Fylde Borough Council (FBC) has appointed Knight Kavanagh & Page (KKP) to undertake an open space, sport and recreation assessment across the Borough.

The Council located in the North West of England serves a population exceeding 70,000, many of who have a high level of leisure time. In addition, its coastal location, bordering Blackpool makes Fylde a destination for thousands of visitors every year.

The outputs from this study will include a comprehensive audit of existing provision, identification of local needs and recommended standards of provision for all types of open space. It will feed directly into the Local Development Framework and a produce a clear practical action plan to protect and improve open spaces, sport and recreation facilities. It will also be used to support the Council's vision to ‘create a community in which people feel safe, where services are accessible and where there are opportunities for all.'

Back in 2004, one of the first open space assessments KKP delivered was for neighbouring local authority, West Lancashire District Council. This latest appointment takes the total number of open space studies conducted by KKP to a landmark 20. The combination of strategic and operational management expertise and understanding places KKP at the forefront of open spaces, outdoor recreation, play and playing pitch strategy work in the UK. It brings specific, practical knowledge and a strong, integrated balance of professional skills, experience and qualifications.

The project will be led by Claire Fallon, Senior Consultant. She said, " KKP is pleased to be working with Fylde on this PPG17 assessment. The coastal nature of the Borough will mean consulting with an interesting mix of people, from local residents, young and old to tourists and other visitors. We are also hoping to apply the knowledge and experience gained from our recent work in Weymouth and Portland, an authority with similar characteristics to Fylde."

For further details, please contact Claire Fallon, Senior Consultant, email: claire.fallon@kkp.co.uk