Hartlepool Borough Council A Strategy for Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGA’s) in Hartlepool Final Report December, 2005 Document1 2 CONTENTS 1. Executive Summary of Key Issues ................. 3 2. Introduction .................................... 4 3. Definition of a MUGA ............................ 5 4. Analysis Areas .................................. 6 5. Why Provide MUGA’S .............................. 7 6. Guidelines on Provision ......................... 8 7. Standards of Provision .......................... 9 8. A Local Strategy for Provision ................. 10 9. Local Demand/Consultation ...................... 11 10. Management and Use ............................. 12 11. Hierarchy of Provision ......................... 13 12. Priorities ..................................... 14 13. Cost Guidelines/Finance ........................ 15 14. Planning ....................................... 16 15. Conclusion/Recommendations ..................... 17 16. Proposed MUGA’S on a Ward Basis ................ 18 17. Appendices Document1 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES 1. With a number of existing and proposed Multi-Use Games Areas being developed through regeneration and education initiatives on an ad hoc basis across the town, the Council has decided that a co-ordinated and strategic approach is necessary to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable framework of facilities which meet identified needs, shortfalls and deficiencies and avoids duplication. 2. A Strategy would also address the important aspect of Management and Use of such facilities and would strengthen bids for internal and external funding as well as avoiding potential duplication of resources and facilities. 3. As part of any Youth Provision Strategy (U16 age group), it is important to address provision for young people in relation to the need for and demand upon open spaces. 4. The MUGA Strategy aims to recommend the ideal hierarchy and a network of MUGA’s serving each part of the Borough. To be successful, the facilities need to be seen and be able to deliver Neighbourhood/Doorstep opportunities. It is recommended that MUGA’s should be within 10/15 minutes walking distance from home. As a result, each Ward in Hartlepool should have access to at least one MUGA. 5. As with the Playing Pitch Strategy, the study looks at the provision in different areas of the Borough by splitting them into the Wards within 3 analysis areas of the North area, Central area and South area. (Refer Appendix 1) 6. A hierarchy of provision of MUGA’s will need to be adopted and priorities established which should reflect local need/demand, shortfalls in provision and the Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, which reflects the disadvantaged areas of the town. Account also needs to be taken of “hot spots” of anti-social behaviour. (Refer Appendix 4) 7. The Strategy identifies a definition of a MUGA and reflects 5 types of MUGA surface specifications considered acceptable by Sport England. (Refer Appendix 5) 8. In terms of management and use, only as a last resort, have “stand alone” facilities been considered. Management and use is a key issue for the success of MUGA’s and therefore they should be linked to an existing or proposed facilities and management structures, e.g. school base, Leisure Centre, Community Centre, Youth Centre, Club etc. MUGA’s must be an integral part of the Council’s Sports Development Policy. 9. Currently there is a variety of Management Practice across the town. For the future, it is recommended that for community use of MUGA’s the management comes under a single body with a single pricing policy (with Revenue support) and a single Management Committee. Document1 4 10. All MUGA sties should have opening and closing times. For Type 1 & 2 (Macadam surface) facilities, with management on or off site, MUGA’s will be available for casual use. For Type 3 & 4 (Polymeric) and Type 5 (Synthetic), facilities with onsite management MUGA’s only be available for organised use. 11. It is important that the cost of hire of MUGA’s is set at a level that is affordable to disadvantaged groups. Currently there is no common pricing policy. This needs to be addressed. 12. Whilst MUGA’s are classed as sports areas, they should also be regarded as an important “social engineering tool”. In addition to addressing increasing and introducing participation in physical activity, they can also address such issues as health, anti-social behaviour, crime, social inclusion, neighbourhood renewal, community well being and improving the environment, etc. 13. The Strategy will make recommendations in relation to:(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Retention of existing facilities. Closure of existing facilities. Upgrading of existing facilities. Replacing existing facilities. Providing new facilities. 14. Priorities in provision will be established and an approximate cost for realising the Strategy recommendations identified. 15. The recommendations contained in this Strategy are only recommendations. Before any development takes place on the ground at individual locations, further consultation will take place alongside the normal planning procedures. Document1 5 INTRODUCTION The Hartlepool MUGA Strategy was commissioned by Hartlepool Borough Council and undertaken by Dacre Dunlop – Sports Consultant in September, 2005. It was supported by Sport England – North East. The Strategy has been undertaken with the following objectives:- An assessment of existing facilities addressing standards of provision, ownership and management and use. Standards of provision required, a hierarchy of provision and priorities to meet needs, demands and shortfalls and an identification of strategic locations. Establishment of sound management structures and programmes of use linking to the Council’s Sports Development Programme. Linkage to the Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and Community Strategy. (Refer Appendix 2 and 3) Guidelines on opportunities to create new facilities, improve existing ones and close others to provide a sustainable network of neighbourhood facilities, providing a wide range of activities and opportunities. As with the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy, the MUGA Strategy looks at provision in different areas of the Borough, splitting them into 3 analysis areas of:(a) (b) (c) North Area Central Area South Area and then sub-dividing the areas into Wards. (Refer Appendix 1) The aim of the provision of MUGA’s across the Borough is to provide neighbourhood facilities, which can be used for both formal and informal/casual sport and active recreation. The facilities must be of good quality, accessible to all sections of the community and act as satellite/support facilities to other sport and leisure facilities, but also provide adequate quality recreation facilities in their own right. Document1 6 DEFINITION OF A MUGA AND DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS A MUGA offers a cost effective solution to a number of sport and leisure activities. By definition, a MUGA needs to/should accommodate a number of different sports and activities. Most commonly, played sports on MUGA’s are football, basketball, netball, hockey, tennis. There is inevitably a need for compromise by some sports with regard to the playing surface, as certain surface types are more suitable than others for different sports.(Refer to Sport England Guidelines Appendix 6) It is important to outline a definition of a MUGA so that the “scope of the Strategy” is clearly defined from the outcome. A MUGA is approximately a Tennis Court size (18.5m wide and 37m long). They are most commonly provided as single court size, but could be located in pairs or more. A MUGA should be enclosed with surrounding fencing to retain balls within the playing area and enable spectators to view the activities safely and to provide security. For greatest durability Weldmesh steel fencing is strongly recommended. MUGA’s should have rebound boards/walls, although strengthened Weldmesh fencing can also provide a rebound quality with the advantage of the area being completely visible, thereby reducing the risk of vandalism. Recessed goals should also be provided. The playing surface of a MUGA ranges from Porous Macadam to Polymeric (rubberised) to Synthetic Turf. To achieve maximum use and income, floodlights should be considered, however, in built up areas, these may well be subject to environmental and planning constraints. Equipment for MUGA’s and court markings should be considered from the outset. For MUGA’s, larger than a one-court size access to support facilities should be provided, e.g. changing rooms are desirable. Where possible, ancillary facilities such as toilets, seating etc. should be provided. If correctly planned, managed and used, MUGA’s can provide a comprehensive and sustainable framework of sport and recreation facilities. Document1 7 For more detailed information on design aspects, refer to the appendices in this report, but also to “A Guide to the Design, Specifications and Construction of MUGA’s” produced by Sport England in conjunction with the Sports and Play Construction Association. Document1 8 ANALYSIS AREAS As with the Playing Pitch Strategy, the MUGA Strategy looks at provision in different areas of the Borough by splitting it up into 3 analysis areas. (a) (b) (c) North Area Central Area South Area and then sub-dividing the areas into Wards. The areas and Wards are shown on the map below:- North Central South Document1 9 The Strategy has also taken into account the Hartlepool renewal priority areas, which are shown in the map in Appendix 2. Document1 10 WHY PROVIDE MUGA’s They provide opportunities. They provide a framework of planned provision for youth (U16 age group). They provide a range of good quality, affordable accessible leisure facilities and opportunities. They provide neighbourhood/doorstep facilities, which can increase participation from disadvantaged groups and groups in our community who are less inclined to participate in physical activity. They are a relatively inexpensive, cost effective sustainable method of providing leisure facilities. Because of the neighbourhood approach, they can address a wider social agenda of health, anti-social behaviour, crime, well-being, community cohesion, regeneration, environmental issues, social inclusion and Sports Development objectives. Document1 challenging 11 and stimulating leisure and and GUIDELINES ON PROVISION There are no national/regional planning guidelines for MUGA’s comparable to the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) standards for playing pitch provision to which Local Authorities can refer to regarding the provision of MUGA’s. However, Sport England and the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) offer advice in terms of travelling time (walking) from home in respect of play areas and sports facilities, which is helpful in determining locations of MUGA’s. It is suggested that a 10/15 minute walking time from home would be an appropriate guideline. This would deliver true neighbourhood/doorstep facilities which, if managed correctly, should encourage participation. In NPFA terms, the distribution and accessibility of MUGA’s should be the same as neighbourhood equipped areas for play (NEAP’s). Therefore, Sport England and NPFA travel time guidelines have been adopted for this Strategy. Document1 12 from home STANDARDS OF PROVISION Advice from Sport England is helpful and has been adopted for the Strategy. There are 5 principle types of MUGA’s. Type 1 and 2 Open textured Porous Macadam for ball rebound sports, such as tennis, netball and basketball. The surface can be spray painted to improve aesthetics and the playing environment. These areas are suitable for wheelchair sports. The 2 categories relate to one with tennis as a priority and one for netball. Type 3 and 4 Polymeric surfaced areas, which have a degree of shock absorption and are used for sports such as 5-a-side football, tennis, basketball and netball. They are suitable for wheelchair sports. There are 2 categories, one relates to netball as a priority and the other football. Type 5 Synthetic Turf area for sports such as hockey and 5-a-side football. The surface may be surfaced with sand filled, sand dressed or needle punch synthetic turf. The most modern synthetic turf pitch has a rubber crumb fill. As an Appendix to the Strategy, diagrams of MUGA’s are included along with a table identifying the suitability of playing surfaces to sports. Please note that the Hartlepool Strategy recommends consideration of “recessed goals” for Type 1 and 2 MUGA’s. (Refer Appendix 6 and 7) It should be noted that the standards of provision and the hierarchy of provision recommended in this Strategy have implications for both the initial capital cost of provision and the on-going maintenance costs. Document1 13 A LOCAL STRATEGY FOR PROVISION With a number of existing and proposed Multi-Use Games Areas being developed on an ad hoc basis across the town, the Council has decided that a co-ordinated and strategic approach is necessary to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable framework of facilities which meet identified needs, shortfalls and deficiencies. To determine a local Strategy of provision and therefore preferred locations, the following factors have been taken into consideration, along with Sport England and NPFA guidelines on travel time from home. (a) Consideration of reasonable geographical opportunities for the youth age group (U16). (b) Analysis of the level of deprivation over the Borough. (c) Recommendations from the Borough Council’s “Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy” and “Community Strategy”. (d) Analysis of existing facilities. (e) Consultation with appropriate groups/individuals. (f) Site inspections. (g) Standards of provision and hierarchy of provision, which have implications for both initial capital costs and ongoing maintenance costs. Document1 14 access LOCAL DEMAND/CONSULTATION To help to access local need, demand, aspirations it has been helpful to consult with the following: Hartlepool Borough Council Adult and Community Services Department Hartlepool Borough Council Children’s Services Department and Individual Schools Hartlepool Borough Council Neighbourhood Renewal Team Hartlepool Borough Council Neighbourhood Services Team Hartlepool Borough Council Residents Forum Hartlepool Borough Council Youth Forum Hartlepool Teams Hartlepool Borough Council Neighbourhood Forums Greatham and Headland Parish Councils Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Department Hartlepool Community Safety Team – Anti-Social Behaviour Unit Sport Hartlepool Hartlepool Local Sports Council Sport England – North East Document1 Borough Council 15 Neighbourhood Action Plan MANAGEMENT AND USE For a MUGA Strategy to be successful, the locations of MUGA’s must be closely linked to existing management structures and facilities, e.g. schools, Leisure Centres, Community Centres, Youth Centres, Clubs, Sports Development Unit etc. Currently the management of MUGA’s in the town ranges from non-existent to falling within the remit of various agencies (e.g. Children’s Services, Adult and Community Services etc.). For the future, it is recommended that for community use, the management of all MUGA’s should come under a single body with a single pricing policy (with Revenue support) and a single Management Committee. Only in extreme circumstances should MUGA’s alone” basis sites with “off-site” management. The use of MUGA’s is paramount and must be related to a clear Sports Development Plan/Agenda devised by the appropriate management group, including the promotion of local football/netball/basketball league programmes and with links to existing/emerging sports participation initiatives. There should be a mix of formal/organised activities and bookings, together with casual/informal use. All MUGA sites should have opening and closing times. For Type 1 & 2 (Macadam surface) facilities with management or on off site MUGA’s will be available for casual use. For Type 3/4 (Polymeric surface) and Type 5 (Synthetic) facilities with onsite management MUGA’s will only be available for organised use. Human Resources are vital to the successful implementation of the Strategy and therefore training of personnel must be an important element of the development of the Strategy. The link with existing facilities and management structures will also help to tackle the issue of the security of the facilities and CCTV provision should be part of any development proposal. Secure access is vital to the use of facilities and security lighting may need to be addressed. Bearing in mind existing school provision and the potential of the “building schools for the future programme” it is recommended that school sites are a preferred location of MUGA’s. This would achieve maximum usage, neighbourhood provision, school/ community linkage, management ability and the added value for return on capital investment and meeting on-going costs. Targeted marketing and publicity MUGA’s should be undertaken. Document1 16 about the be on “stand availability of HIERARCHY OF PROVISION Sport England’s technical design guidance contains a hierarchy of provision, e.g. types 1 – 5 MUGA’s. It is recommended that Hartlepool Borough Council adopts this approach. Existing full sized synthetic turf pitches (STP’s) at St Hildas School, Dyke House School and English Martyrs have been included in this study, as they can be adapted for MUGA Type 5activities. In addition to the existing 3 ATP’s, it is suggested that the Borough has:(a) 3 Type 5 Synthetic Turf MUGA’s North Area ~ West View Primary School (existing facility) Central Area ~ Grayfields Recreation Ground (proposed facility) South Area ~ Manor School (suggested new facility) This approach would dovetail with the Football Association Strategy and support for 3 football centres of excellence/academies for the Borough. (b) Type 3/4 Polymeric Surface at all identified schools. (c) Type 1/2 Porous Macadam at all non school sites. Apart from Grayfields, it is suggested that all MUGA sites are single court provision. At Grayfields, a double court (one type 5 and one type 1/2) is proposed. Changing rooms and floodlights would be required at type 5 MUGA’s. Floodlights should also be considered for all MUGA’s to maximise use, however, location and planning constraints need to be taken into account. Low level lighting for casual use could be considered. It should be noted that the hierarchy of provision recommended for the Strategy have implications for both the initial capital costs and the on-going maintenance costs. Document1 17 PRIORITIES It is important in determining priorities for provision to take into account existing Strategies and Policies and Inter Agency issues. The Hartlepool Renewal Strategy is a key player in this and therefore priorities for MUGA locations should generally follow the priority areas identified in the Strategy, and the Multi-Deprivation Ward Map while taking into account antisocial behaviour hotspots. (Refer to Appendices 2/3) Therefore, the priorities following the Renewal Strategy are as follows:High Priority (A) - Burbank Rift House/Burn Valley Brinkburn Owton Dyke House Ward Medium Priority (B) Low Priority (C) Neighbourhood) - St Rossmere Hilda Ward (part of North Hartlepool Brus Ward (part of North Hartlepool Neighbourhood) Stranton Ward (part of NDC area) Foggy Furze Ward (part of NDC area) Grange Ward (part of NDC area) However, exceptions to this that should be considered on the basis that there is an identified need and shortfall include:- Seaton Greatham Clavering (Hart) Park The rational adopted by the Strategy meets one of the 7 elements of the Renewal Strategy which is “Culture and Leisure”, which aims to “ensure a wide range of good quality, affordable and accessible leisure and cultural opportunities”. However, the added value of this approach is that “Culture and Leisure” facilities/ opportunities will also impact on many of the other themes of the Renewal Strategy, namely, Health, Community Safety, Environment, Strengthening Communities, Learning and Skills. Finally, figures from the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit for Hartlepool, as shown in the Appendices, indicates the “hot spots” of recorded crime over the last 6 months. It is hoped that the provision of MUGA’s and the diversionary activities they provide may have an effect on anti-social behaviour Document1 18 amongst young people. The Unit is hoping to monitor the situation when facilities are provided. (Refer Appendix 4) Document1 19 COST GUIDELINES/FINANCE 1. Cost Guidelines (a) Capital Recent local provision indicates the following guideline figures. Approximate capital costs including floodlights in September, 2005 are as follows:- (b) Type 1 and 2 - £80,000 - £90,000 Type 3 and 4 - £90,000 - £100,000 Type 5 - £100,000 - £110,000 Revenue Advice from Sport England also indicates on-going sinking fund costs for MUGA’s based on the frequency of surface and enclosure replacement. (Refer Appendix 8) 2. Pricing Policy As a result of different management arrangements, there is no common pricing policy across all MUGA’s. The cost per hour ranges from £7.00 - £15.00 (without floodlights). It is important that the cost to hire the facilities is set at a level affordable to disadvantages groups. For the future, it is recommended that there is a common pricing policy. However, this can only be achieved through a single managing system and revenue support. 3. Financing The Strategy Clearly any Strategy identifying a need for additional or upgraded provision must address a corresponding need for capital investment against competing priorities within the Council’s capital programme. There is currently no funding available or identified to deliver the Strategy recommendations therefore with, no doubt, extremely tight local capital budgets, it will be important to identify the potential for attracting external funding, if there is to be a realistic chance of the Strategy being implemented. In this respect, it will be important at an early stage to analyse the potential for attracting external funding or prioritise against known existing external funding, e.g. Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. It is hoped that the Strategy and the priorities identified will help the funding process, both internally and externally. Within the section in Strategy on “proposed locations for MUGA’s on a Ward basis”, a summary has been produced Document1 20 which identifies a total capital cost of approximately £1.1 million to realise the full Strategy recommendations. Document1 21 PLANNING Current Planning Considerations Proposals for multi use games areas will normally require planning permission. In considering such applications, regard will be made to the following policies contained in the Emerging Hartlepool Local Plan 2005. GEP1 General Environmental Principles particularly with regard to the effect on the amenities of neighbouring residents Rec6 Encouragement to Dual use of School facilities Rec11 Noisy Outdoor Sports & Leisure Facilities The main considerations of any planning application will be the impact on nearby or adjacent housing in terms of use, lighting and hours of operation Possible Locations The Local Plan policies identify a number of possible general locations for outdoor recreational use. Where private developers wish to identify a site for 5 a side Centre (multiple courts) Policies Rec7 and Rec12 are relevant in identifying land west of Brenda Road and at Tees Bay are relevant. Developer Contributions The emerging Hartlepool Local Plan which is likely to be adopted in Spring 2006 includes policies requiring negotiations for developer to contribute towards the provisions of a range of facilities and works arising from a proposed development. Policies GEP9 and Rec2 of the Local Plan specifically relate to the Council seeking contributions for a provisions of additional works including for the layout and maintenance of open space and play facilities and any other community facility deemed necessary as a result of the development. The policies state that the legal agreement may be negotiated. Policy Rec 2 states that new housing comprising twenty or more family dwellings will be required to provide safe and convenient areas for casual play and formal play. The new Planning System The policies in the Hartlepool Local Plan will be saved for at least three years in view of the new planning system being introduced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 004. The new planning system introduces Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) which comprise a number of separate documents which will progressively replace the Local Plan. One document contained in the LDF will be a Supplementary Planning Document on Planning Obligations. This SPD will be a non statutory planning document providing further detail to stated policies. The SPD will set out guidance and standards on the use of commuted sums through planning agreements including the circumstances when an agreement will besought. Preparation of the SPD commenced in September 2005 and it is anticipated that a draft will be issued in March 2005 with an adoption date of July 2006. Document1 22 The document will include a range of requirements including the provision of play facilities, sums towards town wide leisure facilities and other uses. Guidance on MUGA’s should be examined in the documents. Document1 23 CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS A network of good quality, well managed and used MUGA’s would provide the opportunity for much needed facility based activity centres. In addition to creating opportunities to increase physical activity, MUGA’s should also be seen as a “social engineering tool”, reducing wear and tear on playing pitches and demand for 5-a-side football in indoor sports halls, thus giving the opportunity for a wider based programme. Therefore, it is recommended that:(a) A network of MUGA’s serving each Ward of the Borough should be developed on a community use basis. (b) For community use, the management of MUGA’s should come under the responsibility of a single body, with a single pricing policy (with Revenue support) and a single Management Committee. Document1 24 PROPOSED MUGA’s ON A WARD BASIS SUMMARY Existin g Facilit y Retain Close Upgrade Replace New Provisio n 1 - - (1) - Brus 3 (1 STP) (3) - - Hart 0 - - Dyke House 1 (STP) (1) - Throston 1 - (1) - Stranton 3 (1) (2) Grange 0 - - Ward St Hilda Priority Cost - ‘C’ Priority Ward 60,000 - - ‘C’ Priority Ward 5,000 - - (1) High on Need Basis 90,000 - - (1) ‘A’ Priority Ward 90,000 5,000 (1) (1) Project Already Agreed - - - - ‘C’ Priority Ward - - - (1) ‘C’ Priority Ward 90,000 Comments STP - adaptations STP - adaptations Development and costs within Grayfields redevelopment project Ward Park Existin g Facilit y 0 Retain Close Upgrade Replace New Provisio n - - - - Priority Cost (1) High on Need Basis 90,000 Foggy Furze 1 - - (1) - (1) ‘C’ Priority Ward 160,000 Burn Valley 0 - - - - - - - Rift House 1 (STP) (1) - (1) - (1) ‘A’ Priority Ward 140,000 5,000 Rossmere 2 (1) (1) - (1) - ‘B’ Priority Ward 60,000 Owton 0 - - - - (1) ‘A’ Priority Ward 100,000 Seaton 0 - - - - (1) High on Need Basis 50,000 Greatham 1 - (1) - (1) - High on Need Basis 90,000 Document1 26 Comments Area served by proposals in Rift House and Foggy Furze Wards STP - adaptations Fens Existin g Facilit y 0 TOTAL 14 Ward Retain Close Upgrade Replace New Provisio n - - - - (1) 7 5 3 3 10 Priority Cost High on Need Basis 90,000 Comments £1.1 Million required provide 16 MUGA’s to NOTE 1. No recommended provision for Elwick, Dalton, Hart villages. 2. Any proposals for commercial development of a 5-a-side football facility should be directed to areas West of Brenda Road or Teesbay Document1 27
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