allows detailed analysis and testing of future scenarios. Link to wider strategic documents 1.12 This Strategy is part of a suite of documents and should not be read in isolation. 1.13 It is underpinned by the key themes from the recently released Southwark Council Sport & Physical Activity Strategy. It therefore takes into account future participation targets into future supply/demand modelling and also supports some of the key facility related recommendations (eg the introduction of an online pitch booking facility) 1.14 It should also be read in conjunction with the wider PPG17 Study, which examines the role of all types of green spaces (eg parks, children’s play facilities, allotments etc.) in detail. The pitch quantity, quality and accessibility information feeds directly into Section 10 of the PPG17 Study. London Borough of Southwark Playing Pitch Strategy 3 2. The Current Picture 2.1 This section of the report assesses the current context for playing pitch provision both nationally 02 and locally within Southwark. It comprises the following: • National context – a review of key relevant national policies, initiatives and programmes; • Regional context – a brief review of key documents and strategies across London; • Local context – an examination of relevant local policies, plans and guidance related to playing pitch provision in the Borough; • Local demographics and profile – a summary of the key local population demographic features and their potential implications for the provision of playing pitches; • Participation trends – detail on the demand for pitch sports both nationally and locally; and • Summary – a summary of the key issues to arise from the analysis of the context. National context Making the case for sport 2.2 The role of sport and active recreation in delivering quality of life benefits is being increasingly recognised at a national level. 2.3 This has been driven by Game Plan: a strategy for delivering Government’s sport and physical activity objectives (DCMS/Strategy Unit, December 2002). This report outlines the Government’s long term vision for increasing participation and high performance in sport: “by 2020 to increase significantly levels of sport and physical activity, particularly among disadvantaged groups, and to achieve sustained levels of success in international competition”. 2.4 Building on the key objectives of Game Plan, Sport England has recently published its Strategy for 2008-2011, Grow, Sustain, Excel. The strategy was developed following detailed consultation with a range of stakeholders and aims to ensure that: • A substantial – and growing – number of people from across the community play sport; • Talented people from all backgrounds are identified early, nurtured and have opportunity to progress to the elite level; and • Everyone who plays sport has a quality experience and is able to fulfil their potential. 2.5 At the heart of the delivery of these stated objectives is a focus on the roles of the Youth Sport Trust, UK Sport and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to provide a pathway from school to community to elite sport. Additional focus will be put on developing coaching, maximising the role of volunteers and creating a modern network of clubs. London Borough of Southwark Playing Pitch Strategy 4 2.6 Sport England is committed