KKP recently delivered a Playing Pitch Strategy and Outdoor Sports Audit for East Herts Council to inform, and support the development of, policy proposals including its Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

In reporting the findings of extensive research, consultation, site assessment, data analysis and GIS mapping, KKP delivered:

• A comprehensive assessment of the supply of, and demand for, outdoor playing pitches via application of the Sport England Playing Pitch Model;
• Analysis of the quantity and quality of other outdoor sports facilities in the District;
• Advice on local standards of provision for planning purposes, for outdoor sports facilities; 
• Consideration of the adequacy of existing provision against these standards;
• Recommendations on appropriate strategy and policy responses;
• An approach for developer contributions.

Playing pitch assessment

The team audited the quantity and quality of outdoor sport and recreation facilities in accordance with PPG17 and the Companion Guide: "Assessing Needs and Opportunities."

KKP has long advocated inclusion of non pitch provision (such as tennis courts, bowling greens and MUGAs) in strategies and so this assessment and strategy conformed to the recent updated Sport England guidance, incorporating the full range of facilities:

Consultation with users and non-users of sports facilities across the Authority covered many issues with regard to facilities in East Herts. A particular issue in rural parishes and villages is fixture clashes where football and cricket clubs use the same space. This also increases maintenance requirements and reduces the amount of time pitches have to rest.

As part of the study, town and parish councils were asked to rate the quality and quantity of provision, the results of which demonstrate that future development should focus on quantity as opposed to quality:

Rating of the quality of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities by town/parish councils 

Rating of the quantity of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities by town and parish councils

Playing Pitch Strategy

Following approval of the assessment, the East Herts Strategy was developed to provide:

• A strategic framework for improvement, maintenance, development and, in some instances, rationalisation of playing pitch and outdoor sports facility stock.
• A strategic vision for the future improvement and prioritisation of playing pitch and outdoor sports facilities, including ancillary facilities.
• Robust evidence to support work on the East Herts Local Development Framework.

KKP proposed a series of management, sport and area/site specific objectives and action plans to address deficiencies and unmet demand.

Commenting on the assessment and strategy, Sport England's Planning Manager for the East Region; Roy Warren, commended KKP for its work: "I was very pleased with the draft East Herts Assessment and Strategy ... it is one of the best I have seen!"

Louise Hunsley who managed the project said,

"This has been an excellent piece of work delivered with a very positive client to meet a challenging deadline. We are delighted with the Council's response and the positive reaction from the other agencies involved".

Once the Strategy has been finalised, East Herts Council intends to use the results to inform its wider Facilities Improvement Service Programme and to inform local development control decisions and Section 106 Agreements. It also intends to use the Strategy to help shape future policy direction in its Local Development Framework.