Derwentside District Council (DDC) has commissioned Knight, Kavanagh & Page (KKP) to undertake an open space, sport and recreational facilities needs assessment for the district.  Alongside this KKP will also manage the strategic consultation for a Play Strategy - a process that will include supporting the Council to prepare and submit its application to The Big Lottery to secure its share of the £124m Children's Play Programme. 

These assessments are a key target in the Council's Corporate Plan and of Derwentside's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and will inform the Council's Local Development Framework. Consultation, which will include, DDC and The Derwentside Partnership, will focus upon ways in which provision of open space, play, sport and recreation facilities can contribute to the vision for Derwentside and delivery of identified priorities.

KKP is one of the leading management consultancy practices, specialising in sport, leisure, culture and open spaces.  It has worked with over 250 local authorities throughout the UK, providing a range of services from, for example, comprehensive PPG17 open spaces and play assessments and strategies for Weymouth & Portland BC in the South West to Kirklees MC in Yorkshire.

It has an extensive track record in the development of provision for children and young people and is recognised for delivering results for clients with integrity, intelligence and insight as demonstrated by the success of the play strategies recently developed for Sunderland City Council and West Lancashire District Council. Sunderland is now actively implementing the strategy recommendations and as a result has a growing network of new and improved play provision. West Lancashire has secured £500,000 of external funding and its strategy focusing on inclusion and engagement has provided a strong basis for an application to the Big Lottery Fund.

Claire Fallon (Senior Consultant) has overall responsibility for PPG17 work within KKP and will manage the project.  She said, "KKP has a long track record of work in the North East and has delivered a whole range of projects for a number of the boroughs and districts in the region. We are looking forward to working and consulting with the Derwentside community and developing a strategy that will support the creation of opportunities to benefit all district residents, young and old."