County Durham Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment
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County Durham Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment Area Profile: Newton Aycliffe CONTENTS Page (s) 1.0 Sub Area Map 3 2.0 Description of Sub Area 4 3.0 Local consultation findings 5 - 11 4.0 Quantity of provision 12 - 13 5.0 Quality of Open Space 14 - 15 6.0 Analysis of Provision 16 - 22 2 1.0 Sub Area Map 3 2.0 Description of Newton Aycliffe Area Action Partnership Population 26,161 Location & Demographics Newton Aycliffe was the first new town in the North of England designed to house many of the people affected by the closure of the mines and provide employment opportunities within the area. It hosts the second largest industrial park in the region and Aycliffe Business Park, a major source of manufacturing- related employment for the surrounding areas. There are many housing estates within Newton Aycliffe including Woodham Village, the new Cobblers Hall establishment, and more recently the Lanes Development. The Newton Aycliffe AAP area includes the outlying area of Middridge, Aycliffe Village and School Aycliffe. Middridge is a small village situated North West of Newton Aycliffe. The Village is situated not far from a quarry that was mined by the people many generations ago. Aycliffe village is situated immediately to the south of Newton Aycliffe, and includes a mixture of cottages, old houses and new builds. On the whole, its architecture is varied with some houses dating back several hundred years to a small amount of relatively new- build properties. The area of Newton Aycliffe contains the following parishes: Middridge, Aycliffe, Newton Aycliffe, Woodham, School Aycliffe. Further information on this area can be found at http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/Profile_Newton_Aycliffe.pdf And http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/NewtonAycliffeAAPProfile.pdf 4 3.0 Local Consultation Findings The following is a summary the main local findings of relevance from local consultations which are described in full in the Needs Assessment Report (Appendix 1 to the Main Report). 3.1 Detailed comments from web survey Postcode Comment DL5 4JQ More places for the 14 to 18 age group Early evening adult only swimming sessions The burn cleared of rubbish and litter more frequently and also at the DL5 4UY woodham end dig out to make a pond area with seating. DL5 4LS More cycle ways and safe accessible areas for young people. 3.2 Best Value Survey by Action Area Partnerships The results of the 2006/7 Best Value User Satisfaction Surveys for parks and open spaces in each of the districts have been disaggregated to AAP level as shown below. Significant AAP % Very/fairly satisfied Rest of County Difference Bishop Auckland and Shildon 54.4 59.1 No Chester le Street 63.8 57.8 Yes Consett 59.0 58.5 No Crook Willington and Tow Law 56.6 58.6 No Durham City 59.6 57.9 No Easington 51.9 60.9 Yes East Durham rural corridor 62.3 58.3 No Ferryhill and Chilton 54.0 58.9 No Mid Durham rural west 59.3 58.5 No Newton Aycliffe 72.6 59.6 Yes Spennymoor 74.3 58.1 Yes Stanley 42.4 59.6 Yes 5 Significant AAP % Very/fairly satisfied Rest of County Difference Teesdale 65.6 58.4 Yes Weardale 71.0 58.5 Yes 3.3 Summary of Relevant Findings from the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study • Focus Groups and survey results tended to share the view that provision of open space good and sports facilities in Newton Aycliffe are good. Although dissatisfaction was expressed with the state of public tennis courts. • Young people were provided with disposal cameras and asked to record aspects of open space/recreational/play in their areas that they found good and those that they thought were poor. Following this the groups met to look at the photographs and identify the strengths and weaknesses of provision and to suggest some possible ideas for improvement. The results of this project are summarised below: Strengths *Lots of open space, open grass areas, attractive planting and trees. *New Estates – good lighting, paths, cycleways, planting – well designed. *Lots of playing fields – schools, Town Centre Park, Oakleaf etc. Weaknesses *Some areas are in a poor state of repair –e.g. tarmac next to Methodist Hall and rear of A167 and “Room for *Open areas need bins and seats Improvement” *Areas to rear of PCC could be improved and developed – paths/cycle paths *Some areas don’t feel safe Priorities *Potential to improve area rear of A167 *More seats, bins and dog bins. *Meeting places for young people *Improve area to rear of PCC Other Generally happy with area. Need simple improvements e.g. More shrub planting, seating, bins, youth shelters etc. Comments Better monitoring of spaces would improve safety. 6 3.4 Summary of Relevant Findings from the Play Strategy 3.4.1 Main Conclusions The following were general findings from the Sedgefield Play Strategy, and therefore have relevance to this Action Area/sub area: • 71% of children and young people said that there was not enough play spaces locally. The lack of facilities and activities in for young people in general, across the whole borough has been highlighted as a widespread need. • The main reason for children/young people to visit their most used space is to provide informal opportunities to meet and play games with friends. Findings highlight the importance of providing informal open spaces for children to meet near their homes that are not necessarily designated play or sports facilities. • Age appropriate play facilities have been highlighted as an area that needs improvement. Facilities for the over 8’s have been indicated as a specific need. • The need for all facilities to be accessible and not restricted by bad design or unconsidered street furniture has been highlighted as a key issue for facilities to be inclusive. • Some existing play facilities have been identified as ‘old hat’ and boring and therefore are being underused. This has been highlighted most prominently in areas that are considered disadvantaged and rural as local children need locally accessible free play provision. • Pro active engagement and involvement of children and young people and hard to reach groups needs to increase to ensure that these groups voices are heard and to ensure that provision is developed to meet their needs. • The main issue highlighted by Play and Youth Organisations was the lack of facilities for teenagers such as skateboard areas and BMX sites. • 70% of town and parish councils felt that the needs of young people were not being adequately met and that new/improved play areas, sports pitches and other play/youth facilities would help. The strategy includes a gap analysis for play spaces highlighting specific needs across five sub-areas within the borough as well as noting a number of borough-wide issues. These should be taken note of in relation to the current PPG17 assessment. 7 3.5 Town Council Survey findings of Relevance 3.5.1 Survey Findings Quantity and Quality of Recreational Facilities Town Councils were asked to comment about the quantity and quality of a range of facilities and the following table highlights the issues of concern (marked with an X) (no X entered indicates no perceived problem). Town Council Shortage of Wildlife Areas Not Enough Not Rugby Pitches Not Enough Not CricketPitches Not Enough Not Football Pitches QualityPoor Playing Pitches Not Enough Not Areas TeenagersFor Not Enough Not Informal OpenSpace Not Enough Not Children's PlayAreas Poor QualityPoor Children's PlayAreas Not Enough Not Tennis/ Netball/Mugas Poor QualityPoor Tennis/ Netball/ Mugas Shortage IndoorOf Halls Suitable For Sport Not Enough Not Bowling Greens/Short-Mat Bowls Poor Quality/Poor Inadequate Changing Facilities Shortage Footpaths/Of Bridleways/ Cycleways Great Aycliffe X X X X X X 8 Local Issues Specific comments received from the Great Aycliffe Town Council are provided below, and they are especially helpful: • There are fluctuations in demand for football pitches; however this is also linked to quality and number of facilities. • There is also scope to open former school pitches, but changing accommodation would then be an issue. Do schools have enough grass pitches in suitable condition? • The quality of some pitches is poor. Drainage and thus playability is an issue. This restricts multiple use or pitch sharing. • Horndale pitches x 3 should have been drained via Burnhill Way (Cobbler's Hall) Scheme. Durham County Council (DCC) have been advised of this as a potential liability. • The Town Council may have to look at funding the scheme or closing the pitches for competitive use. • Changing facilities attached to public pitches vary greatly. Some do not meet governing body standards, e.g. Horndale and Simpasture Park. • The parish is generally well serviced by good parks and local play areas. However, there are gaps in provision. • The former Borough Council removed 16+ play areas and now provides a small number in housing areas. • The north west of the town has a lack of play areas. • The Cobbler’s Hall area should have been given facilities under the Cobbler’s Hall Development brief. Then under the Burnhill Way Development Scheme. • There are not enough dedicated ‘teen’ areas. However, siting may be a problem. • Footpath networks for recreational use are good. • Cycleways are not joined up, this leads to problems as cyclists use footpaths which are unsuitable, e.g. Woodham Burn • Section 106 monies should be utilised to enhance play or the environment. • Joining up of cycleways via non-traffic areas would be very positive. • Improvement, by providing cycleways alongside footpaths, would improve access to areas and avoid friction between pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists.