Bassetlaw District Council is the latest local authority to commission Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP) to conduct its PPG17 Open Space Study and Playing Pitch Assessment. This will incorporate:

• A comprehensive audit of existing provision including playing fields and built sports facilities detailing quantity, quality, accessibility and wider value to the community.
• An updated playing pitch strategy for Bassetlaw.
• Identification of local needs (current and future) via public consultation, taking account of anticipated development levels and demographic change.
• Recommended standards of provision (quality, quantity and accessibility) for all types of open space, sport and recreation facilities in accordance with PPG17.
• Defensible identification and analysis of deficiencies and surpluses in provision and options for dealing with them now and in the future.
• Recommended priorities and an action plan for improving provision across the District to meet the local needs identified in the course of the study.

Bassetlaw is a historic, semi-rural district that boasts thousands of acres of rolling countryside, parkland and ancient woodlands. Conversely, its two main population centres, the market towns of Worksop and Retford also bring an urban dimension to this study.

KKP's consultants have strong background working in, and engaging with, urban and rural communities. They appreciate the challenges faced by people living in all types of environments and have excellent contemporary experience in districts that contain key settlements and large rural areas, having recently completed comparable studies for Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Derwentside and Mendip.

The assessments and strategies that KKP deliver set high standards and are based upon what is acknowledged to be the most comprehensive, detailed evidence base within the sector. Its Open Space team works closely with clients to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that people from all sections of the local community are consulted. Helen Jones, Consultant at KKP recently attended a local community advice and information event organised by Bassetlaw Local Strategic Partnership.

During this, she had the opportunity to informally consult with young people from local schools and colleges. She said,

"The organisation of this event and its innovative incentive scheme has enabled us to reach a broader section of the younger generation that would normally be classified as hard to reach. We are confident that we have captured their specific views and needs and will use this evidence to inform our recommendations."

Youth engagement will be supplemented by face to face interview and questionnaire survey-based consultation with sports clubs, primary schools, parish councils, open spaces user groups and allotment associations.

Our work will culminate in a clear framework for practical action, where necessary, to protect, improve and increase levels of provision of such facilities, where a potential deficit is shown. This will provide the Council with a robust evidence base to enable it to develop planning policies as part of the local development framework (LDF) and other local development documents.

For more information, contact Claire Fallon, Senior Consultant claire.fallon@kkp.co.uk