Introduction
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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION Introduction 1.1 During November 2006, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council commissioned PMP to review and update the previous playing pitch strategy completed in 2003. This strategy has been developed following the methodology outlined in “Towards a Level Playing Field and assesses the adequacy of provision for pitch sports, tennis and bowls in Sandwell”. 1.2 A strategy for the future delivery of pitches, bowls and courts in Sandwell is considered essential in light of the development of new households up to 2021 and the consequential increasing pressures on land. This significant growth in population will also result in increasing demand across the borough. 1.3 This playing pitch strategy will inform the development of policies within the Council’s local development framework and will set out the key actions for the future delivery of playing pitches across Sandwell. 1.4 The key objectives of this playing pitch strategy are to: • audit the current provision of playing pitches and courts, ensuring an accurate record of the current stock of pitches within Sandwell MBC • analyse the current level of pitch and court provision, including the geographical spread and quality of sites • interpret the demand for pitches and courts in Sandwell, both now and in the future • run the Playing Pitch Methodology (explained in detail in section five) to ascertain levels of under / over supply • identify how facilities for pitch sports can be improved to meet the needs of residents • provide strategic options and recommendations including - provision to be protected - provision to be enhanced - relocation of pitches - proposals for new provision - pitches considered to be surplus to requirements • develop local standards reflecting both qualitative and quantitative issues • provide information and evidence to inform the decision making process and determine future development proposals. 1.5 This playing pitch strategy links with the borough wide greenspace audit (2005) and considers the provision of pitches and courts in detail, taking into account both the supply and the current demand. This assessment is primarily concerned with voluntary participation, by adults and young people, in competitive association Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Playing Pitch Strategy 1 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION football (referred to in this document as ‘football’), cricket, rugby union and hockey. The adequacy of provision for tennis and bowls is also assessed. 1.6 The strategy presents the key findings arising from extensive survey work and consultation, highlighting areas of both concern and opportunity and sets a vision and strategy for the future delivery of sports pitches and courts across the borough. 1.7 The strategy also sets out an action plan detailing the priorities for action over the next five years. 1.8 The findings of the study help the Council to maximise opportunities in the improvement or new provision of facilities, in particular those arising through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and planning obligations generated from new developments. The strategy also closely links with the Sandwell PE and Sport Strategy, and will inform the Black Country Sports Partnership Facility strategy that is currently underway. 1.9 It is important to emphasise that this document examines the provision of playing pitches (i.e. the playing surface, safety margins and the wider area for repositioning the pitch within the playing field) and not playing fields or open spaces (which include grass or other areas which are not used for sport). This is a key distinction since some of the areas surrounding pitches are not used for sport but are important in terms of open space. Tennis and bowls facilities included within this assessment will also consider the degree to which pitches are fit for purpose. 1.10 The following key areas are covered within this document: • the current picture – a review of current participation trends and playing pitch provision in England, at a national, regional and local level • methodology – a summary of the research process and consultations undertaken • supply and demand – a quantitative and qualitative appraisal of the extent to which existing playing pitch provision meets the current (and future) competitive needs of participants in the sports under consideration • an application of Sport England’s Playing Pitch Methodology (PPM) • key actions, recommendations and priorities for the future based on the development of the main issues arising from the supply and demand consultation and PPM analysis. 1.11 Provision is analysed across the borough and is also considered more locally within the township areas of Sandwell where appropriate. All relevant information collected has been uploaded onto Active Places (www.activeplaces.com) to ensure an accurate and up to date representation of pitch provision in Sandwell. 1.12 Analysis of the adequacy of provision has been undertaken both at the current time and projecting forward to consider how the current supply will meet the anticipated demand in 2021. Population statistics used are derived from the 2004 sub national population projections. 1.13 All data collected as part of this study has been inputted into a complex excel spreadsheet. This toolkit has also been provided to the Council, enabling analysis of supply and demand issues at a geographical level. This allows detailed in depth Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Playing Pitch Strategy 2 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION analysis and testing of future scenarios. Access databases containing site quality assessments and consultation responses have also been provided to the Council. 1.14 The geographical spread of provision across Sandwell is illustrated graphically in figure 1.1 below. This will be returned to in more detail in sections 4 and 5. Figure 1.1 – The distribution of pitches and courts across Sandwell MBC Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Playing Pitch Strategy 3 SECTION 2: THE CURRENT PICTURE Sandwell Council 2.1 This section of the strategy assesses the current context for playing pitch provision both nationally and locally within Sandwell MBC. It contains the following information: • context - a review of national, regional and local strategies relevant to sport and recreation in Sandwell • an analysis of demographic and participation trends • playing pitch provision - the national context and the local context • analysis areas - the assumed populations. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Playing Pitch Strategy 4 SECTION 2: THE CURRENT PICTURE Document Reviewed Summary of Strategic drivers Links to playing pitch strategy Active People Survey Despite the explosion of local authority provision during the 1970’s Playing pitch provision makes a and recent private health and fitness boom, participation has remained substantial contribution to static, with recently released statistics highlighting that 21% of the delivering sustainable communities adult population aged 16 and over (8.5 million people) take part in both in providing opportunities for sport and active recreation (a minimum of three times thirty minutes physical activity (PPS1) and per week). enhancing the quality of the environment. The statistics enable detailed analysis on the different sports that people are currently participating in. Walking remains the most The findings of the Active People popular form of physical activity with 20% of the population survey, particularly in terms of the participating at least once a month. Fitness related activities, often levels of football participation, done on an individual basis or in classes, dominate more traditional reinforce the importance of quality sports such as football, rugby, cricket and hockey. However football provision for pitch sports. does feature in the top 10 of sporting activities with a total of 2.9 million people playing once a month or more. The findings from the survey reveal that the popularity of different sports varies substantially between men and women and across different regions in England. Game Plan: a strategy for This report outlines the Government’s long term vision for increasing Outdoor sports facilities are often a delivering Government’s participation and high performance in sport: focal point for a local community, sport and physical activity functioning as a recreational and objectives (DCMS/Strategy “by 2020 to increase significantly levels of sport and physical activity, amenity resource in addition to a Unit, December 2002). particularly among disadvantaged groups, and to achieve sustained formal sports facility. This is levels of success in international competition” particularly true of pitches, which often have a secondary function of The Government wants to encourage the growth of a mass a local dog walking and kickabout participation culture, with the ambitious target of achieving 70% of the area. population active. However it is realised by experts within the field and those delivering sport and recreation that this target is challenging. It has therefore been recommended that a lower target of 50% of the population active by 2020, with a 1% increase targeted year-on-year. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Playing Pitch Strategy 5 SECTION 2: THE CURRENT PICTURE Document Reviewed Summary of Strategic drivers Links to playing pitch strategy Game Plan’s remit is wider than sport alone and recognises the link Pitch provision can be instrumental between physical activity and improving health and the importance of