Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment
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Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment February 2017 Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment February 2017 Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4 Chapter 2 – Open space, sport and recreation assessment .......................................... 17 2. Parks and gardens .................................................................................................. 18 3. Amenity green space ............................................................................................... 24 4. Natural and semi-natural green space ..................................................................... 27 5. Green corridors ........................................................................................................ 33 6. Allotments and community gardens ......................................................................... 36 7. Cemeteries and churchyards ................................................................................... 41 8. Provision for Children and Young People ................................................................ 45 9. Civic Spaces ............................................................................................................ 49 10. Outdoor sports provision .......................................................................................... 52 11. Cricket ..................................................................................................................... 54 12. Football .................................................................................................................... 58 13. Rugby League ......................................................................................................... 61 14. Rugby Union ............................................................................................................ 64 15. Hockey .................................................................................................................... 67 16. Bowls ....................................................................................................................... 69 17. Athletics ................................................................................................................... 73 18. Tennis...................................................................................................................... 74 19. Golf .......................................................................................................................... 77 20. Indoor Sports ........................................................................................................... 79 21. Education Provision ................................................................................................. 88 22. Artificial pitches ........................................................................................................ 90 Chapter 3 – Settlement Profiles ....................................................................................... 92 23. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 93 24. Abram and Platt Bridge ............................................................................................ 94 25. Ashton ..................................................................................................................... 99 26. Aspull .................................................................................................................... 104 27. Atherton ................................................................................................................. 109 28. Golborne and Lowton ............................................................................................ 114 29. Hindley .................................................................................................................. 119 30. Leigh ..................................................................................................................... 124 31. Orrell ..................................................................................................................... 131 1 Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment February 2017 32. Shevington ............................................................................................................ 135 33. Standish ................................................................................................................ 139 34. Tyldesley and Astley .............................................................................................. 144 35. Wigan North (Wigan North, Ince Scholes Whelley) ................................................ 150 36. Wigan South (Wigan West, Wigan South, Winstanley Highfield)............................ 156 Chapter 4 – Open space, sport and recreation standards ........................................... 163 37. Development of standards ..................................................................................... 164 43. Summary of standards ........................................................................................... 165 44. Justification of standards ....................................................................................... 168 45. Application of standards ........................................................................................ 170 46. Strategic priorities by settlement ............................................................................ 179 Appendix A - Maps 181 Appendix B - Data Tables 222 2 Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment February 2017 Chapter 1 Introduction 3 Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment February 2017 1. Introduction Study context 1.1. This Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment has been prepared to support the process of planning for, and managing, open space, sport and recreation land and facilities across Wigan Borough. The assessment has involved researching good practice and requirements, consulting borough residents and key stakeholders such as sports clubs and volunteering groups, surveying and assessing sites, and analysing data. 1.2. The purposes of this assessment are to: Inform the development of locally derived standards for provision as part of Local Plan policy. Identify surpluses and deficiencies in provision as applicable and provide evidence to support planning policies. Inform decisions on planning applications in terms of maximising the opportunities for open space, sport and recreation wherever possible. Direct scarce resources, through section 106, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles and third party funding to maximise the opportunities for open space, sport and recreation as applicable. Provide evidence to support aims and objectives for improving health and well-being by increasing participation in sport, recreation and active lifestyles. Provide an evidence base for open space, sport and recreation related strategies across the council including the Playing Pitch Strategy. Study structure 1.3. The study provides an assessment of the land and facilities that currently exist including quantity (what categories of open space and sporting facilities there are and how much or how many we have of each), quality (the condition of the site and whether it is fit for purpose), accessibility (the distance from populated areas and the ease of public access), and availability (how available sports facilities are to the general public). 1.4. The report is divided into four chapters: Introduction – Introduction to the study and contextual background information. Open space, sport and recreation assessment – A review of each category of open space, sport and recreation including education provision. Each review includes information on quality, quantity and accessibility of provision in each settlement or local area. 4 Wigan Borough Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision and Needs Assessment February 2017 Settlement profiles – Each settlement is assessed independently to highlight any surplus or deficit of open space, sport or recreation facilities within the context of the local population. Open space, sport and recreation standards – An assessment of the data collected across the borough and a comparison against nearby and national standards and locally recognised need for provision. The localised standards and current position against these standards will be used to inform planning policy and future decisions across the borough. Overview of the study area 1.5. The population and household numbers are forecast to increase in the borough as set out below: 2011 Increase 2011-2026 2026 Population 318,000 16,000 334,000 Households 136,000 17,000 153,000 Table 1: Anticipated change in population and household figures 2011-2026, Office and National Statistics and Department for Communities and Local Government 1.6. As the population increases and age group proportions change, the demand for open space and sport and recreational facilities may also change. It is important therefore to regularly assess need and provision and adapt as the changes occur. 1.7. The average