Knight Kavanagh & Page is to produce a Sport and Recreation Facilities PPG17 Strategic Plan for Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC).

For this project, the Council will call upon KKP's strategic expertise to build upon its existing Playing Pitch Plan (2005 - 2015) and the Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy (2007 - 2012) to develop an integrated strategy and planning policy for indoor and outdoor sports provision across Wakefield. As the two current strategies are compatible with PPG17 principles, KKP will be able to adopt the nationally recognised five stage approach to such studies to provide a clear strategic pathway for improvement and investment.

Through an extensive review and revision process, the strategic policy documentation will provide:

• A clear framework for practical action where necessary to protect and improve existing stock and to increase the provision of such facilities.
• A clear outline of the key issues and challenges facing sport, and clear direction for the future of sport in, Wakefield.
• Evidence of existing good practice, which should be built upon.
• Recommended standards of provision in accordance with PPG17.
• Supporting information to develop supplementary planning documents seeking developer contributions.

This latest contract is a significant milestone for KKP, which has now provided PPG17 support for all local authority areas in West Yorkshire - from an assessment of sports facilities in Leeds on behalf of GVA Grimley and Leeds Grammar School to full open space, sport and recreation studies for Kirklees, Bradford and Calderdale councils; the latter recently received a Strategic Planning Award from Sport England as a result of its Open Space SPD.

Commenting on the project, Lisa Dodd, Service Director-Sport, Wakefield MDC said, "We are looking forward to working with KKP. The tender produced was of a high standard and we were particularly pleased with the quality and detail of the planning elements."

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