KKP's work will provide Derry City Council with a clear strategic framework for improvement, investment and protection of its playing pitch facilities.

Given the background against which the playing pitch strategy is being commissioned (allowing for Sport NI strategies, the regeneration plan for the City, the changes in planning policy and gain in terms of more responsibility at a local level etc), KKP will ensure the assessment is sufficiently robust enough to stand up to scrutiny. It will provide an update of supply, condition analysis and high quality consultation to ensure that demand levels are fully ascertained.

The basis of the playing pitch strategy is to be formed via in-depth site assessments and community consultation and the resulting strategy will:

• Provide an assessment of current levels of supply and demand for playing pitch facilities in the area, identifying issues by pitch type and sub-are with an assessment of accessibility.
• Identify existing provision that should be protected by facility type and existing latent demand and calculation of local minimum standards of provision.
• Recommend how to overcome identified deficiencies, plan for new provision and look at how to enhance existing provision by pitch type and sub-area.

The resulting strategy will pinpoint a defined investment strategy for playing pitch provision within the area as well as a clear framework for provision which includes the public, private and third sectors.

In terms of the action plan, KKP will identify a clear five year plan (which takes account of longer term trends to 2021/ 2026) and funding framework to address key issues identified within the above assessment.

Since the original publication of Sport England's Towards a Level Playing Field KKP has delivered over 60 playing pitch assessments and strategies across England plus (applying Scottish Executive/Welsh Assembly equivalents) other parts of the UK and has it has also been commissioned by Sport England, in partnership with main pitch sports NGBs, to produce an updated, improved methodology for developing playing pitch strategies. To find out more, click here.
Additionally, KKP is one of just two framework partner companies on Sport England's Strategic Planning Framework Panel for Playing Pitch Strategies - this reflects our acknowledged understanding, skills, experience, and the consistency and quality of our work in this field.

KKP brings a strong recent track record of work in Northern Ireland and in particular in Derry, where it has been closely involved in sports development and facilities planning over the last few years and was employed by the City Council and ILEX-URC to produce a facilities development plan and to deliver a large-scale feasibility study, business plan and economic impact assessment for proposals at St Columb's Park.

Without underestimating the extent to which things may have changed, KKP is able to commence the project with an underlying knowledge of the demographics and the politics of the City and a real understanding of the ambition to develop facilities and some of the NGBS and sports facility elements involved.