Playing Pitch Strategy

The primary purpose of the Playing Pitch Strategy is to provide a strategic framework which ensures that the provision of outdoor playing pitches and facilities meet the local needs of existing and future residents within the City. The Playing Pitch Strategy will be an evidence-based document to support the preparation of a new Local Plan and will also set out recommendations in respect of management/ maintenance and improvements to playing fields/ pitches. It is envisaged that it will comprise 2 elements:

• i.Needs Assessment: Providing the latest supply and demand information, which takes into account population projections and the planned level of housing growth proposed in the City. The study will form an integral part of the Local Plan evidence base. It must provide robust, up to date evidence in respect of future need for playing pitches (including quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses) and opportunities for new provision in accordance with NPPF and PPG. It will provide recommendations, as appropriate, in respect of policy, designations and standards for inclusion in the Local Plan.

• ii.Strategy and action plan - This should set out recommended opportunities for improvement, investment and protection of the city's playing pitch facilities, following community consultation and fieldwork. It should comprise an assessment of all pitches and outdoor sport facilities (in use and disused) to understand how pitches and outdoor sport facilities are used and whether the current maintenance and management regimes are appropriate or require change.

The strategy will also help to inform planning decisions by the Council and will be a guide to investment decisions from a wide range of bodies and partner organisations that seek to provide high quality sports facilities across the city.

Along with a Playing Pitch Strategy, the council have already commissioned an Open Space Assessment and a Strategic Housing Market Needs Assessment, the Playing Pitch Strategy must be cognisant of these studies and share the same baseline data.