Playing Pitch Strategy for Bracknell Forest

(2016 – 2036)

Contents

Page Number

Chapter 1 Background and Context 1 Chapter 2 Prepare and Tailor the Approach 7 Chapter 3 Current and Future Picture 16 Chapter 4 Football 26 Chapter 5 Cricket 68 Chapter 6 Rugby Union 85 Chapter 7 Hockey 99 Chapter 8 Bowls 112 Chapter 9 Tennis 117 Chapter 10 Other Sports 126 Chapter 11 Strategy and Standards 140 Glossary and Abbreviations 152

Location of Bracknell Forest Playing Pitch Sites Appendix 1 154 (excluding Artificial Grass Pitches) Location of Bracknell Forest Artificial Grass Pitch Appendix 2 155 Sites Location of Other Sports Facilities in Bracknell Appendix 3 156 Forest

CHAPTER 1 Background and Context

Introduction

1.1 Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) has undertaken a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) reviewing all pitches in the Borough. This will provide a clear vision and identify priorities for the future, based on local need. The strategy focuses on the period 2016 to 2036 to align with the new Local Plan period. It has been prepared in parallel with the Play, Open Space and Sport Study (POSS) 2017.

1.2 The strategy embraces one of the main ambitions of the Borough Council to plan positively, creatively and effectively to ensure that there is adequate provision of accessible, high quality sports pitches and facilities that meet the needs and aspirations of local people and visitors now and in the future.

1.3 This report has been prepared with a number of objectives which are fully set out in Chapter 2 and which review: the amount of provision; its quality; availability and accessibility. It also reviews likely demand and needs up to 2036 and makes strategy, policy and implementation recommendations.

Summary of Findings

1.4 The findings from the Playing Pitch Strategy are:

Football (Chapter 4) • There are 111 Football Pitches on 52 sites in the Borough with 92 being grass pitches and 19 Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs). • In terms of the quality of the grass pitches, 21 grass pitches rated as good, 42 standard and 29 Poor. • Of the 19 AGPs; 5 were rated as good, 9 as standard and 5 rated as poor quality. • Bracknell Town Football Club’s brand new 3G AGP was not audited for its quality but given that it is state of the art is would rate highly (good). • The accessibility of football pitches is generally good with a large number of pitches across the borough and a large proportion of these are on or within settlement boundaries although there is a large range in the quality of pitches. • Football provision is adequate but hasn’t increased in recent years despite demand and population in the area increasing. • In terms of grass pitch provision; there is a mismatch between data and the feedback of users who feel there is a quantity and quality shortage. There is a current need for 7 full-sized 3G Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP’s) in the area. • Many sites do not meet the needs of residents and suffer from drainage issues. • There will be a demand for smaller, more local pitches for younger children and a projected requirement for 8 further 3G AGP facilities by 2036. • Whilst supply and demand for provision is likely to balance; peak time demand will outweigh supply and over-use is likely to lead to poor quality grass pitches. • Policy and recommendations should plan for enhancing the quality and capacity of existing provision and creating new provision.

Cricket (Chapter 5) • There are 8 generally available cricket grass pitches but there are more within schools (private and state) and within institutions (Sandhurst Royal Military Academy (RMA) which add to the overall supply in the Borough. • In terms of their quality, 4 pitches were rated as good, 2 as standard and 2 rated as poor quality. • Cricket pitches are spread well across the parishes, offer facilities within a short distance of most settlements and are all accessible to the community. Some residents in Crowthorne Parish and the south of Winkfield Parish may have to travel further to reach a good quality cricket pitch. • Current Cricket provision in the area is adequate to meet demand with a number of local affiliated cricket clubs. • However, two key clubs (Sandhurst & Binfield) state that they have a deficit of community use provision which may need addressing. • Quality of provision is adequate at all sites other than Braybrooke and The Parks which are disused / currently not fit for purpose. • Projections forecast a future demand for 3 additional youth teams. • Whilst there is a surplus in overall capacity, 2 larger clubs will need a facility development strategy to match their infrastructure and volunteer structures.

Rugby Union (Chapter 6) • There are 38 rugby pitches on 10 sites in the borough. • In terms of their quality using the Rugby Football Union (RFU) criteria, 19 pitches were rated as good, 12 as standard and 6 rated as poor quality. • Rugby sites are fairly well spread throughout the Borough however not all rugby sites allow community access. • Demand has remained static in recent years, current supply of rugby pitches is characterised by poor drainage and a lack of secured use for communities. • The low quality and resulting carrying capacity of sites means that there is a deficit of rugby facilities in the area. • Bracknell Rugby Club states that their facilities at Lily Hill Park are unfit for purpose despite investment from the RFU and the club. They expressed a need for refurbished ancillary facilities at Lily Hill Park and Calfridus Way to allow for club income generation. • Growth projections forecast the equivalent of 4 new teams in the youth/mini age groups. Growth in adult rugby will be restricted if facilities are not improved. • There is not enough provision to meet future demand. • The main policy and recommendations are to improve the quality and capacity of existing rugby pitches and their ancillary facilities.

Hockey (Chapter 7) • There are 9 Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP’s) for playing Hockey on 8 sites in the Borough. • In terms of their quality, 2 AGP’s were rated as good, 6 as standard and only 1 rated as poor quality. • Hockey sites are well spread across the borough although 2 sites are not currently available for community use. • Birch Hill Recreation Ground is the predominant location of facilities in the area. Demand in the near future will be significantly influenced by the choice of home site for a new club South Berkshire Hockey Club (SBHC). This may not be in the borough.

• Currently there is enough provision to meet demand; however this will change if SBHC find a new site within the south Berkshire area. Their current capacity is fully used at match times. • Existing facilities are adequate but if the provision for a revenue source is required, the social facilities will need refurbishment. • Growth projections indicate minor increases in demand for Junior Hockey however this may be underestimated due to the recent success of Olympic Hockey teams. • If clubs and England Hockey are successful at retaining new and returning hockey players, further provision is needed. SBHC would require 2 full sized AGP with a clubhouse if located in the borough. • The main policy and recommendations are to secure increased community use for some facilities and to improve existing or provide new pitches and ancillary facilities for secured community use particularly if the newly formed SHBC look for a new home ground within Bracknell Forest.

Bowls (Chapter 8) • There are 3 bowling greens in the Borough containing 17 rinks in the Borough. • The national decline in uptake of bowls has not been reflected in Bracknell Forest where there has been a steady increase in membership numbers. • There are no bowling greens in Binfield, Warfield, Winkfield and Sandhurst parishes. • There are several clubs which have secured community use however the quality of pitches can deteriorate throughout the season. • The number of bowlers per green in the Bracknell area is twice the national average and projected population increases could add to this pressure. • Improvements to the Great Hollands site will improve the accessibility and quality of secured provision but further greens are needed to sustain good quality pitches. • There is a lack of reliable data to indicate whether demand will increase but it is reasonable to assume an ageing population and increasing population will increase demand. • The main policy recommendations are to improve the quality of existing bowling greens and possibly provide new bowling greens in the outlying residential areas such as Binfield and Warfield where there is a growth in housing and where demand for bowling can’t be met by improving the quality of existing greens.

Tennis (Chapter 9) • There are 59 tennis courts over 11 sites in the borough. • 40 of the courts are floodlit and all sites but one site have secured community use. • Demand for tennis in Bracknell is high. • Most sites are operating under their maximum membership capacity. • The lack of ‘Pay and Play’ schemes reduces accessibility. • There was no feedback from clubs to illustrate the quality of tennis facilities in the area but a large proportion of courts are floodlit and privately owned or managed indicating good levels of maintenance. • Accessibility can be significantly improved by increasing the number of ‘Pay and Play’ schemes across the borough. • The main policy recommendations are to protect existing tennis courts, work with the owners/managers of tennis facilities to increase the number of ‘pay and play’ tennis facilities across the borough and provide new tennis courts in recreational

grounds which have the operational support and potentially resources to promote tennis in the borough.

Other Sports (Chapter 10) • There is a good variety of other sports facilities in the Borough including 19 sports halls, 10 swimming pools, 11 health and fitness suites, 5 golf courses, 2 climbing walls, equestrian centres, a dry ski slope, an ice rink, mountain bike trails and high ropes (Go Ape). • The current supply of swimming pools within Bracknell Forest is considered to have scope for a higher level of usage. • There is a good level of sports hall supply available but there may be further opportunities at all sites for greater levels of usage. • In general there appears to be an opportunity to participate in many different sports across the Borough, with health and fitness (gyms), golf and off road cycling being in most demand. • Local clubs and teams appear to be generally running well and in demand (some with waiting lists). • The main policy recommendations are to protect existing sports facilities and to work with the owners/managers of facilities: o To bring those facilities currently unavailable for community use into community use (particularly for swimming pools). o To extend opening hours that facilities are available for community use. o To allow more access for individual hire (particularly for sports halls).

Scope of the Study

1.5 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires local authorities to undertake an assessment of provision of open space, indoor facilities and outdoor sports provision. Bracknell Forest Council has reviewed existing strategies and has undertaken consultation with the local public as part of the audit.

1.6 This strategy has been prepared taking account of the Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) recommendation that Council’s may follow Sport England Guidance on preparing a robust evidence base. The Sport England Guidance entitled Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance, An approach to developing and delivering a playing pitch strategy (October 2013) has therefore been used to produce this strategy.

1.7 Individual site quality auditing resulted in over 70 grass and artificial grass pitches being assessed. A summary of the tasks carried out includes:

1. An audit of a number of all pitches and their ancillary facilities across the Borough in terms of quantity, quality, availability and accessibility. 2. A review of existing policy, strategies and consultations. 3. An assessment of future needs and requirements in consultation with key organisations including local clubs. 4. A review of the results and formation of standards and policy recommendations for provision. 5. A strategy for future provision, maintenance and operation of pitches. 6. A strategy for future funding and developing an action plan of projects to be contained in the Borough Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP).

1.8 A playing pitch is any natural turf or Artificial Grass pitch (AGP) on which formal sporting activity takes place (matches or formal training sessions). The pitches in this study have been assessed in relation to their respective sport (e.g. rugby, football, cricket, hockey, tennis etc.). The study does not include formal or informal kick about areas, Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs) casual basketball hoops. These facilities are however included within the typologies and assessment in the accompanying POSS study.

Methodology

1.9 The methodology is based upon published guidance from Sport England’s guidance as described above, which sets out a staged process as follows:

Table 1.1 Process for Developing and Delivering a Playing Pitch Strategy Stage Step Stage A: Prepare and tailor 1. Prepare and tailor the approach the approach Stage B: Gather information 2. Gather supply information and views and views on the supply of 3. Gather demand information and views and demand for provision Stage C: Assess the supply 4. Understand the situation at individual sites and demand information and 5. Develop the current and future picture of provision views 6. Identify the key findings Stage D: Develop the 7. Develop the recommendations and action plan strategy 8. Write and adopt the strategy Stage E: Deliver the strategy 9. Apply and deliver the strategy and keep it robust and up to 10. Keep the strategy robust date

1.10 The Playing Pitch Strategy has been written by the Bracknell Forest Council with technical expertise and input from consultants. 4-Global London carried out specific tasks including facilitating the Stage A meeting, and undertaking Stages B and C for Football, Cricket, Rugby Union and Hockey.

1.11 This study was produced as follows:

• Study writing - Council Officers carried out background work, creating a new quality assessment form, all analysis of results, and formed the standards and conclusions; • Quantity Stock Take – Council officers reviewed sports provision in the Borough including liaison with Parish and Town Councils and relevant Neighbourhood Plan bodies. • Quality Assessments – the consultants 4 Global London carried out the sports pitch quality assessments; • Availability Audit – Council officers carried out an assessment of the availability of all pitches. • Accessibility Assessment – Council Officers undertook a strategic analysis of accessibility of pitches and facilities. • Needs Assessment – Council Officers and Consultants assessed gaps and needs in consultation with Parish and Town Councils and for football, a local football steering group.

Limitations of the Study

1.12 The sports covered in this Study reflect those suggested in the Sport England Guidance Planning Bulletin 15 Strategic Planning for Sport Revisited https://www.sportengland.org/media/4485/planning-bulletin-15.pdf The amount and quality of much of the information is dependent on feedback received from local sports groups and clubs following consultations and the information gathered is subject to time constraints. All information was correct at the time of developing the strategy but may change over time.

Outputs, Strategy and Recommendations

1.13 The results and conclusions of the strategy will inform the new Local Plan which will replace existing planning policies. The strategy will:

• Underpin polices set out in the emerging new Local Plan; • Support existing leisure strategies and inform service provision; • Provide robust evidence to justify the amount and provision of pitches from new development; • Provide a basis from which a high quality network of a range of types of pitches and ancillary facilities will be maintained and developed; • Look to rationalise existing facilities whilst highlighting those areas that have none to very little sporting value; • Take into consideration BFC local strategies and state their relationship to playing pitch provision; • Provide a spatial planning view to planning for new and enhancing existing facilities.

1.14 The completed strategy has been made available as a corporate resource and placed on the BFC website. It will form part of the consultation process in support of the new Local Plan

CHAPTER 2 Prepare and Tailor the Approach

Purpose, Objectives and Vision

2.1 The purpose of the strategy is to assess the level of existing pitch provision whilst reviewing the needs of the residents of Bracknell Forest and other interested parties to ensure that appropriate standards and policies are effectively delivered on the ground. The study looks forward to 2036 to align with the intended plan period for the emerging new Local Plan (LP). It will be used as planning evidence and to inform service planning for Parks and Countryside regarding recreation and sports provision in the future.

2.2 The objectives for the strategy are to:

1. Quantify playing pitches and their ancillary facilities. 2. Quantify any planned new provision. 3. Assess the quality, accessibility and availability of existing provision. 4. Assess future demand patterns and gaps in terms of provisions. 5. Evidence changes in the existing standards for provision to ensure the future needs are deliverable. 6. Recommend planning policy and guidance requirements. 7. Provide a clear evidence base for future service provision and quality improvements. 8. Establish a forward looking strategy for providing and maintaining sports pitches.

2.3 The expected outcomes are:

1. The provision of an up-to-date stock-take of existing facilities. 2. A strategy context for new planned provision. 3. An assessment of the quality, accessibility and availability of existing provision. 4. A robust needs assessment for the Borough in the future. 5. To make recommendations on confirming or changing existing standards for provision. 6. To provide robust evidence to support the creation of planning policy and guidance requirements. 7. To justify service provision and ensure adequate funding for improving or maintaining quality of facilities. 8. To set out a strategy which ensures necessary existing provision is protected. 9. Recommend standards and policy options for future new provision.

2.4 The PPS shares its Vision with the Play, Open Space and Sports (POSS) study:

“A high quality, accessible network of clean, safe and attractive green spaces and facilities which allow people to improve their health and well-being through recreation and sport now and in the future”

Interested Parties

2.5 The following interested parties for the preparation of this strategy are:

• BFC service providers; • Sport England; • Town and Parish Councils; • Major landowners (The Crown Estate, The Royal Military Academy); • Private sports suppliers; • Sports National Governing Bodies; • Local sports clubs including a local football steering group.

2.6 The Borough Council has involved and consulted the above contacts at various stages throughout the production of the strategy.

2.7 A scoping meeting was held in July 2015 which agreed the approach the Council has undertaken in this strategy and the Play, Open Space and Sports Study (POSS).

Strategy Area

2.8 Bracknell Forest Borough covers 109 square kilometres of central Berkshire and includes the former New Town of Bracknell, together with Sandhurst town and the villages of Crowthorne and Binfield, along with a number of smaller settlements across Warfield and Winkfield. The Borough is split into six Town and Parish areas as shown on Map 2.1. Close to London, the area has easy access to the motorway network (M3, M4, M40 and M25), Heathrow, and direct train links into London.

2.9 The strategy focuses on the whole of Bracknell Forest Borough, which has a relatively small geographic area and population (around 118,000 people) when compared to neighbouring authorities like Hampshire and Surrey.

Map 2.1 Bracknell Forest Borough

Project Management

2.10 The project has been managed by a Project Team and Steering Group:

• The Project Team was comprised of officers from Planning, Leisure and Parks and Countryside who had the various skills necessary for the project and ensured other disciplines such as GIS officers were involved. • A Steering Group comprising Sport England and the main National Governing Bodies for Sport.

General Overview of Sports Provision in the Borough

2.11 There is a wide range of outdoor sports facilities in Bracknell Forest relating to sports pitches (grass and artificial) for a range of sports including football (adult and children), rugby, cricket, hockey, bowls, baseball, tennis and athletics. It is more common now for hockey to be played on artificial grass pitches (AGPs) rather than natural grass, although Third Generation (3G) pitches at Bracknell Leisure Centre and Easthampstead Park School are unsuitable for hockey. The existing pitches are managed by a range of service providers including the Borough Council, Town and Parish Council’s, schools, institutions and private companies. The individual sports chapters (Chapters 4 - 10) detail the existing provision.

2.12 There is a strong demand for sports pitches across the borough. The Borough Council operates a sports and leisure centre (Bracknell Leisure Centre) located centrally within Bracknell which caters for a wide population catchment area. Examples of sports and activities on offer include indoor swimming, badminton, basket ball, football, squash and gym. Outside it has a floodlit multipurpose artificial pitch area for eleven a side football or smaller football pitches. There is also a 400 metre running track with a grass area in the middle which can be used for athletics or adult football.

2.13 The Borough Council also owns and manages natural grass pitches at various open spaces and schools, three artificial grass surfaces (Bracknell Leisure Centre, Edgbarrow Sports Centre and Sandhurst Sports Centre) and a baseball diamond at Westmorland Park in Warfield.

2.14 There are extensive polo grounds to the north of the Borough which are all in private ownership.

2.15 There is a wide range of clubs around the Borough, some of which operate from a permanent base, whilst others hire facilities. The bigger football clubs include Bracknell Town, Binfield and Sandhurst Town. Below that there is a fairly extensive league structure played on hired pitches and a huge junior league programme played mostly on hired pitches. Bracknell Rugby Club is based in Lily Hill Park and Bracknell Hockey Club at Birch Hill Recreation Ground. There are private cricket clubs at Bracknell, Binfield, Warfield and Sandhurst.

2.16 The sport that makes greatest use of sports pitches is almost certainly Junior Football (boys and girls) followed by Senior Football. The playing base for Rugby Union, Cricket and Hockey is much smaller by comparison. There is always a demand for more football pitches, particularly junior ones. It is therefore advisable in new developments to provide a playing pitch area and then see what the demand is for before configuring any pitches. Bracknell Rugby Club has a relatively large junior

section which creates demand for additional pitches especially as the pitches at Lily Hill Park suffer in bad weather.

2.17 There are local clubs such as football that participate in leagues which cross authority boundaries, although there are limited cross-boundary issues relating to the use of these sports pitches. There are also football pitches very close to the Borough boundary such as Pinewood (in Wokingham Borough), that will serve both local populations.

2.18 In absolute terms sports participation is growing – a new development will bring with it a new population that will create demand. However, it is not known locally if playing pitch participation is growing in relative terms to the overall population.

2.19 In terms of trends and changes in activity, there has in recent years been a tendency towards a short sharp instant fix to sports activity such as easy access and for shorter time periods. The new 3G pitch at Bracknell Leisure Centre is configured for small sided / 5 a-side soccer and there is an increasing number of 20/20 cricket matches which usually lasts for just a couple of hours. Sport England through their evidence (Active Places surveys) states that on a national scale, activities such as gym use and aerobic classes are on the decline whilst activities like Parkrun are on the increase. The popularity in more informal activities such as Parkrun may be attributed to the fact that it’s free with no booking or obligation whilst gym membership and attendance costs money.

2.20 Since the London Olympics and its legacy, the increase in formal team sport participation has not been as expected in Bracknell Forest but the rise in participation in more informal activities such as running, cycling and walking has been significant. Although, the no contract Gyms now being provided by private companies has somewhat bucked this trend.

2.21 The Borough Council actively promotes and organises many local sporting initiatives such as the annual Bracknell Half Marathon and school athletics tournaments. The Young People in Sport Scheme is managed by the Leisure Section and has been delivering sporting opportunities in local schools since 1994. Qualified sports coaches visit the local schools and provide a series of coaching sessions for about six weeks. At the end of the coaching scheme there is a Festival at which the children are able to test their newly found skills against other school teams. Bracknell Forest Schools have gone on from the local festivals and enjoyed success at regional and national level, most notably when Uplands Primary School won the ASDA National Kwik Cricket Finals in 2008. In 2014/15 there were over 50,000 contacts with young people through the Coaching schemes and over 3000 attendances at events. At some stage in the year every school in the Borough has participated in the scheme. The Borough Council also regularly participates in the popular Workplace Challenge, which is a national sports initiative run by organisations, including Sport England and the British Heart Foundation to promote physical activity and health in the workplace.

2.22 One of the main issues currently facing the Borough Council in relation to their management of sports pitches is the need for a consistency of hiring and booking their synthetic pitches throughout the year. The attraction to football clubs in the winter months is the fact that the pitches are floodlit. In the summer clubs tend to train for free in parks on grass pitches, the Borough Council therefore has very few 12 month bookings. There has also been increased competition from other providers and the Council needs to remain competitive whilst ensuring an adequate income. Twenty years ago AGP’s were relatively rare, Hockey teams in particular were

prepared to travel further afield for this new surface and bookings at Edgbarrow and Sandhurst were excellent. However over the years AGPs have become the norm with most schools and clubs having their own, town and parish councils putting them in, or other institutions such as the Independent Education sector providing some public access (Wellington College has two AGPs close together.) The biggest issue for AGPs is an ongoing fund for replacement. Regular maintenance will give an AGP a good lifespan (10 – 12 years). However, in order to keep up with the competition replacement funding is crucial.

2.23 The critical factor in maintaining grass pitches is the ability to maintain them to the highest standard given the vagaries of the climate and the seasonality of use. If there is increased demand for pitches, it is not as simple as just playing a few more games on the existing pitches especially in the middle of a rainy and dark November. The maintenance of grass pitches is resource intensive and there is little alternative facility provision to relieve pressure, for example, local football leagues do not generally allow league or cup games to be played on AGPs.

2.24 In terms of new pitches coming forward, the Parks site (in Bracknell), pitches will soon be available for use, but nothing else in the immediate future is planned. There will be new school pitches provided in the Blue Mountain Learning Village, the Warfield site, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) site, Amen Corner North and South sites in the next 5 years. Bracknell Town Football Club has however replaced its grass pitch with an AGP.

Pitch Sports to be Included in the Strategy

2.25 The pitch sports considered in this strategy are set out in the following table; others not considered are also included within the table with rationale explaining why they have not been addressed in the strategy.

Table 2.1 Rationale for Sports Included or Excluded from the Strategy Sport Included Rationale National Governing Body (NGB) / Comments Football Yes Widespread football played in The Football Association Chapter 4 the Borough (FA) http://www.thefa.com/ Cricket Yes There are various cricket clubs The England and Wales Chapter 5 and pitches in the Borough Cricket Board (ECB) http://www.ecb.co.uk/ Rugby Yes Rugby is played at Lily Hill Park, England Rugby Union Chapter 6 other locations and in schools http://www.englandrugby.co across the Borough m/

Hockey Yes Bracknell Hockey Club is based England Hockey Chapter 7 out of Birch hill recreation http://www.englandhockey.c Ground. Bracknell sports centre o.uk/ can host Hockey too. Various schools have hockey pitches. Bowls Yes There are two outdoor bowling Bowls England Chapter 8 clubs in the borough in Bracknell https://www.bowlsengland.c Town Centre and at Great om/ Hollands Recreation Ground. Tennis Yes There are public and private The Lawn Tennis Chapter 9 tennis clubs and facilities in the Association (LTA)

Sport Included Rationale National Governing Body (NGB) / Comments Borough. http://www.lta.org.uk/ Baseball Yes Westmorland Park has a British Baseball Federation Chapter baseball diamond and hosts http://www.britishbaseball.or 10 junior and adult clubs (Bracknell g/ Baseball Club) Softball Bracknell Baseball Club hosts a soft ball team at Westmorland Park. There was a soft ball team http://www.baseballsoftballu (Ascot Blues) who played out of k.com/ Locks Ride Playing Field but it is not certain that they still exist. Gym There are public and private gym facilities in the Borough. Swimming There are public and private Swim England swimming facilities throughout https://www.britishswimmin the Borough. g.org/ Basketball There are several basketball British Basketball courts in the Borough. http://www.gbbasketball.co m/ Skiing There is a outdoor dry slope at Bracknell Ski Centre and the John Nike Leisure sport Ice Rink complex http://www.jnlbracknell.co.u k/ Ice Skating There is an indoor ice rink at the Bracknell Ski Centre and John Nike Leisure sport Ice Rink complex http://www.jnlbracknell.co.u k/ Climbing There are two climbing walls in British Mountaineering the Borough. Council https://www.thebmc.co.uk/ Table tennis There are outdoor table tennis Table Tennis England tables at Jocks Lane Recreation https://tabletennisengland.c Ground and other opportunities o.uk/ to play in sports halls. Golf There are three golf courses in England Golf the Borough. http://www.englandgolf.org/ Crazy Golf There is a crazy golf course at Jocks Jocks Lane Recreation Ground. Lane http://bracknelltownco uncil.gov.uk/recreation- facilities/council- sites/listing/jocks-lane- recreation-ground Water There is a water sports centre at Horseshoe Sports Horseshoe Lake. Lake https://horseshoelakea ctivitycentre.co.uk/ Horse riding There are two equestrian British Equestrian centres in the Borough. Federation http://www.bef.co.uk/ Mountain There is a mountain biking British biking centre at Swinley Forest. Cycling https://www.britishc ycling.org.uk/mtb High Ropes There are two high ropes Go Ape

Sport Included Rationale National Governing Body (NGB) / Comments facilities in the Borough. Bracknell https://goape.co.u k/days-out/bracknell Oakwood Centre https://www.oakwoo dclimbingcentre.com/ Softball No Bracknell Baseball Club hosts a http://www.baseballsoftballu soft ball team at Westmorland k.com/ Park. There was a soft ball team (Ascot Blues) who played out of Locks Ride Playing Field but it is not certain that they still exist. Rugby No There is no presence in the If demand for such facilities League Borough and no known demand emerges or increases then Lacrosse No There is limited presence in the the Borough Council will Borough; some private schools review its strategy on how play it in their own sports pitches best to meet the demand. Shinty No There is no presence or demand in the Borough Rounders No There is presence in the Borough but there is not a need for dedicated pitch space. American No There is no presence or demand Football in the Borough. The nearest Club is the Berkshire Renegades based out of Reading although it is not clear if they still operate. Australian No There is no presence or demand rules in the Borough Football Gaelic No There is no presence or demand Football in the Borough Hurling No There is no presence or demand in the Borough Polo No There is presence in the Borough and catered for on a demand basis through the planning system (the sites are in the Green Belt). Therefore, the Council has to maintain a reactionary position to new or improved Polo facilities Cycle Polo No There is no presence or demand in the Borough

2.26 Currently the only sport which has intentions for future provision is Curling; with a curling rink looking to be developed in the near future adding to the variety of sports provision in the borough. At present the council has no further information regarding emerging demand for sports which are currently non-existent in the borough.

Sports Local League Structure

2.27 There is a wide range of adult sports clubs which operate in the Borough at different levels of completion, in summary these are:

• Hockey - Bracknell Hockey Club (men’s teams) play in the Middlesex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Divisions of the South Hockey League (4 teams). The Ladies Teams play in the TrySports League (Middlesex, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire) (2 Teams). • Rugby - Bracknell Rugby Club compete in the RFU League structure. The 1st XV plays in National League 3 (London and South East Division). Their other teams play in the Berks Bucks and Oxon County Divisions. Crowthorne RFC also plays in the BBO County Divisions. • Cricket - Bracknell Cricket Club plays in the Thames Valley Cricket League in Divisions 5 and 7. Crowthorne & Crown Wood CC, Sandhurst CC and Warfield CC all play in the Berkshire League, whilst Binfield CC plays in the Chiltern League. • Football - Bracknell Town and Binfield FC play in the Chiltern Premier League, whilst Sandhurst Town FC plays in the Combined Counties League. Sandhurst Devils play in the Thames Valley Premier League. The Bracknell and District Sunday League has 50 teams across 5 divisions. Most are pub and club teams from in and around Bracknell Forest. • Swimming - Bracknell Swimming Club competes in the Arena League - the ASA's national league, but competed for initially on a regional basis. Sandhurst Open water Swimming Club also operates in the borough. • Tennis - Bracknell tennis Club competes in the Berkshire Winter and Summer Leagues. • Athletics - Bracknell AC competes in the Southern Athletic League (summer) and a variety of Cross Country Leagues in the winter. Sandhurst Joggers and Bracknell Forest Runners compete in the Thames Valley Cross Country league. • Netball - Brakenhale School hosts the Bracknell and District Netball League, but there is no Bracknell based team participating. • Baseball - Bracknell Baseball Club plays in the National Championships and the Windsor & Maidenhead Softball league.

2.28 Underpinning the adult leagues listed above there is a huge amount of Junior sport in which clubs take part in leagues for example:

• Baseball - Bracknell Baseball Club runs an extensive youth programme competing in various national and regional leagues. • Cricket - Berkshire Youth Cricket League (various age groups) • Athletics - Alder Valley League, Southern Counties Youth Development League, Chiltern League cross country and Border League also cross country • Rugby - Bracknell's Colts and junior teams play in the Oxon, Buck and Berks Leagues. • Football - there is a huge infrastructure of junior football with leagues for boys and girls from the age of 7 upwards. The East Berks Football Alliance features AFC Warfield, Binfield FC, Bracknell Borough, FC Bracknell, Bracknell Town FC, Sandhurst Town Boys and Girls FC, Bracknell cavaliers and Whitegrove FC. All of those clubs run multiple teams in each age group.

CHAPTER 3 Current and Future Picture

Introduction and Summary

3.1. This chapter summarises the most important strategies and priorities that impact upon the Playing Pitch Strategy. It also gives an overview of the demographics of Bracknell Forest and future population growth. It considers current participation in sport in general in the Borough, the supply of sports pitches and service provision and concludes with an analysis of future sporting need.

Strategies and Priorities

National 3.2. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the requirement of local authorities to establish and provide adequate and proper leisure facilities to meet local needs. Paragraphs 73 and 74 outline the planning policies for the provision and protection of sport and recreation facilities.

• Paragraph 73 - ‘Access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities. Planning policies should be based on robust and up to date assessments of the needs for open space, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision. The assessments should identify specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses of open space, sports and recreational facilities in the local area. Information gained from the assessments should be used to determine what open space, sports and recreational provision is required’.

• Paragraph 74 - ‘Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless: . An assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements; or . The loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or . The development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss.’

3.3. Sport England is a statutory consultee on all planning applications that affect sports pitches and it has a long established policy of playing pitch retention, even prior to the NPPF guidance. It looks to improve the quality, access and management of sports facilities as well as investing in new facilities to meet unsatisfied demand. Sport England requires local authorities to have an up-to date assessment of playing pitch needs and an associated strategy including a recommendation that the evidence base is reviewed every three years. The key drivers for the production of this strategy as advocated by Sport England are to protect, enhance and provide playing pitches, as follows:

• Protect: To provide evidence to inform policy and specifically to support Site Allocations and Development Management Policies which will protect playing fields and their use by the community, irrespective of ownership • Enhance: To ensure that sports facilities are effectively managed and maintained and that best uses are made of existing resources - whether facilities, expertise

and/or personnel to improve and enhance existing provision – particularly in the light of pressure on local authority budgets • Provide: To provide evidence to help secure external funding for new facilities and enhancements through grant aid and also through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 agreements.

3.4. Sport England and local authorities can use the strategies developed and the guidance provided in making key planning decisions regarding sports pitches and facility developments in the area and to support or protect against planning applications brought forward by developers.

Local 3.5. There is no existing playing pitch or other specific sports strategy for Bracknell Forest. However, the provision of pitches and their maintenance is an important function for the Council and which is operated under a combination of different plans and priorities including departmental service plans. The production of a playing pitch strategy will provide the opportunity to bring together strategy, priorities and operation in a single document.

3.6. The Council Plan 2015-2019 states that Bracknell Forest Council needs to continue to make savings of around £25m over the next few years. The council has devised a plan in order to achieve this which consists of six strategic themes. Each one has key measures of success and performance indicators which are underpinned by Service Plans for each department. These create the framework for the council to deliver a new approach in keeping the borough a good place to live. The council is committed to consulting with residents and service users on all major changes and subsequent impacts on communities. The six strategic themes are:

1. Value for money. 2. A strong and resilient economy. 3. Life skills and Education opportunities. 4. Healthy lifestyles. 5. A green and sustainable place. 6. Strong, supportive and self-reliant communities.

3.7. The Bracknell Forest Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2011) contains a number of key objectives:

• To protect existing parks and open space of recreational value; • To develop a clear perspective on the quantity and distribution of provision, the nature of sites and the provision of facilities, to identify which sites should be staffed and the role and nature of individual sites; • Appropriate provision will be sought at each site, this will consider the needs of the local community and the social and environmental functions of parks and open spaces; • Broader community use and involvement of parks and open spaces of recreational value by all members of the community; • Public understanding of environmental and cultural issues relating to parks and open spaces; and, • A strategic approach to funding for parks and open spaces of recreational value will be adopted and additional funding sought.

3.8. The Council also seeks to promote sporting and recreational activity to support the aims of improving public health and seeks to protect and provide for sporting provision including sports pitches through planning policies and guidance.

Key Bracknell Forest Demographics

3.9. A picture of the Borough has been established from the most recent census in 2011. The key findings are:

Table 3.1 Key Demographics Key Demographics Who we • 113,205 people are permanent residents in the borough. are • Average age is 37.4 years old. • 87 per cent of people describe their health to be ‘good’ or ‘very good’. 12.3 per cent of people have a long-term limiting health problem or disability. • 60.5 per cent of the population identify themselves as Christians. • 4.5 per cent of the population identify with a religion other than Christianity. • 35.0 per cent of the population don’t identify with any religion. • 84.9 per cent of the population consider themselves White British. • 15.1 per cent of the population consider themselves to be in a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) group. How we • 45,878 households are located in the borough. live • 68 per cent of households are owner occupied. • Average household size is 2.41 people. • Average number of rooms per household is 5.7 (Excluding bathrooms, toilets and hallways). • 1.2 per cent (549) of households are without central heating. • 86 per cent of households own one or more cars or vans. • Average number of cars or vans per household is 1.49. • 32 per cent of people aged 16 and over are single. • 50 per cent of people aged 16 and over are married. What we • 8.6 per cent of people provide unpaid care. do • 78.3 per cent of the population aged 16 to 74 is considered economically active. • 30 per cent of the population has achieved a qualification at level 4 or higher. • 16 per cent of the population has no qualifications at all. • 10 per cent of the industry in Bracknell Forest is information and communication based. • 16.2 per cent of the industry in Bracknell Forest is wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles. • Bracknell Forest has a higher than average proportion of managers, directors, senior officials and professional occupations and a lower than average proportion of elementary occupations, machine operators and skilled trades. Key • The population is growing and will continue to do so. trends • The population is ageing. • Housing is expensive and expected to keep rising. • Economic growth is expected to continue. • The population heath and well being is relatively high and an active lifestyle is needed to maintain this trend

3.10. Overall, the population is healthy, active and fairly affluent. Home ownership is high but so is the cost of housing which affects affordability. The local economy is thriving but heavily reliant on professional and IT services and car ownership is high which can result in people being less active because of their reliance on the car. There are pockets of deprivation in the borough where economic opportunities are not as easily attained. Therefore there is a need for a wide range of sporting types and facilities at differing price points to optimise the potential for increased levels of activity by the local population.

3.11. The current estimated population of the Borough is around 118,000 people. The following table shows the estimates for each ward and with specific age bands.

Table 3.2 Current Estimated Population of Bracknell Forest by Ward All Ward Name Ages 0-4 5-10 11-15 16-24 25-44 45-64 65+ Ascot 5,785 279 454 653 480 1,318 1,630 971 Binfield with Warfield 8,964 602 701 619 656 2,500 2,695 1,191 Bullbrook 6,318 462 498 397 560 2,013 1,438 950 Central Sandhurst 5,148 345 398 339 384 1,391 1,471 820 College Town 6,510 384 447 412 1,041 1,973 1,513 740 Crown Wood 7,890 657 557 389 677 2,866 2,100 644 Crowthorne 5,271 249 365 431 419 1,278 1,509 1,020 Great Hollands North 7,162 732 773 510 582 2,539 1,350 676 Great Hollands South 5,037 353 432 380 429 1,402 1,391 650 Hanworth 8,125 601 601 510 648 2,449 2,183 1,133 Harmans Water 8,856 778 736 551 640 2,976 2,164 1,011 Little Sandhurst and Wellington 6,036 314 392 940 708 1,174 1,541 967 Old Bracknell 5,968 475 477 415 595 1,975 1,364 667 Owlsmoor 5,229 344 420 372 466 1,464 1,513 650 Priestwood and Garth 7,853 527 636 571 669 2,281 1,986 1,183 Warfield Harvest Ride 8,220 571 767 702 607 2,441 2,508 624 Wildridings and Central 4,834 280 355 300 410 1,484 1,201 804 Winkfield and Cranbourne 4,819 206 326 271 288 957 1,472 1,299 All wards 118,025 8,159 9,335 8,762 10,259 34,481 31,029 16,000 ONS Mid-year estimate 2014

3.12. The following table provides the most up-to-date population projections to 2036 for Bracknell Forest. More localised growth cannot be projected except for anecdotal ward growth where known large developments will be built up to 2026 in line with the Council’s Core Strategy and Site Allocations Local Plan. It is not possible to provide ward level projections to 2036 however because the locations of growth have not yet been identified.

Table 3.3 Projected Population for Bracknell Forest for Specific Years by Age Bands Age 2014 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036 Group 0-4 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 5-10 9,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 11-15 9,000 9,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 16-24 10,000 11,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 25-44 35,000 34,000 34,000 35,000 34,000 35,000 45-64 31,000 32,000 34,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 65+ 16,000 17,000 19,000 23,000 26,000 29,000 All ages 118,000 121,000 127,000 132,000 135,000 139,000 ONS 2014 Subnational Population Projections

3.13. The population of the Borough is projected to grow by around 21,000 people between 2014 (118,000) and 2036 (139,000). Most of this growth is expected in the older age groups with the biggest rise in people aged over 65 years. The number of pre-school and school aged children is expected to remain fairly static in terms of growth. There will be a small growth (2,000) in young adults between 16 and 24 years. In the 25-44 age group no growth is projected between 2014 and 2036.

Future Development Pressure and Growth

3.14. The Council is currently implementing its Core Strategy Development Plan Document and Site Allocations Local Plan which provide for the growth needs of Bracknell Forest Borough up until 2026. These plans provide for approximately 11,000 new dwellings between 2006 and 2026. The strategy for growth is threefold:

1. To accommodate small to medium housing sites in existing urban areas. 2. To allocate sites in urban areas – larger developments including in and around Bracknell town centre many of which are apartments. 3. To allocate large extensions to existing defined settlement areas which mostly comprise large housing sites.

3.15. The Council has allocated a number of large sites to be built by 2026 in the Bracknell Forest Borough Local Plan (BFBLP) and Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP). The following table shows the location of these developments by ward (thereby indicating growth in that ward) and whether or not the development will provide pitches or funding for sports infrastructure.

Table 3.4 The Location of Planned Development Sites by Ward and Provision or Funding of Sports Infrastructure Ref Site Ward Dwellings Playing pitch provision Status (in 2017) Commentary No. People PH1.2 Jennetts Great 1300 3003 New primary school pitches and Planning permission Creates pressure on sports Park Hollands contribution towards open space, granted site nearing provision in Great Hollands North North recreation and built sports facilities completion and especially in Bracknell Town area PH1.1 The Parks Harmans 730 1686 On-site provision of sports pitches Creates pressure on sports Water including cricket, football and rugby provision in Great Hollands North and especially in Bracknell Town area SA1 & Broadmoor Crowthorne 400 924 Replacement rugby pitch and facilities to No planning permission Creates future pressure on sports SA4 be provided to date provision in Crowthorne SA5 Transport Crowthorne 1000 2310 To be confirmed Outline planning Research permission and working Laboratory with developer on detailed plans SA6 Amen Binfield with 400 924 New primary school pitches and Outline planning Creates future pressure on sports Corner North Warfield contribution towards open space, permission and working provision in Binfield with Warfield recreation and built sports facilities with developer on ward and especially in Binfield detailed plans parish SA7 Blue Binfield with 400 924 New primary and secondary school Outline planning Mountain Warfield facilities, replacement football ground and permission to secure facilities and payment towards CIL school provision. SA8 Amen Binfield with 725 1675 New primary school pitches and payment No planning permission Corner Warfield towards CIL to date South SA9 Land at Binfield with 2,200 5082 Two new primary schools + capacity Permission for ca. 775 Creates future pressure on sports Warfield Warfield enhancements to existing pitches and dwellings granted to provision in Binfield with Warfield facilities at Warfield memorial ground and date and these are ward and especially in Warfield Priory Field + contributions from S106 and being implemented. parish CIL The remaining 1400 without permission. Town Centre Wildridings 2000 4620+ Allocations relating to SALP policies SA1-3 Many completed and to Creates future pressure on sports and and Central + and prior approval sites mostly comprising be permitted and provision in Wildridings and surrounding flatted development. Little provision of constructed up until Central ward and especially in the sites contributions and located within a zero CIL 2026 Bracknell Town area. Most of this charging zone. Most of this development development does not provide does not provide contributions towards contributions towards improving improving capacity of existing facilities. capacity of existing facilities. Source: Bracknell Forest Council

3.16. The next step if for the Council to plan for development to 2036 through its new Local Plan when it will need to allocate land for approximately 6,000 new dwellings.

Demand for Sport

3.17. The Active People Survey (APS) was launched in 2006 by Sport England and aims to identify how participation in sport and physical activity at a moderate intensity varies between areas of the country and between different population groups. The more recent Active Lives Survey https://www.sportengland.org/research/active-lives-survey/ is a new way of measuring sport and activity across England and replaces the Active People Survey.

3.18. The key findings of the Local Sport Profile Report for Bracknell Forest https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/partnering-local- government/local-sports-data/ in comparison with the South East Region and England are as follows:

Adult Participation 3.19. Adult participation (16+ years) in sport at least once a week has increased in Bracknell Forest from 38.9% in 2005/6 to 39.4% in 2015/16. By comparison, adult participation has also increased in the South East region and in England although the participation rates have been lower in both these areas throughout this period (with the exception of 2012/13 in the south east which was 1% higher than Bracknell Forest for one year).

Table 3.5 Adult Participation in Sport (16+) at least once per week in Bracknell Forest compared with the South East and England Year Bracknell Forest South East England 2005/6 38.9% 37.1% 34.6% 2015/16 39.4% 38.3% 36.1% Source: APS. Adult (16+) participation in sport (at least once a week) by year, one session per week (at least 4 sessions of at least moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes in the previous 28 days)

Male and Female Participation in Sport 3.20. Male adult participation (16+ years) in sport at least once a week has decreased in Bracknell Forest from 45.9% in 2005/6 to 44% in 2015/16 both of which are higher than for the South East and England. Conversely, female participation has grown from 32.2% to 34.8% in Bracknell Forest in the same period. This is the same growth that has been seen in the south east and more than the growth seen in England.

Table 3.6 Male and Female (16+) Participation in Sport at Least Once per Week in Bracknell Forest Compared with the South East and England Year Bracknell Forest South East England Male Female Male Female Male Female 2005/6 45.9% 32.2% 41.9% 32.5% 39.4% 30.1% 2015/16 44% 34.8% 41.7% 35.1% 40.5% 31.9% Source: APS: Adult (16+) participation in sport (at least once a week) by year and gender one session per week (at least 4 sessions of at least moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes in the previous 28 days).

Club Membership, Coaching and Competitions 3.21. In general club membership in the last 4 years in Bracknell Forest has risen significantly from levels of 18.5% in 2012/13 to 28.9% in 2015/16. This large increase has not been evident in the South East or in England. However the percentage of people who have received tuition or coaching in last 12 months has dropped from 19.4% to 16.6% in the same time period in Bracknell Forest – again a trend which has not been seen across the south east or in England. However, the percentage of people in Bracknell Forest who took part in organised competition in last 12 months has shown an increase, similar to the regional and England trends.

Table 3.7 Club Membership and Participation in Coaching and Competitions Compared with the South East and England Indicator Bracknell Forest South East England 2012/13 2015/16 2012/13 2015/16 2012/13 2015/16 Club Membership in the last 4 18.5% 28.9% 24.3% 24.5% 21% 22.2% weeks Received tuition or coaching in last 19.4% 16.6% 18.1% 18.3% 15.8% 15.6% 12 months Took part in organised 15.2% 17.6% 14.2% 15.6% 11.2% 13.3% competition in last 12 months Source: APS Key Performance Indicators 3,4,5,6.

Latent Demand for Sport 3.22. Although there are no figures specifically for Bracknell Forest, in both the South East and England approximately 57% of people surveyed wanted to do more sport. This was split relatively evenly between people who are currently active and inactive.

Overall Pitch Supply and Availability

3.23. The maps in Appendices 1 – 3 show the location of sport pitches and facilities in the Borough. Not all are available for community use and this has been addressed in the individual sports chapters of this report.

Quality

3.24. The APS shows that the percentage of people who are very/fairly satisfied with local sports provision in Bracknell Forest was 63.3% in 2012/13 rising to 66.8% in 2015/16 which is both higher in 2015/16 than the South East (64.6%) and England (62.1%).1 The quality of sports facilities is addressed in more detail in the forthcoming chapters of this document relating to each specific sport.

1 Source: APS KPI6.

Accessibility

3.25. The accessibility of sports pitches and facilities is not only affected by the location and number of facilities but also factors such as opening hours, membership requirements, cost and access for the less mobile. These issues vary enormously and are addressed in the forthcoming chapters relating to specific sports.

3.26. For BFC owned and managed sites, the Council demonstrates a strong commitment to making facilities accessible to all sections of the community. The built structures include ease of access through hoists, lifts, ramps and automatic doors for disabled customers. Hearing loops are sometimes available for the hard of hearing, and advertising material can be made available in large print or Braille for the visually impaired. For low income families the Council operates a discount scheme for certain activities at certain times.

Service Provision

3.27. Responsibility for the management and maintenance of grass pitches depends on the ownership and management status of a particular site. Sites owned by BFC, such as; Westmorland Park, Priory Field and Farley Wood are managed by the Bracknell Forest Parks and Countryside Service. Pitches and facilities at Bracknell Leisure Centre are maintained by their grounds staff.

3.28. Sports clubs are managed by on-site grounds staff (e.g. Sandhurst Memorial Park) and/or grounds maintenance teams. Some clubs may contract maintenance to private companies, for example Cricket pitches. Parish and town council sites are managed by on-site grounds staff (e.g. Sandhurst Memorial Park is managed by Sandhurst Town Council and Great Hollands Recreation Ground is managed by Bracknell Town Council).

3.29. Responsibility for the management and maintenance of duel use synthetic pitches (i.e. combined school / public usage) are with schools (e.g. Easthampstead Park School) or sports centre management (e.g. Edgbarrow & Sandhurst sports centres). The Bracknell Leisure Centre synthetic 3G pitch is maintained by sports centre management. The Birch Hill Recreation Ground sand based artificial pitch is managed by Bracknell Town Council. The facilities at Wellington College (mixed use) are managed by their sports club. The Royal Military Academy (RMA) Sandhurst is a private facility managed by the Ministry of Defence.

3.30. In addition to sport and recreation facilities owned and managed by local Councils, there are a number of facilities owned and managed either by commercial organisations or by private clubs. The main facilities provided by commercial organisations include The Royal Berkshire Rackets Club, Wellington College Sports Club and John Nike Leisuresport. In addition there are commercially run Gyms and Health Clubs such as the Fitness Zone and the Fitness Warehouse. There are also a number of private golf courses that operate on membership schemes.

3.31. A number of local companies provide facilities specifically for their employees such as 3M’s sports ground and the Panasonic Sports Centre.

3.32. There are also two facilities which are owned by Bracknell Forest Council, but managed on their behalf by contractors. These are Horseshoe Lake Watersports Centre and Harmanswater Leisure Centre.

3.33. A number of Sports Clubs own or manage their own facilities for the benefit of their members. These include the major local sports clubs such as Bracknell Town Football Club, Bracknell Cricket Club, Sandhurst Town Football Club, Bracknell Rugby Club, Sandhurst Cricket Club, Binfield Cricket Club and Warfield Cricket Club. 3.34. Further information on service provision can be found in the Play, Open Space and Sports Study for Bracknell Forest (2016-2036) (POSS).

Future Sporting Need

3.35. The demand for sports facilities in the future is difficult to assess however the most likely trends that will emerge from Bracknell Forest are summarised below. Taking into account current demand, population change, responses from a public survey as well as the Sport England Facility Planning Model (FPM); future trends and likely sports participation rates can be projected2.

3.36. The population of Bracknell Forest is forecast to increase by circa. 17.8% between 2014 and 2036 (see Table 3.3); Warfield in the north-east of the district and Bracknell town centre are expected to be the areas with the greatest population change. These areas already have large development sites allocated and some sports facility provision secured however they are likely to require new or improved sport facilities.

3.37. A survey was carried of current ‘non users’ of sports facilities to suggest which sports they would be most likely to participate in. It appears that indoor built facilities were the most popular with swimming (34.5%), gym (24.1%) and other studio classes (20%) coming out with the highest response rate. This shows the importance of providing future provision to cater for future demand of these activities.

2 See Bracknell Forest Council Indoor Facility Strategy Support (August 2016) 4Global

CHAPTER 4 Football

Overview and Summary

4.1 This chapter assesses the supply and demand for pitches for association football in the Borough.3 There are 111 Football Pitches on 52 sites in the Borough with 92 being grass pitches and 19 Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs). In terms of the quality of the grass pitches, 21 grass pitches rated as good, 42 standard and 29 Poor. Of the 19 AGPs; 5 were rated as good, 9 as standard and 5 rated as poor quality. Bracknell Town Football Clubs brand new 3G AGP was not audited for its quality but given that it is state of the art it would rate highly (good).

4.2 In summary the following work was undertaken to establish supply and demand for football in the Borough:

• All football sites were visited. • Responses were received from 26 out of 39 football clubs (66%) and 226 out of 243 teams (93%). The remaining clubs that are affiliated to the Football Association (FA) have been included by using FA Whole Game System Data. • All the supply, demand and assessment data in this chapter has been reviewed and signed off by FA (the NGB for Football). • A draft of the data and Chapter 4 was provided to a Football Steering group comprising the local football clubs and their comments taken account of in a revised chapter.

4.3 This chapter includes a capacity analysis for football in Bracknell Forest as well as a detailed break-down of site-by-site capacity figures and key characteristics. Team Generation Rates and AGP supply and demand are also calculated, alongside key issues and statements for football in Bracknell Forest.

4 global Playing Pitch Platform Assumptions 4.4 The 4 global Playing Pitch Platform has been developed specifically in line with Sport England methodology. The standard assumptions within the supply and demand model are applied on the platform:

• Pitch quality assumptions - adult, youth and mini soccer carrying capacities are generated through non-technical site assessment results. • Match play and training demand – matches and training form match equivalents on the platform in line with those set out in the guidance (e.g. 0.5 match equivalents per week for an adult team). Training and matches are distinguished between grass and AGP use. • Capacity analysis – supply and demand are factored together to provide an overall view of the balance as well as on a site-by-site basis. Pitches with no community use are not factored into balance calculations.

3 In line with Stage B and C of the Sports England Guidance and the Football Association (FA) non-technical quality assessment aligned with the Sport England Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance.

• Overmarking – overmarked pitches are identified and demand from teams on those pitches has been scaled down to represent any difference in time and nature of play.

National and Local Priorities and Consultation

National Game Strategy for Participation and Development (2015 – 2019) 4.5 In August 2015, the FA released their National Game Strategy for Participation and Development (2015 – 2019). This committed the organisation to invest £260 million into grassroots football over the next four years. The strategy has four key priorities:

• Participation – ‘More players playing football more often’. The FA is aiming to boost female youth participation by 11% and retain the current level of male team affiliation. • Player Development – ‘Better quality players being developed and entering the talent pathways’. The FA will invest £16m into coach education and development programmes. There will also be 1,000 more top level grassroots coaches and on-going investment into the skills coaching programme for 5 – 11 year olds. • Better Training and Playing Facilities – The FA has committed £48m to new and improved facilities through the Football Foundation. This includes the roll out of a new sustainable model for grassroots facilities in 30 cities through football hubs owned and operated by local communities. An ambition has also been stated to ensure that half of mini-soccer and youth matches are played on high-quality artificial grass pitches. • Football Workforce – ‘Recruiting and developing volunteers and paid staff who service the game’. This will grow the workforce, increase the number of qualified referees and ensure there is an advisory board for every County FA.

4.6 The national strategy follows the FA’s October 2014 announcements, stating its intentions to deliver 30 football hubs in cities across the country. The FA intends to increase the number of full size, publicly accessible 3G AGP’s to over 1,000 across England. It also intends to facilitate the delivery of more than 150 new club-owned and managed football hubs to support the delivery of FA, County FA and professional club youth development and coach education programmes. It also aims to ensure that at least 50% of all mini soccer and 9v9 matches are played on good quality 3G AGP’s.

4.7 A key trend for football across the country is the contraction of adult affiliated clubs and the growth of more casual and efficient forms of football, such as 5 and 7-a-side and organised evening 11-a-side, typically played on floodlit 3G pitches. This trend reflects the perceived reduction in free time across the UK and the reticence to commit to weekly football on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

4.8 The growth of demand and supply of 3G provision and the changing patterns of demand among grass roots footballers is key.

4.9 In addition to the focus on 3G facilities the FA has emphasised, throughout consultations, the commitment of the organisation to improving grass pitches,

with the overall target being to improve 2,000 grass pitches and reduce the amount of cancellations, especially due to waterlogging.

Local Consultation - Football Association 4.10 Consultation was carried out with the FA. Bracknell Forest has been identified as a key development area for the NGB, with a number of major clubs and high levels of participation. Junior and youth football in particular is thriving, with Bracknell Forest being home to some of the largest junior clubs in the region.

4.11 While demand is high, the FA have highlighted the quality of pitches as a key concern, with a number of the major clubs utilising council owned and managed sites for all of their football.

4.12 The FA highlighted that they have a number of programmes and initiatives in place, aimed at increasing the overall quality of grass pitches for youth and mini football. While these are normally reserved for clubs who own and manage their own site, the FA is willing to work with clubs who have long- standing secure use agreements with local authorities who provide pitches on a regular basis.

4.13 A key objective for the FA is to maximise the use of 3G pitches for competitive football match play. This will increase the quality of provision, reduce the number of cancellations and help to address future demand. Affordable pricing policy that includes match based charges in line with grass pitches should be a consideration.

4.14 Consultation was undertaken at the Bracknell Forest Football Partnership Summit, held on 8th April and 15th July 2016. The partnership group, consisting of clubs including Bracknell Town FC, Whitegrove FC, Finchampstead FC and Sandhurst FC, provided feedback on the supply of football provision in Bracknell Forest. More detailed records of these the data and consultations provided by clubs across the study area are to be found throughout this document, however the key trends from the summit meetings were as follows:

• The quality of grass pitches, especially those owned and managed by the local authority or town councils, are not fit for purpose • A number of the clubs raised the issue of a large proportion of matches being cancelled due to waterlogged pitches, however queried whether this was always the most appropriate way of managing pitch usage. • A number of the clubs supported the idea of asset transfer, with the proposal that the clubs take on the ownership and/or maintenance of the asset and utilise their extensive volunteer networks.

Quantity and Availability

4.15 There are 5 types of football pitches that are used by football teams from the ages of under 7 through to Adults. The pitch types are as follows:

• Adult 11v1. • Youth 11v11. • Youth 9v9. • Mini soccer 7v7. • Mini soccer 5v5.

4.16 AGPs are also used by football teams and have been included in this data collection summary.

Quantity Overview 4.17 The maps in Appendices 1 and 2 show the location of football pitches in the Borough. Table 4.1 below provides an overview of the number of football pitches across Bracknell Forest. This splits the football pitches into five sub- categories for grass pitches and 3 sub-categories for AGP’s and it also summarises which of the overall total are available and unavailable for community use.

Table 4.1: Overview of the Supply of Football Pitches Number of pitches Adult Youth football Mini soccer AGPs Bracknell Forest football Sand Water 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 3G Based based 30 15 12 29 6 16 3 0 Overall Total 92 19 Available for 28 7 12 19 5 9 3 0 community Use Unavailable for 2 8 0 10 1 7 0 0 community use

Site Details 4.18 Table 4.2 below provides the details of the supply by site and type of pitch. It is important to understand where there may be potential further supply and where there are pitches which are unavailable for community use should the capacity analysis inform us that there is overplay within Bracknell Forest.

Table 4.2: Breakdown of Football Sites and Pitches Youth Mini Ref Community Security of Adult AGP’s Site Name Owners Management Football Soccer no. use on site use 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Sand 3G Water Ascot Heath CE Junior Bracknell Bracknell Forest Not School and Ascot Heath 501 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Available Infant School Council Education -Winkfield Ascot Jubilee Winkfield Parish 502 Available Secured Parish 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Recreation Ground Council Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest Binfield Church Of Not 503 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 England Primary School Available Council Education Bracknell Private – Binfield Binfield Football Club 504 Available Secured Forest Football Club 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Council (long term lease) Bracknell Birch Hill Recreation Bracknell Town 505 Available Secured Forest 1 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 Ground Council Council Sandhurst Town Sandhurst Council Bottom Meadow 506 Available Secured Town Sandhurst 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Sandhurst Town FC) Council Football Club (long term lease) Sandhurst Sandhurst Memorial Sandhurst Town 506 Available Secured Town 6 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 Park Council Council Bracknell Bracknell Sports & Bracknell Forest 507 Available Secured Forest 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Leisure Centre Council - Leisure Council Bracknell Braybrooke Recreation Bracknell Town 508 Available Unsecured Town 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Ground* Council Council Not Broadmoor Hospital n/a n/a Private Private Site has lapsed and is no longer used for football Available

Youth Mini Ref Community Security of Adult AGP’s Site Name Owners Management Football Soccer no. use on site use 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Sand 3G Water Bracknell Calfridus Way Bracknell Town 509 Available Unsecured Forest 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Recreation Ground Council Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest College Town Junior Not 510 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Available Council Education Not Private - Private - Eagle House School 511 Unsecured 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 Available Education Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Easthampstead Park 512 Available Secured Forest Council - 2 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 Community School Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Edgbarrow Sports Not 513 Unsecured Forest Council – 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 Centre Available Council Education/Leisure Bracknell Bracknell Town Ennerdale Playing Field 514 Available Secured Forest 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Council - Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest Farley Wood 515 Available Unsecured Forest Council – Parks 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 Community Centre Council and Countryside Fox Hill Primary School Bracknell Bracknell Forest (Playing Fields) and Not 516 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 The Rowans Children Available Council Education Centre Bracknell Bracknell Forest Garth Hill College 517 Available Secured Forest Council - 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 Council Education Bracknell Great Hollands Bracknell Town 518 Available Unsecured Forest 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Recreation Ground Council Council Great Hollands Primary Bracknell Bracknell Forest 519 Available Unsecured 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Forest Council –

Youth Mini Ref Community Security of Adult AGP’s Site Name Owners Management Football Soccer no. use on site use 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Sand 3G Water Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Harmans Water Playing 520 Available Secured Forest Council – 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Field Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Harmans Water Primary 521 Available Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 School Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Holly Spring Junior 522 Available Secured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Council Education Bracknell Jock’s Lane Recreation Bracknell Town 523 Available Unsecured Town 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 Ground Council Council Not Private - Private - Lambrook School 524 Unsecured 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Available Education Education Private – Private – Bracknell Town Football Bracknell 525 Available Secured Bracknell Town 1* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Club Town Football Club Football Club Licensed Victuallers Not Private - Private - 526 Unsecured 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 School Available Education Education Winkfield Locks Ride Recreation Winkfield Parish 527 Available Secured Parish 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ground Council Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest Meadow Vale Primary 528 Available Secured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 School Council Education Crowthorne Morgan Recreation Crowthorne 529 Available Secured Parish 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ground Parish Council Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest Nettlecombe Play Area 530 Available Secured 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Forest Council Parks

Youth Mini Ref Community Security of Adult AGP’s Site Name Owners Management Football Soccer no. use on site use 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Sand 3G Water Council and Countryside Not Private – Private – Newbold College 531 Unsecured 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Available Education Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Owlsmoor Primary Not 532 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Available Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Priory Field 533 Available Secured Forest Council - 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 Council Education Ranelagh School Private - Private - 534 Available Secured 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Larges Lane Pitches) Academy Academy Bracknell Bracknell Town Ringmead Playing Field 535 Available Unsecured Forest 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Council Council Royal Military Academy Private – 536 Available Unsecured Private – M.O.D 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Sandhurst M.O.F Bracknell Bracknell Forest Sandhurst School 538 Available Secured Forest Council – 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 Council Education/Leisure Bracknell Bracknell Forest Sandy Lane Primary 539 Available Secured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest St Joseph RC Primary 540 Available Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest St Margaret Clitherow 541 Available Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 Catholic Primary School Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest St Michael's Church of Not 542 Unsecured Forest Council – 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 England Primary School Available Council Education

Youth Mini Ref Community Security of Adult AGP’s Site Name Owners Management Football Soccer no. use on site use 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Sand 3G Water Bracknell Bracknell Forest The Brakenhale School 543 Available Secured Forest Council – 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Town The Elms Park 544 Available Unsecured Town 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Council Council The Pines Primary Bracknell Bracknell Forest Not School and Hanworth 545 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Available Community Centre Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Not Uplands Primary School 546 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Available Council Education Not Private – Private – Wellington College 547 Unsecured 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 Available Education Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Westmorland Park 548 Available Unsecured Forest 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 Council P&C Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest Whitegrove Primary Not 549 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 School Available Council Education Bracknell Bracknell Forest Wildridings Primary Not 550 Unsecured Forest Council - 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 School Available Council Education Bracknell Wildridings Playing Bracknell Town 551 Available Secured Forest 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Field Council Council Bracknell Bracknell Forest Wooden Hill Primary Not 609 Secured Forest Council - 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 And Nursery School Available Council Education Total 30 15 12 29 6 16 3 0

Tenure/Management Overview 4.19 Table 4.3 below details how the ownership and management of football pitch sites is split across Bracknell Forest. The main owners of sites are Bracknell Forest Council, whereas the majority of management responsibilities fall under education bodies. This is important to understand, as the owners of football pitches can affect their community use and potentially inhibit their use, or provide the opportunity for new/increased use.

Table 4.3: Football Site Ownership Type of Ownership Ownership Management Bracknell Forest Council 36 29 Parish/Town Council 8 13 Private – Academy 1 1 Private – Education 5 5 Private – Club 1 3 Private - M.O.D 1 1

Quality

Site Assessor Overview 4.20 The site assessments determine carrying capacity of a football pitch. This capacity determines the number of matches a pitch can withstand per week without there being a detrimental effect on the quality. A pitch receives a score through the assessment which determines the quality as ‘good’, ‘standard’ or ‘poor’. The effect this has on carrying capacity for adult pitches is as follows:

• Poor = 1 match equivalent carrying capacity per week • Standard = 2 match equivalent carrying capacity per week • Good = 3 match equivalent carrying capacity per week

4.21 For Youth Football; 11v11 and 9v9 pitches, carrying capacity is affected differently due to the difference in nature and length of play. The effect of the quality scores on these pitches is as follows:

4.22 For Mini Soccer; 7v7 and 5v5 pitches, the quality score affects carrying capacity as follows:

• Poor = 2 match equivalent carrying capacity per week. • Standard = 4 match equivalent carrying capacity per week. • Good = 6 match equivalent carrying capacity per week.

4.23 Table 4.4 below presents a general overview of the scores received for the different pitch types across the Borough.

Table 4.4: Grass Football Pitch Quality Summary Adult Youth football Mini soccer Quality score football 11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Good (80-100%) 11 6 2 2 1 Standard (50- 13 4 6 16 2 79.9%) Poor (0-49.9%) 6 4 4 12 3

4.24 Table 4.5 below provides a detailed view of the site-by-site assessment data.

Table 4.5: Football Pitch Quality by Site (Grass Pitches) Pitch Ancillary Site (Ref) Pitch Type Quality Rating Score Score Mini Soccer 47.14% 15.38% Poor Ascot Heath CE Junior School And 7v7 Ascot Heath Infant School (501) Mini Soccer 47.14% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Youth Football Ascot Jubilee Recreation Ground 61.43% 70.77% Standard 9v9 (502) Youth Football 61.43% 70.77% Standard 11v11 Binfield Church Of England Primary Mini Soccer 50.00% 15.38% Standard School (503) 7v7 Youth Football 94.29% 32.31% Good Binfield Football Club (504) 9v9 Adult Football 94.29% 32.31% Good Adult Football 94.29% 32.31% Good Adult Football 80.00% 69.23% Good Youth Football 80.00% 69.23% Good 9v9 Mini Soccer Birch Hill Recreation Ground (505) 80.00% 69.23% Good 7v7 Mini Soccer 80.00% 69.23% Good 7v7 Mini Soccer 80.00% 69.23% Good 5v5 Bottom Meadow (Sandhurst Town Adult Football 80.00% 96.92% Good FC) (506) Bracknell Sports & Leisure Centre Adult Football 81.43% 80.00% Good (507) Youth Football 44.29% 15.38% Poor Braybrooke Recreation Ground (508) 11v11 Mini Soccer 44.29% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Calfridus Way Recreation Ground Adult Football 41.43% 7.69% Poor (509) Mini Soccer College Town Junior School (510) 50.00% 38.46% Standard 7v7 Youth Football 87.14% 89.23% Good Eagle House School (511) 11v11 Youth Football 87.14% 89.23% Good 11v11 Easthampstead Park Community Youth Football 52.86% 61.54% Standard

Pitch Ancillary Site (Ref) Pitch Type Quality Rating Score Score School (512) 11v11 Adult Football 52.86% 61.54% Standard Adult Football 52.86% 61.54% Standard Mini Soccer 52.86% 61.54% Standard 5v5 Mini Soccer 52.86% 61.54% Standard 7v7 Youth Football 52.86% 61.54% Standard 9v9 Youth Football 52.86% 61.54% Standard 11v11 Youth Football 45.71% 63.08% Poor Edgbarrow Sports Centre ( 513 ) 11v11 Youth Football 45.71% 63.08% Poor 11v11 Youth Football Ennerdale Playing Field (514) 58.57% 0.00% Standard 9v9 Mini Soccer 58.57% 15.38% Standard 7v7 Mini Soccer 58.57% 15.38% Standard Farley Wood Centre (515) 7v7 Mini Soccer 58.57% 15.38% Standard 5v5 Adult Football 58.57% 15.38% Standard Fox Hill Primary School (Playing Mini Soccer Fields) and The Rowans Children 61.43% 47.69% Standard 7v7 Centre (516) Mini Soccer 47.14% 61.54% Poor Garth Hill College (517) 7v7 Youth Football 47.14% 61.54% Poor 9v9 Great Hollands Recreation Ground Adult Football 40.00% 15.38% Poor (518) Adult Football 40.00% 15.38% Poor Mini Soccer Great Hollands Primary School (519) 64.29% 43.08% Standard 7v7 Harmans Water Playing Field (520) Adult Football 67.14% 0.00% Standard Mini Soccer Holly Spring Junior School (522) 44.29% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Youth Football 38.57% 15.38% Poor Jock’s Lane Recreation Ground (523) 9v9 Mini Soccer 38.57% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Adult Bracknell Town Football Club** (525) 91.43% 75.38% Good Football** Youth Football 84.29% 63.08% Good Licensed Victuallers School (526) 11v11

Adult Football 84.29% 63.08% Good Adult Football 80.00% 64.62% Good Locks Ride Recreation Ground (527) Adult Football 80.00% 64.62% Good Mini Soccer Meadow Vale Primary School (528) 47.14% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Morgan Recreation Ground (529) Adult Football 55.71% 7.69% Standard

Pitch Ancillary Site (Ref) Pitch Type Quality Rating Score Score Newbold College (531) Adult Football 64.29% 24.62% Standard Mini Soccer Owlsmoor Primary School (532) 50.00% 38.46% Standard 7v7 Youth Football 65%* 65%* Standard* 9v9 Priory Field (533) Youth Football 65%* 65%* Standard* 9v9 Youth Football 65%* 65%* Standard* 11v11 Ranelagh C of E School (Larges Lane Youth Football 47.14% 49.23% Poor Pitches) (534) 11v11 Adult Football 47.14% 0.00% Poor Ringmead Playing Field (535) Adult Football 44.29% 0.00% Poor Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Adult Football 90.00% 100.00% Good (536) Adult Football 90.00% 100.00% Good Adult Football 77.14% 81.54% Standard Adult Football 77.14% 81.54% Standard Adult Football 77.14% 81.54% Standard Adult Football 77.14% 81.54% Standard Adult Football 77.14% 81.54% Standard Sandhurst Memorial Park (506) Adult Football 77.14% 81.54% Standard Mini Soccer 77.14% 81.54% Standard 7v7 Mini Soccer 77.14% 81.54% Standard 7v7 Mini Soccer 77.14% 81.54% Standard 7v7 Youth Football 37.14% 78.46% Poor Sandhurst School (538) 11v11 Youth Football 37.14% 78.46% Poor 9v9 Mini Soccer Sandy Lane Primary School (539) 47.14% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Mini Soccer St Joseph RC Primary School (540) 45.71% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Mini Soccer St Margaret Clitherow Catholic 58.57% 15.38% Standard 7v7 Primary School (541) Youth Football 55.71% 15.38% Standard 9v9 St Michael's Church of England Mini Soccer 61.43% 30.77% Standard Primary School (542) 7v7 Youth Football The Elms Park (544) 44.29% 7.69% Poor 9v9 The Pines Primary School / Hanworth Mini Soccer 64.29% 43.08% Standard Community Centre (545) 7v7 Mini Soccer Uplands Primary School (546) 54.29% 30.77% Standard 7v7 Youth Football 80.00% 92.31% Good 11v11 Wellington College (547) Youth Football 80.00% 92.31% Good 11v11 Youth Football 80.00% 92.31% Good

Pitch Ancillary Site (Ref) Pitch Type Quality Rating Score Score 11v11 Mini Soccer 47.14% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Mini Soccer 47.14% 15.38% Poor 7v7 Westmorland Park (548) Mini Soccer 47.14% 15.38% Poor 5v5 Mini Soccer 47.14% 15.38% Poor 5v5 Adult Football 47.14% 15.38% Poor Mini Soccer Whitegrove Primary School (549) 47.14% 15.38% Poor 5v5 Mini Soccer Wildridings Primary School (550) 61.43% 40.00% Standard 7v7 Wildridings Playing Field (551) Adult Football 52.86% 64.62% Standard * Site rating estimated based on club consultation ** Bracknell Town Football Club: adult grass pitch has been replaced with a new 3G pitch since the quality audit was carried out at their existing Larges Lane ground. It should be noted that the new 3G pitch has not been quality audited but given that it is top of the range, it would rate as Good.

Key Site Summaries

4.25 Focussed on a sample of key sites, this section provides a commentary about each pitch facility:

4.26 Easthampstead Park Community School (512): A large site with 7 pitches catering from full-sized pitches youth (9v9) and mini (7v7) pitches. The site also has a full sized, floodlit 3G AGP (ref. 597). All the football facilities are available to the community for hire and are used by Bracknell Cavaliers from U8s to U18s. The grass pitches scored towards the lower end of the standard range due to signs of poor drainage at the time of assessment. The school’s ancillary facilities scored better, in the middle of the standard range, with self contained changing rooms for users of the pitches. The 3G AGP, built in 2014, scored as Good with no key issues recorded.

4.27 Sandhurst Memorial Park (506): A very large site; amongst the highest scoring publicly available pitches in the district. The site is managed and maintained by Sandhurst Town Council and has good quality maintenance both during and in the post season. Teams using the site reported that the site is often the first in the area to call fixtures off during inclement weather. Bottom Meadow (Sandhurst Town FC’s enclosed ground) is located in the park and leased from the Town Council. Whilst it has good drainage on its pitch, the site does also suffer from waterlogging as is on the flood plain but not to extent of outside pitches. Its ancillary facilities and clubhouse are of good quality but they need extending to accommodate team demands. Also because of a lack of pitch availability nearby two Sandhurst Town teams regularly have to play home games away from Sandhurst. There is a small training area outside of the main football pitch and stands but this suffers from drainage issues.

4.28 Farley Wood Community Centre (515): The site is primarily used by FC Bracknell from U7s to U14s. The site is managed and maintained by the local authorities. The pitches have returned a mid-standard score and the ancillary facilities are reported as being limited with no changing facilities. Consultation with clubs has revealed that the FC Bracknell has observed a decline in the quality of the pitches over the last 3 years.

4.29 Binfield FC (504): The site is leased from the Council on a 25 year lease. The site is reported to have amongst the best pitches in the area. The consultation reports that the pitches receive amongst the most extensive maintenance in the area. The pitches lost marks on both the inspection and in the consultation on the quality of drainage. From the site visit and consultation the ancillary facility was reported as ‘poor quality’ and requiring significant refurbishment or replacement.

Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs)

4.30 Football training and matches can also be played on artificial grass pitches (matches can only be played on FA certified rubber-crumb 3G pitches), therefore the tables and information summarised below inform the provision of AGPs in the Borough.

Table 4.6: AGP Breakdown Pitch Type (3G; Community Pitch quality FA Site Name (Ref) Sand based; Sand Size Security of use Floodlighting use category score approved filled; water based) Birch Hill Recreation Ground (594) Sand based 110x70 Available Secured 67 - Standard Yes No Bracknell Sports and Leisure Yes 3G 110x70 Available Secured 83 - Good Yes Centre (595) Eagle House School (596) Sand based 55x45 Not Available Unsecured 65 - Standard No No Easthampstead Park Community 3G 110x70 Available Secured 85 - Good Yes No School (597) Edgbarrow Sports Centre (598) Sand based 95x60 Available Secured 73 - Standard Yes No Garth Hill College (599) 3G 110x70 Available Secured 80 - Good Yes No Harmans Water Primary School Sand based 55x35 Available Unsecured 49 - Poor No No (600) Sand based 40x20 Available Unsecured 51 - Standard No No Lambrook School (601) Sand based 85x50 Not Available Unsecured 52 - Standard No No Bracknell Town Football Club* n/a 3G 110x70 Available N/A N/A N/A N/A* Licensed Victuallers School (602) Sand based 100x60 Not Available Secured 83 - Good Yes No Meadow Vale Primary School (603) Sand Based 30x15 Available Secured 35 - Poor No No Nettlecombe Play Area (604) Sand based 30x15 Available Secured 50 - Poor No No Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Sand based 100x60 Available Unsecured 76 - Standard Yes No (605) Sandhurst School (606) Sand based 100x70 Available Secured 34 - Poor Yes No Sand based 35x32 Available Secured 34 - Poor Yes No The Brakenhale School(607) Sand based 110x70 Available Secured 66 - Standard Yes No Wellington College (608) Sand based 100x70 Available Unsecured 74 - Standard Yes No Sand based 100x70 Available Unsecured 85 - Good Yes No Wooden Hill Primary And Nursery Sand Based 74x48 Not Available Secured 70 - Standard No No School (609) * Completed in October/November 2016

Table 4.7: AGP Training Pitch Type Football (3G; Sand Site Name (Ref) Demand in Clubs based; water hours based) Bracknell Athletic FC Bracknell Cavaliers FC Bracknell Celtic FC Easthampstead Bracknell Town FC Park Community 3G 22.5 FC Bracknell School (597) Braybrooke Athletic FC Sandhurst Town Boys & Girls Winkfield FC The Brakenhale Sand based 12 Binfield FC School (607) Edgbarrow Sports Sand based 10.5 AFC Crowthorne Centre (598) Sandhurst School Sandhurst Sports Club Sand Based 10 (606) Sandhurst Town Boys & Girls Wellington College Sand Based 7 Sandhurst Town Boys & Girls (608) Royal Military Academy Sand Based 6 Sandhurst Town Boys & Girls Sandhurst (605) Bracknell Sports & Bracknell Town JFC Leisure Centre Berks County FC (595) Braybrooke FC 3G 8 Crownwood Dukes FC Whitegrove FC

Berkshire All Stars FC FC Bracknell Garth Hill College 3G 5 Whitegrove FC (599) Bracknell Town JFC Whitegrove FC Birch Hill Crusaders Boys & Girls Recreation Sand Based 9 Bracknell Town JFC Ground (594) Bracknell Falcons FC Bracknell Cavaliers FC Berks County FC Great Hollands Synthetic Bracknell Falcons FC Recreation 7 Carpet Bracknell Borough Hawks Ground (518) Pinewood FC Wokingham and Bracknell

Accessibility

4.31 The accessibility of football pitches across the Borough is generally good. There are a large number of pitches across the borough and a large proportion of these are on or within settlement boundaries. Many football pitches are located at schools, leisure centres or near community centres; providing good transport links, adequate parking and ancillary facilities. As with other sports facilities across the borough, the residential areas outside of

settlement boundaries especially in the north of the borough may find that football pitches are not as accessible. Planning for future sports pitches will look to situate new facilities in the most accessible places for communities.

4.32 Accessibility to good quality pitches is not as favourable; there is a large range in the quality of pitches and the distribution of quality is not even across the borough. This study intends to identify the gaps in quality and accessibility and bring forward improvements where possible.

Demand

4.33 This data has been gathered using the club survey as directed in the FA Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance. Each club has been given the opportunity to fill in their survey online. Then each club has been contacted a minimum of two times to encourage a response.

4.34 The following clubs have not responded to the survey. Team information has therefore been obtained from FA’s Whole Game System:

• Bracknell Borough FC • Berks County • Bracknell Town Ladies • FC Fernhill • Bracknell Titans • FC Harmanswater • Newbold FC • Silver Birch FC • Winkfield FC • Intercity • AFC Berkshire

Overall Team Profile 4.35 There are 243 football teams in the Borough. Table 4.8 details the breakdown between type of pitch, adult, youth and gender.

Table 4.8: Overall Football Team Profile Following Club Breakdown Adult teams Youth teams Mini teams Ladies Boys Girls Mini soccer Area Totals Mens 11 V 11 V 9 V 9 9 V 9 7 V 7 5 V 5 11 11

Bracknell 45 3 62 47 7 3 44 32 243 Forest

4.36 Table 4.9 presents the number of teams per club in Bracknell Forest, split into the eight key sub-groups. There are 39 clubs some such as Binfield, Bracknell Town and Whitegrove have many teams across a wide age range. Ascot United and Sandhurst Town (youth) are two of the biggest clubs in the country. Ascot United though, mostly operates in the neighbouring Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead so only has a small presence in Bracknell Forest.

Table 4.9: Football Teams per Club Adult Teams Youth Teams Mini Teams Boys Girls Mini Soccer Club Total Mens Ladies 11 V 9 V 11 V 9 V 7 V 5 V 5 11 9 11 9 7 AFC Berkshire United 1 ------1 First AFC Crowthorne 2 - 2 - - - - - 4 Ascot United - - 2 3 3 - - - 8 Berks County 4 ------4 Berkshire All Stars 1 ------1 Binfield 2 - 7 5 1 7 6 28 Bracknell Athletic 1 ------1 Bracknell Borough - - - 1 - - - - 1 Bracknell Cavaliers 4 - 2 7 - - 5 5 23 Bracknell Celtic 1 ------1 Bracknell Falcons 1 ------1 Bracknell Forest (2015) 1 ------1 FC Bracknell Royals FC 1 ------1 Bracknell Titans 1 ------1 Bracknell Town 2 - 6 3 - - 3 2 16 Bracknell Town JFC - - 8 2 - 2 5 2 19 Bracknell Town Ladies - 2 ------2 Braybrooke Athletic 1 ------1 Braybrooke 1 ------1 Crownwood Dukes 1 ------1 Crowthorne Inn 1 ------1 FC Bracknell - 3 8 - - 7 4 22 FC Fernhill 1 ------1 FC Harmanswater 1 ------1 FC Meta 1 ------1 Holyport Veterans 1 ------1 Intercity 1 ------1 Newbold 1 ------1 Reading Royals Futsal* - 1 2 - - 1 - 4 Sandhurst F 1 ------1 Sandhurst Sports Club 1 ------1 Sandhurst Town Boys & 1 - 19 10 3 1 9 8 51 Girls Sandhurst Town 3 1 2 - - - - - 6 Silver Birch 1 ------1 Warfield United 1 ------1 Whitegrove 1 - 8 5 - - 6 5 25 Wicks Green Futsal* 2 ------2 Winkfield 1 ------1 Wokingham & Bracknell 1 - 2 1 - 1 - 5 Total 45 3 61 47 7 3 44 32 243 * Futsal demand not included in capacity analysis (indoors)

Key Club Consultation Summaries 4.37 The following is a summary of the consultations undertaken with five key clubs, focussing on their main issues and future plans. All pitch-rating comments are the opinions of the club and may differ from the impartial rating given by the site assessor.

Table 4.10: Summary of Demand Consultations from Football Clubs in Bracknell Forest Club Consultation Summary Very successful club with 51 teams across all age groups, constantly growing through word of mouth and due to being a much respected club in the area with a great reputation. All teams are currently playing at Sandhurst Memorial Park, but from next Sandhurst season they will also hire the 11 aside pitch at Sandhurst School as a backup Town Boys ground to allow for any additional demand. & Girls Maintenance at their home ground has been rated as standard, with some drainage problems being identified. The club stated that the main problem with the site is that when pitches are wet many games get cancelled or postponed in order to protect the pitches. Changing facilities were rated as good, but a need for more space and additional storage was raised. The club has four adult teams and two youth teams which all teams train away from Sandhurst through hiring a 3G AGP in Aldershot. One youth team does not play at Bottom Meadow but on Lightwater. The pitch at Bottom Meadow is generally regarded as good but limited capacity for demand which places a Sandhurst constraint on growth of club. There are two projects under consideration which Town FC include the rough area around existing pitch which with resurfacing and drainage installed could be used for training and possible mini pitch. The feasibility of a 3G AGP replacing the grass surface Bottom Meadow pitch needs to be considered if the occasional flooding issue could be overcome. The club has three adult sides and a growing junior section increasing by an average of two teams per year and adding new mini sides every year through their U6 soccer school, but it balances out with the junior teams that move into adult football. Most of the teams play at Binfield FC, but the club also rents 3x 11v11 pitches Binfield FC at Cantley Park every week due to a lack of pitches at home ground and in the area to accommodate all teams. The club feels it could increase membership by at least 50% in the future if more pitches were available through more space at home ground being provided. The club has identified some drainage problems at its home ground and rated the changing facilities on site as poor and in need of refurbishment. A total of 25 teams from under 7 to Adult. With two new primary schools opening in 2016 and 2018 in the area with intakes due to reach a total of 150 children within next few years will increase the catchment of junior players significantly. The pitch quality at Westmorland Park is very poor, with only 4 games able to be played on the main 11v11 pitch during the whole of last season. There Whitegrove were also a number of postponements on the junior pitches too. Priory field FC fares better but still suffers from some cancellations. There is, and will be more need for 3G pitches in general especially for winter training as the club grows. Expansion in the area due to new residential development will contribute to this further. Short term issues are the poor quality of some pitches. In the medium term there is a need for more grass pitches to accommodate the local area population increase. The club have 3 senior and 29 junior sides (as well as a ladies section) and have been constantly growing for the past 10 years. Due to major drainage issues and the pitch being constantly waterlogged at their home ground (no matches were played last season between boxing day Bracknell and the end of February), the club has funded the build of its own all weather Town FC 3G pitch which is now laid and in use. The club then plans to move training for and JFC all teams to this site. The club has been using 4 different sites for winter training, which has been identified as an inconvenience). From next season, adults and U18s will play home fixtures at Bracknell Town FC and juniors at Birch Hill Rec and Ranelagh School (Larges Lane Pitches)

Assessment

Supply and Demand Balance Figures 4.38 Following the gathering of supply side and demand side information, the capacity analysis (‘balance’) for pitches/sites can be undertaken. The tables below split the balance figures across the 5 different football pitch types. The tables identify the supply of pitches in terms of quantity and overall carrying capacity (given that some pitches on the same site may be identified as different qualities), the demand placed on the pitches by clubs (matches and training) and then provides the balance (the difference between capacity and demand match equivalents). This capacity analysis will inform the site-by-site action plan in the final report.

Table 4.11: Adult Football (Balance Scores) Demand No. of Pitch Balance Ref Adult pitch provision – site (match pitches capacity Scores equivalents) 504 Binfield Football Club 2 6 1 5 505 Birch Hill Recreation Ground 1 3 0.5 2.5 506 Bottom Meadow (Sandhurst 1 2 2 0 Town FC) 507 Bracknell Sports & Leisure 1 3 1.5 1.5 Centre 508 Braybrooke Recreation Ground 0 0 0.5 -0.5 509 Calfridus Way Recreation 1 1 0.5 0.5 Ground 518 Great Hollands Recreation 2 2 3.5 -1.5 Ground 520 Harmans Water Playing Field 1 2 1.5 0.5 592 Jealotts Hill (Zeneca Sports 1 2 1 1 Club)* 525 Bracknell Town Football Club 1 3 1.5 1.5 527 Locks Ride Recreation Ground 2 6 2.5 3.5 529 Morgan Recreation Ground 1 2 1 1 531 Newbold College 1 2 0.5 1.5 533 Priory Field 0 0 0.5 -0.5 535 Ringmead Playing Field 2 2 1.5 0.5 506 Sandhurst Memorial Park 6 12 1.5 10.5 551 Wildridings Playing Field 1 2 1 1 Total 50 22 +28 * permission was not given to access Jealotts Hill during the study. Using satellite research, a single adult pitch has been allocated and due to the private management of the site, a STANDARD pitch rating has been allocated.

Table 4.12: Youth Football 11v11 (Balance Scores) Demand Youth 11v11 pitch provision – No. of Pitch (match Balance site pitches capacity equivalents) Scores 11v11 Ascot Jubilee Recreation 1 2 2.5 -0.5 Ground (502) Binfield Football Club (504) 0 0 4 -4 Bottom Meadow (Sandhurst 0 0 1 -1 Town FC) (506) Bracknell Sports & Leisure 0 0 3 -3 Centre (507) Braybrooke Recreation 1 1 0.5 0.5 Ground (508) Calfridus Way Recreation 0 0 0.5 -0.5 Ground (509) Easthampstead Park 2 2 1 1 Community School (512) Ennerdale Playing Field (514) 0 0 1.5 -1.5 Great Hollands Recreation 0 0 0.5 -0.5 Ground (518) Jock’s Lane Recreation 0 0 0.5 -0.5 Ground (523) Bracknell Town Football Club 0 0 0.5 -0.5 (525) Morgan Recreation Ground 0 0 1 -1 (529) Priory Field (533) 1 2 4 -2 Ranelagh School (Larges 1 1 2.5 -1.5 Lane Pitches) (534) Ringmead Playing Field (535) 0 0 0.5 -0.5 Sandhurst Memorial Park 0 0 11 -11 (506) Sandhurst School (538) 1 1 1 0 Total 9 36 -27

Table 4.13: Youth Football 9v9 (Balance Scores) Demand Youth 9v9 pitch provision – No. of Pitch (match Balance site pitches capacity equivalents) Scores 9v9 Ascot Jubilee Recreation 1 2 1.5 0.5 Ground (502) Binfield Football Club (504) 1 4 2.5 1.5 Birch Hill Recreation Ground 1 4 1 3 (505) Easthampstead Park 1 2 3.5 -1.5 Community School (512) Ennerdale Playing Field (514) 1 2 0.5 1.5 Farley Wood Community 0 0 3.5 -3.5 Centre (515) Jock’s Lane Recreation 1 1 0.5 0.5 Ground (523) Priory Field (533) 2 4 2.5 1.5 Ranelagh School (Larges 0 0 1.5 -1.5 Lane Pitches) (534) Sandhurst Memorial Park 0 0 5.5 -5.5 (506) The Elms (544) 1 1 0.5 0.5 Total 20 23 -3

Table 4.14: Mini Soccer 7v7 (Balance Scores) Demand Mini soccer 7v7 pitch No. of Pitch (match Balance provision – site pitches capacity equivalents) Scores 7v7 Binfield Football Club (504) 0 0 3.5 -3.5 Birch Hill Recreation Ground 2 12 3.5 8.5 (505) Easthampstead Park 1 4 2.5 1.5 Community School (512) Farley Wood Community 2 8 3.5 4.5 Centre (515) Jock’s Lane Recreation 1 2 0.5 1.5 Ground (523) Ranelagh School (Larges 0 0 1.5 -1.5 Lane Pitches) (534) Sandhurst Memorial Park 3 12 4.5 7.5 (506) Westmorland Park (548) 2 4 3 1 Total 42 22.5 +19.5

Table 4.15: Mini Soccer 5v5 (Balance Scores) Demand Mini soccer 5v5 pitch No. of Pitch (match Balance provision – site pitches capacity equivalents) Scores 5v5 Binfield football club (504) 0 0 3 -3 Birch Hill Recreation Ground 1 6 1 5 (505) Easthampstead Park 1 4 2.5 1.5 Community School (512) Farley Wood Community 1 4 2 2 Centre (515) Ranelagh school (larges lane 0 0 1 -1 pitches) (534) Sandhurst Memorial Park 0 0 4 -4 (506) Westmorland Park (548) 2 4 2.5 1.5 Total 18 16 +2

Table 4.16: Football Supply and Demand Balance Summary Total Total no Total Demand Balance Provision - Site of Pitch (Match Scores Pitches Capacity Equivalents) Ascot Jubilee Recreation 2 4 4 0 Ground (502) Binfield Football Club (504) 3 10 14 -4 Birch Hill Recreation Ground 5 25 6 19 (505) Bottom Meadow (Sandhurst 1 2 3 -1 Town FC) (506) Bracknell Sports & Leisure 1 3 4.5 -1.5 Centre (507) Braybrooke Recreation 2 3 1 2 Ground (508) Calfridus Way Recreation 1 1 1 0 Ground (509) Easthampstead Park 7 16 9.5 6.5 Community School (512) Ennerdale Playing Field (514) 1 2 2 0 Farley Wood Community 4 14 9 5 Centre (515) Great Hollands Recreation 2 2 4 -2 Ground (518) Harmans Water Playing Field 1 2 1.5 0.5 (520) Jealotts Hill (Zeneca Sports 1 2 1 1 Club)* Jock’s Lane Recreation 2 3 1.5 1.5 Ground (523) Bracknell Town Football 1 3 2 1 Club** (525)

Total Total no Total Demand Balance Provision - Site of Pitch (Match Scores Pitches Capacity Equivalents) Locks Ride Recreation 2 6 2.5 3.5 Ground (527) Morgan Recreation Ground 1 2 2 0 (529) Newbold College (531) 1 2 0.5 1.5 Priory Field (533) 3 6 7 -1 Ranelagh School (Larges 1 1 6.5 -5.5 Lane Pitches) (534) Ringmead Playing Field (535) 2 2 2 0 Sandhurst Memorial Park 9 24 26.5 -2.5 (506) Sandhurst School (538) 2 2 1 1 The Elms (544) 1 1 0.5 0.5 Westmorland Park (548) 5 9 5.5 3.5 Wildridings Playing Field (551) 1 2 1 1 Total 149 119 +30 * permission was not given to access Jealotts Hill during the study. Using satellite research, a single adult pitch has been allocated and due to the private management of the site, a STANDARD pitch rating has been allocated. **Demand at Larges Lane to be transferred to the new 3G AGP once completed in October/November 2016.

Team Generation Rates 4.39 The future demand for football in Bracknell Forest is dependent on a number of different factors, one of which is the projected population changes in the relevant age groups. In order to understand how the growth of population in Bracknell Forest is likely to impact the demand for football, Table 4.17 below demonstrates the Team Generation Rates across the Borough.

4.40 These calculations utilise Office of National Statistics 2014 Sub National population projections. It is necessary to break down the population into 5 year age-bands to split the population into the relevant age groups for sports participation. It should be noted that the future demand is based upon official population projections which look to 2036. However, given the time length of these projections and other local factors which might affect future demand such as the locations of new housing, it may be that demand will actually be higher than predicted. Therefore, it is reasonable for the Council to seek more football pitches and the funding toward maintain and/or improving their quality to meet the projected and even higher demand.

4.41 It should be noted that these figures assume that football bodies, such as the FA and local clubs, are no more or less successful than they are currently in marketing and attracting new players to play football.

Table 4.17: Football Team Generation Rates TGR Future Current Predicted (Teams population Additional Football population. No. of future generated (2036) teams age group Within age teams number by 1000 within age required group of teams people) group Snr Men 24,260 45 1.9 25,380 47 2 (19-45yrs) Snr Women 24,140 3.0 0.1 24,720 3.1 0.1 (19-45yrs) Youth Boys (12- 4,280 107.0 25.0 5,520 138.0 31.0 18yrs) Youth Girls 4,000 8.0 2.0 5,120 10.2 2.2 (12-18yrs) Mini soccer 6,400 80.0 12.5 6,560 82.0 2.0 mixed (6- 11yrs)

Latent Demand 4.42 To identify where there is additional demand for football in Bracknell Forest, the club consultations requested information on where clubs are planning to increase their team numbers in the next three years.

4.43 The table below identifies all the clubs that identified latent demand (not currently active), with the project demand broken down by age group.

Table 4.18: Latent Demand by Football Club Adult Teams Youth Teams Mini Teams Club Totals Mens Ladies Boys Girls Mini Soccer AFC 1 - - - - 1 Crowthorne Bracknell 1 - - - - 1 Cavaliers Crownwood 1 - - - - 1 Dukes Crusaders Boys & - - 1 - - 1 Girls Bracknell - - 4 3 1 8 Town

Binfield - - - - 2 2

Whitegrove - - - - - 4

Displaced Demand 4.44 As part of the club consultations, data was requested from clubs who have either moved, or are looking to move, outside of the local authority due to

cost, availability or quality of facilities. This can be seen as ‘displaced’ demand.

4.45 The table below identifies all clubs who stated they had displaced demand. It should be noted that due to the lack of robust, quantitative data for displaced demand, the detail for Crusaders Boys and Girls will not be included in the future capacity analysis for Bracknell Forest.

4.46 To address the displaced demand for Wokingham & Bracknell FC, an assumption has been made that 0.5 match equivalents of demand have been displaced for each of the teams identified by the club. As a result of this, an additional 1.5 match equivalents of demand has been incorporated into the future capacity analysis for Bracknell Forest. This is split between mini 5v5 (1 match equivalent) and mini soccer 7v7 (0.5 match equivalents).

Table 4.19 Displaced Football Demand for Bracknell Forest Club Level of Displaced Demand Reason

Lack of availability of 3G Crusaders Boys and Ad-hoc training demand training facilities in the Girls area. Lack of availability for pitches and facilities in the Wokingham & U5 and U6 boys as well as a area. No winter training Bracknell FC Girls side. facilities, this is limiting the growth of the club.

Lack of training facilities. Sandhurst Town FC Training facilities all squads All squads use 3G AGP U16s play all games in facilities in Aldershot for Lightwater training.

Current Supply and Demand Balance – Grass Pitches 4.47 This section presents the supply and demand balance findings for grass football pitches (both for current and future scenarios) for Bracknell Forest as a whole

Table 4.20 Overall Football Balance Figures for Bracknell Forest Mini Mini Youth Youth Balance per Pitch Type Adult Soccer soccer Total 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Supply – pitch capacity in 59 11 24 62 18 174 match equivalents Demand – match equivalents for matches 22 34.5 23 22.5 17.5 119.5 and training Current Overall balance +37 -23.5 +1 +39.5 0.5 +54.5 (matches per week)

4.48 Table 4.20 illustrates that there is currently an overall surplus of football provision in Bracknell Forest. This conclusion should be treated with caution, however, as the analysis has identified a number of key issues:

• While there is a surplus of Adult 11v11 pitches, there is a deficit of Youth 11v11 pitches. This is likely to be caused by youth teams playing on adult pitches due to the lack of appropriate small 11v11 pitches in the study area. While this does not have a negative impact on the amount of games that can be undertaken, it does not align with the national FA strategy that children and young adults should be playing on pitches that are appropriate for their size and strength. • Consultation with the FA and the Clubs has indicated that even on the high quality pitches, such as those at Sandhurst Memorial Park and Bottom Meadow, pitches suffer from a large number of cancellations throughout the year, therefore limiting the amount of availability of grass pitches, especially for youths and minis.

Future Supply and Demand Balance – Grass Pitches 4.49 Table 4.21 shows how the increasing population in Bracknell Forest will impact the supply and demand balance for football in Bracknell Forest and provides an analysis of whether the existing level of provision will be fit for purpose in the future.

4.50 The projected growth in teams was calculated using the Team Generation Rates, as shown in Table 4.17 above, and the balance calculation assumed that the existing level of supply remains constant for the lifetime of the study.

4.51 In addition, demand generated from latent demand for football in Bracknell Forest is also included. It is assumed that each additional team will generate 1 match equivalent of demand a week (inclusive of matches and training). As latent demand data is not broken down by pitch size (due to the complexities with predicting the exact age group for club growth), Youth and Mini growth is split equally across the pitch typologies.

Table 4.21 Projected Supply and Demand Balance of Football Provision in Bracknell Forest Mini Mini Youth Youth Balance per Pitch Type Adult Soccer soccer Total 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5 Supply – pitch capacity in match 59 11 24 62 18 174 equivalents Current Overall balance (matches 37 -23.5 1 39.5 0.5 54.5 per week) Additional demand from conversion of latent and 3 4 4 2.5 2 15.5 displaced demand

Future Projected Demand (2036) 26 47 35 25.5 20 153.5

Future Projected Balance 33 -36 -11 36.5 -2 20.5 Number of additional pitches required, of the appropriate size, -11 +9 +3 -6 1 -4 to address deficits in supply *To calculate the required change of pitches, a GOOD pitch is assumed as having a carrying capacity of 3 matches per week (adult), 4 matches per week (youth) or 6 matches per week (mini), all in line with the FA 2013 PPS guidance

4.52 Table 4.21 shows the estimated balance for 2036 when taking into consideration the considerable amount of projected additional demand for football in Bracknell Forest, especially for youth and mini’s football.

4.53 Across two of the five sizes of pitch, the data illustrates that additional pitches will be needed to meet demand. It should be noted that this assumes the existing stock of pitches will stay consistent, in terms of quantity and quality, which should be considered as a risk given the trends of worsening pitches across parts of Bracknell Forest. It should be noted that this supply and demand balance table does not take into consideration the considerable number of matches that are currently being called off at key football sites across the Borough. If this continues to occur and the pitch quality worsens further, then there will be a significant shortage of grass pitch provision for users of all ages. In addition, the small overall surplus does not allow the Council and key stakeholders to rest pitches during the season, which is recommended as it allows pitches to recover and therefore be maintained to a high standard over a long period of time.

4.54 Given the surplus of adult pitches, a potential solution to the shortage of youth and mini soccer pitches is to re-mark adult pitches as youth and mini pitches, to provide residents with fit-for-purpose and appropriately sized pitches.

Current Supply and Demand Balance – AGPs 4.55 As part of the FA National Game Strategy for Participation4, the Football Association have identified a strategic objective to ensure that all teams playing competitive football have access to a floodlit 3G AGP to train on at least once a week. To do this, FA calculations show that a full size 3G AGP is required for every 42 teams, which would allow the required training and match play slots, as well as providing suitable supply at peak times (weekday evenings and weekends).

4.56 Using the data shown in Table 4.9, 243 teams have been identified as playing within Bracknell Forest. Using the FA’s suggested ratio of 1:42, this demonstrates the need for 5.7 full sized 3G AGPs. It is suggested this number should be rounded up to 6 to allow for contingency.

4.57 Stage B data for the project identifies 3 existing full sized 3G AGP facilities within the study area that are available and secured for community use. This does not include the facility that has recently been developed at Larges Lane by Bracknell Town FC. It should be noted that since Bracknell Football Club have changed their grass pitch to an AGP surface, already their junior teams are utilising it has free up key time availability on other AGPs.

4.58 With this in mind, there is a deficit of three full sized 3G AGP’s across Bracknell Forest, which could be reduced to two if the facilities at Larges Lane and an additional Sandhurst-based AGP are secured for community use in the long term.

Future Supply and Demand Balance – AGPs 4.59 To understand the projected level of demand for 3G AGPs in Bracknell Forest across the lifetime of the project, the same ratio of 1:42 has been used, as

4 FA National Game Strategy – Football Association: 2014 – (http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/aug/national-game-strategy-launch-martin-glenn-kelly-simmons)

well as the additional 37 teams identified in the TGR calculations in Table 4.17.

4.60 Using these updated parameters, it is projected that eight full sized 3G AGP’s will be required to be accessible to the community by 2036 in Bracknell Forest. Assuming that the three existing facilities remain open and secured for community use, this will lead to a deficit of five full sized pitches, which can be reduced further to three pitches if an additional Sandhurst-based AGP and a Larges Lane facility are made available and secured for community use. However, whilst there is seemingly an under utilisation by youth football clubs for the key 15 hours per week (i.e. 6-9pm Mon – Fri), it may be because the location of the AGP does not suit the clubs needing facilities or that they are being turned away because of other users. It is recommended that more AGP’s are provided and that more key time slots are made available for youth football use. Further, it is reasonable to assume that there is a rise in causal adult football which is affecting the booking of AGPs at key times for youth football training needs. This is impacting on the availability of AGPs for youth football at key times.

Meeting the Current and Future Demand for 3G AGP facilities across Bracknell Forest 4.61 In order to meet the 3G shortfall for both current and future AGP supply and demand, the likely solution will be a combination of new build and resurfacing sand-based pitches. A key consideration is also meeting the current and future demands for Hockey as well as football (see Chapter 7) and identifying sites that are genuinely surplus to hockey requirement.

4.62 A key objective for the FA is to maximise the use of 3G pitches for competitive football match play. This will increase the quality of provision, reduce the number of cancellations and help to address future demand. Affordable pricing policies that include match based charges in line with grass pitches should be a consideration although this could be difficult in the challenging financial climate. Furthermore, the youth football clubs do not normally know of how many players they will have for each season until June each year and therefore it would be beneficial to their winter training needs if the availability of AGPs at key times could align to when clubs know how many teams and players they have so that available slots are not taken beforehand by other users.

4.63 In selecting the sites that are appropriate for 3G AGP development, there should be the following characteristics:

• To be capable of strong community football club links. • To have good access and ancillary facilities to service the pitch(es). • To be well lit. • Financially sustainable. • Ability to be maximised for training and match play provision. • To be well positioned to deliver wider football development programmes, including coach education and a recreational football offer. • To be able to explore shared projects with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and school sites where infrastructure and vision align.

4.64 When developing a new 3G AGP site, there is also a requirement for pitches to be tested in line with the FA 3G pitch framework in order to be included on the FA competitive register.

Site by Site Analysis 4.65 This section focuses, on a site-site basis, which sites have spare capacity or deficit. Based on the evidence collated in the PPS for football pitch provision, it can be concluded that there are certain football facilities across the study area that are recorded as high value sites, for a number of reasons.

4.66 Table 4.22 provides a justification for how each of the sites, where football is currently available to the community, should be Protected, Enhanced or Provided for. Where it is recommended that a site is not required for community use football, this is also explained in the table.

4.67 A total balance per site has been established to illustrate the sites that need investment either to improve the quality of pitches (and therefore carrying capacity), as well as the sites that need a greater number of grass pitches in order to satisfy demand. This will be shown in the ‘capacity for community use’ column.

4.68 Please note the following with regards to the table:

• Where quality scores of pitches differ at the same site, an average of all pitch quality scores will be presented in this table. For detailed quality scores per pitch, please see tables 4.5 and 4.6 above. • Only those sites that have been identified as having formal community use at the site are included in the site by site analysis. • The capacities reflect all potential pitch capacity including those pitches which are not available for community use. Most youth football matches are played on Saturday mornings which places pressure on the capacity and quality of pitches. Therefore, the Council should work with the managers of such sites to bring these into community use. However, it should be noted that the capacity of existing pitches available for community use will not meet demand and their quality will decline.

Table 4.22: Football Site by Site Analysis Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a small multi-pitch site which does not PR provide the required capacity for the level of demand at the site, which is used by Ascot United; one of the biggest affiliated football clubs in the country. The maintenance system at the site is basic, with only grass Ascot Jubilee 1x Yth 9v9 Winkfield cutting and infrequent aeration. The site should look to Recreation 1x Youth Parish 61% 71% 0 E increase its capacity by improving the maintenance regime to Ground (502) 11v11 Council ensure more games can be player per week, especially in periods of poor weather. Further provision is required at the site to cater for the high demand for football in the area. Due to the space constraints PV at the site, it is unlikely to be possible to add further pitches. Therefore the focus should be on improving the carrying capacity of the site or finding alternative provision. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. The site has some of the best pitches in the area PR however the site still has issues with drainage in periods of poor weather. The site has a significant deficit of supply due to Binfield 2x Adult Bracknell extensive use by Binfield FC, spread across 3 pitches. Football Club 11v11 Forest 94% 32% -4 The ancillary facility at the site is poor quality and requires E (504) 1x Youth 9v9 Council significant refurbishment or replacement. Further pitch provision is required to satisfy the demand of Binfield FC. The largest deficits are in mini soccer and youth PV football, so if space allows then the dedicated pitches should be marked out. 1x Adult This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the 11v11 Local Plan. This is a large, multi-pitch site that provides a large

Birch Hill 1x Youth 9v9 amount of high quality supply. Although the capacity analysis Bracknell +19 (grass PR Recreation 2x Mini 7v7 demonstrates a large surplus, this will be reduced for the Forest 80% 69% pitches) Ground (505) 1x Mini 5v5 2016/17 season as Bracknell Town JFC will play the majority Council AGP (594) 1x full size of their home games at the site.

sand-based The full-sized AGP at the site will require re-carpeting within E AGP the next 5 years. It is recommended that re-surfacing this as a

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) 3G facility should be explored, to cater for the significant football demand in the area. This should only be undertaken if hockey is not adversely impacted. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a single pitch site used by Sandhurst Town FC for their 1st XI fixtures and Reserves and the PR U18/Ladies/veterans when conditions permit.. The site has also been the temporary home ground for Bracknell Town FC, while the new 3G facility at Larges Lane was finalised. The site has a small stand and clubhouse. However the quality of the pitch is not currently fit-for-purpose given the level of Bottom competitive football being played at the site. The grass pitch Meadow Sandhurst 1x Adult requires a more robust maintenance regime, especially (Sandhurst Town 78% 97% -1 11v11 considering that current and increasing demand from the Town FC) Council E clubs own teams is not currently met. Because of its location (506) the site suffers from occasional vandalism/anti social behaviour, potential solutions being CCTV and further signage. The quality of access to the ground needs improvement and there is a need for additional parking. The club requires a dedicated, floodlit training area or pitch which can be used for training, hence reducing the demand on PV the grass pitch. The club would benefit from access to a match-ready 3G AGP for training and matches. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. The football pitch and the AGP at the site form part of a wider facility mix and are used by Bracknell Town JFC. Bracknell 1x Adult The site is identified as being at a deficit for football, however it Sports & Bracknell 11v11 PR is expected that with the planned developments at Bracknell Leisure Centre Forest 81% 80% -1.5 1x full size 3G Town FC, a larger amount of supply will be provided for the (507) Council AGP junior club in the future. This will not be realised for the AGP (595) 2016/17 season, so alternative arrangements for this site should be explored. E The site suffers from anti-social behaviour, with potential

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) solutions being increased CCTV or improved signage. PV Further grass pitch provision is required, if space allows. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR Local Plan. This is a small site used by Braybrooke Athletic and Crusaders Boys and Girls. The site is in poor condition and was very boggy on inspection. The maintenance regime at the site is not adequate, leading to Braybrooke 1x Youth Bracknell E issues with drainage. The pitches are also open to dog Recreation 11v11 Town 44% 15% +2 walkers, which leads to dog fouling and casual use damaging Ground (508) 1x Mini 7v7 Council the pitches. No further provision has been identified as being required as part of this project. Although the ancillary facility has been PV identified as being in poor condition, the football clubs have stated that the facilities area adequate. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR Local Plan. This is a single pitch site which is used by Bracknell Town JFC. The pitch has identified as being poor quality, with only basic maintenance undertaken at the site. The site assessment Calfridus Way Bracknell 1x Adult identified that lines are sometimes marked prior to the grass Recreation Forest 41% 8% 0 E 11v11 being cut, which leads to unclear line marking. Improved Ground (509) Council maintenance is required, especially if the site is to be used by more clubs in the future. There is no ancillary facility at the site. Provision of a basic PV changing block should be explored, if the facility can be shared with rugby users. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a large education site which is used 2x Adult PR Easthampstead 11v11 extensively by Bracknell Cavaliers, as well as for curriculum Park 2x Youth Bracknell and after school use. Community 11v11 Forest 53% 62% +6.5 The site suffers from match cancellations during periods of School (512) 1x Youth 9v9 Council E poor weather, which should be addressed by an improved AGP (597) 1 x Mini 7v7 maintenance method and regime. 1x Mini 5v5 No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project.

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a small one-pitch site used by FC Bracknell, PR who has indicated that 5 full match weekends were cancelled during the 2015/16 season. Ennerdale Bracknell The site suffers from match cancellations during periods of Playing Field 1x Youth 9v9 Forest 58% 0% 0 E poor weather, which should be addressed by an improved (514) Council maintenance method and regime. The site has not ancillary facility and if football is going to PV continue being played here, then a new basic changing block is required. The site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. The site is primarily used by FC Bracknell and is PR managed by the Council. The capacity analysis has identified a surplus; however users have indicated that the quality of the pitches is decreasing. The maintenance at the site is basic and includes only cutting 1x Adult and line marking. As a result, the quality of the pitches is at the Farley Wood Bracknell 11v11 lower end of standard. A more rigorous maintenance regime Community Forest 59% 15% +5 2x Mini 7v7 E would improve the quality of pitches and increase the capacity Centre (515) Council 1x Mini 5v5 of the site. This site could then be used to absorb demand from sites elsewhere in the local authority that are currently at a deficit. The community centre is currently used as an ancillary facility; however a dedicated ancillary facility, with changing and social PV areas, would improve the site and provide users with a space to use during and following games. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a multi-pitch site with an AGP. The overall PR facility is well maintained however the facilities are ageing and Great Hollands Bracknell will need refurbishment in the next 5 years. 2x Adult Recreation Forest 40% 15% -2 The current built facilities are not fit for purpose and existing 11v11 Ground (518) Council plans to replace or refurbish the ancillary buildings should be E supported. The pitches had no lines and were very wet on inspection. The maintenance regime also needs to be more rigorous.

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) A new ancillary facility is required which is fit for purpose and PV can be used for both football and cricket. This site should be protected as playing fields in the local plan. PR This one pitch site is adequate for the amount and level of Harmans 1x Adult football currently played at the site. Water Playing 11v11 Bracknell No further enhancement has been identified as being required E Field (520) 2x small sided Forest 67% 0% 0.5 as part of this project. AGP (600) sand-base Council No further provision has been identified as being required as AGP part of this project. While there is not ancillary facility on the PV site, building a new facility is unlikely to represent value for money due to the extent of the current demand. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a privately owned site which is managed by PR Jealotts Hill the commercial company and used for ‘work-place’ activities (Zeneca Sports 1x Adult as well as for a small amount of community use. Private 65%* 65%* +1 Club/Syngta) 11v11 No further enhancement has been identified as being required E (592) as part of this project. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a small one-pitch site used by Wokingham PR & Bracknell FC, who has indicated that 5-6 full match weekends were cancelled during the 2015/16 season.

Jock’s Lane Bracknell The club has identified that there are significant drainage 1x Youth 9v9 Recreation Town 39% 15% +1.5 issues at the site, which are likely to be exacerbated by the 1x Mini 7v7 Ground (523) Council E basic maintenance regime that is currently utilised. A more robust system is required, including aeration, sand-dressing and regular fertilising. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. 1x Full size Private – This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Bracknell Town 3G AGP Bracknell Local Plan. This is one of the major football sites in the area Football Club N/A N/A N/A PR under Town and is privately owned by the club. The club is currently (525) construction Football building a full sized FIFA 1* AGP to be used for matches by

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) Club the senior club at all levels. The club is looking to develop the nearby pitches at Ranelagh school to provide a large, high quality supply of grass pitches. No further enhancement has been identified as being required E as part of this project. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a high quality site and an excellent example PR of a good quality, parish-owned site. The site is used by a Locks Ride Winkfield number of clubs, including Braybrooke FC, who did not identify 2x Adult Recreation Parish 80 64% +3.5 any key issues with the pitches or ancillary facility. 11v11 Ground (527) Council No further enhancement has been identified as being required E as part of this project. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR Local Plan. This is an adequate quality site which is used by AFC Crowthorne, as well as for local events and casual use. Minor issues with drainage were identified on inspection, which Morgan Crowthorne 2x Adult are likely to be caused by the basic maintenance regime Recreation Parish 56% 7% 0 11v11 E currently being utilised. It would be beneficial to make this Ground (529) Council process more robust to reduce drainage issues and increase carrying capacity. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR Local Plan. This is a large site that is used by a number of clubs, including Whitegrove FC. 1x Youth Bracknell Priory Field The site has the potential for being using more extensively, 11v11 Forest 65%* 65%* -1 (533) E however a more robust maintenance regime will be required in 2x Youth 9v9 Council order to facilitate this. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project.

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) This is a poor quality site that is used by Bracknell Athletic and Bracknell Royals FC. Users have identified that the site has significant drainage issues and that clubs are looking to move PR to nearby facilities as a result. If demand from this site can be catered for elsewhere then this site could be re-designated as Ringmead Bracknell open space. 2x Adult Playing Field Forest 46% 0% 0 No further enhancement has been identified as being required 11v11 (535) Council as part of this project. It should be noted that if this site is to E continue to provide grass pitch provision, then significant investment is required into the maintenance regime and possibly the drainage systems. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR Local Plan. This is a large site with 7 pitches providing supply for adults and mini’s football. Although the users have reported that the site is one of the first to get called off in the area during poor weather, the pitches 6x Adult Sandhurst Sandhurst and ancillary scored well on assessment. Further maintenance 11v11 Memorial Park Town 77% 82% -2.5 resources are required to increase the capacity of the pitches 3x Mini 7v7 (506) Council E and reduce the number of cancellations. In addition, it is 1x Full-sized recommended that Sandhurst Town Council collaborate with the FA to develop a strategy for pitch management at the site, to ensure a balance is struck between maintaining the quality of the grass pitches and allowing people to play. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR Local Plan. This is an education site which has a wide range of 1 x Full Size football provision that is available to the community. Sandhurst Sand-based Sandhurst The quality assessments on this site identified that the grass School (538) AGP Town 37% 78% +1 pitches are of poor quality. If the site is to be used for a greater AGP (606) 1x Yth 11v11 Council E volume of formal community use in the future, then 1x Yth 9v9 maintenance processes at the site will need to be improved to increase the carrying capacity.

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) The AGP is currently of poor quality. The site is currently used for a small amount of hockey, however if this can be re- allocated there is an opportunity to re-carpet the site as a 3G, which will help to reduce the deficit of 3G facilities across the study area. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This is a poor quality site and no formal football demand has been identified as part of the project. If any existing demand PR (casual or otherwise) from this site can be catered for elsewhere then this site could be re-designated as open space. Bracknell No further enhancement has been identified as being required The Elms (544) 1x Youth 9v9 Town 44% 8% +0.5 as part of this project. It should be noted that if this site is to Council E continue to provide grass pitch provision, then significant investment is required into the maintenance regime and possibly the drainage systems. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the local plan. This is key football site for the area and is the home ground of Whitegrove FC. The pitches are of poor quality and suffer from sever drainage issues. Users have stated that only PR 4 games were able to be played on the main 11v11 pitch during 2014/15 season. 1x Adult Whitegrove FC are supportive of the option to transfer Bracknell Westmorland 11v11 ownership of the asset to the club, however this would require Forest 47% 15% +3.5 Park (548) 2x Mini 7v7 further discussion with the Council. Council 2x Mini 5v5 A significant improvement in the maintenance regime at the site is required in order to improve the carrying capacity of the pitches and reduce the number of cancellations during the E season. In addition, it is recommended that Bracknell Forest Council collaborate with the FA to develop a strategy for pitch management at the site, to ensure a balance is struck between maintaining the quality of the grass pitches and allowing

Capacity for Total No. of Pitch Ancillary Site Name community Pitches (all Ownership assessment assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provide (PV) (Ref) use (match sizes) score score equivalents) people to play. A dedicated ancillary facility would improve the overall quality of the site and allow the club to develop as a self-sustaining PV organisation. A long term priority is to mark out and maintain a greater number of pitches to cater for the increasing levels of demand in the area. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the PR local plan. This is a 1 pitch site that is used by AFC Wildridings Bracknell Crowthorne and is of adequate quality. 1x Adult Playing Field Forest 53% 65% +1 No further enhancement has been identified as being required 11v11 E (551) Council as part of this project. No further provision has been identified as being required as PV part of this project.

Key PPS Findings

4.69 In line with the Sport England 2013 Playing Pitch guidance and associated checklists, the following key questions have been answered, to provide a summary of provision in Bracknell Forest.

Table 4.23: Key PPS Findings - Football Key Question Analysis The provision of football provision across Bracknell Forest for football is What are the adequate and appears to have stayed at a consistent level over the past main years. This is in contrast to the demand for football in Bracknell Forest characteristics of which has increased significantly and continues to do so. Bracknell the current supply Forest is home to some of the largest junior clubs in the region and with and demand for population in the area projected to rise further, demand for junior football provision? is expected to continue to increase which needs to be translated by increased supply. The data currently illustrates that there is currently a small surplus for grass pitches across Bracknell Forest, however this does not correlate Is there enough with the feedback of clubs and users, who have communicated that they accessible and are not able to access pitches, both in terms of quantity and adequate secured quality. community use There is a deficit of 3G AGP provision in the area, with a current provision to meet requirement for 7 full sized 3G AGP’s across the Borough. current demand The availability for youth football training at key times is an issue and a recommendation to review the booking process should be included in Chapter 11. Is the provision The current provision has been identified by users and during the site that is accessible assessments as not meeting the needs of the local residents. A number of sufficient of the key, local authority owned sites suffer from drainage issues and quality and have a large proportion of match days cancelled due to poor pitch appropriately conditions. A recommendation to develop projects to improve drainage maintained? is required in Chapter 11. With a significant projected growth in population, particularly children, during the lifetime of the study, the requirement for youth and mini pitches is likely to increase. The existing arrangement of large council owned and operated facilities are unlikely to meet the need of local residents. Therefore a recommendation is required in Chapter 11: What are the • To work with the owners/managers of pitches which are currently main unavailable for community use to bring them into community use. characteristics of • To seek the provision of additional new pitches for secured the future supply community use. and demand for New developments, such as the 3G AGP facility at Larges Lane, are provision required to satisfy demand for football. There is a deficit of 3G AGP provision in the area, with a projected requirement for 8 full sized 3G AGP’s across the study area by 2036. A recommendation to develop projects to provide more AGPs is required in Chapter 11. If population grows as expected and Team Generation Rates are used to predict team numbers, supply and demand is projected to balance by Is there enough 2036. In practice, this will create a severe shortage of facilities at peak accessible and times and will also lead to the deterioration of grass pitches, if nothing is secured done to improve football provision across the study area. community use Furthermore, a localised concentration of major housing growth in an provision to meet area will create the demand for new clubs and/or increase the demand future demand for new teams within existing clubs which should be catered for. It is recommended that the strategy states this in Chapter 11.

CHAPTER 5 Cricket

Overview and Summary

5.1 The following work was undertaken to establish the supply and demand for cricket in the Borough:

• All cricket sites which are generally available were visited and assessed by the Council’s designated site assessors. • All five cricket clubs were consulted and all responded to the consultation. • The supply, demand and assessment data in this chapter was reviewed and signed off by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) (the NGB for cricket).

5.2 Analysis undertaken by site covers capacity, key issues and club requirements. There is also a review of the Team Generation Rate calculations and a summary of the key findings for cricket provision in Bracknell Forest.

5.3 In summary, in Bracknell Forest there are eight generally available cricket grass pitches but there are more within schools (private and state) and within institutions (Sandhurst Royal Military Academy - RMA) which add to the overall supply in the Borough. In terms of their quality, five pitches were rated as good; one as standard and two were rated as poor quality.

National / Local Consultation and Priorities

Consultation responses 5.4 The ECB identified Bracknell Forest as an active area for affiliated cricket, with a number of clubs playing Saturday and Sunday league cricket, in addition to a midweek league and extensive junior participation.

5.5 The quality of pitches in the area is seen to be adequate; however the clubs have raised issues with a lack of access to ‘second’ grounds, as well as training facilities.

Cricket Unleased (2016 - 2021) 5.6 The ECB published its new strategic plan in 2015. One of the core aims of the plan is to create more players, more teams and inspired fans guided by good governance and strong financial operations. The goal of Cricket Unleashed is to make the game more accessible and inspire the next generation of players, coaches, officials and volunteers.

5.7 The ECB aims to work with local authorities to develop fit-for-purpose facility and participation plans that will engage with local residents and ensure residents are provided with the right facilities to help them play the game.

National Club Strategy (2012) 5.8 ECB’s National Club Strategy focuses on promoting the sustainability of clubs and their facilities. The ECB aims to develop accessible, high quality and innovative facilities which inspire the nation to choose cricket, and create a culture of sustainable development which will leave a legacy for generations to come.

Quantity and Avaialbility

5.9 The map in Appendix 1 shows the location of the cricket sites in the Borough. The following table provides an overview of all the cricket sites and pitches. The supply of grass and artificial pitches (shown in the final column) is calculated by assuming that grass pitches can accommodate 5 matches per season and artificial pitches can accommodate 60 matches per season.

Table 5.1 An Overview of Cricket Sites and Pitches in Bracknell Forest Supply: Sites currently providing Community use on Secured community Wickets Wickets Site ref. Ownership Squares grass - community use for cricket site use (grass) (artificial) artificial Bracknell & District Cricket Bracknell & District 553 Available Secured 1 13 1 65-60 Club Cricket Club Braybrooke Recreation Not available – Bracknell Town 554 N/A 1 0 1 0-60 Ground disused Council F.W.E. Goates Memorial Ground (Binfield Cricket 555 Available Secured Trust 1 12 1 60-60 Club) Great Hollands Recreation Bracknell Town 556 Available Secured 1 10 1 50-60 Ground Council Locks Ride Recreation Winkfield Parish 557 Available Secured 1 9 0 45-0 Ground Council Sandhurst Memorial Park Sandhurst Town 558 Available Secured 1 9 1 45-60 (Sandhurst Cricket Club) Council The Parks 559 Available Unknown Housing Developer 1 0 1 0-60

Warfield Mermorial Park 560 Available Secured Trust 1 9 0 45-0 (Warfield Cricket Club) * Not included in the above table is Wellington College (Ref 279), as the site was not given a formal assessment during the cricket season. Satellite research indicates that there are 60 wickets on this site, spread across 11 squares. The quality of these pitches is expected to be very high.

Tenure/ Management Breakdown 5.10 Table 5.2 below provides a breakdown of the cricket pitches in the area by ownership and management (please note that this table refers to pitches and not sites).

Table 5.2 Ownership of Cricket Pitches Type of ownership Ownership Management Trust 2 1 Local Authority (Bracknell 0 4 Forest Council) Town Council 3 1 Parish Council 1 0 Club 1 1 Private (not covered by 1 1 above categories)

Quality

5.11 All cricket sites in Bracknell Forest were visited and assessed. Each site (and pitch) has been provided with quality ratings for 5 areas according to Sport England guidance. The results can be seen in the table below.

Table 5.3 Pitch Quality Scores Artificial Grass Changing Non Turf Site Ref Outfield Overall Score Rating Wickets Wickets /Pavilion Practice Bracknell & District 553 100% 71% 100% 92% 58% 84% Good Cricket Club Braybrooke 554 70% 0% 0% 92% 0% 54% Poor Recreation Ground F.W.E. Goates Memorial Ground 555 100% 86% 100% 100% 75% 92% Good (Binfield Cricket Club) Great Hollands (Recreation 556 80% 29% 67% 92% 0% 67% Standard Ground) Locks Ride 557 100% 0% 100% 80% 0% 93% Good Recreation Ground Sandhurst 558 100% 100% 100% 92% 92% 97% Good Memorial Park The Parks 559 43% 43% 0% 20% 0% 35% Poor Warfield Memorial 560 80% 0% 67% 40% 0% 62% Standard Ground

5.12 In general, the quality of cricket facilities in the area is considered to be quite good. Several inspections mention the need for new pavilions to service the cricket grounds. One clear weakness is the standard of non-turf wickets on open-access areas, such as The Parks or Braybrooke Recreation Ground. The following table gives more commentary by site.

Table 5.4 Commentary on the Quality of Cricket Sites Site Inspection Commentary Views of Cricket Clubs*

No-one from the site was made Bracknell & District CC has recently Bracknell & available for the assessment. The site received a £75k grant from Sport District appeared to be in good condition with England, which will be invested in new Cricket a well maintained square and good practice nets and improving the current Club pavilion. facilities, which were identified as in need of refurbishment. The site appeared to have no grass n/a wickets. The non-turf pitch is in such a poor condition it can no longer be considered safe for use. The site Braybrooke requires significant investment to make Recreation it appropriate for future use for any Ground formal cricket matches. Such investment would include appropriate time and work to bring back the grass wickets and the replacement of the non-turf wicket. One of the highest scoring grounds in Binfield CC has rated the quality of the area. The site has recently their pitches and facilities as good and invested in a new changing block, no particular issues were raised in this allowing the old pavilion to be regard. converted into a larger social space. The site also has good net facilities F.W.E. and covers. One possible future Goates development priority is the Memorial development of a field to the rear of Ground the clubhouse as a second ground. At (Binfield present the club is struggling to find a Cricket satisfactory second ground for its third Club) Saturday team. The club has a sizable youth section and is hoping to add a fourth team at some point in the future which means the club may require a dedicated second ground in the medium-term. The changing and non-turf facilities are n/a getting old and will need replacing in the short-medium term. The artificial pitch is especially requiring some more urgent attention. It is understood that Great there is a large project emerging for Hollands the site to overhaul the current built (Recreation facilities (which were originally built in Ground) 1976). Maintenance is very good however, which means the facilities for cricket are as good as they can be without major works (i.e. a new pavilion and a new artificial wicket). There are no site screens which could

Site Inspection Commentary Views of Cricket Clubs*

enhance the capacity and use of the facilities. The site is in high demand with around n/a 70 matches per year. This can be Locks Ride accommodated but to increase Recreation capacity a ‘roll on cover’ would help as Ground it is more reactive to adverse weather conditions. On inspection the site was rated as “Good”. The site’s facilities scored very well on Sandhurst CC has rated the quality of Sandhurst assessment. The site has recently pitches and facilities at Sandhurst Memorial received new nets and has a non-turf Memorial Park as good and stated that Park wicket that is in good condition. maintenance is upheld at a high standard. There was no wicket available to view n/a during the inspection. A Bracknell Forest Council inspection mentions a poorly laid non-turf wicket with no base The Parks layer or aggregate in place. Ownership of the site will be transferred to Bracknell Forest Council when the appropriate remedial works have been undertaken. The site is owned and managed by a Warfield CC has rated the quality of local trust. The site scored as standard the pitches as standard and suffering for its outfield and grass wickets. The from dog fouling and uneven wickets Warfield major issue with the site is the and outfield. The condition of the Memorial clubhouse which has been damaged clubhouse and changing facilities was Ground by subsidence. Other development described as unacceptable priorities include moving the cricket square further away from the road to create a longer straight boundary. *The opinions of the clubs regarding quality of facilities were received as a result of a consultation and may differ from the impartial rating given by the site assessor.

Accessibility

5.13 The cricket pitches in the borough are spread well across the parishes, offer facilities within a short distance of most settlements and are all accessible to the community. The sites are all near or on public roads and have public transport links within a reasonable distance. There are some residents who may have to travel further to reach a good quality cricket pitch; for example those living in Crowthorne Parish and the south of Winkfield Parish.

Demand

5.14 There are currently over 30 competitive cricket teams in the Borough.

Table 5.5 Number of Competitive Cricket Teams in Bracknell Forest No. of competitive teams Club Total Senior men Senior women Juniors Bracknell & District 1 (training 1 (training 3 3 CC only) only) Bracknell Council 1 0 0 1 CC Binfield CC 6 0 6 12 Crowthorne & 5 0 3 8 Crown Wood CC* Sandhurst CC 4 0 1 5 Warfield CC 3 0 2 5 Total 21 0 12 33 *Majority of fixtures played in Wokingham, but hire Great Hollands Recreation Ground and Wellington College as backup grounds.

Summaries of Feedback from Consultations with Cricket Clubs 5.15 The following table provides a summary of the feedback received during consultations undertaken with cricket clubs in Bracknell Forest, focussing on their key issues and future plans.

Table 5.6 Summary of Feedback from Cricket Clubs in Bracknell Forest Club Consultation Summary Two Saturday and 1 midweek sides playing at Bracknell & District CC, a site that is owned and maintained by the club. It also has a ladies and Bracknell colts section (with children from various age groups) currently only & District holding training sessions due to a lack of players to field competitive CC teams. The club has aspirations to increase the number of men’s sides, but that will come from the developing of the colts section. Six adult and 6 junior sides, with a 3rd adult XI and an U12 girls side being introduced this season due to an increase in players and demand in recent years. All teams are currently playing at F.W.E Goates Memorial Ground, except for the 3rd XI that play at Sol Joel Park in Binfield Reading. The club have identified this as an inconvenience and would CC like them to move closer to the Binfield area (possibly Great Hollands or the new pitch that is planned in the Blue Mountain development). Ideally the club would like additional land at their home ground where they could build a new pitch and have all teams at the same place. It says that this would also allow a further increase in the number of teams. With a current total of 5 teams (4 adult and 1 junior), the club has been recently struggling to hold onto players for cricket (decreasing numbers Sandhurst of individuals interested in the sport.). It is currently using local schools, CC advertising and social media to try and boost the numbers of players at cricket club across all age ranges, and is planning to add 1 more senior side and at least 2 more juniors in coming seasons. The club has seen a recent increase in numbers due to a youth initiative Warfield that they started in 2015, as well as online advertisement for new CC players. Currently 3 adult sides and 2 juniors (U9 and U12). All teams play home fixtures at Warfield Memorial Ground,

Bracknell Midweek Cricket League 5.16 This evening league is played in Bracknell and the surrounding area and provides competitive but enjoyable cricket in the shorter T20 style format. The following clubs play in these leagues and for those teams who fall within Bracknell Forest, their demand has been captured in the table above.

Table 5.7 Bracknell Midweek League Teams Bracknell Midweek Cricket League Division 1 Division 2 Finchampstead CC Bracknell and District CC Binfield CC Reading CC Wokingham CC Sonning CC Sandhurst CC Bracknell Forest Council CC Old Beans CC

Assessment

5.17 The table below presents the supply and demand capacity analysis for cricket by site in the area.

Table 5.8 Capacity Analysis Games Per Season No of Games Site No of No of Non- Site Name played Site Comments Ref Pitches wickets Turf (Adult Capacity wickets – Junior) Bracknell & This site is District currently under 553 1 13 1 44-10 65-60 Cricket capacity for grass Club wickets F.W.E. Goates This site is Memorial currently over Ground 555 1 12 1 45-22 60-60 capacity for grass (Binfield wickets Cricket Club) Great This site is Hollands currently under 556 1 10 1 2-0 50-60 (Recreation capacity for grass Ground) wickets This site is Sandhurst currently over Memorial 558 1 9 1 38-10 45-60 capacity for grass Park wickets This site is Warfield currently under Memorial 560 1 9 0 30-7 45-0 capacity for grass Ground wickets This site is Wellington currently under 279 11 60 0 10-0 350-0* College* capacity for grass wickets * Estimated capacity as per satellite audit

Latent Demand 5.18 To identify where there may be additional demand for cricket in Bracknell Forest, the clubs provided information on where they are planning to increase their team numbers in the next three years. The table below identifies all the clubs that identified latent demand, with the projected demand broken down by age group.

Table 5.9 Latent Demand Adult Teams Junior Club Totals Mens Ladies Boys Girls Bracknell 1 1 - - 2 CC Crowthorne & Crown 1 - 2 1 4 Wood CC Sandhurst 1 - 1 1 3 CC

Displaced Demand 5.19 No displaced demand (clubs who have either moved, or are looking to move, outside of the local authority due to cost, availability or quality of facilities) has been identified during consultations with users.

Summary Capacity Analysis and Scenarios 5.20 The following table and section contains the summary capacity analysis for cricket in Bracknell Forest.

Table 5.10 Summary Capacity Analysis and Scenarios for Cricket in Bracknell Forest Community use Capacity Balance Capacity demand (matches Scenario – non (Supply Notes – grass + training in match Name turf minus pitches equivalents) pitches demand) Adult Junior This includes all secured 1. All sites as identified in Table secured 1 and measures capacity 265 - 157 49 +59 sites; grass using 5 matches per wickets only grass wicket per season 2. All secured As above, but including sites; grass the projected growth in 265 189 173 -97 wickets demand, as per Table FUTURE 5.11 below analysis 3. All As above, but including secured non-turf pitches, with an sites; grass 265 240 157 49 +299 assumed capacity of 60 and non-turf matches per season pitches Includes all cricket sites, 4. All cricket including Wellington 615 300 157 49 +709 sites College (with assumed capacity) and the Parks

5.21 The table above identifies that when all cricket supply is taken into consideration (Scenario 4), there is a significant surplus of cricket facilities in Bracknell Forest. It is important to note, however, that this is not a realistic assessment of facility availability, as this includes two sites (Wellington and the Parks) which provide a significant amount of capacity which is not currently secured or available for community use.

5.22 Scenario 3 also illustrates that there is a surplus of cricket, however this assumes that artificial pitches are used across the study area for competitive matches at all age groups. In practice, both players and administrators look to play on grass pitches wherever possible, especially in the high adult leagues. Non-turf pitches are most appropriate for match play for junior cricketers, who benefit from consistency of bounce and the greater assurance that games will not be cancelled due to poor weather.

5.23 Scenarios 1 and 2 provide the most realistic view of cricket facility provision in Bracknell Forest, with the calculation for the current situation showing a small surplus for grass pitches across the study area. On the other hand, when latent demand is factored in (assuming that every additional team plays 8 matches per season), there is projected to be a shortfall in grass wickets by the end of the strategy period (2036). It should be noted, however, that this analysis is for grass wickets and a large number of junior demand will be satisfied by non-turf pitches. Furthermore, these latent demand calculations assume that all projected demand (identified by clubs) is realised, however due to the day-to- day challenges with growing a club, this is unlikely to be the case.

5.24 This capacity analysis is shown in more detail within Table 5.12, the balance for cricket provision at each individual site. While the overall balance analysis shows a surplus for Bracknell Forest, a number of sites currently have a deficit of cricket supply and need further provision to meet the need of their members and prospective players.

Team Generation Rates 5.25 The future demand for cricket in Bracknell Forest is dependent on a number of different factors, one of which is the projected population changes in the relevant age groups. In order to understand how the growth of population in Bracknell Forest is likely to impact the demand for cricket, Table 5.11 below demonstrates the Team Generation Rates across the study area. These calculations utilise Office of National Statistics 2014 subnational population projections. This breaks down the population into 5-year age-bands allowing for more detailed analysis.

5.26 It should be noted that these figures assume that cricket bodies, such as the ECB and local clubs, are no more or less successful than they are currently in marketing and attracting new players to play cricket.

Table 5.11 Cricket Team Generation Rates Additional Future Current Predicted teams Current (2036) Age population future required no. of TGR population group within age number of for teams within age group teams increased group population Adult (19-65) – 31,580 21.0 0.7 32,260 21.5 0.5 males only Youth (8- 18) – 5,140 12.0 2.3 6,440 15.0 3.0 boys only Women’s Cricket 31,600 1.0 0 32,340 0.0 1.0 (all ages)

Site by Site Analysis 5.27 Based on the evidence collated for cricket pitch provision, it can be concluded that there are certain cricket facilities across the study area that are recorded as high value sites for a number of reasons.

5.28 Table 5.12 below provides a justification for how each of the sites where cricket is currently available to the community should be protected, enhanced or provided for. Where it is recommended that a site is not required for community use cricket, this is also explained in the table.

5.29 To confirm which sites have spare capacity or a deficit, the site-by-site analysis provides a total balance per site to illustrate the sites that need investment either to improve the quality of pitches (and therefore carrying capacity), as well as the sites that need a greater number of grass pitches in order to satisfy demand. This is shown in the ‘capacity for community use’ column.

5.30 Only those sites that have been identified as having formal community use at the site are included in the site by site analysis.

Table 5.12 Site-by-site Analysis – Sites for Protection, Enhancement and Provision No. Of Pitches Community Use Non-technical Balance – Capacity for Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Site Name (Site Ref) (Squares) category Assessment Rating community use Provision (PV) This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is the home ground of Bracknell & District CC, which has 2 Saturday PR adult’s men’s teams and 1 midweek side, as well as ladies and colt’s sections. The club are looking to develop the colts section further, which should lead This site is currently to further men’s teams being started. Bracknell & District 1 Available 84% under capacity for grass No further enhancement has been identified as Cricket Club (553) wickets being required as part of this study. The club has recently received a £75k grant from Sport England E for new practice nets and facilities, which have previously been identified as being in need of refurbishment. No further provision has been identified as being PR required as part of this study. This site had no grass wickets on inspection and the non-turf pitch is in such a poor condition that it can no longer be considered safe for use. The site PR would require significant investment to make it This site is currently appropriate for future use for any formal cricket. Braybrooke Recreation Not available - 1 54% under capacity for grass This site could therefore be re-designated as open Ground (554) disused wickets space. No further enhancement has been identified as E being required as part of this study. No further potential provision has been identified as PV being required as part of this study. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a high quality cricket site and is the home ground of Binfield Cricket Club. PR All of the club’s teams play at the ground, except for F.W.E Goats Memorial rd This site is currently over the 3 XI, that plays at Sol Joel Park. The club have Ground (Binfield 1 Available 92% capacity for grass wickets identified this as an inconvenience and would like Cricket Club) (555) them to move closer to the Binfield area. No further enhancement has been identified as EH being required as part of this study. See the provide section below for requirements for a second square.

No. Of Pitches Community Use Non-technical Balance – Capacity for Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Site Name (Site Ref) (Squares) category Assessment Rating community use Provision (PV) The club would benefit from having access to an additional pitch. The use of the area at the rear of the clubhouse should be explored to see if a second PV square can be developed. If not, the club has identified the new pitch at the New Mountain Development as a potential second pitch. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This site is currently underutilised however there is a proposed project to overhaul the current build facilities, which were built PR in 1976 and in need of replacement. This site could be used as a second ground for Binfield CC or for further community or casual use, if investment was Great Hollands This site is currently available to improve the grass pitches and provide Recreation Ground 1 Available 67% under capacity for grass site screens. (556) wickets No further enhancement has been identified as E being required as part of this study. The current facilities are fit for purpose for their use. If the site is to be used for a greater amount of formal cricket, a new artificial wicket, new site PV screens and the provision of a new ancillary block is required. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a high quality site that PR is subject to high levels of demand throughout the season. No further enhancement has been identified as This site is currently E being required as part of this study. The current Locks Ride Recreation 1 Available 93% under capacity for grass facilities are fit for purpose for their use. Ground (557) wickets The Parish Council should look to apply for grants for a new roll-on cover, which would improve the ability of the ground to play matches during periods PV of inclement weather, as well as reducing damage to the square when matches are played following periods of rain. This site should be protected as playing fields as Sandhurst Memorial This site is currently over 1 Available 97% PR part of the Local Plan. This is a high quality site that Park (558) capacity for grass wickets is owned and operated by Sandhurst Town Council

No. Of Pitches Community Use Non-technical Balance – Capacity for Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Site Name (Site Ref) (Squares) category Assessment Rating community use Provision (PV) and is the home ground of Sandhurst Cricket Club. The club have recently had trouble retaining members but are currently to boost numbers by improving their marketing and accessibility. If the club is willing to take on further responsibility for the ground, the Town Council and the club should explore the option of asset transfer, to reduce the maintenance costs and liability for the Council. No further enhancement has been identified as E being required as part of this study. The current facilities are fit for purpose for their use. No further provision has been identified as being PV required as part of this study. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is a new site, however currently there are no grass pitches and the outfield is not fit-for-purpose. The Council will accept ownership of the site when the appropriate remedial PR works have been undertaken by the housing developer. If the appropriate investment can be This site is currently made then this could be a used as a second ground The Parks (559) 1 Available 35% under capacity for grass for Binfield CC, due to the proximity to their existing wickets home ground. Investment is needed into the rolling and E preparation of the outfield. A new square is required at the site, which should include a new artificial pitch and ancillary facility. PV Standard cricket facilities, such as covers and site screens, will also be required. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the Local Plan. This is the home ground for PR Warfield Cricket Club, who has seen a recent This site is currently increase in numbers due to a youth initiative that it Warfield Cricket Club 1 Available 62% under capacity for grass started in 2015. (560) wickets The facilities at the site were rated as standard on inspection, however the club has raised that dog E fouling is an issue, as well as uneven wickets and outfield. The clubhouse is not fit for purpose (see

No. Of Pitches Community Use Non-technical Balance – Capacity for Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Site Name (Site Ref) (Squares) category Assessment Rating community use Provision (PV) below). The clubhouse has suffered from subsidence and requires replacement, following advice from structural experts. As the club continues to grow PV there is likely to be a requirement for a non-turf pitch, to satisfy the demand for minis and junior cricket.

Key PPS Findings

5.31 A summary of cricket provision in Bracknell Forest is as follows:

Table 5.13 Key PPS Findings - Cricket Key Question Analysis Demand for cricket in Bracknell Forest has been found to be relatively consistent, with a number of local clubs representing the majority of the demand for affiliated cricket What are the main across the study area. characteristics of the The supply of cricket provision is adequate, with only two current supply and sites identified as being at a deficit. It should be noted, demand for provision? however, that these sites are two of the major cricket sites within the local authority and therefore require action to increase the quantity of provision. Is there enough Across the study area, there is enough accessible and accessible and secured secured community use provision, however the calculation community use shows a deficit at two of the key clubs (Sandhurst and provision to meet Binfield CC), which needs to be addressed. current demand Is the provision that is accessible of sufficient The quality of provision across the study area is adequate. quality and However, there are two sites (Braybrooke and The Parks) appropriately which are currently either disused or not fit for purpose. maintained? What are the main The Team Generation analysis indicates that while the characteristics of the demand for male (adult) and female (all ages) cricket is future supply and forecast to be consistent over the lifetime of the strategy, demand for provision three additional teams are projected for youth cricket. When the additional projected teams are included in the overall capacity analysis, an overall surplus is still demonstrated. In reality, however, the additional demand is Is there enough likely to increase the deficit of supply for the larger clubs, as accessible and secured these clubs are likely to have the infrastructure and volunteer community use system in place to grow their junior sections. It is important provision to meet future that this strategy provides the larger cricket clubs with the demand appropriate actions, in order to reduce the likelihood of them having to turn away new members in the future due to the lack of facility development.

CHAPTER 6 Rugby Union

Overview and Summary

6.1 This chapter assesses the supply and demand for Rugby Pitches for Rugby Union in the Borough5. There are 38 Rugby Pitches on 10 sites in the Borough. In terms of their quality using the Rugby Football Union (RFU) criteria, 19 pitches were rated as good, 12 as standard and 6 rated as poor quality. The Map in Appendix 1 shows the location of the 10 sites.

6.2 In summary the following work was undertaken to establish supply and demand for Rugby Union in the Borough:

• All rugby sites were visited. • Responses were received from both rugby clubs. • All the supply, demand and assessment data in this chapter has been reviewed and signed off by RFU (the NGB for Rugby Union).

6.3 The analysis undertaken per site shows capacity, key issues and club requirements. The analysis also reviews the capacity of the rugby grounds, as well as Team Generation Rate calculations, summary capacity calculations and key findings for Rugby Union provision in Bracknell Forest.

National / Local Priorities and Consultation

6.4 The RFU is the national governing body responsible for grassroots and elite rugby in England, with the season operating from September to April.

National Facilities Strategy for Rugby Union in England (2013 -2017) 6.5 The National Facilities Strategy for Rugby Union in England includes the following aims and priorities relevant to the PPS:

• The core aims of the RFU are to create effective and efficient use of facilities, management and governance along with community integration. • Facility priorities include improving changing provision, natural turf pitch quality, AGPs and floodlighting for both matches and training. These affect commercial opportunities within community clubs.

Local Consultation 6.6 Consultation was carried out with the RFU and it has been identified that the main priority for the Council is to improve the rugby provision for the two rugby clubs in the study area (Bracknell RFC and Crowthorne RFC), in order to allow the clubs to grow and utilise fit-for-purpose facilities.

5 Undertaken in accordance with Stage B and C of the Sports England Guidance. The assessment of Rugby Pitches was carried out by 4Global in line with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) non-technical quality assessment aligned with the Sport England Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance.

Quantity and Availability

6.7 The number of rugby sites and pitches in Bracknell Forest has been detailed in the table below. The table also identifies the split in ownership of all rugby pitches in Bracknell Forest. This shows that the majority of rugby pitches are privately owned.

6.8 It is important to understand where there may be potential further supply of pitches to alleviate pressure on existing pitches should the capacity analysis show that there is overplay on the existing pitches.

Table 6.1: Breakdown of Rugby Sites and Pitches in Bracknell Forest Secured Site Community Use Site Name* Community Owners Management Adult Junior/Minis Ref on Site Use

Lambrook School 561 Not Available Unsecured Private Private 1 8 Eagle House School 562 Not Available Unsecured Private Private 2 0 Lily Hill Park (Bracknell 563 Available Secured Bracknell Forest Council Bracknell Forest Council 3 0 Rugby Club) Sandhurst School 564 Not Available Unsecured Bracknell Forest Council Bracknell Forest Council 1 0 Wellington College 565 Not Available Unsecured Private Private 14 0 Royal Military Academy 566 Available Unsecured Ministry of Defence Private MOD 5 0 Sandhurst Calfridus Way 567 Available Secured Bracknell Town Council Bracknell Town Council 1 0 Garth Hill College 568 Not Available Secured Bracknell Forest Council Bracknell Forest Council 1 0 Ranelagh School (Larges 569 Available Unsecured Academy Academy 1 0 Lane Pitches) The Brakenhale School 570 Available Unsecured Academy Academy 1 0 Total 30 8 Source: Bracknell Forest Council GIS * There is also a site at Broadmoor which is currently disused and under development. It is owned by the NHS.

Quality

6.9 Assessments were undertaken to provide an overall quality score that is in line with the RFU guidance. Table 6.2 sets out the RFU ratings and scoring criteria and Table 6.3 shows the ratings and scores for the Bracknell Forest pitches. The maintenance and drainage scores determine the capacity of a pitch in match equivalents.

Table 6.2: RFU Pitch Assessment Guidance Maintenance Drainage Poor (M0) Standard (M1) Good (M2) Natural Inadequate (D0) 0.5 1.5 2 Natural Adequate (D1) 1.5 2 3 Pipe Drained (D2) 1.75 2.5 3.25 Pipe and Slit Drained (D3) 2 3 3.5 Source: Sport England Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance Appendix 4a Rugby Union

6.10 It should be noted that in addition to the pitches shown in Table 6.2 rugby supply has also been identified at Edgbarrow and Easthampstead Park Schools. There were however no pitches marked out at the time of assessment therefore the supply has not been included as part of this dataset. This is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall balance for rugby in the study area as no clubs have stated that they play at the sites.

6.11 Table 6.3 below shows the number of pitches in Bracknell Forest that fit into each of the RFU’s pitch assessment guidance criteria (as shown in Table 6.2).

Table 6.3: Number of Pitches fulfilling each category of the RFU Pitch Assessment Guidance in Bracknell Forest Drainage Maintenance Poor (M0) Standard (M1) Good (M2) Natural Inadequate (D0) 3 0 0 Natural Adequate (D1) 0 2 5 Pipe Drained (D2) 3 1 0 Pipe and Slit Drained (D3) 0 9 14 Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

6.12 Table 6.4 below shows the pitch scores following a non-technical quality assessment of the pitches that are used by the community for rugby in Bracknell Forest. This allows us to understand the capacity of each pitch including from a community use perspective, using the capacity calculations in Table 6.3 above.

Table 6.4: Rugby Sites and Individual Pitch Capacity Overall Site Name (Ref) Type of pitch Drainage Score Pitch maintenance score Pitch Capacity capacity of site Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Lambrook School (561) Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 27 Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Junior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Senior D3 8 - Adequate (M1) 3 Eagle House School (562) Senior D1 7 - Adequate (M1) 2 4 Senior D1 7 - Adequate (M1) 2 Senior D2 7 - Adequate (M1) 2.5 Lily Hill Park (Bracknell Rugby Club) Senior D2 4 - Poor (M0) 1.75 6 (563) Senior D2 4 - Poor (M0) 1.75 Sandhurst School (564) Senior D0 2 - Poor (M0) 0.5 0.5 Wellington College (565) Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 49 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5

Overall Site Name (Ref) Type of pitch Drainage Score Pitch maintenance score Pitch Capacity capacity of site Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D3 15 - Good (M2) 3.5 Senior D1 12 - Good (M2) 3 Senior D1 12 - Good (M2) 3 Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (566) Senior D1 12 - Good (M2) 3 15 Senior D1 12 - Good (M2) 3 Senior D1 12 - Good (M2) 3 Calfridus Way (567) Senior D0 0 - Poor (M0) 0.5 0.5 Garth Hill College (568) Senior D2 0 - Poor (M0) 1.75 1.75 Ranelagh School (Larges Lane) (569) Senior D0 0 - Poor (M0) 0.5 0.5 The Brakenhale School (570) Senior D1 7 – Adequate (M1) 3 3 Total 107.25 Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

Key Site Summary

6.13 Lily Hill Park (Bracknell RFC) is the only major rugby site available to the community for use in Bracknell Forest. The site has been highlighted as requiring significant investment into the maintenance and drainage. The pitches were assessed as being in an extremely poor and unsafe condition. The ancillary facilities were found to be in an adequate condition, with the club looking to develop its gym and fitness facilities to help increase the standard of play at the club and its place within the community.

Accessibility

6.14 The rugby sites are fairly well spread throughout the Borough. There are 5 rugby sites in Bracknell Town, 1 in Warfield Parish, 1 in Crowthorne Parish and 3 in Sandhurst Parish. There are no dedicated rugby pitches in the parishes of Binfield or Winkfield but here will likely be at least one rugby pitch in the new secondary school at Blue Mountain (Binfield Parish). Improved community provision in Crowthorne will be addressed when a new pitch is provided as part of the Broadmoor redevelopment.

6.15 Whilst there are gaps in provision which will be addressed to some degree, it is not considered to be of great concern. The Borough is fairly small and accessible and travel across the Borough is relatively quick, convenient and easy. There are no real concerns with accessibility to sites, however gaining as much community access to sites is more pressing. The Council, as part of its strategy should encourage more rugby sites to allow community access.

Demand

Club Breakdown 6.16 There are two rugby clubs that operate within the Bracknell Forest area. The breakdown of teams in these clubs has been provided below.

Table 6.5: Team Profile of Rugby Clubs in Bracknell Forest Adult 18-19 years Junior teams Mini / Midi Club Totals teams youth teams (U13-17) teams (U7-12) Bracknell RFC 5 2 8 12 27 Crowthorne RFC (temporarily plays 2 0 0 0 2 in Wokingham) Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

Key Club Consultation Summaries 6.17 The following is a summary of the consultations undertaken with two key clubs, focussing on their key issues and future plans. All pitch-rating comments are the opinions of the club and may differ from the impartial rating given by the site assessor.

Table 6.6: Summary of Demand Consultations from Rugby Clubs in Bracknell Forest Club Consultation Summary

A current total of 27 teams across all age groups, with no increase in numbers in recent years .The club has heavily stressed the fact that they have intentions to keep growing but are unable to do so due to a lack of pitches and facilities which are currently working at capacity.

Facility development plans include the recent refurbishment of their clubhouse and current renovation of their toilets. But the club’s principal need and priority is to increase playing space and improving drainage Bracknell system. There were 30-40 matches cancelled in the previous season RFC due to waterlogged pitches. The site is set on clay which is an issue. The club has an aspiration to develop a 3G pitch and is currently in discussions with RFU regarding the development a new facility.

The club has use of the 3 pitches at Lily Hill park, but also access the one at Calfridus Way when home pitches are unplayable. Due to huge demand and large playing numbers this pitch was used almost every week in the previous season. They have identified this as an inconvenience as Calfridus Way does not have changing facilities and is a 10 minute walk away. Currently 2 adult sides (men and women) and aspirations to start a junior section in coming years. The club has been contacted by the RFU to accredit the club and become a centre for youth teams. Crowthorn e RFC* The club is based in Bracknell but are currently playing home fixtures in Wokingham (Arborfield Garrison) while they develop a new pitch at Broadmoor estate in Crowthorne (South Meadow), including changing facilities and clubhouse. Estimated delivery date for this project has not been specified by the club. Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

6.18 Bracknell RFC, which currently plays at Lily Hill Park, represents a key issue as the facilities are not fit for purpose and the club suffers from severe drainage issues during periods of wet weather. The RFU and the club have invested circa £60k over the past couple of years to improve the 3rd pitch at the site. The club is also working with Sport England to develop a Protecting Playing Pitches project on Pitch 2 and the club has also invested in Pitch 1 during the summer of 2016, which the RFU are hoping will improve the quality of the 1st team pitch for the coming season.

6.19 The RFU have been part of discussions regarding the possible development of a WR22 (World Rugby 22) 3G pitch at Lily Hill Park, which will potentially form part of the RFU’s strategy over the next 4 years. For this to progress, the club will need to consider how funding for the development could be achieved without RFU direct investment, if this is the preferred solution for the existing pitch capacity issues.

6.20 The pitches across Lily Hill Park are seen to be heavily overused. The RFU have raised the issue that there are a large number of pitches in this study are not available for use by the community and its clubs. This means that the small

number of pitches with community use suffer from a significant amount of demand, compared to the theoretical capacity of the pitches.

6.21 Crowthorne RFC currently play outside of the borough (demand exported to Wokingham), however the club are based in Bracknell. The club are currently developing a facility at the Broadmoor estate in Crowthorne, including changing facilities and clubhouse. The project is still moving forward however negotiations between all parties around scale and costs are a threat to timescales and completion. The facility should include the following facilities:

• 1 full size pitch. • 1 junior size pitch. • 1 changing room development with 2 x changing rooms/ officials/ toilets/ kitchen and small social space. • Dedicated car parking.

Assessment

Site-by-Site Balance Figures 6.22 The table below details the site-by-site capacity analysis for all sites used by rugby clubs in Bracknell Forest. Capacity analysis has not been carried out for sites where there is no demand for rugby. These sites have been detailed in the table below and shown on the Map in Appendix 1.

Table 6.7: Rugby Site Capacity Analysis Demand (matches + Balance training in (Supply Site Name Supply Pitch type Quantity match minus (Site Ref) (Capacity) equivalents) demand) SNR JNR Lily Hill Park Senior (Bracknell Rugby 3 6 1.5 11 -6.5 Rugby Club) Union (563) Senior Calfridus Rugby 1 0.5 1 0 -0.5 Way (567) Union Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

Latent and Displaced Demand 6.23 During consultations with rugby clubs in Bracknell Forest, data was requested on displaced demand (clubs who have either moved, or are looking to move, outside of the local authority due to cost, availability or quality of facilities) or latent demand (additional demand that is not active currently but could be realised and converted to affiliated participation within the next 5 years). Neither latent nor displaced demand was identified during consultation with rugby clubs in Bracknell Forest.

Summary Capacity Analysis and Scenarios 6.24 The following section shows the summary capacity analysis for rugby in Bracknell Forest, as well as for a number of relevant scenarios, as requested by the RFU and the Sport England 2013 Playing Pitch Guidance.

Table 6.8: Summary Capacity Analysis and Scenarios for Rugby in Bracknell Forest Demand (matches + Balance Quantity Scenario Supply training in match (Supply Notes of Name (Capacity) equivalents) minus pitches SNR JNR demand)

1. Sites currently available Lily Hill Park and (563) and 4 6.5 2.5 11 -7.0 secured Calfridus Way for (567) community use Include the two identified 2. All sites above, as well currently as RMA available Sandhurst 11 25 2.5 11 +11.5 for (564), community Brakenhale use (570) and Ranelagh (569) Schools All sites 3. All identified in 38 107.25 2.5 11 +93.75 rugby sites Table 6.4 Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

6.25 Table 6.8 identifies that when all rugby supply is taken into consideration (Scenario 3), there is a significant surplus of grass pitches across the study area. As identified in the RFU consultation, however, when only those sites that are available to the community are taken into the consideration, there is only a small surplus of provision.

6.26 Given the RFU’s strategic objective to get as many clubs playing at their own home ground as possible and limiting the use of unsecured education sites, the most realistic representation of rugby capacity is shown in Scenario 1. This identifies that when only sites that are available and secured for community use are included, there is a significant deficit for grass pitches. This deficit demonstrates the need for at least 2 additional GOOD quality pitches, to meet the need of the local rugby clubs. It is imperative that any additional grass supply has high quality drainage systems and maintenance regimes to maintain the quality of pitches throughout the winter.

6.27 A further option is to satisfy training and match demand by WR22 3G AGP provision. This standard of 3G allows full contact training and competitive match play and would severely reduce the dependency on grass pitches across the Borough.

Team Generation Rates 6.28 The future demand for rugby in Bracknell is dependent on a number of different factors, one of which is the projected population changes in the relevant age groups. In order to understand how the growth of population in Bracknell Forest is likely to impact the demand for rugby, Table 6.9 below demonstrates the Team Generation Rates across the Borough.

6.29 These calculations utilise Office of National Statistics 2014 subnational population projections, as it is necessary to break down the population into 5 year age-bands to split the population into the relevant age groups for sports participation.

6.30 It should be noted that these figures assume that rugby bodies, such as the RFU and local clubs, are no more or less successful than they are currently in marketing and attracting new players to play rugby.

Table 6.9: Rugby Team Generation Rates Calculations Additional Future teams that Current Predicted Current (2031) may be population. future Type no. of TGR population generated Within age number teams within age from the group of teams group increased population Mini/Midi (6-12) - 7,280 12.0 1.6 8,620 14.2 2.2 Mixed Junior Rugby – 3,740 8.0 2.1 4,600 9.8 1.8 Male (13- 17) Senior Rugby – 22,700 9.0 0.4 23,540 9.3 0.3 Male (18- 45) Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

Site by Site Analysis 6.31 Based on the evidence collated for rugby pitch provision, it can be concluded that there are certain rugby facilities across the Borough that are recorded as high value sites for a number of reasons.

6.32 Table 6.10 provides a justification for how each of the sites, where rugby is currently available to the community, should be Protected, Enhanced or Provided for. Where it is recommended that a site is not required for community use rugby, this is also explained in the table.

6.33 To confirm which sites have spare capacity or a deficit, the site-by-site analysis in this section will provide a total balance per site to illustrate the sites that need investment either to improve the quality of pitches (and therefore carrying capacity), as well as the sites that need a greater number of grass pitches in order to satisfy demand. This will be shown in the ‘capacity for community use’ column.

6.34 With regards to the table the following should be noted:

• Where quality scores of pitches differ at the same site, the highest score will be presented in this table to represent the entire site. For detailed quality scores per pitch, please see detailed Stage B site by site analysis in Table 6.10 below. • Only those sites that have been identified as having formal community use at the site are included in the site by site analysis.

Table 6.10: Rugby Site-by-site Analysis Site Name No. Of Community Non-technical Balance – Capacity Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provision (PV) (Site ref) Pitches Use category Assessment Score for community use This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the local plan. This is the home ground for Bracknell RFC, who has 27 teams PR across a number of age groups. The club has stressed that they have intentions to keep growing but area unable to do so due to the quality and quantity of the existing pitches and facilities. The site is currently at a significant deficit for rugby, caused by the low quality of the grass pitches, as well as drainage issues and a high level of demand for rugby in the area. In order to improve the carrying capacity at the site, the club should explore a more Lily Hill Park extensive a robust maintenance regime, supported by the RFU and (Bracknell E 3 Available D2/M1 - Adequate -6.5 the Council. If deemed to be an appropriate course of action by Rugby Club) maintenance specialists, a new, improved, drainage system may (563) help the pitches to be more playable during periods of heavy rain. The ancillary facilities also require further renovation, with the toilets current being undertaken. If deemed to In order to satisfy the demand for rugby in the area, the club has stated an aspiration to develop a WR22 3G pitch, which would be able to hold both training and competitive matchplay across all age PV groups. Due to the ownership of the site (Bracknell Forest Council), both parties should explore the possibility of major development on site, however alternative sites should be explored. This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the local plan. This is a one-pitch site used by Bracknell Rugby Club when they do not have availability at Lily Hill Park. The site is of low quality and has a basic maintenance regime, which is not robust PR enough to maintain a rugby pitch, especially during periods of wet weather. If the appropriate improvements can be made to Lily Hill Calfridus Way 1 Available D0/M0 - Poor -0.5 Park, to remove the demand for rugby on this site, then this site (567) could be re-allocated as open space. If this site is to be used for future rugby provision, a more robust E maintenance regime is required, which should include aeration, chain-harrowing/drag-matting and sand-dressing. If this site is to be used for future rugby provision, a basic new PV ancillary changing block is required. Source: 4Global Technical Analysis

Key PPS Findings

6.35 In line with the Sport England 2013 Playing Pitch guidance and associated checklists, the following key questions have been answered, to provide a summary of provision in the Local Authority.

Table 6.11: Key PPS Findings - Rugby Key Question Analysis Community Rugby in Bracknell Forest is currently provided in the majority by two sites, both of which have issues with What are the main drainage and have facilities that are not fit-for-purpose, given characteristics of the the standard and volume of rugby played at the site. Demand current supply and for rugby has been relatively static in recent years, as there is demand for provision? only 1 major club in the study area. The RFU have raised the issues that there is a significant amount of supply that is not currently available and secured for community use. Is there enough There is currently a deficit of 7.0 match equivalents for accessible and secured available and secured rugby provision in Bracknell Forest. community use This is caused by the low quality of pitches across the study provision to meet area and the resulting carrying capacity of the sites. current demand The quality of rugby provision in Bracknell Forest is not fit for purpose. Lily Hill Park has had issues with all three pitches, however significant funding has been invested by the RFU Is the provision that is and club over the past 2 years. The ancillary facility requires accessible of sufficient refurbishment to ensure it meets the needs of the club and quality and allows the club to generate additional revenue through social appropriately events and bar takings. maintained? Calfridus Way is used as an over-spill site for Bracknell RFC, however the site is of poor quality and does not have an ancillary facility The TGR calculations indicate a significant projected growth What are the main in teams (4 in total) across the mini and youth age groups in characteristics of the the study area. Demand for adult rugby is also projected to future supply and grow slightly, however this will be restricted if the existing demand for provision facilities are not improved. Is there enough accessible and secured With the existing issues and deficit of supply, there is not community use enough provision to meet the projected future demand. provision to meet future demand

CHAPTER 7 – Hockey

Overview and Summary

7.1 This chapter assesses the supply and demand for Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) for hockey in the Borough.6 There are 9 AGP’s for playing hockey on 8 sites in the Borough. The map in Appendix 1 shows the location of the hockey sites. In terms of their quality, 2 AGP’s were rated as good, 6 as standard and only 1 rated as poor quality.

7.2 In summary the following work was undertaken to establish supply and demand for hockey in the Borough:

• All hockey sites were visited and assessed by the Council’s designated site assessors. • Both hockey clubs responded to the consultation • The supply, demand and assessment data in this chapter has been reviewed and signed off by England Hockey (the NGB for Hockey).

National / Local Priorities and Consultation

7.3 In order to understand the overall objectives and priorities of the England Hockey Board (EHB), an analysis of key recent strategies and documentation has been undertaken and summarised below.

England Hockey Facilities Strategy (2017) 7.4 This strategy contains the following vision ‘for every hockey player in England to have appropriate and sustainable facilities that provide excellent experiences for players.” It follows with a mission statement for “more, better, happier players with access to appropriate and sustainable facilities.’

7.5 The club market for hockey is well structured and clubs are required to affiliate to England Hockey to play in community leagues. As a result, only a few occasional teams lie outside of the EH affiliation structure. Schools and universities are the other two areas where significant hockey is played.

7.6 The EHB has the ambition of growing participation by 10,000 adults and 32,500 children. To enable this three objectives have been highlighted:

1. PROTECT: To conserve the existing hockey provision. EH currently has over 800 pitches that are used by hockey clubs (club, school, universities). We need to retain the current provision where appropriate to ensure that hockey is maintained across the country 2. IMPROVE: To improve the existing facilities stock (physically and administratively). The current facilities stock is ageing and there needs to be strategic investment into refurbishing the pitches and ancillary facilities. There needs to be more support for clubs to obtain better agreements with

6 Undertaken in line with Stage B and C of the Sports England Guidance. The assessment of Artificial Grass Pitches was carried out in line with the England Hockey non-technical quality assessment aligned with the Sport England Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance.

facilities providers and education around owning an asset. 3. DEVELOP: To strategically build new hockey facilities where there is an identified need and ability to deliver and maintain. This might include the consolidation of hockey provision in a local area where appropriate. Research has identified key areas across the country where there is a lack of suitable Hockey provision and there is a need for additional pitches. There is an identified demand for multiple pitches in the right places to consolidate hockey and allow clubs to have all of their provision at one site. Local Consultation 7.7 Consultation was carried out with England Hockey and the South Berkshire Hockey Club. Their responses and priorities are identified as follows:

England Hockey 7.8 The major club in Bracknell Forest was identified as Bracknell Hockey Club, which has recently completed a merger with Wokingham Hockey Club and will be South Berkshire Hockey Club from the 2016/17 season onwards.

7.9 The main priority for England Hockey in the area is therefore to ensure that provision for South Berkshire Hockey Club is adequate for the needs of a major club, which is likely to have at least 21 teams from the beginning of the 2016/17 season. England Hockey stated that should South Berkshire Hockey Club look to have the club’s home ground within Bracknell Forest and can find an appropriate site, then significant provision will be required to meet the increased level of demand.

7.10 England Hockey is currently experiencing a significant growth in demand following the success of the England Women’s team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. As a result of this, the NGB is looking to maximise the retention of new (or returning) hockey players by ensuring early experiences are enjoyable and facilities are fit for purpose and of a good quality.

South Berkshire Hockey Club (SBHC) 7.11 During consultation it was stated that for the 2016/17 season, SBHC would use both existing home grounds (of the previous Bracknell and Wokingham Hockey Clubs) and matches would be split between the sites appropriately. This decision is influenced by the fact that leases exist on both clubhouses.

7.12 In the long term the club is looking to bring all hockey to one site. The club is neutral on the location of this site and is simply looking for the most fit-for- purpose site and location for the needs of the club. The club believes it has enough hockey demand to require two pitches during peak periods and would therefore look to utilise two sand or water based AGPs on the same site, complemented by a fit for purpose ancillary facility with changing rooms and social areas. The club is likely to have 21 teams in the 2016/17 season but are confident of adding further teams over the next few years.

7.13 A major benefit of the merger is that the club will now have enough revenue to pay coaches, which is likely to give the high performing adult teams a competitive advantage, as well as bringing a more professional feel to the club and growing the junior section.

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Quantity and Availability

7.14 The table below provides a detailed breakdown of AGP’s available across Bracknell Forest. This table only includes sand-dressed AGP’s as 3G surfaces are not appropriate for hockey. For supply and demand analysis, any AGP’s that are not full size (at least 100x60m) will not be included as they are not the required size for competitive hockey use.

Table 7.1: Sites with AGPs that Provide Hockey for Community Use Sand Availability of Site Name based / community use / Ownership Management Size (Site Ref) Water Security of based community use

Birch Hill Sand Local Bracknell Available and Recreation Ground 100x70 Dressed Authority Town Council Secured (571) Edgbarrow School Bracknell Sand Local Available and Sports Centre Forest 95x60 Dressed Authority Secured (572) Council Lambrook School Sand Private Education Not available 85x50 (573) Dressed Licensed Sand Victuallers School Private Education Not available 100x60 Dressed (574) Sandhurst Sports Sand Local Bracknell Available Secured Centre (575) Dressed Authority Forest 100x70 Council Royal Military Sand Ministry of Available and Academy RMA 100x60 Dressed Defence Unsecured Sandhurst (576) Bracknell The Brakenhale Sand Local Available and Forest 110x70 School (577) Dressed Authority Unsecured Council Sand Available and Private Education 100x70 Wellington College Dressed Unsecured (578) Sand Available and Private Education 100x70 Dressed Unsecured Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

7.15 Table 7.2 below details the availability in hours of AGPs at sites where they are utilised for hockey club use.7 This table includes only those facilities that are currently available for community use and are of a suitable size for competitive hockey to be played.

7 This information for the availability of AGPs at hockey sites has been signed off by England Hockey.

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Table 7.2: AGP Availability at Hockey Club Sites Weekday Saturday Sunday Site name AGP type peak hours hours hours available available available Birch Hill Recreation Ground Sand 20 10 10 (571) Dressed Edgbarrow School Sports Sand 20 10 10 Centre (572) Dressed Sandhurst Sports Centre Sand 20 10 10 (575) Dressed Royal Military Academy Sand 20 10 10 Sandhurst (576) Dressed Sand 20 10 10 The Brakenhale School (577) Dressed Sand Wellington College (578) 20 5 5 Dressed Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

Quality

7.16 The table below provides a summary of the scores provided to each site following the site quality assessments.

Table 7.3: Overview of Quality Ratings Quality rating AGP Good (80-100%) 2 Standard (50-79.9%) 6 Poor (0-49.9%) 1 Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

7.17 Table 7.4 below shows the detail behind Table 7.2 (above), with site assessment information for each pitch, as well as their additional facilities and age.

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Table 7.4: Detailed Quality Ratings for Hockey AGP’s in Bracknell Forest Sand Filled / Age of Condition Site Name Sand Dressed Size Floodlit playing (Quality / Water based surface score)

Birch Hill Recreation Sand Dressed 100x70 Yes 5-10 years 67 - Standard Ground (571) Edgbarrow School Sports Sand Dressed 95x60 Yes 5-10 years 73 - Standard Centre (572) Over 10 Lambrook School (573) Sand Dressed 85x50 No 52 - Standard years Licensed Victuallers Less than 2 Sand Dressed 100x60 Yes 83 - Good School (574) years Sandhurst Sports Centre Over 10 Sand Dressed 100x70 Yes 34 - Poor (575) years Royal Military Academy Sand Dressed 100x60 Yes 5-10 years 76 - Standard Sandhurst (576) The Brakenhale School Sand Dressed 110x70 Yes 5-10 years 66 - Standard (577) Over 10 Sand Dressed 100x70 Yes 74 - Standard Wellington College (578) years Sand Dressed 100x70 Yes 2-5 years 85 - Good Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

Accessibility

7.18 There are seven hockey pitches currently available for community use and a further two at Licensed Victuallers and Lambrook School which are not available. The sites are well spread across the borough; most are situated within or on the edge of settlements. All the pitches are based at larger facilities such as schools and sports centres which are well located in terms of accessibility. Those who live in the north west of the borough may not be able to access a hockey pitch as easily as those in the centre or south. However, there may be alternative facilities in neighbouring authorities which are not recognised in this report.

7.19 Future accessibility could be improved by securing the use of already available sites and gaining some use of pitches which are currently not available for community use.

Key Site Summaries

7.20 In terms of commentary about each pitch provider:

Birch Hill Recreation Ground: 7.21 This is the home of Bracknell Hockey Club. The site is on a long term lease from Bracknell Town Council. The club manages most of the use of the pitch. The site is considered to be of adequate quality for the club’s needs at present however if South Berkshire Hockey club look to develop this site as their home ground from the 2017/18 season, then the clubhouse will require refurbishment, as well as the likely addition of a sand-based AGP.

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Edgbarrow Sports Centre: 7.22 The site has a lot of school use due to the playing field’s poor drainage. The pitch and floodlights remain in adequate condition. During consultation the school reported that the site is predominantly used for football by both users and the school.

Sandhurst Sports Centre: 7.23 The site is in a poor state and condition. The poor drainage of the site’s AGP means the surface is now stained and damaged. The site requires better drainage installed to clear water from the AGP’s surface and requires the current surface to be replaced so that the facility can attract more community use.

Sandhurst Royal Military Academy: 7.24 An excellent site owned and managed by the British Army. The academy stated on consultation that there is spare capacity as the facility is used less by residents than in previous years. The consultation revealed that although there are some limiting factors to having significant community use (such as closing the site for security reasons) the site is keen to have community hires when and where possible.

Brakenhale School: 7.25 This site is well used by the community but has the vast majority of its use comes from football. The school reported that the quality the pitch is adequate for the needs of the school. The major issue for the site is the poor access and parking for cars with one-lane entrance/exit leading to bottle necks on the hour at user change over.

Wellington College: 7.26 A very good facility based on a private school site. The school has no obligation to allow continued community use of its facilities and does not offer multi-year leases for its hirers. The college has no plans to curtail community use of its site.

Demand

7.27 This section focuses on the demand for Hockey provision in the Borough thorough a review of the team profiles, their competitive match demand and their training hour requirements.

Club/Team Profile 7.28 There are two hockey clubs that operate within the Bracknell Forest area. The breakdown of teams in these clubs has been provided below.

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Table 7.5: Club Analysis Adult Teams Club Name Senior Juniors Total Senior Men Mixed Women South Berkshire 4 2 1 3 10* HC** Yateley 5 4 0 5 14 HC*** Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis * Demand for an additional 11 teams is being exported to neighbouring Wokingham, where part of the club is continuing to play following the recent merger. The club is looking to find a single home ground for the club for the 2017/18 season onwards. ** It should be noted that the demand for Bracknell Hockey Club will be transferred to SBHC as of the start of the 2016/17 season, following the successful merger with Wokingham Hockey Club. *** Only junior training currently taking place within the study area

7.29 The table below highlights how the profile of Hockey teams across Bracknell Forest creates demand for competitive matches throughout the week.

Table 7.6: Competitive Match Hours Demand Competitive hours required Type of Team Number of teams Weekday Saturday Sunday Senior teams (16-65) 6 0 6 0 Junior teams (11-15) 2 0 0 2 Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

7.30 Table 7.7 below highlights how the profile of hockey teams across Bracknell Forest creates demand for AGP training hours throughout the week. Senior teams train midweek however some junior teams/development centres may train on weekends. It is important to understand that this will impact on capacity analysis when considered with the competitive match slots required above.

Table 7.7: Training Hours Required Training hours required Type of Team Number of teams Weekday Saturday Sunday Senior teams (16-65) 6 5 0 0 Junior teams (11-15) 1 0 0 1 Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

Key Club Consultation Summaries 7.31 The following is a summary of the consultations undertaken with Bracknell Hockey Club and Yateley Hockey Club, focussing on their key issues and future plans. All pitch-rating comments are the opinions of the club and may differ from the impartial rating given by the site assessor.

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Table 7.8: Summary of Demand Consultations from Hockey Clubs in Bracknell Forest Club Consultation Summary

Following an agreement between Wokingham HC and Bracknell HC, a formal merger of the two clubs was confirmed in July 2016, with the new club being formed as South Berkshire Hockey Club. The merger will take effect for the 2016/17 season and will involve an extensive re-organisation of the club and its management team.

South The club is looking to run 7 junior teams, 8 male adult teams (including one vets), 5 adult female teams (including one vets) and Berkshire one mixed XI. Hockey Club Following further consultation, the club has stated that both ‘home’ grounds from last season (in Bracknell and Wokingham) will be used for the 2016/17 season, to ensure that hockey can continue as normal while the operational process of the merger is completed. This ensures that there will be the same level of demand for hockey in Bracknell as there was in the 2015/16 season. - +150 junior and +100 adult members - 9 adult teams (5 mens and 4 ladies) - Junior Section (U8, U10, U12, U15, U16) - 2015/2016 senior matches: all played at Farnborough 6th Form College - 2015/2016 training: all seniors at Farnborough 6th Form College (4 hours in total per week), juniors at Wellington College (2 hours on Sundays) Yateley HC

The club is not based in Bracknell, but as it is having its own pitch built at Eversley Sports Association (delivery expected for September 2016) it has been using Wellington Sports Centre for junior training and Edgbarrow School Sports Centre occasionally for matches. From the forthcoming season, it will move all of its activity to its new ground, although it might still need access to additional pitches for matches (possibly Farnborough 6th Form College or Wellington College).

Assessment

7.32 This section assesses the supply and demand for Hockey.8

Site-by-site Capacity Analysis 7.33 The table below provides capacity analysis for sites in Bracknell Forest that Hockey is currently played at. This table contains demand (in hours) from competitive matches as well as training required by local clubs (including Football training).

8 In line with Stage C of the Sport England Guidance

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Table 7.9: AGP Capacity Analysis Demand (hours Supply (hours) required – for training Balance (hours) Site Name and matches) (Site Ref) Week Weekd Week Sat Sun Sat Sun Sat Sun day ay day Birch Hill Recreation 20 10 10 7 8 3 13 2 7 Ground (571) (7 - Wellington football College 20 5 5 0 2* 13 5 3 training (578) ) Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis * Demand from Yateley HC

7.34 Table 7.9 illustrates that Birch Hill Recreation Ground, the only secured site where hockey is played within Bracknell Forest, has spare capacity throughout the week, with the biggest surplus identified during weekday evenings. The balance analysis for Saturday identifies a small surplus, however this is calculated using availability of 10 hours, which would require the club to play matches from 8am – 6pm (or equivalent).

7.35 In practice, 8 hours of demand on a Saturday demonstrates that the site is at capacity, with further demand likely to demonstrate the need for additional provision.

Hockey at Unsecured Sites 7.36 In order to understand the impact on hockey participation of sites being made un-available for community use, this section looks at the sites in Bracknell Forest where hockey is currently being undertaken, with no formal community use agreement or security of use.

7.37 Following the supply and demand audit, the following sites were identified as being used for hockey but not having formal community use agreements:

• Sandhurst School – only used for a small amount of curriculum and after school hockey. • The Brakenhale School – used extensively by the school and the community, however community use is limited to football, so there is no community hockey use. • Wellington College – used by Yateley Hockey Club (imported demand) for junior training.

7.38 The analysis indicates that there is a total of 2 hours hockey demand (imported demand from Yateley HC for Wellington College) that would need to be re- provided for if all unsecured hockey sites were made unavailable for community use.

Team Generation Rates 7.39 The future demand for hockey in Bracknell is dependent on a number of different factors, one of which is the projected population changes in the

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relevant age groups. In order to understand how the growth of population in Bracknell Forest is likely to impact the demand for hockey, Table 7.10 below demonstrates the Team Generation Rates across the study area.

7.40 These calculations utilise Office of National Statistics 2014 subnational population projections, as it is necessary to break down the population into 5- year age-bands to split the population into the relevant age groups for sports participation.

7.41 It should be noted that these figures assume that hockey bodies, such as England Hockey and local clubs, are no more or less successful than they are currently in marketing and attracting new players to play hockey.

Table 7.10: Hockey Team Generation Rates (TGRs) and Demand Projections Predicted Current Current Projected future Additional population Age group no. of TGR future total projected within age teams population number new teams group of teams

Adult – M 24,260 9.0 0.4 25,380 9.4 0.4 (16-45)

Adult – F 24,140 6.0 0.2 24,720 6.1 0.1 (16-45)

Junior - M 3,580 4.0 1.1 4,600 5.1 1.1 (5-15)

Junior - F 3,340 3.0 0.9 4,260 3.8 0.8 (5-15)

Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

Latent and Displaced Demand 7.42 During consultation with South Berkshire Hockey Club, data was requested on displaced demand (clubs who have either moved, or are looking to move, outside of the local authority due to cost, availability or quality of facilities) or latent demand (additional demand that is not active currently but could be realised and converted to affiliated participation within the next 5 years).

7.43 Neither latent nor displaced demand was identified during consultation with SBHC. It is assumed that any additional demand generated through improved coaching, management or facilities is provided for at the joint site, as recommended in this report.

Site-by-site Analysis 7.44 Based on the evidence collated in the PPS for hockey AGP provision, it can be concluded that there are certain AGP facilities across the study area that are recorded as high value sites for a number of reasons.

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7.45 Table 7.11 provides a justification for how each of the sites, where hockey is currently available to the community, should be Protected, Enhanced or Provided for. Where it is recommended that a site is not required for community use hockey, this will also be explained in the table.

7.46 To confirm which sites have spare capacity or a deficit, the site-by-site analysis in this section will provide a total balance per site to illustrate the sites that need investment either to improve the quality of pitches. This will be shown in the ‘capacity for community use’ column.

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Table 7.11: Hockey Site-by-Site Analysis Pitch Site Name Pitch Type Balance (Total assessment Justification for Protection (PR), Enhancement (E) or Provision (PV) (Ref) and Size Hrs) score This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the local plan. This site was previously the home ground of Bracknell Hockey club and will be used by the recently formed South Berkshire Hockey club for the 2016/17 PR season. Following this, the hockey club is looking for a permanent home, with two AGP’s and a single ancillary facility that can be used by the whole club. Although there is a significant surplus identified at the site, this will be reduced for the 2016/17 season as Bracknell Town JFC will play the majority of their home games at the site. This AGP is Depending on the decision on the future home ground of South Berkshire 1x Full under-capacity Birch Hill Hockey Club, the AGP surface will require re-carpeting within the next 2 to 5 sized sand- for peak times years. There is an option that the pitch could be considered for a change to Recreation 67 – Standard dressed (weekday E 3G, however re-carpeting the existing pitch as 3G would only be feasible if Ground (571) AGP evening and replacement hockey facilities are provided, which are fit for purpose for the weekend) needs of the club. It is likely, that with the growth of hockey in the area and an upward national trend, this site is likely to require 2 hockey suitable AGP’s and a major clubhouse and ancillary facility to meet the demand of local users. As above, if Birch Hill is selected as the home ground for South Berkshire HC, the ancillary facility will need to be refurbished to allow the hockey club to grow and develop an additional source of revenue. If a site within Bracknell PV Forest is chosen to be the home ground for the club, it is also likely that there will be a requirement for 2 AGP’s in close proximity to a clubhouse, to satisfy the demand for at least 21 teams and to allow all teams to train and play during bottlenecks on Saturdays and weekday evenings. This AGP is This site should be protected as playing fields as part of the local plan. This is PR 2x Full 74 - Standard under-capacity an independent school with extremely high quality sports facilities. The only Wellington sized sand- for peak times hockey demand is imported from outside of the study area (Yateley HC),

College (578) dressed (weekday E No further enhancement has been identified as being required as part of this strategy. AGP 85 – Good evening and weekend) PV No further provision has been identified as being required as part of this strategy. Source: 4 Global Technical Analysis

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7.47 Please note the following with regards to the table:

• Where quality scores of pitches differ at the same site, an average of all pitch quality scores will be presented in this table to represent the entire site. For detailed quality scores per pitch, please see detailed analysis in table 7.4 above. • Only those sites that have been identified as having formal community use at the site are included in the site by site analysis.

Key PPS Findings

7.48 In line with the Sport England 2013 Playing Pitch guidance and associated checklists, the following key questions have been answered, to provide a summary of provision in Bracknell Forest.

Table 7.12: Key PPS Findings - Hockey Key Question Analysis

Supply is currently provided largely by Birch Hill Recreation Ground, which has previously been the home ground of Bracknell Hockey Club and is now one of the grounds used by South Berkshire Hockey Club (SBHC). The overall supply What are the main and demand for hockey in the local authority is likely to characteristics of the change over the next 12 months, as the newly formed SHBC current supply and look for a new home ground. demand for provision? Depending on whether this site falls inside or outside of Bracknell Forest, there is likely to be either a significant increase or a significant decrease in the demand for Hockey across Bracknell Forest. Is there enough There is currently enough provision to meet demand, accessible and however should SHBC move their home ground within secured community Bracknell Forest, a significant amount of additional provision use provision to meet will be required. The club is currently at capacity for peak current demand time match slots on a Saturday PM. Is the provision that is The existing facilities at Birch Hill Recreation Ground are accessible of adequate, however the facility requires refurbishment if it is to sufficient quality and be used more extensively and provide a more robust revenue appropriately source through social events and bar takings. maintained? What are the main The TGR calculation illustrates a minor projected growth for characteristics of the junior hockey, however this is likely to be exacerbated by the future supply and recent growth, following the success of England’s Ladies demand for provision team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Further provision is required to meet the future demand for hockey, especially if clubs and England Hockey are Is there enough successful in retaining new and returning hockey players accessible and following the Olympics. If a site within Bracknell Forest is secured community identified as the suitable home ground for SBHC, then the use provision to meet club will require 2 full sized sand or water-based AGP, to future demand satisfy the demand at peak times, as well as an a fit-for purpose clubhouse with changing facilities and social areas.

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CHAPTER 8 – Bowls

Overview and Summary

8.1 This chapter assesses the supply and demand for Bowling Rinks for Bowls in the Borough.9 There are 3 Bowling Greens containing 17 rinks in the Borough. The map in Appendix 1 shows the location of these facilities.

8.2 In summary the following work was undertaken to establish supply and demand for Bowls in the Borough:

• Supply and demand data gathered from third party sources, such as club websites and Bowls England https://www.bowlsengland.com/ • All clubs provided with the opportunity to complete an online demand survey. • Sport England Active People tool was used for demand analysis and future trend projections. • All the supply, demand and assessment data in this chapter has been reviewed and signed off by Bowls England Hockey (the NGB for Bowls).

National / Local Priorities and Consultation

8.3 Bowls in the UK is governed by Bowls England which provides participation support to local authorities and bowls clubs across the UK.

Strategic Plan for Bowls in England (2014 – 2017)10 8.4 Bowls England has previously released a three year Strategic Plan for Bowls which identified the following headlines:

• Vision: Promote the sport of outdoor flat green bowls, Recruit new participants to the sport of outdoor flat green bowls and Retain current and future participants within the sport of outdoor flat green bowls. • Mission: Bowls England will provide strong leadership and work with its stakeholders to support the development of the sport of bowls in England for this and future generations. • The key themes of Promote, Recruit, Retain will underline all of Bowls England’s work during the course of this strategic plan.

8.5 Bowls England also identified the following strategic priorities for the period, up until 31st March 2017:

• To support participation in the sport of outdoor flat green bowls. • To support county associations and clubs. • To provide strong leadership and direction.

8.6 The table below shows Bowls England’s key performance targets that underpin their work.

9 In line with Stage B and C of the Sports England Guidance 10 Bowls England Strategic Plan - https://www.bowlsengland.com/uploads/strategic_plan_2013_2017_FINAL_251113.pdf (Bowls England: November 2013)

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Table 8.1 Bowls England Key Performance Indicators (2014 – 2017) Reference Strategic Priorities SP 1.1 115,000 Individual Affiliated Members SP 1.2 1,500 Coach Bowls Registered Members Increase total National Championship individual entries by 10 per cent SP 1.3 during period Increase total National Competition individual entries by 10 per cent SP 1.4 during period Medal places achieved in 50 per cent of events at the 2016 World SP 1.5 Championships SP 2.1 35 County Development Plans in place and operational County Development Officer appointed by each Unified County SP 2.2 Association National membership scheme implemented with 100 per cent take up by SP 3.1 County Associations SP 3.2 Administrative base for 1st April 2017 secured SP 3.3 Commercial income to increase by 20 per cent during period Source: Reflects Appendix 6 in Strategic Plan for Bowls in England (2014 – 2017)

Quantity and Availability

8.7 The following table provides an overview of all bowls greens in Bracknell Forest.

Table 8.2: Bowls Site Breakdown Playing Pitch Sites – Site Number of Community currently providing Ref. Number rinks Use On Ownership community use for greens Site bowls Great Hollands Bowls Town 579 1 7 Secured Club Council Crowthorne Royal Royal British 580 1 3 Secured British Legion Legion Bracknell Bowling and 581 1 7 Secured Club Social Club Source: Bracknell Forest Council

8.8 The views of Bowls England on each of the 3 main facilities are summarised below:

• Great Hollands Bowls Club: Membership numbers at the facility have risen steadily over the past 2-5 years, however there is a concern with the quality of the green, which is owned and maintained by Bracknell Town Council. • Crowthorne RBL Club: The club has a three rink green alongside the club and can only playing on one setting in one direction. As the season goes on obviously the green deteriorates. The club has only been a member of the County (Berkshire County bowls) less than ten years. • The Bracknell Bowling and Social Club: is privately owned, has a well maintained green and is always happy to assist the County.

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Quality

8.9 Great Hollands Bowls Club has reported that the quality of the surface is ‘Fairly Poor’ but has ‘Adequate’ access and maintenance. No quality information was forthcoming from the clubs in Crowthorne and Bracknell.

Accessibility

8.10 There are currently three sites with bowling greens in the borough. The most accessible is Bracknell Bowling and Social club situated in the town centre which also benefits from secured community use. The rinks at Great Hollands Park were reported to be less accessible for disabled users and all sites are operating with twice the number of bowlers per green than other greens outside the borough.

8.11 Securing further provision through future development will help to improve accessibility especially in the outlying residential areas such as Binfield, Warfield, Winkfield and Sandhurst parishes who don’t currently have access to a bowling green.

Demand

8.12 Figure 8.1 shows participation trends for bowls in England and the South west (the most local geography for which data is available). Due to the sample size available, it is not possible to provide data for Berkshire or Bracknell Forest.

Figure 8.1 Participation Trends for Bowls in England and the South West

1.10% 1.00% 0.90% 0.80% 0.70% 0.60%

ParticipationRate 0.50% 0.40%

Year

England South East

Source: Active People Survey

8.13 This shows that participation in bowls is declining in the South West and England. This appears to be in contrary to the local situation in Great Hollands (see below).

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8.14 Although all local bowls clubs were given the opportunity to complete an online demand survey, only one club (Great Hollands Bowls Club) responded. Crowthorne British Legion and Bracknell Bowling and Social Club have not completed this survey. Table 8.3 outlines the survey response and summary comments.

Table 8.3: Response to Online Demand Survey - Bowls Facility most Club Members Consultation Summary frequently used The club reports that contrary to the national trend, membership to the club has increased Great Great over the last 3 years. The club reported that the Hollands Hollands quality of the surface was ‘Fairly Poor’ but has 110+ Bowls Recreation ‘Adequate’ access and maintenance. The club Club Ground noted that expanding the clubhouse to add disabled facilities is their second priority after improving the quality of the green.

Assessment

8.15 This section provides an overview of the balance of supply and demand of bowling greens in Bracknell Forest. Where possible this has been benchmarked against the national picture. Table 8.4 shows the estimated number of regular bowlers per bowling green in Bracknell Forest. It shows that Bracknell Forest has over double the number bowlers per green than the national average.

Table 8.4: Present Regular Bowlers per Green Geography Population Participation Estimated Number of Estimated (16+) Rate for Regular Bowls Number of Bowls (APS Bowlers in Greens Bowlers 10) Area per Green Bracknell 94,256 0.59% 556 3 185 Forest England 44,065,130 0.51% 224,732 c.2500 90 Source: Bowls England Data Collection Summary 4Global Technical Analysis

8.16 Table 8.5 shows how the forecasted population growth in both Bracknell Forest and England will affect the demand for bowling greens. It shows that if there is no change in participation rates and the number of bowling greens in Bracknell Forest, there will be over 2.1 times the average number of regular bowlers per green in Bracknell Forest than the national average.

Table 8.5: Future Regular Bowlers per Green. Geography Estimated Participation Estimated Number of Estimated Population Rate for Regular Bowls Number of (16+) Bowls (APS Bowlers in Greens Bowlers 10) Area per Green Bracknell 110,046 0.59% 649 3 216 Forest England 49,482,839 0.51% 252,362 c.2500 101 Source: Bowls England Data Collection Summary 4Global Technical Analysis

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Key PPS Findings

8.17 In line with the Sport England 2013 Playing Pitch guidance and associated checklists, the following key questions have been answered, to provide a summary of provision in Bracknell Forest.

Table 8.6: Key PPS Findings - Bowls Key Question Analysis Despite a national decline in the uptake of bowls, clubs in Bracknell Forest have reported a steady increase in What are the main membership numbers. Population growth in the area will characteristics of the also add to demand. Whilst accessibility and maintenance current supply and of pitches appears to be adequate there is a lack in supply demand for provision? of good quality pitches which don’t deteriorate throughout the season. Great Hollands Bowls Club is owned and maintained by the Is there enough council and it is reported that future use is secure and accessible and maintenance is adequate. Provision by the other clubs in secured community the borough is also categorised at secured. There is use provision to meet however twice the number of bowlers per green in the current demand Bracknell area than nationally Is the provision that is Great Hollands Bowls Club is owned and maintained by the accessible of council and it is reported that future use is secure and sufficient quality and maintenance is adequate. However the quality of secured appropriately provision is low. maintained? If the membership of bowling clubs increases in line with the What are the main NGB projections and population there will need to be an characteristics of the increase in the provision of bowling rinks. The large future supply and numbers of bowlers per green is already deteriorating the demand for provision quality of the greens and this will likely worsen if the quality or number of greens is not increased. If improvements to the Great Hollands site go ahead this will Is there enough improve the accessibility and quality of secured provision accessible and but further greens need to be supplied if the quality is to be secured community maintained. There is a lack of reliable data to indicate use provision to meet whether demand will further increase and therefore it may future demand be more economically viable to improve the quality of current pitches.

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CHAPTER 9 – Tennis

Overview and Summary

9.1 This chapter assesses the supply and demand for Tennis Courts in the Borough.11,12 There are 59 tennis courts over 11 sites in the borough. 40 of the courts are floodlit and all but one site has secured community use. The map in Appendix 1 shows the location of the tennis sites in the Borough.

9.2 The following work was undertaken to establish supply and demand for Tennis in the Borough:

• Information was gathered through Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) data sheets and the LTA’s Places to Play online resource. • All the supply, demand and assessment data in this chapter was reviewed and signed off by the LTA (the NGB for Tennis).

National and Local Priorities and Consultation

9.3 Tennis in the UK is governed by the LTA which provides coaching and participation support to local authorities and tennis clubs across the UK.

Strategic Plan for British Tennis 2015 – 2018)13 9.4 The LTA has previously released a three year Strategic Plan for British Tennis which identified the following headlines:

• Mission: Get more people playing tennis more often. Deliver great services to clubs • Purpose: To enrich lives through tennis. Build partnerships in the community by developing strong local park and other community tennis venue partnerships, as well as targeted investment in ‘welcoming’ park facilities for people to socialise and play • Values: Teamwork, Integrity, Passion and Excellence. Enhance the tennis offer in education by further strengthening the schools offer and maximising playing opportunities.

9.5 There is currently a stock of approximately 23,000 courts across the country, with 15,000 in traditional clubs and 8,000 in local authority sites. The objective of this strategy will primarily be to recommend the improvements to local authority sites, which can then be made accessible to local residents, with the overall objective of increasing participation.

Quantity and Availability

9.6 The following table provides an overview of all tennis courts in the Borough. It can be seen that the majority are secured for community use.

11 The information was gathered by 4 Global and the assessment was carried out in accordance with Stage B and C of the Sports England Guidance. 12 Tennis facilities at The Parks were not available at the time of the assessment that 4 Global undertook so this is not included in the statistics in this chapter except where made explicit. 13 British Tennis Strategic Plan - https://goo.gl/Ex0cck (LTA: March 2015)

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Table 9.1: Tennis Sites Tennis courts Secured Playing Pitch Sites Of which Community All Site Type Community for Tennis (Ref) are Use On Site Courts Use floodlit Binfield Tennis 3 0 Club Yes Yes Association (582) Bracknell Lawn 5 5 Club Yes Yes Tennis Club (583) Latika Junior 5 3 Club Yes Yes Tennis Club (584) Sandhurst Tennis 3 0 Club Yes Yes Club (585) (Courts at) The Royal County of Berkshire Health & 19 17 Commercial Yes Yes Racquets Club by Virgin Active Classic (586) (Courts at) Wellington Sports 6 6 Commercial Yes Yes Club (587) (Courts at) Jocks Recreation Lane Recreation 6 6 Yes Yes Ground Ground (588) (Courts at) Great Hollands, Recreation 3 3 Yes Yes Easthampstead Ground Park (589) Winkfield Tennis 3 0 Club Yes Yes Club (590) n/a (see footnote The Parks (591) 12) Commercial Yes Yes

Syngenta Tennis 3 0 Club No No Club (592) Westmorland Park 3 0 Club Yes Yes Tennis Club (593) Total 59 40 Source: Bracknell Forest GIS

Tenure/ Management Breakdown 9.7 The following table provides a breakdown of tennis courts in the area by type of management (please note that this table refers to courts and not sites).

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Table 9.2: Management of Tennis Courts % of total courts by management Type of All Floodlit type Management Courts Courts All Courts Floodlit Courts

Commercial 25 23 42% 57% Centre Members Club 25 8 42% 20% Pay and Play 9 9 16% 23% Free Play 0 0 0% 0% Source: 4 Global Report Lawn Tennis Association Data Collection Summary and Sign Off Report (2016)

9.8 Table 9.2 above shows that only 16% of courts and 23% of all floodlit courts in Bracknell Forest are available to people who do not have membership to either a members club or commercial centre. If only the commercial centres are to be considered ‘not accessible’ to the general public, then 58% of all courts and 43% of floodlit courts can be considered available to the public to satisfy demand for tennis.

Quality

9.9 A quality analysis of tennis facilities was not undertaken and there is no feedback from clubs to illustrate the quality of tennis facilities in the area.

Accessibility

9.10 There is a good spread of sites for tennis across the Borough with at least one facility in every Parish. Apart from one (Syngenta Tennis Club) all are secured for community use. From the data available on 8 sites (see table 9.3 below), it appears that only one (Bracknell Lawn Tennis Club) is operating above capacity in terms of membership. The other 7 clubs appear to have capacity to take on new members. However there are only 9 ‘pay and play’ courts (not sites) available where no membership is necessary. Table 9.2 shows that only 16% of courts and 23% of all floodlit courts in Bracknell Forest are available to people who do not have membership to either a members club or commercial centre. Accessibility may therefore be limited where people are not prepared to become members of a tennis club.

Demand

9.11 This section provides an overview of the demand for tennis in Bracknell Forest. Table 9.3 shows the current estimated operating capacity of all clubs in the area (based on LTA calculations).

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Table 9.3 Membership Capacity at Selected Sites Membership – Membership (all Membership – Overall Club ages) – Total Percentage Site (Ref) Capacity Current Capacity (+/- (outdoor + Membership % Capacity) indoor) Binfield Tennis Association 144 180 80.00% (582) Bracknell Lawn Tennis Club 340 300 113.33% (583) Latika Junior Tennis Club 167 260 64.23% (584) Sandhurst Tennis Club (585) 56 80 70.00% (Courts at) The Royal County of Berkshire Health & 1510 2780 54.32% Racquets Club by Virgin Active Classic (586) (Courts at) Wellington Sports 169 360 46.94% Club (587) Syngenta Tennis Club (592) 20 80 25.00% Westmorland Park Tennis Club 84 120 70.00% (593) Total 2,490 4,160 59.86%

9.12 Table 9.3 shows that across all tennis sites in Bracknell Forest, the average site is operating at around 60% of their capacity. Table 9.3 also shows that of the 8 clubs featured in the table, only one club is operating above capacity and a further two are operating below 50% of their capacity.

9.13 It should be noted that if the two ‘commercial’ centres are removed from the overall membership capacity calculations, then the operating capacity of clubs in Bracknell Forest is revised to 79.5%. This is a key consideration as these commercial centres should be considered less accessible to the general public than members’ clubs. It should be pointed out that some of these clubs are recorded as having a pay and play function which means that court utilisation is higher than the members alone.

9.14 In order to understand the longer term trends for tennis at a national, regional and county level, an analysis has been undertaken of Active People Survey Results (APS) between 2005 and 2016.14

9.15 Figure 9.1 shows the level of demand for tennis in Berkshire against the regional and national levels, using Active People Survey results from its inception (APS1) through to the most recent round of data collection (APS10 Q2).

14 The Active People Survey is managed by Sport England and is seen as the most comprehensive survey of sports participation in the country (surveying c.165,000 people per year).

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Figure 9.1 Participation Rates in Tennis (at least 30 minutes once per week)

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9.16 Figure 9.1 shows that whilst national and regional levels of regular participation in tennis have remained relatively steady over the last 8 years, participation rates in Berkshire have recovered from their lowest level in 2011/12 to its highest point in 2015/16. Regular participation in tennis in Berkshire is now 1.59%, approximately 59% higher than the national average.

Latent Demand 9.17 The Active People Survey calculates the level of ‘latent demand’ across a sample size. Those who are identified as showing latent demand within the survey state that they would like to undertake more of a certain activity or sport but are unable to do so for a given reason.

9.18 Figure 9.2 shows the latent demand for tennis across England, the south east and Berkshire. This shows that 1.35 % of the population from the south east would like to play more tennis (figures for Berkshire cease in 2013 but were approximately in line with regional figures).

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Figure 9.2: Latent Demand for Tennis.

Source: APS

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9.19 Table 9.4 shows the estimated number of tennis players in Bracknell Forest and the estimated maximum number of potential players if all latent demand was satisfied.

Table 9.4 Average Number of Regular Tennis Players per Court APS Regular Estimated Estimated Total Potential APS Tennis Regular People with Demand for Population Latent Participation Tennis Latent Demand Tennis in Demand Rate Participants for Tennis Bracknell Forest

94,256 1.59% 1499 1.35% 1272 2771

9.20 Table 9.4 shows that at present only an estimated 54% of all potential demand for tennis is being realised.

Assessment

9.21 There appears to be a healthy demand for tennis in the Borough and a good distribution of courts and facilities (included flood lit courts) across the Borough. However, only 16% of courts and 23% of all floodlit courts in Bracknell Forest are available to people who do not have membership to either a members club or commercial centre. This could perhaps explain the fact that about half of estimated latent demand is not being satisfied.

Key PPS Findings

9.22 In line with the Sport England 2013 Playing Pitch guidance and associated checklists, the following key questions have been answered, to provide a summary of tennis provision in the Bracknell Forest.

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Table 9.5 Key PPS Findings - Tennis Key Question Analysis What are the main There is a good supply of tennis courts across the Borough. characteristics of the It appears however that there is a high demand for tennis current supply and but not all of this is being satisfied. demand for provision? Is there enough Whilst all but one of the sites are classified as ‘secured accessible and community provision’ the accessibility may be poor possibly secured community due to the lack of ‘pay and play’ schemes. Only nine out of use provision to meet the 59 courts are available for ‘pay and play’. current demand Is the provision that is There is no feedback from clubs to illustrate the quality of accessible of tennis facilities in the area. There is however a large sufficient quality and proportion of floodlit courts and courts managed by private appropriately health/sports clubs which are likely to maintain good quality maintained? facilities. Population growth pressures are likely to further increase What are the main the demand for tennis. This will put pressures on current characteristics of the supply particularly in Bracknell where membership is future supply and already over capacity and at other sites where there are a demand for provision lack of ‘pay and play’ facilities. The accessibility of courts can be significantly improved by Is there enough increasing the number of ‘pay and play’ schemes across the accessible and borough. It may also be a good idea to consider new courts secured community in recreational grounds, parks and community based use provision to meet facilities which have the operational support and potentially future demand resources to promote tennis in the borough.

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CHAPTER 10 Other Sports

Overview and Summary

10.1 There are a variety of other sports pitches and indoor facilities across the borough which has not been addressed in the earlier chapters of this strategy and these are shown in Table 10.1. This chapter assesses the supply and demand for these pitches and facilities and reflects the list of recognised sports produced by Sports England. It includes indoor facilities such as health and fitness suites (gyms), swimming pools and activity (sports) halls as well as privately managed outdoor facilities such as golf courses and equestrian centres.

10.2 It is understood that there is demand for less mainstream and growing sports and activities and the Council aims to support participation through improvements in quality and quantity of sites wherever possible.

10.3 In summary the following work was undertaken to establish supply and demand of other sports facilities:

• Sites were visited and assessed by the Council’s designated site assessors (this applies only to pitches, gyms/health and fitness suites, pools and sports halls). • Surveys were circulated to leisure facility users. • A desktop analysis was undertaken of Sport England Data, tools and reports such as the Facilities Planning Model (FPM) and the Market Segmentation Tool (this applies only to pitches, gyms/health and fitness suites, pools and sports halls).

National / Local Consultation and Priorities

10.4 Multiple governing bodies, associations and charities have an interest in the sports included in this chapter therefore several documents relating to their strategies have been consulted. Despite their differences the national approach reflects local objectives; increase participation and provide appropriate, affordable and accessible facilities. Considering this BFC aims to adopt a holistic approach towards planning for sport as set out below. The approach is consistent with NPPF guidance and also the following Sport England guidance.

Forward Planning for Sport (Sport England) 10.5 This guidance aims to ensure positive planning for sport, enabling the right facilities to be provided in the right places, based on robust and up-to-date assessments of need for all levels of sport and all sectors of the community. To achieve this Sport England’s objectives are to seek to:

• Protect – sports facilities from loss as a result of redevelopment. • Enhance – existing facilities through improving their quality, accessibility and management. • Provide – new facilities that are fit for purpose to meet demands for participation now and in the future.

Quantity and Availability

10.6 Bracknell Forest is generally in a fortunate situation in terms of ‘other sports and leisure facilities’. There is provision of a wide range of facilities which supplies not only residents

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within the borough but also attracts those from neighbouring areas. Whilst these less mainstream sports may be less popular or accessible; it is still important to support their development and resist the loss of facilities where possible. A variety of facilities boosts the local economy and provides an attractive place to live and work.

10.7 The map in Appendix 3 shows the location of the Other Sports Facilities in the Borough and the following table provides an overview of all the main sports facilities with reference numbers which relate to the map. These facilities reflect the list of recognised sports produced by Sports England https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/national-governing- bodies/sports-that-we-recognise/

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Table 10.1: Other Sports Facilities in Bracknell Forest Community Secured Site Ref Main Facility Management Use On Community Membership type Site Use

Branksome Hill 701 Basketball Court BFC Yes Yes Free public use 702 Gym

Bracknell Sports & Leisure 703 Swimming BFC Yes Yes PAYG 704 Sports Halls/Indoor Courts 705 Athletics Courts/ 706 Edgbarrow Sports Centre Sports Halls BFC Yes Yes Private use 707 Gym 708 Gym Sandhurst Sports Centre BFC Yes Yes Private use 709 Sports halls/Courts Coral Reef 710 Swimming pool BFC Yes Yes PAYG Gym Syngenta Sports Ground 711 Private No No Private use

Absolutely Fitness @ Bracknell 712 Gym Private Yes No Membership Foundation Fitness Club 713 Gym Private Yes No Membership only

Facilities available Garth Hill College 714 Sports Halls/Indoor Courts BFC No No for hire

Grange Hotel (Bracknell) 715 Gym Private No No Private Use

The Royal County of Berkshire Health & 716 Swimming Pool Private Yes No Membership Racquets Club by Virgin Active Classic 717 Sports Halls/Indoor courts 718 Swimming Pool Membership (gym and pool) John Nike Leisure sport complex and 719 Ski Slope Private Yes No PAYG (ice rink and ski) Waves Leisure Club 720 Ice Rink 721 Gym 128

Community Secured Site Ref Main Facility Management Use On Community Membership type Site Use

722 Gym Membership Livingwell Health Club Private Yes No 723 Swimming Pool The Gym 724 Gym Private Yes No Membership PAYG (pool), 725 Sports Halls/Indoor courts membership and Private facilities available for Wellington Health & Fitness Yes No 726 Swimming Education block bookings 727 Climbing wall 728 Baseball Free public use Westmorland park BFC Yes Yes 729 Basketball Pay and Play and 730 Halls/Courts Bracknell facilities available to hire Jocks Lane Recreation Ground 731 Table tennis Town Yes Yes 732 Crazy Golf Council Facilities available Cranbourne Primary School 733 Sports Hall/ Courts BFC Yes No to hire Facilities available Easthampstead Park School 734 Sports Halls/Indoor Courts BFC No No to hire Facilities available 735 Swimming Pool Private Licensed Victuallers School Yes No to hire 736 Sports Halls/ Indoor Courts Education Private Private use Lambrook School 737 Sports Hall/Indoor courts No No Education Private Private use Eagle House School 738 Swimming Pool No No Education Kennel Lane School 739 Swimming Pool BFC No No Private Use Private Facilities available Newbold College 740 Sports Hall/Indoor Courts No No Education to hire Facilities available Ranelagh School 741 Sports Halls/ Indoor Courts BFC No No to hire Sandhurst Royal Military Academy 742 Swimming Pool MOD No No Private Use

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Community Secured Site Ref Main Facility Management Use On Community Membership type Site Use

Facilities available 743 Swimming Pool Private Heathfield School Yes No to hire 744 Sports Hall/ Indoor Courts Education Facilities available The Brakenhale School 745 Sports Hall/Indoor courts BFC Yes No to hire Horseshoe Lake 746 Water sports centre Private Yes Yes PAYG and membership Longhill Park 747 Skate Park BFC Yes Yes Free public use Worlds End 748 Basketball BFC Yes Yes Free public use 749 Skate Park Free public use Sandhurst Memorial Park BFC Yes Yes 750 Basketball Court Mill Ride Golf Course 751 Golf Course Private Yes No Membership

Downshire Golf Complex 752 Golf Course BFC Yes Yes PAYG and membership The Berkshire Golf Club 753 Golf Course Private Yes No Membership Swinley Forest Golf Club 754 Golf Course Private Yes No Membership Lavender Park Golf Course 755 Golf Course Private Yes No Membership Berkshire Riding Centre 756 Equestrian Centre Private Yes No PAYG Tally Ho Riding School 757 Equestrian Centre Private Yes No PAYG Mountain Biking centre Free public use Swinley Forest Mountain Bike Centre 758 Crown Estate Yes Yes

Swinley Forest The Look Out 759 High Ropes Private Yes Yes PAYG Hollywood Bowl 760 Ten pin bowling Private Yes No PAYG 761 Climbing PAYG Oakwood Youth Centre Private Yes No 762 High ropes Bracknell Swimarium Harman’s Water Facilities available 763 Swimming Pool Commercial Yes Yes Primary School to hire

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Sports Halls 10.8 The following table shows that there are 19 sports halls on 13 sites15 in the Borough. In comparison with two neighbouring local authorities and regional and national figures, Bracknell forest has a high number of courts per 10,000 population.

Table 10.2 Comparison of Sports Hall Provision in Bracknell Forest Bracknell England South East RBWM Wokingham Forest Number of halls 19 5,675 968 20 23 Number of hall sites 13 4,007 706 14 15 Supply of total hall space 80 22,831 3,875 86 92 in courts Supply of publicly available hall space in 55.72 16,562.48 2,858.84 64.18 61.38 courts (scaled with hrs avail in pp) Supply of total hall space 15,212 4,521,557 780,464 17,521 16,756 in VPWPP Courts per 10,000 6.67 4.15 4.31 5.71 5.63 population Source: Strategic Assessment of Need for Sports Halls Provision in Bracknell Forest Council (2016 Profile Report) Table 1 – Supply * visits per week at peak periods

10.9 The availability of sports halls depends largely on whether they are on educational sites (where community use is restricted during the day in term time). The different sites offer varying hours of community access opportunities. For example, the number of hours available a week for the community varies from 100 hours at Bracknell Leisure Centre to 15 hours at Ranelagh School and from 85 hours at Wellington Health & Fitness Club to 28 hours at Licensed Victuallers School. Several sites in the borough supply private facility hire to groups and organisations and don’t offer individual public entry. The table below shows the supply of sports hall space available (in courts) and that all of the sites are classified as being public facilities except for one.

15 Table 10.1 shows that there are 15 sites containing sports halls in the Borough. Jocks Lane (ref. 730) and Cranbourne primary school (ref. 733) are not included in the 2016 Profile Report. It is assumed that this is because they didn’t meet the inclusion criteria used in the report.

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Table 10.3 Availability of Sports Halls in Bracknell Forest1 Sports Hall Ref. Public / Supply of Total Commercial Sports Hall Space in Courts Bracknell Leisure Centre 704 P 11 Edgbarrow Sports Centre 706 P 4 Sandhurst Sports Centre 709 P 4 Garth Hill College 714 P 4 Virgin Active Classic – Royal 717 C 4 Berkshire Wellington Health and Fitness Club 725 P 8 Easthampstead Park School 734 P 4 Licensed Victuallers School 736 P 4 Lambrook School 737 P 3 Newbold College 740 P 4 Ranelagh School 741 P 4 Heathfield School 744 P 4 The Brakenhale School 745 P 4 Source: Strategic Assessment of Need for Sports Halls Provision in Bracknell Forest Council (2016 Profile Report) Swimming Pools 10.10 The following table shows that there are 10 swimming pools on 7 pool sites16 in the Borough. In comparison with regional and national figures, Bracknell forest has a high level of water space per 1,000 population. Compared with neighbouring local authorities the level of water space per 1,000 population is lower than in Wokingham but higher than in RBWM.

Table 10.4 Comparison of Swimming Pool Provision in Bracknell Forest Bracknell England South RBWM Wokingham Forest East

Number of pools 10 3,051 557 11 16 Number of pool sites 7 2,136 382 8 11 Supply of total water space in 2,222 685,276 122,818 2,585 3,414 sqm Supply of publicly available water space in sqm 1,615.90 572,957 100,185 1,887.80 2,973.80 (scaled with hrs avail in pp) Supply of total water space in 14,010 4,967,540 868,608 16,367 25,783 VPWPP* Water space per 1,000 18.56 12.45 13.66 17.17 20.94 population Source: Strategic Assessment of Need for Swimming Pools Provision in Bracknell Forest Council (2016 Profile Report) Table 1 – Supply * visits per week at peak periods

10.11 Five of the pool sites are classified as being public (Bracknell Leisure Centre, Eagle House School, Heathfield School, Licensed Victuallers School and Wellington Health and Fitness Club) whilst the others are classified as

16 Table 10.1 shows that there are 11 sites in the Borough containing swimming pools. Coral Reef (710) (which was closed at the time of the 2016 survey), Waves Leisure Club (718) the Living Well Health Club (723) and Kennel Lane School (739) are not included in the 2016 Profile Report. It is assumed that this is because they didn’t meet the inclusion criteria used in the report.

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commercial (Bracknell Swimarium and Virgin Active Classic – Royal Berkshire). Other pool sites were excluded where facilities that are deemed to be either for private use, too small, if they are a lido pool, closed or there is a lack of information, particularly relating to hours of use. Bracknell Leisure Centre (a local authority run public facility) provides a significant amount of water space whilst the other 4 are pools on educational sites. What is lacking however is access to ‘Pay and Play’ facilities. Several sites in the borough supply private facility hire to groups and organisations and don’t offer individual public entry.

Table 10.5 Availability of Swimming Pools in Bracknell Forest Swimming Pool** Ref. Public / Hours available Swimming Commercial per week Lanes Bracknell Leisure Centre 703 P 88 12 Bracknell Swimarium 763 C 95 4 Eagle House School 738 P Between 11.5 - 85 4 Heathfield School 743 P Between 11.5 - 85 5 Licensed Victuallers School 735 P Between 11.5 - 85 4 Virgin Active Classic – Royal 716 C 113 12 Berkshire Wellington Health and Fitness Club 726 P 72* 4 Source: Strategic Assessment of Need for Swimming Pools Provision in Bracknell Forest Council (2016 Profile Report) * Estimated from the Clubs website for the period April – July 2017

Health and Fitness Suites 10.12 The supply of Health and Fitness suites is spread across the borough; there are only two that allow use on a ‘Pay as you Go’ basis; Bracknell Leisure Centre (ref. 702) and Waves Leisure Club at John Nike (ref. 721). All other gyms are through membership contracts, although recently rolling month contracts and free taster sessions have become more popular. Several facilities in neighbouring local authorities may also contribute to supply, especially for residents in Warfield, Winkfield and some of the residential areas in the south of the borough.

Golf Courses 10.13 There are five Golf Courses in the borough. One of which, Downshire Golf Complex (752), is owned and managed by the Council and offers ‘Pay and Play’ and flexible pricing structures. The remaining four sites are privately owned and managed; they require membership and all but Mill Ride (751 also requires golfers to be of a certain standard before they can play there. These are high quality facilities; Swinley Forest Golf course (754) is ranked in the top 100 worldwide and top 10 in the UK. There are a number of other courses on the boundaries of the Borough which also provide a golf offer for local Bracknell Forest residents.

Outdoor Sports Facilities 10.14 Swinley Forest offers a wide range of sporting facilities including high climbing ropes (Go-Ape) (759), 24km of purpose build cycling trails, and many more walking trails.

Ice and Snow Sports 10.15 Bracknell Ski and Ice Rink Centre (719 and 720) based at John Nike Leisure sport is a facility supporting ice skating, ice hockey, skiing, snowboarding and figure skating. It also offers wheelchair skating. There are two ice-hockey clubs in Bracknell and the Bracknell Bees play in the English Premier League.

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Watersports 10.16 Horseshoe Lake Watersports Centre (746) is an accessible facility which caters for a wide number of water sports including Kayaking, Canoeing and Sailing.

Equestrian 10.17 A large proportion of the borough is countryside and there are many equestrian facilities. Two centres provide instruction for members of the public in a PAYG structure. These are Tally Ho Riding School and Berkshire Riding Centre (756 and 757).

Climbing 10.18 There are two climbing walls in the borough; both are privately owned and managed. The bouldering at Oakwood Climbing Centre (761) is a new, ‘state of the art’ facility; the next closest being in Guildford some 20 miles south. Wellington Health & Fitness club (727) also provides public access to its 200m2 climbing wall. This is on a ‘course booking’ basis or for members.

Quality

10.19 A quality analysis of Other Sports Facilities was not undertaken so there is no data is available.

Accessibility

10.20 Whilst the supply of facilities generally appears healthy many privately managed facilities require membership in return for access to facilities. This is particularly evident across health & fitness suites where recently public access to Sandhurst Sports Centre and Edgbarrow Sports Centre was lost. Bracknell Leisure Centre still operates a ‘Pay as you Go’ pricing scheme as well as membership opportunities. Commercial centres and private owned facilities set higher prices to provide niche facilities which affects accessibility in terms of affordability.

10.21 However, there are a healthy number of facilities which offer ‘Pay as you Go’ or ‘Pay and Play’ sessions allowing the public to try less mainstream activities. It appears to be mainly golf courses and health and fitness suites which mainly only serve members.

10.22 Although there appears to be a good distribution of sports halls across the Borough, some are not accessible during the day in term time as they are on educational sites. Also some sports halls cannot be hired by individuals but only groups and organisations.

10.23 There is a good spread of swimming pools across the Borough but again limited access to ‘Pay and Play’ facilities. Several swimming pools in the Borough supply private facility hire to groups and organisations but don’t offer individual public entry. Only two health and fitness suites in the Borough allow use on a PAYG basis although some do now offer rolling month contracts rather than long term contracts.

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Demand

10.24 This section provides an overview of the demand17,18 for swimming pools, sports halls, health and fitness suites and other sports facilities in Bracknell Forest.

Demand for Sports Halls 10.25 In Bracknell Forest it is estimated that demand for sports halls equates to 7,442 visits per week in the peak period. Levels of satisfied demand in the Borough are high at 97.2% - higher than both national and regional levels. It appears that 22.9% of the demand that is being satisfied is being met by sports hall provision outside of Bracknell Forest within other neighbouring local authority areas. Levels of unmet demand are lower than national and regional levels and are estimated to equate to only 208 visits per week during the peak period (equivalent to 2.8% of the total peak period demand created in Bracknell Forest).

Demand for Swimming Pools 10.26 Levels of satisfied demand in the Borough are high at 97.2% - this is higher than national and regional figures. It appears that 71% of this met demand is retained within Bracknell Forest with 29% being exported into neighbouring authority areas. Unmet demand is low at 2.8%. This suggests that 223 visits per week in the peak period are not being met by the current supply of water space.

10.27 The swimming pools within the district are forecast to be operating at 58.2% used capacity during the weekly peak period - this is below national and regional levels. Apart from two of the sites that are forecast as being busy and having used capacity figures of higher than 85% (although they are only available for limited hours as they are located at school sites), there are likely to be opportunities for higher levels of usage at other pools in Bracknell Forest. Geographically, the areas with comparatively higher levels of unmet demand are found in central and southern parts of the authority area, although as mentioned above, levels of unmet demand are low.

Demand for other sports facilities 10.28 Whilst there has been no analysis of specific demand for other sports facilities in the borough it has been shown that a wide range of sports are participated in19. When asked which sports (activities) in the area respondents participated in the most, the top five answers were indoor swimming, health and fitness (gyms), golf, off-road cycling and ‘I don’t do any’. See table below for more information.

17 Bracknell Forest Council Indoor Facility Strategy Support (August 2016) 18 Strategic Assessment of Need for Sports Halls Provision in Bracknell Forest Council (2016 Profile Report) 19 Leisure Facilities User Survey for Bracknell Forest (2016). It should be noted that some respondents chose more than one activity.

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Table 10.6 Responses to “Do you undertake any of the following sport and physical activities in the local area?” Sport % of respondents Indoor swimming 64.16 Health and fitness (gyms) 43.81 Golf 16.81 Off-road cycling 10.84 Outdoor tennis 5.09 Ice skating 4.65 Martial Arts 3.32 Trampolining 2.43 Athletics 2.21 Outdoor bowling 1.99 Gymnastics 1.99 Indoor tennis 1.77 Indoor bowls 1.55 Climbing 1.55 Boxing 1.11 Ice hockey 0.88 Skating or roller blading 0.88 Baseball 0 I don’t do any 6.19

10.29 When asked to select the top 5 leisure facilities used in Bracknell Forest over the previous 6 months it is no surprise that 81% gave Bracknell Leisure Centre as their most used facility; Downshire Golf Complex was second most used. The Look Out (Swinley Forest) was a highly used facility (44% of respondents). Coral Reef and Edgbarrow Sports Centre featured further down the list but were still significant in the findings.

10.30 There are a large number (39%) of respondents that only participate in sport or physical activity every six months or over. There are also a large numbers of respondents that visit leisure facilities “weekly” (18%) or “2-3 times per week” (17%). The table below shows a breakdown in frequency of participation in Bracknell Forest.

Table 10.7 Frequency of participation in sports/activities Frequency of participation in % of respondents sports activities More than once per day 1 Daily 2 4-5 times per week 3 2-3 times per week 17 Weekly 18 2-3 times per month 5 Monthly 6 Once every 2-3 months 6 Once every 4-5 months 3 Every 6 months or over 39

10.31 Separate from the results of the leisure survey, anecdotal evidence can be drawn from membership number of local clubs and longevity of businesses and

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organisations that are situated within the borough. Many sports and leisure facilities have been within the Borough for many years and many clubs have long waiting lists and large and growing membership numbers.

10.32 As part of the study the Council consulted a number of sports clubs to gain a better indication of demand for that sport and related facilities in the Borough. Bracknell Forest Runners currently have 300 members and expect to reach 400 by the end of April 2018. The Athletics Club has over 500 members and a waiting list of around 150. There are competitive Netball, Basketball, Ice Hockey and Baseball teams in the Borough and there are also Basketball, Badminton and Netball Leagues which incorporate several teams.

Assessment20

Swimming Pools 10.33 The simplistic analysis of ‘supply vs demand’ in relation to swimming pools within Bracknell Forest suggests that current supply is able to meet current levels of demand from the resident population. Swimming pool supply equates to 18.56m2 of water space per 1,000 of population. This figure is higher than the comparable figures for England and the South East Region. Levels of satisfied demand within the Borough are high at 97.2% - this is higher than national and regional figures. The data suggests that 71% of this met demand is retained within Bracknell Forest with 29% being exported into neighbouring authority areas. Unmet demand is low at 2.8%. The model suggests that 223 visits per week in the peak period are not being met by the current supply of water space.

10.34 83%21 of demand satisfied travelled to swimming pools by car and 12% of demand satisfied travelled by foot which suggests the demand is mobile. However it should be noted that 12.9% of the Borough population is without access to a car.

10.35 It is calculated22 that swimming pools in Bracknell Forest are being used at 58.2% capacity during the peak periods each week. This is lower than the national figure and regional figures. As a guide, the FPM identifies that swimming pools with a used capacity of 70% and above are considered to be busy. Those that have a used capacity of 100% are considered to be theoretically full all the time in the peak periods.

10.36 Therefore, in general terms, the current supply of swimming pools within Bracknell Forest is considered to have scope for a higher level of usage. This could help meet both the demand which is currently met within neighbouring authority areas and the unmet demand (although low) from within the Borough.

Sports Halls 10.37 The simplistic analysis of ‘supply vs demand’ in relation to sports halls within Bracknell Forest has identified a surplus of sports hall space equivalent to

20 Bracknell Forest Council Indoor Facility Strategy Support (August 2016) was referenced when assessing sports halls and swimming pools. 21 Strategic Assessment of Need for Swimming Pools Provision in Bracknell Forest Council Facilities Planning Model (2016) 22 Strategic Assessment of Need for Swimming Pools Provision in Bracknell Forest Council Facilities Planning Model (2016)

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approximately 22 badminton courts. Current sports hall supply equates to 6.67 courts per 10,000 of the population which is higher than both national and regional levels. Levels of satisfied demand in Bracknell Forest are high at 97.2%. This is higher than both national and regional levels. It appears that 22.9% of the demand that is being satisfied is being met by sports hall provision outside of the Borough within other neighbouring local authority areas. Levels of unmet demand are lower than national and regional levels and are forecast to equate to only 208 visits per week during the peak period.

10.38 Used capacity figures are lower than national and regional levels at 53.6% - potentially reflecting the fact that there is a good level of sports hall supply available. There may well be further opportunities at all sites for greater levels of usage as they all appear to have further capacity that could be utilised. 85.8%23 of visits are made to halls by road which suggests the demand is mobile and 14.2% of visits are made to halls by walkers. However it should be noted that 12.9% of the Borough population is without access to a car.

Other sports facilities24 (Health and Fitness Suites, Golf Courses, Outdoor Sports Facilities, Ice and Snow Sports, Watersports, Horseshoe Lake Watersports Centre, Equestrian, Climbing)

10.39 In general there appears to be an opportunity to participate in these (perhaps more minority) sports across the Borough, with health and fitness (gyms), golf and off road cycling being in most demand. Local clubs and teams appear to be generally running well and in demand (some with waiting lists). It is unclear whether there is an opportunity to increase participation across these sports, although the Council currently runs gyms, a golf course and outdoor sports facilities so could perhaps have more influence in these areas.

Key PPS Findings

10.40 A summary of the provision of ‘other sports facilities’ in Bracknell Forest is as follows:

23 Strategic Assessment of need for Sports Halls Provision in Bracknell Forest Council Facilities Planning Model (2016) 24 Includes health and fitness suites, golf courses, outdoor sports facilities, ice and snow sports, watersports, equestrian, and climbing

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Table 10.8: Key PPS Findings – Other Sports Facilities Key Question Analysis The current supply of swimming pools within Bracknell Forest is considered to have scope for a higher level of usage. This could help meet both the demand which is currently met within neighbouring authority areas and the unmet demand (although low) from within the Borough. What are the main

characteristics of the There may be further opportunities at all sport hall sites for current supply and greater levels of usage as they all appear to have further demand for capacity that could be utilised. provision?

For other sports it is unclear whether there is an opportunity to increase participation across these sports, although the Council currently runs gyms, a golf course and outdoor sports facilities so could perhaps have more influence in these areas. Is there enough accessible and Whilst some sites are classified as ‘secured community secured community provision’ there may be opportunities to improve this – use provision to particularly for swimming pools in schools. meet current demand Is the provision that is accessible of There is a lack of data to illustrate the quality of other sports sufficient quality and facilities in the Borough. appropriately maintained? Population growth pressures are the main issues for future What are the main supply and demand. More housing developments will lead to characteristics of the opportunities to increase the supply of other sports facilities in future supply and the Borough whilst it is likely that an increase in population will demand for provision lead to an increase in demand in these sports. It has been identified that there may be opportunities to improve secured community use to meet current demand - particularly for swimming pools in schools. Population growth Is there enough pressures would suggest that there is even more reason to do accessible and this. secured community use provision to As for other sports, the Council currently operates gyms, a golf meet future demand course and outdoor sports facilities so perhaps has more influence in these areas. There may be an opportunity to increase participation across these sports in the light of a growing population.

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CHAPTER 11 Strategy and Standards

Introduction

11.1 This chapter focuses on planning policies, playing pitch standards and other recommendations for playing pitches and sports facilities in the borough. The following sections provide recommendations under a number of topic headings. The emphasis for the strategy and recommendations are to:

• Protect – through strong management of Bracknell Forest Council provision and planning policies to prevent uneccssary loss. • Enhance – a continuous cycle of quality enhancements based on the Plus One Principle and a list of projects to be developed in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP). • Provide – quantity standards; how they are applied; identifying gaps in provision; and a list of IDP projects.

Recommendations for New Planning Policies and Guidance

Protect and Enhance Existing Playing Pitches 11.2 There is a general need to ensure that existing playing pitches are protected and loss should only be allowed where new provision appropriately replaces that lost. Enhancements and new provision should aim to serve as many different uses without compromising on quality or functionality. Long term viability of a pitch may require a new management approach for example:

• Altering the size or function of pitches to balance supply and demand across the borough. For example converting a youth pitch to a full size pitch where there is a deficit in adult pitch supply and a surplus in youth pitches. Or re-surfacing and marking a pitch for multi-sports use. • Providing a club house, café or other facility which has the potential for income generation. • Converting a pitch to an Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) to increase playability, capacity, year round use and revenue. • Securing community use for schools facilities.

Provide for New or Enhanced Sports Facilities 11.3 All new pitch provision is expected to be laid out to the standards appropriate to the level of use. Pitches should meet quality, quantity and accessibility requirements as well as follow guidance from planning policies regarding sustainability in terms of location, maintenance and financially. Long term viability of a pitch may require a new management approach for example: • Encouraging creative use of space for pitch provision (e.g. rooftops, car parks only used during the week etc.). • Ensuring new provision is affordable at point of use and funds can be allocated for maintenance. • Planning new provision close to existing infrastructure such as changing rooms and storage. • Promoting and supporting schools sports facilities which secure community use.

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Securing Provision or Enhancements through New Residential Development 11.4 The size of the development or net increase in housing will dictate the amount of active Open Space of Public Value (OSPV) to be provided or contributed towards. It is assumed there are 2.31 persons per dwelling.

Table 11.1 Amount of Active Open Space of Public Value (OSPV) to be Provided or Contributed Towards Typology OSPV Accessibility Standards Rationale /Source Type A. Parks Active / 1 Local Access to a 400m Locally derived and Passive park and garden standard based on Gardens within 400m of home experience 2 Strategic Access to 4000m a destination park or open space within 4km B. Natural Passive 3 Local Access to 240m Locally derived and Semi Nature 5 minutes standard based on Natural walk (240m) from all existing biodiversity (including homes character of the urban Borough woodlands) 4 No person should 500m The Woodland Trust live more than 500 (Space for People – C. Green metres from at least Targeting action for Corridors one area of woodland access, accessible woodland Jan 2015) of no less than 2 hectares in size. 5 There should also be 4000m at least one area of accessible woodland of no less than 20 hectares within 4 kilometres (8 kilometre round-trip) of people’s homes. D. Children Active 6 LAP 100m Fields in Trust (FIT) and people Standards (Guidance 7 LEAP 400m (Children’s for Outdoor and Play 8 NEAP 1000m Play) – Beyond the six acre 9 Other: Muga, 700m standard, England) Skateboard park Teenage play, kickabout, paddling pool/splash pad etc. E. Outdoor Active 10 All provision: 1200m sports Football, facilities Cricket, Rugby Union, Hockey, Bowls, Tennis, Baseball, Softball F. School Active 11 Selected schools 1200m facilities whose pitch provision is also used by the public

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Off-site Provision or Contributions in-lieu of Provision

11.5 Sites which deliver either off-site or financial contributions in-lieu of on-site provision should:

• Provide the off-site open space of facilities in line with the typology need and standards for provision including the space being laid out to an excellent quality (see paragraph 11.14 below). • Provide a financial contribution relating to local capacity projects as highlighted in the IDP. The provision of the contributions will be secured by s106 Agreements and will give regards to current policy, guidance and regulations (for example, the National Planning guidance and the s106 obligation pooling restrictions in the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) regulation 2010 (as amended). • Provide towards the maintenance of existing facilities where it can be demonstrated it will increase capactity of the pitch.

Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) Projects

11.6 Infrastructure schemes will be developed in the IDP to optimise and increase capacity opportunities in playing pitch infrastructure in accordance with this strategy. Projects should be developed and costed in association with housing and other development schemes within the Council’s emerging IDP. The IDP will set out all infrastructure projects, their times scale, costs and other relevant information. A strategy to create playing pitch projects which are small enough to be fully funded by 5 or fewer planning s106 obligations is required to ensure that development mitigates its impact on play, open space and sports provision.

11.7 The various service providers within the Council and Town/Parish Councils should develop these projects taking account of the on-going revenue implications for support of the projects. The projects will ensure additional playing pitch capacity will be delivered and will be added to the IDP which will be kept as a live document.

11.8 Furthermore, the strategy should focus on increasing playing pitch capacity through quality improvements to existing spaces, for example drainage improvements, floodlighting and surfacing works to increase usage (capacity). The strategy should focus on:

• The costs of maintaining existing playing pitches where it provides increased capacity. • Parking schemes to increase facility usage (where public transport links are not established). • Community use agreements to secure community use on existing pitches (especially those operating below capacity). • Drainage improvements. • Floodlighting/surfacing improvements.

11.9 Tables 11.2 – 11.4 below show the most up to date projects which have been developed. The proejcts in tables 11.2 ansd 11.3 are duplicated in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (POSS). Table 11.4 contains some additional

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sports projects. This the most up to date list but will be updated from time to time as a live project The tables list below will be fully developed in the IDP

Table 11.2 Sports Project Relating to Outdoor Sports Facilities (Typology E in the POSS) Project Site PPS, 25 Ward Parish/Town [POSS] or SALP Ref Enhance/extend the Ascot Jubilee pavilion Recreation Ground 502 Ascot Winkfield Upgrade cricket pitch Braybrooke Recreation Priestwood And Ground 508/554 Garth Bracknell Refurbish basketball Ennerdale (playing Wildridings And 514 Bracknell court field) Central Install outdoor gym Binfield With 515/584 Binfield facilities Farley Wood Centre Warfield Extension to Bowl Club for maintenance equipment Great Hollands 518/556/5 Great Hollands Bracknell New sports pavilion Recreation Ground 79/589 South Replace artificial cricket wicket Additional parking at far end of field Harmanswater Playing 520 Harmans Water Bracknell Field Replace vehicle barriers

Upgrade pavilion Locks Ride Recreation Winkfield And 527/[85] Winkfield Ancillary café/snack bar Ground Cranbourne Changing rooms (in community hub) Binfield With Priory Field 533 Warfield Re-configuration of Warfield pitches

Drainage improvements Ringmead Playing Great Hollands 535 Bracknell New signage and Field North interpretation board New pavilion Creation of football pitches Warfield Memorial Binfield With Provide cricket nets 560 Warfield Ground Warfield Improved drainage Rationalise and upgrade signage Provide a new mini Warfield Harvest Westmorland Park 548/593 Warfield MUGA Ride Drainage improvements Wildridings And Wildridings Playing 551 Bracknell Upgrade signage Field Central Replace grass pitch with Bracknell Town 525 Wildridings and 3G AGP and improve Football Club Bracknell Central facilities Improved lighting for Bracknell Sports & 507 Old Bracknell Bracknell

25 Some sites do not have Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) references but are referenced in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (POSS) or the Site Allocations Local Plan. Where this is the case, POSS or SALP references have been given instead of PPS references.

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Project Site PPS, 25 Ward Parish/Town [POSS] or SALP Ref athletics track facilities Leisure Centre Biodiversity enhancement as golf course principally Downshire Golf Great Hollands Bracknell managed for recreation Course South rather than wildlife 752 Disused – replacement of Broadmoor playing sports pitches will occur fields (Cricket Field Crowthorne Crowthorne on new land at a future Grove) date [275] New sports pitches Broadmoor SA4 Crowthorne Crowthorne

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Table 11.3 Sports Projects Relating to School Facilities (Typology F in the POSS) Project Site PPS, 26 Ward Parish/Town [POSS] or SALP Ref Reseeding of New Scotland Little bare soil (grass Hill Primary Sandhurst & playing field) School [174] Wellington Sandhurst Grass reinforcement. Infill eroded desire line area, and reseed all Wildridings Wildridings bare soil Primary School 550 and Central Bracknell Installation of field drainage system Reseeding of Meadow Vale bare soil (grass Primary School Priestwood playing field) (fields) 528 and Garth Bracknell Installation of field drainage system Installation of amelioration sand (sand Warfield C of E carpet system) Primary (All (grass playing Saints) school Warfield field) playing fields [195] Harvest Ride Warfield Grass reinforcement Reseeding of Fox Hill Primary bare soil (grass School playing playing field) fields 516 Old Bracknell Bracknell Grass reinforcement and reseed bare soil (grass Birch Hill playing field) Primary School [204] & [205] Hanworth Bracknell Installation of field drainage Holly Spring system (grass Infant & Nursery playing field) School 522 Bullbrook Bracknell Infilling minor dip(s) and reseed grass (grass playing Ascot Heath CE field) Junior School 501 Ascot Winkfield Reseeding of The Pines bare soil / Primary School / overseeding of Hanworth spare turf (grass Community playing fields) Centre 545 Hanworth Bracknell Drainage works Easthampstead Great (grass playing Park Community 512 Hollands Bracknell

26 Some sites do not have Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) references but are referenced in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (POSS) or the Site Allocations Local Plan. Where this is the case, POSS or SALP references have been given instead of PPS references.

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Project Site PPS, 26 Ward Parish/Town [POSS] or SALP Ref fields) School North Infill liner ruts and recessed patches and reseed (grass Sandy Lane Priestwood playing fields) Primary School 539 And Garth Bracknell Installation of field drainage system Reseeding of bare soil College Town Re-grading Junior School / College earthworks Infants School 510 Town Sandhurst Replacement 3G AGP (larger court) Replacement sand –filled AGP (smaller Sandhurst court) School Drainage works (incorporating (grass playing Sandhurst College fields) Sports Centre) 538/564/575/606/708/709 Town Sandhurst Topsoil testing, topsoil amelioration, seeding, addition of topsoil (grass Owlsmoor playing fields) Primary School 532 Owlsmoor Sandhurst Re-grading Crowthorne earthworks Church Of (grass playing England Primary fields) School [340] Crowthorne Crowthorne Re-grading earthworks (grass playing Uplands Primary Central fields) School 546 Sandhurst Sandhurst Reseeding of bare soil Installation of drainage system to playground edge (grass Wildmoor Heath playing fields) School [345] Crowthorne Crowthorne Infilling minor dip(s) and reseed grass (grass playing Ascot Heath field) Infant School 501 Ascot Winkfield Infill recessed areas and reseed Levelling (grass Kennel Lane Warfield playing field) School [348] Harvest Ride Warfield

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Project Site PPS, 26 Ward Parish/Town [POSS] or SALP Ref New primary Transport SA5 Crowthorne Crowthorne school playing Research fields Laboratory New primary Amen Corner SA6 Binfield with Binfield school playing North Warfield fields New primary Blue Mountain SA7 Binfield with Binfield school playing Warfield fields New secondary Blue Mountain SA7 Binfield with Binfield school playing Warfield fields New secondary Blue Mountain SA7 Binfield with Binfield Artificial Grass Warfield Pitch New primary Warfield west SA9 Binfield with Warfield school playing (Berkeley Warfield fields Homes) New primary Warfield east SA9 Binfield with Warfield school playing (Area 1 of the Warfield fields Warfield SPD27 2012) Replacement Sandhurst 606 Central Sandhurst Artificial Grass School Sandhurst Pitch

27 Supplementary Planning Document

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Table 11.4 Additional Sports Projects Project Site PPS, 28 Ward Parish / [POSS] or SALP Town Ref Upgrade of drainage systems Lily Hill 563 Bullbrook Bracknell Park New Multi Use Games Court Sandhurst 506/558/749/750 Central Sandhurst Memorial Sandhurst Park Improve pitch drainage The Elms 544 Bullbrook Bracknell Systems Parking and access improvements Add signage to outdoor gym Wicks [149] Binfield with Binfield equipment Green Warfield Improvements to drainage Foxley 582 Binfield with Binfield system Fields Warfield Ancillary Facilities – new toilets Morgan 529 Crowthorne Crowthorne Recreation Ground Extension of pitch drainage Bottom 506 Sandhurst meadow / sandhurst Clearance/reseeding for memorial training/mini pitches in area ground adjacent to the pitch Possible 3/4G pitch if drainage/flooding issues can be overcome. Share with Sandhurst Town Boys and Girls Club (STBGC) Refurbishment/extension of clubhouse and floodlight upgrade to cover training area To provide training areas for Various local clubs to avoid over use of locations - existing pitches tbc To provide half marathon and Various jogging routes linked to open locations - spaces and pitches tbc

Standards of Provision

Quantity Standards 11.10 The quantity standard recommended by ‘Fields in Trust’ is 1.2ha per 1000 population29. Bracknell Forest Council’s aim is to provide 2ha of active OSPV per 1000 population of which playing pitches are included amongst other active open space provision. This standard will be put forward through the Comprehensive Local Plan (subject to appraisal and consultation).

28 Some sites do not have Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) references but are referenced in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (POSS) or the Site Allocations Local Plan. Where this is the case, POSS or SALP references have been given instead of PPS references. 29 Fields in Trust Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play Beyond the Six Acre Standard England http://www.fieldsintrust.org/Upload/file/Guidance/Guidance-for-Outdoor-Sport-and-Play- England.pdf

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Accessibility Standards 11.11 The area of the Borough is fairly small compared to other unitary and County Council areas. Therefore most sports facililites in Bracknell Forest are located within easy driving distance and some are accessaible by public transport.

11.12 Increasing the number of community use agreements (particularly in schools) will ensure further access to high quality facilities. This standard will be taken forward through the suggested OSPV policies in the Comprehensive Local Plan (subject to appraisal and consultation).

Quality Standards – For Existing Pitches 11.13 In order to meet the needs of the growing population and increasing demand for playing pitches, it is recognised that the quality of the existing pitches must be enhanced to increase capacity. The strategy that BFC intends to adopt for existing playing pitches is the Plus One Principle (POP). The principle is based on improving each pitch from it’s current assessed quality (where applicable) into the next category with a minimum goal of achieving ‘good’ quality for each pitch.

11.14 The Plus One Principle should be applied to all existing playing pitches based on a rolling programme of quality assessment in line with those carried out in this study. The following table sets out the Plus One Principle ratings:

Table 11.5 Plus One Principle

Existing Quality Rating Improvement in Quality Very poor, poor or moderate quality Good quality Good quality Very good quality Very good quality Excellent quality Excellent Maintain excellent quality

Quality Standards – New Provision 11.15 Appropriate care will be taken to ensure new pitches are built to the minimum standards recommended by each sport’s governing body or in the case of multi- use faciltiies BFC will endeavour to meet the recommended standards outlined by Sport England. It is recognised that many new facilities will be delivered through new development and therefore adherance to quality standards will need to be demonstrated by developers. S106 agreements will pay a large part in this and also in securing ongoing maintenance funds to ensure the delivered quality can be upheld.

Sport Specific Requirements

11.16 The following table has been drawn up with reference to the conclusions of each of the sports chapters in this strategy. It summarises the sport specific requirements and how these may be delivered. With reference to this table and the more detailed information in each chapter, a list of ‘live’ projects will need to be drawn up and kept up to date in the IDP

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Table 11.6 Summary of Sport Specific Local Requirements Sport Local Requirements Delivery

Football • Protect existing football pitches. • Comprehensive Local • Provide more football pitches or increase Plan capacity on existing. • IDP • Increase the quality of existing football pitches – • CIL in particular bringing up the quality of ‘poor’ or • S106 contributions ‘standard’ pitches to a ‘good’ quality standard. • Bracknell Forest Particular efforts should be made to improving Leisure and Cultural drainage on grass pitches. Services • Replace some grass football pitches with AGPs where appropriate. • Improve the quality of ancillary facilities such as changing rooms and car parking. • Asset transfer where relevant, with clubs taking on the ownership and/or maintenance of the asset and utilising their extensive volunteer networks. • Work with the owners/managers of pitches which are currently unavailable for community use to bring them into community use. • Review the booking process to improve the availability for youth football training at key times. • Seek the provision of additional new pitches for secured community use and develop projects to provide more AGPs particularly in areas where there is a growth in housing. Cricket • Protect existing cricket pitches. • Comprehensive Local • Provide more cricket pitches or increase capacity Plan on existing. • IDP • Increase the quality of existing cricket pitches • CIL where necessary. • S106 contributions • Re-establish grass wickets where necessary. • Bracknell Forest • Replace non-turf wickets where necessary. Leisure and Cultural • Improve the standard and maintenance of non- Services turf wickets on open-access areas, such as The Parks or Braybrooke Recreation Ground. • Invest in equipment to improve existing use and maintenance such as site screens and covers. • Invest in new pavilions to service the cricket grounds. • Seek the provision of additional new pitches for secured community use particularly in areas where there is a growth in housing. • Diversify outfield for other sports uses at different times of the year where appropriate. Rugby • Protect existing rugby pitches. • Comprehensive Local • Provide more rugby pitches or increase capacity Plan on existing. • IDP • Increase the quality of existing rugby pitches. • CIL Particular efforts should be made to improving • S106 contributions drainage. • Bracknell Forest • Work with the owners/managers of pitches which Leisure and Cultural are currently unavailable for community use to Services bring them into community use. • Improve the quality of ancillary facilities where

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Sport Local Requirements Delivery

necessary. • Seek the provision of additional new pitches for secured community use particularly in areas where there is a growth in housing. Hockey • Protect existing hockey pitches. • Comprehensive Local • Work with the owners/managers of pitches which Plan are currently unavailable for community use to • IDP bring them into community use. • CIL • Improve existing or provide new additional new • S106 contributions pitches and ancillary facilities for secured • Bracknell Forest community use particularly if the newly formed Leisure and Cultural SHBC look for a new home ground within Services Bracknell Forest. Bowls • Protect existing bowling greens. • Comprehensive Local • Improve the quality of existing bowling greens. Plan • Possible provide new bowling greens in the • IDP outlying residential areas such as Binfield and • CIL Warfield where there is a growth in housing and • S106 contributions where demand for bowling can’t be met by • Bracknell Forest improving the quality of existing greens. Leisure and Cultural Services Tennis • Protect existing tennis courts. • Comprehensive Local • Work with the owners/managers of tennis Plan facilities to increase the number of ‘pay and play’ • IDP tennis facilities across the borough. • CIL • Provide new tennis courts in recreational grounds • S106 contributions which have the operational support and • Bracknell Forest potentially resources to promote tennis in the Leisure and Cultural borough. Services Other • Protect existing sports facilities or secure • Comprehensive Local sports equivalent or better facilities where appropriate. Plan Facilities • Work with the owners/managers of facilities • IDP which are currently unavailable for community • CIL use to bring them into community use • S106 contributions (particularly for swimming pools). • Bracknell Forest • Work with the owners/managers of facilities to Leisure and Cultural extend opening hours that facilities are available Services for community use. • Work with the owners/managers of facilities to allow more access for individual hire (particularly for sports halls). • Work with external providers to allow asset transfer where appropriate and provided public use is guaranteed.

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Glossary and Abbreviations

Term Acronym Definition

Active Lives Survey ALS A way of measuring sport and activity across England which replaces the Active People Survey. Active People Survey APS Launched in 2006 by Sport England and aims to identify how participation in sport and physical activity at a moderate intensity varies between areas of the country and between different population groups. Now replaced by the Active Lives Survey. Artificial Grass Pitch AGP A surface of synthetic fibres made to look like natural grass. Used for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. Bracknell Forest BFC Council Community CIL A tariff based system of developer contributions Infrastructure Levy which will be used to deliver some of the infrastructure required to support development in the Borough. Comprehensive Local CLP The Comprehensive Local Plan will set the long Plan term spatial vision and development strategy for the borough up to 2036. This includes housing, economic and retail development, new infrastructure. England and Wales ECB The national governing body for cricket Cricket Board Facilities Planning FPM To help assess the level of community sports Model facility provision in an area, Sport England has developed this strategic modelling tool. This technique estimates the level of demand for sports facilities within the local population, and compares this with the supply of facilities within that local area. Taking account of the size and location of the facilities, the technique highlights any inadequacies in facility provision. The technique can also be used to model ‘what if’ scenarios, for instance, the impact of increases in population, the closure of individual facilities and the opening of new facilities. Latent Demand for Demand for more sport or recreational physical Sport activity than people do at present. Multi Use Games MUGAs Hard-surfaced and fenced areas to enable use Areas for a variety of sports including basketball, football, hockey and netball. National Planning NPPF The NPPF is a single document that sets out the Policy Framework Government’s economic, environmental and social planning policies for England. Taken together, these policies articulate the Government’s vision of sustainable development.

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Term Acronym Definition

The NPPF prioritises the role of planning in supporting economic growth. National Governing NGB A sports governing body is a sports organisation Body that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sports governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport that they govern. Parkrun Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in. Pay as you go PAYG No membership requirement – pay when you play. Play, Open Space POSS A study of play provision, open space and indoor and Sport Study and outdoor sport and recreational facilities. This will provide a clear vision and priorities for the future, based on local need. Playing Pitches Playing pitches are areas specifically designed for the formal playing of organised sports examples include (but are not limited to) Football, Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, Bowls and Tennis. Playing pitches are not limited to sole use for one sport; they may be multi-use games areas or have secondary functions providing Open Space. Playing Pitch PPS A Strategy which reviews all pitches in the Strategy Borough. This will provide a clear vision and identify priorities for the future, based on local need. Site Allocations Local SALP This document identifies sites for future housing Plan development in the Borough and ensuring that appropriate infrastructure is identified alongside new development. It also revises the boundaries of certain designations shown on the Policies Map e.g. defined employment areas. It forms part of the development plan. Sport England FPM A computer model which helps to assess the Facility Planning strategic provision of community sports facilities. Model Third generation 3G Third Generation surfaces have been developed pitches to replicate natural turf, with outstanding performance, reduced ball bounce, and low resistance to turning and sliding - offering greater safety to players, more realistic conditions, and greater durability. World Rugby 22 WR22 Standard Relating to the Use of Artificial Rugby Turf

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Appendix 1 Location of Bracknell Forest Playing Pitch Sites (excluding Artificial Grass Pitches)

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Appendix 2 Location of Bracknell Forest Artificial Grass Pitch Sites

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Appendix 3 Location of Other Sports Facilities in Bracknell Forest

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