Wigan Local Development Framework
Evidence Base Review
Open Space, Play, Sport and Recreation
Commenced January 2007
Wigan Council Environmental Services
Contents
Title
Table
A. International
UN Convention Article 31
A1
Resolution on European Sports Co-operation (92/5)
A2
The European Sports Charter
A3
B. National
Children Act 2004
B1
Every Child Matters
B2
Children's Play Review
B3
Getting Serious about Play
B4
Government response to 'Getting Serious About Play'
B5
Time for Play, Encouraging greater play opportunities for children and young
people
B6
Children's play
B7
Children’s Play Council
B8
Research on developing accessible play space (Urban Research Summary
No. 14)
B9
Developing Accessible Play Space
B10
The Six Acre Standard
B11
Assessing needs and opportunities: a companion guide to PPG17
B12
Playing Fields for Sport, Planning Bulletin 1
B13
Playing Fields for Sports Revisited, Planning Bulletin 8
B14
The effectiveness of planning policy guidance on sport and recreation, 1998
B15
Planning Policy Statement: A Sporting Future for the Playing Fields of
England
B16
Playing Field Statistics and Protecting Playing Fields
B17
Towards A Level Playing Field: A Guide to the Production of Playing Pitch
Strategies
B18
A Sporting Future for All
B19
The Governments Plan for Sport
B20
Game Plan: a strategy for delivering government's sport and physical
activity objectives
B21
Sporting Britain
B22
The Framework for Sport in England
B23
Review of national sport effort and resources (The Carter Report on Sport)
B24
Planning for Sport and Active Recreation: Objectives and Opportunities
Interim Statement
Spatial Planning for Sport and Active Recreation: Guidance on Sport
England’s Aspirations and Experience
B25
B26
Improving urban parks, play areas and green spaces
B27
Green Spaces, Better Places: Final Report of the Urban Green Spaces
TaskForce
B28
Living Places; Cleaner, Safer, Greener
B29
The Green Flag Award website
B30
Sport in the Green Belt, Planning Bulletin 13
B31
Planning for Open Spaces, Planning Bulletin 12
B32
The Future for Allotments
B33
Survey of Allotments, Community Gardens and City Farms
B34
Sports Clubs and Club Development, Planning Bulletin 18
B35
School Sites and Community Sports Provision, Planning Bulletin 16
B36
Strategic Planning for Sport Revisited, Planning Bulletin 15
B37
Intensive Use Sports Facilities Revisited, Planning Bulletin 14
B38
Commercial Sports Provision, Planning Bulletin 11
B39
Sport and Regeneration, Planning Bulletin 10
B40
Planning for Water Sports, Planning Bulletin 9
B41
Land Based Motor Sports, Planning Bulletin 6
B42
Good Practice Guide: Providing for sport and recreation through new
housing development
B43
Active design
B44
Active People Survey
B45
Improving Access to the Countryside, Planning Bulletin 17
B46
Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice
B47
Green Flag Award Winners 2007/2008
B48
Providing Accessible Natural Greenspace in Towns and Cities
B49
C. Regional
North West On The Move: The North West Plan for Sport and Physical
Activity 2004-2008
C1
D. Sub Regional
E. Local
Wigan Children and Young People’s Plan 2006-2009
E1
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment
E2
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study: Strategy and Action Plan
E3
Community Playgrounds Strategy 2003-2008
(published paper document version only)
E4
Draft Wigan Children’s Play Strategy and Action Plan
E5
Taking SHAPE for the future: 2006-2012
E6
Draft Wigan Parks and Open Spaces Strategy
E7
Wigan Greenheart Regional Park Project Proposal
E8
Wigan Grass Playing Pitch Strategy
E9
Other relevant Evidence
Title
Topic Paper
Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering
Sustainable Development
Planning Policy Statement 1 Supplement;
Planning and Climate Change
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
National & Regional
Planning Policy
PPG14: Development on Unstable Land
PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and
Recreation
PPS23: Planning and Pollution Control
Planning Policy Statement: 25 Flood Risk
Regional Planning Guidance for the North
West (RPG13)
Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the
North West of England
Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the
North West of England: Report of the
Panel
Wigan Borough Health and Lifestyle Survey
(2005-2006)
Securing the Future: The UK Sustainable
Development Strategy
An Environmental Vision
Environmental Quality in Spatial Planning
Local Agenda 21
EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)
Water for life and livelihoods – A framework for
river basin planning in England and Wales
(Environment Agency, 2006)
Waterways for Tomorrow
Making Space for Water
River Douglas Catchment Flood Management
Plan Scoping Report
Mersey Estuary Catchment Flood Management
Plan
Greater Manchester Strategic Flood Risk
Assessment
National & Regional
Planning Policy
Communities
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems:
promoting good practice
The SUDS Manual
Planning Policy Statement 25 Appendix F:
Managing Surface Water
North West Green Infrastructure Guide
Regenerating the English Coalfields: Interim
evaluation of the Coalfields regeneration
programmes
Guidance for the Safe Development of Housing
on Land Affected by Contamination
Wigan Derelict Land Survey 05/06
Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy
Draft Report On The Investigation Into Minerals
Resources in Greater Manchester
Development Control: Planning for Air Quality
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Environment, Natural Resources
and Pollution
Guidance on the Appraisal of Walking and
Cycling Schemes
Accessibility
Waterways and Development Plans
Accessibility
Access for Disabled People, Sport England
Design Guidance Note
By all reasonable means: Inclusive access to the
outdoors for disabled people
Accessibility
Accessibility
British Telecom Countryside For All
Accessibility
Developing Accessible Play Space
Accessibility
Easy Access to Historic Landscapes
Accessibility
Wigan Borough Retail Study
Retail and Centres
Table A1
Title
UN Convention Article 31
United Nations
Proponent body
Statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
1990
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
It enshrines the right for children to play in international law.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Article 31
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and
recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life
and the arts.
2. States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and
artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural,
artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy on play – the need for such a policy approach will be informed by our
open space needs assessment and our Children’s Play Strategy and Action Plan.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
All documents relating to play and recreation
for children.
Community Playgrounds Strategy 2003-2008
Draft Wigan Children’s Play Strategy and
Action Plan.
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table A2
Title
Resolution on European Sports Co-operation
(92/5)
European Union
Proponent body
Statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
1992
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The European Ministers responsible for Sport, meeting at Rhodes for their 7th Conference, from
13 to 15 May 1992
Reaffirming the important role which sport has to play in human development, as an essential
element of progress through education, culture and personal and social well-being;
With a view to facilitating the practice of sport at all levels, and determined to encourage the
traditional voluntary management of sport and its clubs and associations;
Welcoming the existing connections and co-operation in the field of sport between the Council of
Europe and the European Communities on the one hand, and the European Sports Conference
on the other;
Welcoming the setting up of the Mutual Assistance programmes, aimed primarily at developing
sport in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The Conference resolved:
1. to cooperate within the framework of the European Cultural Convention on all matters
concerning sport which are of common interest, including the role which sport can play in
democratic development;
2. to make all efforts for the effective implementation, at all levels, of the principles laid down in
the European Sports Charter and the Code of Ethics for Sport, adopted at the present
Conference, and to widely promote those principles;
3. to operate so that adequate resources, facilities and opportunities are made available to the
sport sector in order to enable all citizens, including disabled persons, to benefit from the
practice of sport or physical recreational activities;
4. to ensure that the economic dimension of sport is appropriately analysed and borne in mind,
including such aspects as financing, management and marketing;
5. to reinforce bilateral programmes (both by governments and by sports organisations) for
mutual assistance and sports development, as a necessary complement to multilateral
programmes;
Invite the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe:
1. to intensify sports co-operation, as an element of its general policy in the new European
political framework, and as a means of forwarding the cause of international understanding,
whilst respecting the principle of the independence of sport;
2. to encourage, where appropriate and mutually beneficial, participation in Council of Europe
work on sport by other States not yet party to the European Cultural Convention, in particular
those participating in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and contacts with
other intergovernmental organisations;
3. to encourage the necessary continued close co-operation in the field of sport between the
Council of Europe, the European Communities and appropriate European sports organisations,
and, where suitable, other international ones;
4. to invite the CDDS to address with particular attention the following subjects, in the period
leading up to the 8th Conference:
a. the follow-up given at all levels to the European Sports Charter and the Code of Sports
b. the ways and means of encouraging the activities of the voluntary sports clubs and
associations as an important element of democracy;
c. the further development of mutual assistance programmes, particularly in favour of the new
member countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the preparation of a long-term plan for
such programmes;
d. the economy of sport, including its financial, management and marketing aspects and the
contribution of sport to economic development nationally and internationally;
e. the promotion of Sport for All in all countries party to the European Cultural Convention;
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
The European Sports Charter
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table A3
Title
The European Sports Charter
European Union
Proponent body
Statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
1992
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
It enshrines sport in European law. It includes:
Article 1: The Aim of the Charter (see below)
Article 2: Definition and Scope of the Charter
Article 3: The Sports Movement
Article 4: Facilities and Activities
Article 5: Building the Foundation
Article 6: Developing Participation
Article 7: Improving Performance
Article 8: Supporting Top level and Professional Sport
Article 9: Human Resources
Article 10: Sport and Sustainable Development
Article 11: Information and Research
Article 12: Finance
Article 13: Domestic and International Co-operation
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The aim of the charter is:
Governments, with a view to the promotion of sport as an important factor in human
development, shall take the steps necessary to apply the provisions of this Charter in
accordance with the principles set out in the Code of Sports Ethics in order:
i. to enable every individual to participate in sport and notably:
a. to ensure that all young people should have the opportunity to receive physical education
instruction and the opportunity to acquire basic sports skills,
b. to ensure that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in sport and physical
recreation in a safe and healthy environment, and, in co-operation with the appropriate
sports organisations,
c. to ensure that everyone with the interest and ability should have the opportunity to improve
their standard of performance in sport and reach levels of personal achievement and/or publicly
recognised levels of excellence,
ii. to protect and develop the moral and ethical bases of sport and the human dignity and safety
of those involved in sport, by safeguarding sport, sportsmen and women from exploitation for
political, commercial and financial gain and from practices that are abusive or debasing
including the abuse of drugs and the sexual harassment and abuse, particularly of children,
young people and women.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Resolution on European Sports Co-operation
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B1
Title
Children Act 2004
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Proponent body
Statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
It eshrines the principle that Every Child Matters in national law.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The Green Paper ‘Every Child Matters’ was published in September 2003 alongside the
Government’s formal response to the Victoria Climbi Inquiry Report. It proposed changes in
policy and legislation to maximise opportunities and minimise risks for all children and young
people, focusing services more effectively around the needs of children, young people and
families.
The consultations showed broad support, in particular for the intention to concentrate on
outcomes that children and young people themselves have said are important, rather than
prescribing organisational change. The Act was produced in the light of this consultation to
create clear accountability for children's services, to enable better joint working and to secure a
better focus on safeguarding children. Alongside the Act, the Government published ‘Every Child
Matters: Next Steps’. This provides details of the consultation response and the wider, nonlegislative, elements of change that are being taken forward to promote the well-being of all
children.
To ensure a voice for children and young people at national level Part 1 of the Act provides for
the establishment of a Children's Commissioner (in these notes referred to as 'the
Commissioner'). Under sections 2, 3 and 4, the Commissioner's role will be to promote
awareness of the views and interests of children and hold inquiries as appropriate in England
(similar duties for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland under sections 5, 6, and 7).
Part 2 gives effect in England to the principal legislative proposals to support better integrated
planning, commissioning, and delivery of children's services and provide for clear accountability.
In particular, the Act places a duty on local authorities to make arrangements through which key
agencies co-operate to improve the well-being of children and young people and widen services'
powers to pool budgets in support of this. In addition, it provides for regulations to require
children's services authorities to prepare and publish a Children and Young People's Plan
(CYPP) which will set out their strategy for services for children and relevant young people
(sections 10, 11, 13-16, 17).
To support professionals in working together and sharing information to identify difficulties and
provide appropriate support, this part of the Act also allows for the creation of databases holding
information on all children and young people (section 12).
Part 2 includes measures to ensure clear accountability for children's services. The Act will
require local authorities in England to put in place a director of children's services to be
accountable for, as a minimum, the local authority's education and social services functions in so
far as they relate to children. It will also require the designation of a lead member for children's
services to mirror the director's responsibilities at a local political level (sections 18 and 19).
To ensure a shared approach across inspections, sections 20 to 24 allow for the creation of an
integrated inspection framework and for inspectorates to carry out joint reviews of all children's
services provided in an area.
Opportunities
The Council has reorganised to establish a Children and Young People’s Services Department,
has a lead member who is the Children and Young People Champion, and with the Children,
Young People and Families Strategic Partnership, has produced and Children and Young
People’s Plan
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We need to liaise with the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to ensure ownership
of the Local Development Framework process.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Every Child Matters
Wigan Children and Young People's Plan
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Education
Health
Community Safety
Environment
Economy
Table B2
Title
Every Child Matters
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Proponent body
Statutory (underpinned by the Children Act 2004)
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and
young people from birth to age 19.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to
have the support they need to:
•
Be healthy
•
Stay safe
•
Enjoy and achieve
•
Make a positive contribution
•
Achieve economic well-being
This means that the organisations involved with providing services to children will be teaming up
in new ways, sharing information and working together, to protect children and young people
from harm and help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people will have
far more say about issues that affect them as individuals and collectively.
Every local authority will be working with its partners, through children's trusts, to find out what
works best for children and young people in its area and act on it. They will need to involve
children and young people in this process, and when inspectors assess how local areas are
doing, they will listen especially to the views of children and young people themselves.
In March 2005, the first Children's Commissioner for England was appointed, to give children
and young people a voice in government and in public life. The Commissioner will pay particular
attention to gathering and putting forward the views of the most vulnerable children and young
people in society, and will promote their involvement in the work of organisations whose
decisions and actions affect them.
In addition, the Children's Fund was launched in November 2000 to tackle disadvantage among
children and young people. The programme aims to identify at an early stage children and
young people at risk of social exclusion, and make sure they receive the help and support they
need to achieve their potential.
Opportunities
The Council has reorganised to establish a Children and Young People’s Services Department,
has a lead member who is the Children and Young People Champion, and with the Children,
Young People and Families Strategic Partnership, has produced and Children and Young
People’s Plan.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy or policies that would support the ‘every child matters’ agenda.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Children Act 2004
Wigan Children and Young People’s Plan
2006-2009
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B3
Title
Children's Play Review
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Mid 2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This is a webpage – there are no document links on it.
In October 2002 the Government announced a review of children's play opportunities to inform a
proposed lottery funding programme. The review ran until Spring 2003 and was jointly
sponsored by DCMS and Sure Start, who are working closely with the New Opportunities Fund
and other Government Departments.
The aim of the review was to produce a strategy and priorities that can be used by New
Opportunities Fund to inform the proposed play programme. The New Opportunities Fund
programme will be UK wide and cover children 0-16. Like other New Opportunities Fund
programmes the review will consider areas of disadvantage and groups of children with limited
play opportunities. The main funding for this programme is planned to come on stream in late
2005 at the earliest.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Part of the momentum towards the increased profile for play.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Further supporting evidence for greater emphasis on play in the Local Development Framework.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B4
Title
Getting Serious about Play
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
January 2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
A report to government, chaired by Rt. Hon Frank Dobson MP, with recommendations about
priorities for play provision.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
This report sets out how best to invest the £200 million from the New Opportunities Fund,
pledged in June 2001, for improving children’s play opportunities. It is the result of an eight
month review that involved extensive consultation, commissioned research and drew on
evidence from existing sources.
It looked at the needs of children and young people aged from 0-16. While the review process
covered the whole of the UK, the report’s conclusions and recommendations are specific to
England. It is for the devolved administrations to draw upon the review as they think fit.
For the purposes of the review, play meant what children and young people do when they follow
their own ideas and interests, in their own way and for their own reasons. New Opportunities
Fund, and the projects it funds, should apply the same definition.
The New Opportunities Fund funding programme should improve and create thousands of
spaces where children and young people can play freely and in safety.
(Great difficulty copying and pasting the rest of the summary)
Opportunities
See Government response January 2005.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Further supporting evidence for greater emphasis on play in the Local Development Framework.
Creating specific provision is important but so is making the wider home environment more
child-friendly.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Government response to ‘Getting Serious About
Play’
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Design
Health
Education
Table B5
Title
Government response to 'Getting Serious About
Play'
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
January 2005
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
It is a letter from the Right Honourable Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State responding to Frank
Dobson MP who led the ‘Getting Serious about Play’ review. Attached is a 2 column table of the
points and recommendations from ‘Getting Serious about Play’ and the Government’s response.
(Paper copy in Open Space, Sport and Recreation Evidence File)
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Agree recommendations 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16; agree in principle
recommendations 4, 5, 9, 10 and 18; welcome but refer recommendation 17; broadly agree
recommendations 19 and 20. Recommendations 1 and 2 were scene setting.
Opportunities
Government is committed to seeing children’s play areas transformed by lottery money. The Big
Lottery Fund will be more responsive to local needs, it will be more accessible and supportive of
prospective applicants; and it will be open to new ideas and able to take risks. Play was
mentioned specifically in two of the proposed priorities in the Big Lottery Fund consultation.
Overall we expect funding for play projects to reach £200m across the UK between 2006 and
2012. We feel that more can be achieved for play by allowing lottery distributors to decide on
how this money is spent. Culture, Media and Sport will work with and support the Children’s
Play Council, and work with the departments responsible for health and education as well as the
cleaner, safer, greener agenda given the links to it.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Further supporting evidence for greater emphasis on play in the Local Development Framework.
Creating specific provision is important but so is making the wider home environment more
child-friendly.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Getting Serious about Play
Living Places: Safer, Greener, Cleaner
Design
Health
Education
Table B6
Title
Time for Play, Encouraging greater play
opportunities for children and young people
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
August 2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This publication sets out current and future work on children's play and on how government sees
work on play progressing.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
“Play means what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests,
in their own way and for their own reasons.” (Getting Serious About Play, 2004 and Big Lottery
Fund play programme). Play provision means “…a space, some facilities or equipment or a set
of activities intended to give children the opportunity to play as defined above. At its most
successful, it offers children and young people as much choice, control and freedom as possible
within reasonable boundaries. This is often best achieved with adult support, guidance or
supervision. The children and young people may themselves choose play involving certain rules
or, in some cases, informal sport.”
Big Lottery Fund Play initiative funding is now available and ‘Play England’ has been established
to provide a regional infrastructure for play. Local authorities who wish to access the Big Lottery
Fund must produce a play strategy. In turn this should be part of the overall Children and Young
People’s Plan.
The play strategy is important. It will set out the vision for play in the local authority area. The
play sector, through its regional infrastructure, will also be able to feed into these strategies and
benefit from changes.
The Children’s Play initiative provides an opportunity to build these relationships; as well as
building the evidence base to prove play’s worth; and to encourage future funding after the
initiative comes to an end.
The objective is for play provision to become a service that local authorities provide as a matter
of course, even when lottery funding ends, because they are convinced of the benefits, both
short and long-term, of providing play opportunities for all ages, and also because public
pressure ensures that ceasing to deliver play opportunities would fail to meet what people want.
National Government will continue to do all it can to support play. Local authorities must
maximise the opportunity. The play sector must work with local authorities.
Opportunities
The wider ‘children’s play initiative’ provides an opportunity to build on relationships between the
play sector and local authorities; as well as building the evidence base to prove play’s worth;
and to encourage future funding after the initiative comes to an end.
It is a clear demonstration of the importance Government attaches to play opportunities for
children and young people, at least part of which relates to the provision of play space and
facilities.
Issues and constraints
There are clear benefits, both short and long-term, of providing play opportunities for all ages.
Combining play strategies with wider programmes for health, regeneration, childcare, extended
schools and youth offending, will provide a powerful platform for local authorities - capable of
reducing inequalities and helping children to reach their potential.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
This document and the wider children’s play initiative significant elevate play as a Council
responsibility which needs to be reflected in the Local Development Framework.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Wigan Children’s Play Strategy, Children’s and Young People’s
Services
PPG17, Wigan Audit and Needs Assessment
Cross Reference (Topic
Reviews)
Table B7
Title
Children's play
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
n/a
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Home page on children’s play on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport website. Includes
a link to the Children’s Play Council website http://www.ncb.org.uk/Page.asp?sve=912
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Current content as at 2 May 2007 has been reviewed.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Further supporting evidence for greater emphasis on play in the Local Development Framework.
Creating specific provision is important but so is making the wider home environment more
child-friendly.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Design
Table B8
Title
Children’s Play Council
National Children’s Bureau
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
n/a
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Founded in 1988, the Children's Play Council is an alliance of national and regional voluntary
organisations, local authorities and partnerships promoting children's right to play and the
development of play provision in England.
Our work
Under the umbrella of the National Children's Bureau, our work programme takes in policy,
research, information and good practice development: always aiming to have an impact on the
extent and the quality of free play experiences available to children, and projects such as Play
England; a five-year programme to promote play strategies and create a lasting support
structure in every local authority in the England.
We aim to raise awareness of the importance of play in children's lives and the need for all
children to have access to good play opportunities and services. We promote engagement with
children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities as a fundamental aspect of good
practice in play provision. We believe good play provision is fully inclusive.
Networking
Itself an alliance, CPC also works closely with other agencies concerned with children's play
from all sectors. We convene the Children's Play Policy Forum, the Play Safety Forum and the
Play Research Network as well as meeting regularly with our member organisations, who steer
our work and our policy objectives.
A voice for children's play
As the holder of a government contract (with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport) for
children's play policy development, we aim to develop the consensus view of the play sector - as
represented by our members and wider networks of play professionals - and advocate to
government for a higher profile, more recognition, and greater investment for play provision as a
public service to children. We also aim to present the case for improved play provision and child
friendly public space through the media.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Policy Position: Local Play Policy development (2004)
Preamble
If children and young people are to have the adequate opportunities to play freely and enjoy unstructured free-time activities, local authorities must plan strategically for this. Local authority
plans should be rooted in agreed Play Policies and developed with local children and young
people, families, other community members and play providers. The Audit Commission has
developed a voluntary performance indicator BVPI 115 on the development of local play
policies.
Principles
•
•
•
•
•
All children and young people have the right to play freely and free of charge in their own
neighbourhoods.
Good mainstream play provision is accessible, welcoming and engaging for all children and
young people including those who are disabled or have specific needs and wishes.
Children and young people of different ages have different play interests and needs.
Local authorities, as the primary enablers of local services, have the lead role in ensuring
the provision of a range of play opportunities for children and young people of all ages,
abilities and interests.
Children and their parents should feel sufficiently confident in the local environment that
children and young people are able to play freely outdoors, with minimal adult involvement.
Services/ practice (from BVPI 115)
Every county, unitary and district authority should have an agreed play policy and strategy:
• The play policy should be widely scoped, including any local authority services that might
directly or indirectly impact on children’s play opportunities.
• The play policy should clearly identify the importance of play
• The policy should be integrated with other relevant community, corporate and departmental
plans.
•
•
•
•
The policy should be developed drawing on consultation with a range of relevant
stakeholders.
The policy should be endorsed by the Chief Executive and/or Members of the relevant
committee
The play policy should be based on a clear baseline assessment of local needs and identify
current provision and opportunities for play.
The play policy provides a clear framework for implementation and delivery.
Children’s Play Council February 2004
•
•
A Play Policy working group with key partners should be established to oversee the
implementation and delivery of the policy
A framework is in place for monitoring progress and regular reporting on plans.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
There is clear guidance for the Local Development Framework as part of a portfolio of strategy
documents to provide strategically for play, including evidence and community engagement.
Creating specific provision is important but so is making the wider home environment more
child-friendly.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Children’s Play
Design
Draft Wigan Play Strategy & Action Plan
Table B9
Title
Research on developing accessible play space
(Urban Research Summary No. 14)
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
‘Developing Accessible Play Space: A Good Practice Guide’ published by the former Office of
the Deputy Prime Minister (now Communities and Local Government) in November 2003, gives
advice which can be tailored to individual settings on developing accessible play space disabled
children can use. This summary describes the research conducted to inform development of the
Guide.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The objectives of the research undertaken were to:
• assess current advice and guidance to play space providers and review current practice
relating to accessible play space for disabled children;
• clarify the existing and possibly conflicting legislative and regulatory frameworks that are
relevant to the provision of play spaces;
• consider other relevant policies and initiatives;
• develop a good practice guide for play space providers, including practical advice on
improving accessibility.
It was envisaged the guide would help explain current and future duties under the access
provisions in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to the provision of play
spaces.
The key findings
There was broad agreement that:
• Outdoor play is of crucial importance to children's development, health and well-being.
• Disabled and non-disabled children should equally be able to access and use public play
spaces.
• Good play spaces enable disabled and non disabled children to play together.
• Enabling disabled children and their non-disabled siblings and peers to use play spaces
together has wider benefits for social inclusion and community building and networking.
• Although there is no specific policy agenda on accessible play space, it connects too many
other policy agendas apart from those related to open and public space - such as health,
education and sport and leisure.
• Policy statements on accessible play space for disabled children are relatively thin on the
ground.
• Where policy does exist on accessible play space, this is often structured around existing
guidelines such as National Playing Field Association standards. Increasing accessibility of
play space has not tended to focus specifically on children with impairments.
• Work in practice is in evidence. Therefore, many developments are taking place outside of
an agreed policy context or play strategy.
• The importance of good design, which will give value for money, cannot be underestimated.
• Post holders with responsibility for taking forward the development of accessible play space
can be difficult to locate. Responsibilities are often shared across departments and
understandings of the functioning of these relationships are sometimes unclear.
• The main barriers are felt to be lack of funding, staff resources and understanding of what
disabled children want and are entitled to.
• A vital stimulus for accessible play space development is observed in the commitment and
enthusiasm expressed by a broad range of stakeholders in making play spaces accessible.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
Issues that arose in the research which are considered further in the guide include:
• The importance of embedding understanding of the difference between disability and
impairment.
• Interpretations and understandings of risk and safety. Disabled children, like all children
want and need to take risks in play and many of their parents want this to be possible for
them. Gaining a balance between risk and safety in play spaces provokes a wide range of
views and disagreements discussed in the report and Guide.
• How to link up accessible play space development with essential subsidiary services such
as toilets and parking.
• Funding for play spaces, particularly in relation to revenue costs and lack of clarity about
relevant funding streams to promote and develop work on improving accessibility.
• Responsibility for play and how this is understood at local authority level, particularly at
senior levels.
• How able and confident people feel to consult with disabled children and their families.
• Issues of maintenance of play space in respect of design and funding.
• How developing a few 'show case' accessible play spaces compares to working to increase
accessibility in neighbourhood parks.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Need to ensure full equality and diversity assessment of play space policies as part of
Sustainability Appraisal and integrate the play space policies with the Access for All policies.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Need to include equality and diversity impact assessment as part of Sustainability Appraisal.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Developing Accessible Play Space
Accessibility
Table B10
Title
Developing Accessible Play Space
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
November 2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Outdoor play has developmental and therapeutic benefits for all children. It is fun, helps to keep
children healthy, develop an awareness of risk and danger and is important for building social,
emotional and life skills. In the past there has been little recognition that disabled children are
entitled to the same play opportunities as other children. As a result their interests have not
been fully considered when planning and designing public play spaces. The need for guidance
was highlighted in the report 'Living Places; Cleaner, Safer, Greener'.
Enabling disabled children to access play spaces helps them and their families build
relationships and neighbourhood networks that can bind communities and promote social
inclusion.
Based on consultation with disabled children, young people, their parents and caregivers,
campaigners, playground amenities officers, equipment manufacturers, planners, play providers,
and policy makers the guide aims to help all those with an interest in developing accessible play
space. The good practice guide gives advice which can be tailored to individual settings on
developing accessible play space disabled children can use.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Key points are:
Understanding the issues
All children do not need to access play spaces in the same way but they are all fundamentally
entitled to go out to play.
Good design of public play spaces is needed in order to make this possible. Each child is
different - not every piece of equipment in a play space needs to be accessible to every child but
access to the social experience of play is key.
The key recommendation of the guide is that developers should concentrate on making the
environment fit the child. There is no need to focus on impairment specific issues - rather
identify the obstacles to play for any child who might wish to access the play space and think
about ways to circumvent them.
Environmental barriers that exclude children with impairments, such as uneven surfaces and
narrow gates, can easily be changed and are not necessarily expensive. Social barriers such as
fear, embarrassment or discriminatory attitudes also need to be tackled so that an accessible
play space is also an inclusive one in which disabled children and their families feel welcome.
The essential ingredient for making play space accessible is a willingness to seek out and
remove disabling barriers.
When children play together, parents invariably talk together and new community alliances are
forged. Inclusive play spaces can be the seedbeds from which sustainable and inclusive
communities grow.
The good practice guide provides examples of how careful attention to design can help to
ensure that play spaces are inclusive, comfortable and appealing to disabled children and their
families.
Getting started
The issues to review fall into two broad categories (i) social issues and (ii) technical and physical
factors. Reviewing social issues involves thinking about how to create opportunities for disabled
and non-disabled children to play together.
A focus on technical and physical characteristics involves considering such issues as safety and
maintenance, car parking, shelter and toilets.
Consultation
The key users of play spaces are children and so the perspectives of disabled children and their
non-disabled peers are key to the development of good quality accessible play space. The best
way to ascertain what to put in a play space is by working with disabled children to find out what
they want.
First steps towards consultation can be initiated by anyone. It is important to realise that
disabled children, young people and their families can do the consulting as well as be consulted.
Creative thinking is required to maximise consultation with disabled children and their families.
Consultation methods that do not take up much hard-pressed family time will be appreciated.
The development of on-going consultation strategies increases the engagement of disabled
children and their families. The good practice guide suggests innovative consultation strategies.
Inclusion by design
Envisaging accessible play spaces as places where all children can have the chance to interact
and play with each other should be the starting point when thinking through what is involved in
creating inclusion by design.
Equipment does not wholly define a play space and developing accessible play space isn't just
about getting the right fixed equipment. How the design of the space enables people to use it in
different ways is important. Use of natural resources can greatly enhance the quality of the play
experience for disabled children. Equipment plays an important role in play spaces but children
also want to do things other than use equipment.
Taking risk is an integral part of play and risk cannot be eliminated from accessible play space
for any child, including disabled and vulnerable children. Parents of disabled children frequently
say they would rather their children encounter acceptable risk in play than be excluded. A
balance has to be found between accepting that all children face a degree of risk in open and
inclusive public play spaces and the pressures of the increasingly litigious climate in which we
live.
Manufacturers are vigilant about equipment design and installation and pay close attention to
compliance with safety standards. Some are producing their own guidance on accessible play
space.
Moving forward
The good practice guidance sets out a framework for developing accessible play space which
covers
• making connections
• setting a policy context
• establishing responsibility for play
• promoting partnership working
• involving the community
Funding is an important issue and making play spaces accessible does not have to cost the
earth.
Practical pointers
Practical examples cited in the guide cover existing good practice in consultation with disabled
children and their families, partnership working with key groups, utilising community expertise
and developing an inclusive approach to design.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Need to ensure full equality and diversity assessment of play space policies as part of
Sustainability Appraisal and integrate the play space policies with the Access for All policies.
The good practice guide suggests innovative consultation strategies.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Research on developing accessible play
space (Urban Research Summary No. 14).
Living Places; Cleaner, Safer, Greener.
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Accessibility
Table B11
Title
The Six Acre Standard
National Playing Fields Association
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The Six Acre Standard is a guide to ensure that sufficient land is set aside in appropriate
locations to enable people of all ages, especially the young, to participate in outdoor play,
games, sports and other physical recreation. It is a minimum standard for outdoor playing space
of 2.4 hectares (6 acres) for 1000 people, comprising 1.6 hectares (4 acres) for outdoor sport
and 0.8 hectares (2 acres) for children's play. However, the publication goes far beyond the
application of a simple formula.
The Six Acre Standard begins with consideration of the need for outdoor recreation space and
suggests a framework of research to enable local authorities to adopt their own standards of
provision. It examines the important issues of accessibility and quality of provision, including
gradients, drainage, orientation of pitches, changing accommodation, planting and community
safety.
It recommends a hierarchy of children's play areas, designed to meet the needs of different age
groups, in locations based on walking time. The document also considers the role played by
builders in delivering facilities necessary to serve their developments and it draws together
legislation and policy on the protection of playing fields.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The link is to a webpage where you can order the document but not access it. We do not
appear to have a copy, neither do Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
The 6 acre standard has largely been overtaken by Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 and its
companion guide, but it could have some useful guidance particularly on a qualitative basis.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B12
Title
Assessing needs and opportunities: a
companion guide to PPG17
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
September 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This Guide reflects the Government's policy objectives for open space, sport and recreation, as
set out in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17. It:
• seeks to build on examples of existing good planning practice, while also taking account of the
recommendations of the Government's Urban Green Spaces Taskforce and the need for local
authorities to prepare Community and Cultural Strategies.
• sets out how local authorities can use the planning system to help deliver accessible, high
quality and sustainable open spaces and sport and recreation facilities which meet local needs
and are valued by local communities.
• relates directly to the Best Value regime and the management and maintenance of publiclyowned open spaces or sport and recreation facilities.
In order to do this, it:
• indicates how councils can establish the wishes of their local communities and apply their
provision standards in a way which is equitable to both developers and local communities.
• promotes as consistent an approach as possible across different facility types, at different
scales and in urban and rural areas, in order to limit the resources and range of skills needed
to undertake assessments.
• provides a framework for determining the need for planning conditions or the negotiation of
planning agreements.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
There are four 'guiding principles' for local assessments:
• Local needs are likely to vary considerably from one place to another, even within a single
local authority area, according to the different socio-demographic and cultural characteristics
of local communities and the number and type of visitors.
• The delivery of a network of high quality, sustainable open spaces and sport and recreation
facilities depends not only on good planning, but also on creative urban and landscape design
and effective management. In so far as local authority-owned spaces and facilities are
concerned, this can be achieved only by multi-disciplinary working across different
departments and, in some cases, with neighbouring councils, regional and national agencies.
• In many areas, delivering the objectives set out in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 will
depend much more on improving and enhancing the accessibility and quality of existing
provision than on new provision. At the same time, where additional open spaces or sport and
recreation facilities are required, they should enhance the network.
• The value of open spaces or sport and recreation facilities, irrespective of who owns them,
depends primarily on two things: the extent to which they meet clearly identified local needs
and the wider benefits they generate for people, wildlife, biodiversity and the wider
environment.
Opportunities
To plan positively, creatively and effectively to ensure that there is adequate provision of
accessible, high quality greenspaces, civic spaces and sport and recreation facilities to meet the
needs of local communities and visitors.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Need to undertake a needs assessment and audit of provision as a key part of our evidence
base. We have undertaken an audit internally and this has been supplemented as part of a
needs assessment commissioned from Knight Kavanagh & Page consultants, to conclude
September 2007.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Green Spaces, Better Places: Report of the
Urban Green Spaces Taskforce
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs
Assessment
Table B13
Title
Playing Fields for Sport, Planning Bulletin 1
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
May 1997
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This was the first bulletin from what is now Sport England. It is somewhat dated and was
revisited by Bulletin 8, also now somewhat dated.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Of little relevance now.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Playing Fields for Sport Revisited, Bulletin 8
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B14
Title
Playing Fields for Sports Revisited, Planning
Bulletin 8
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
June 2000
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This bulletin was issued in the context of Sport England becoming a statutory consultee, but not
always being consulted, and the Government issuing a direction against the sell off of playing
fields. It pre-dates the current version of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 and it is now of
limited relevance.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
‘Playing field’ is defined in the General Development Procedure Order as the whole of a site that
encompasses at least one playing pitch. ‘Playing pitch’ is taken to mean:
‘a delineated area which, together with any run-off area, is of 0.4ha or more, and which is used
for association football, American football, rugby, cricket, hockey, lacrosse, rounders, baseball,
softball, Australian football, Gaelic football, shinty, hurling, polo or cycle polo.’
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Of little relevance but the reference above is handy.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B15
Title
The effectiveness of planning policy guidance
on sport and recreation, 1998
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
1998
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The aim of this research was to review the effectiveness of the Planning Policy Guidance in
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17: ‘Sport and Recreation’. The study process involved:
• an examination of how fully sport and recreation interests are incorporated in the process of
development plan preparation;
• an assessment of the extent to which development plans reflect Planning Policy Guidance
(PPG)17 guidance;
• identification of any significant gaps in the coverage of sport and recreation issues in PPG 17;
• investigation of the compatibility of the guidance in PPG 17 with the principles of sustainable
development; and
• recommendations for any revisions to PPG 17, good practice guidance, or other action
considered necessary in the light of the study.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
It is an extensive report covering all aspects of open space, sport and recreation and would be
worth delving into for an informed background to any matter being considered.
Opportunities
Possible useful background material, helped inform current Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17.
Issues and constraints
Related to old Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 so it has served its purpose.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B16
Title
Planning Policy Statement: A Sporting Future
for the Playing Fields of England
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Approx 2001
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Sport England opposes development on playing fields in all but exceptional cases, whether the
land is in public, private or educational use. There are 5 exceptions:
1. A carefully quantified and documented assessment of current and future needs has
demonstrated to the satisfaction of Sport England that there is an excess of playing field
provision in the catchment, and the site has no special significance to the interests of sport.
2. The proposed development is ancillary to the principal use of the site as a playing field or
playing fields, and does not affect the quantity or quality of pitches or adversely affect their
use.
3. The proposed development affects only land incapable of forming, or forming part of, a
playing pitch, and does not result in the loss of or inability to make use of any playing pitch
(including the maintenance of adequate safety margins), a reduction in the size of the playing
areas of any playing pitch or the loss of any other sporting/ancillary facilities on the site.
4. The playing field or playing fields, which would be lost as a result of the proposed
development, would be replaced by a playing field or playing fields of an equivalent or better
quality and of equivalent or greater quantity, in a suitable location and subject to equivalent or
better management arrangements, prior to the commencement of development.
5. The proposed development is for an indoor or outdoor sports facility, the provision of which
would be of sufficient benefit to the development of sport as to outweigh the detriment caused
by the loss of the playing field or playing fields.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Playing fields should be protected.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Unitary Development Plan Policy C1C is consistent with this document and Planning Policy
Guidance (PPG)17. Need to maintain this approach but amend in line with Open Space, Sport
and Recreation Needs Assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Wigan Unitary Development Plan Policy C1C
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B17
Title
Playing Field Statistics and Protecting Playing
Fields
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Contextual information on the Government’s policy against the selling off of playing fields for
development – this particular document includes statistics from 1999-2001. It is part of the
agenda that led to the ‘new’ PPG17 in July 2002.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Supporting evidence for PPG17.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B18
Title
Towards A Level Playing Field: A Guide to the
Production of Playing Pitch Strategies
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Approx 2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This document provides detailed guidance on producing a playing pitch strategy in accordance
with PPG17. It states that the benefits are considerable and include:
(a) Corporate and strategic
• It ensures a strategic approach to playing pitch provision.
• It provides robust evidence for capital funding.
• It helps deliver government policies for social inclusion, environmental protection,
community involvement and healthy living.
• It helps demonstrate the value of leisure services
• It helps the Best Value process.
(b) Planning
• It provides a basis for establishing new pitch requirements arising from new housing
developments.
• It is one of the best tools for the protection of pitches threatened by development.
• It links closely with work being undertaken on open spaces to provide a holistic approach to
open space improvement and protection.
(c) Operational
• It will improve a local authority’s asset management, which should result in more efficient
use of resources and reduced overheads.
• It highlights locations where quality of provision can be enhanced.
(d) Sports development
• It helps identify where community use of school sports pitches is most needed.
• It provides better information to residents and other users of sports pitches. This includes
information about both pitches and sports teams.
• It promotes sports development and can help unlock latent demand by identifying where the
lack of facilities might be suppressing the formation of teams.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Councils should prepare playing pitch strategies.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
The Unitary Development Plan has playing pitch standards arising from Wigan Council’s own
playing pitch strategy. These standards may need to be amended as a result of the open
space, sport and recreation needs assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Wigan Playing Pitch Strategy
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Wigan Unitary Development Plan Policy C1B
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B19
Title
A Sporting Future for All
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2000
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The Government's strategy for sport, A Sporting Future for All, sets out the Government's vision
for sport in the 21st century and highlights the importance of co-ordinating sport between
schools and local clubs and organisations.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The Government has the highest aspirations for sport in this country. Our aims are clear.
We want to see:
• more people of all ages and all social groups taking part in sport; and
• more success for our top competitors and teams in international competition.
We have identified the key issues which must be tackled if we are to improve our performance
in sport.
• there are not enough opportunities for children and young people to take part.
• people lose interest as they get older, reducing participation and diminishing the pool of
talent.
• there are too many obstacles to the progress of those with the potential to reach the top.
• the organisation and management of sport is fragmented and too often unprofessional.
The Government and those who run sport need to work together to overcome these problems.
We believe it can be done. In developing this strategy for sport we have found a great deal of
good practice and much that is encouraging. If all of us commit ourselves to an agreed action
plan, we can make a real difference to our country’s performance.
We have set out our strategy in two parts. First, a broad Vision which sets out the issues and the
approach we propose in order to address them. Second, a detailed Action Plan which sets out
specific work programmes and a mechanism for driving it forward and co-ordinating the effort.
The strategy does not touch on every issue that is topical in sport today. But it seeks to identify
the best ways to bring about real all-round improvement, and to initiate co-ordinated and
purposeful action.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Supporting evidence for greater emphasis on open space, sports and recreation provision, but it
is a background document now.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
The Government’s Plan for Sport
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B20
Title
The Governments Plan for Sport
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2001
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
A Sporting Future for All promised that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and
the Minister for Sport would convene a cross departmental forum to monitor progress on policies
which affect sport. The Sports Cabinet, chaired by the Secretary of State with a membership
made up of the Sports Ministers of all four devolved administrations, forms a precedent for
cross-Governmental working on sport. Now that our goals for the next decade are clear, we
plan to establish a new cross-Government group, chaired by the Minister for Sport, to include
Ministers and officials from those Departments whose interest in provision for physical activity
and sport development in education and the community have been highlighted in this action
plan.
5.2 A full text of the action plan presented to Ministers by the Implementation Group can be
found on www.culture.gov.uk. Some of its recommendations have not been included in the
Government’s action plan. We have taken the view that it is imperative to start work at once on
building a better sporting nation. However, the small number of recommendations omitted from
this paper have not been shelved. They will be explored further via inter-Departmental
discussion and, in some cases; we will ask members of the Implementation Group to produce
more detailed proposals for the development of their ideas.
5.3 Implementation of The Government’s Plan for Sport will be monitored and evaluated as part
of the policy process. Culture, Media and Sport will review progress against the plan each year,
with representatives of the original Implementation Group. The Government will report annually
on progress from April 2002.
5.4 The strategy which gave rise to this plan of action was called A Sporting Future for All. We
believe that putting into effect these sharply focused and wide-ranging recommendations will,
within the next few years, bring about a brighter future for all of us in our sporting nation.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Supporting evidence for greater emphasis on open space, sports and recreation provision.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
A Sporting Future for All
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B21
Title
Game Plan: a strategy for delivering
government's sport and physical activity
objectives
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
December 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Millions of people take part in sport and physical activity, both as a source of fun and to improve
their health. Much of this happens without any involvement by government. However,
government has a role to play in widening opportunities to participate, in developing talent, and
in enabling our sportsmen and women to compete at the highest levels. The Strategy Unit’s role
has been to review in detail where and how government can best add value.
We conclude that government should set itself two overarching objectives:
• a major increase in participation in sport and physical activity, primarily because of the
significant health benefits and to reduce the growing costs of inactivity; and
• a sustainable improvement in success in international competition, particularly in the sports
which matter most to the public, primarily because of the “feel good factor” associated with
winning.
In order to achieve this we make recommendations in four areas:
• Grassroots participation: a wide range of initiatives are needed, with a focus on
economically disadvantaged groups, in particular young people (the focus of much current
policy), women and older people. These need to tackle all the barriers to participation (such as
lack of time, cost, information or motivation), as well as failures in provision (poor coaches or
facilities).
• High performance sport: there needs to be a better prioritisation of which sports are funded
at the highest level; better development of talented sportsmen and women to help them reach
that level; with funding streams and service delivery more focused on customer needs.
• Mega sporting events: there should be a more cautious approach to hosting these events. A
set process for government involvement, including a clear assessment of the benefits is needed.
• Delivery: organisational reform and determining exactly what works is needed before the
Government considers further increases to its investment in sport. Less money should go to
bureaucrats and more to the end user. Public, private and voluntary sectors need to work
together better towards a common goal.
The report addresses the following questions:
• Where are we now? The facts about sport and physical activity in the UK today, and where
problems lie (chapter 1).
• Why do we care? The benefits sport and physical activity brings, and when government
should intervene (chapter 2).
• Where do we want to be? The vision for sport and physical activity in 2020 (chapter 3).
Game Plan has two main targets related to activity and success:
• To significantly increase levels of sport and physical activity, with the target of 70% of the
population being reasonably active by 2020 (defined as doing 30 minutes of moderate
activity five times a week). This is the level of activity recommended by government in order
to achieve a health benefit.
• To help British and English teams and individuals to come within the top five in the world
rankings, particularly in the more popular sports.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
Encouraging 70% of the population to become reasonably active is an ambitious target that will
need resources, political support, joint working, media influence and changes in society. At a
regional level a “much more realistic” target about what we’re hoping to achieve has been set,
equivalent to a 1% annual increase (leading to approximately 50% of the north west being active
by 2020).
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
North West on the Move
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B22
Title
Sporting Britain
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
April 2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Every new piece of research provides starker links between inactivity, obesity and disease.
Culture, Media and Sport is passionate about the benefits of sport and activity, not only in terms
of health benefits but also in terms of making Britain a world class successful sporting nation.
This sets out the Government’s intention to increase the number of children undertaking 2 hours
of sporting activity per week at school and the number of adults undertaking at least 30 minutes
exercise per day. Includes an increased emphasis on safeguarding and investing in facilities.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Supporting evidence for greater emphasis on open space, sports and recreation provision.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Health
Table B23
Title
The Framework for Sport in England
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This document sets out to provide the strategic direction and policy priorities that unite sport and
make England the most active and successful sporting nation in the world by 2020. It describes
a balanced strategy to make sport the ‘In’ thing:
•
•
Inspiring the nation to get active (promotion and marketing)
In Government (legislation and regulatory change), including Local Public Service
Agreement targets on sport; performance targets; and improving the planning context
• Investment (quality accreditation and improvement), including leading on implementing the
excellence framework for sport in local gvt; and making the case for sport through a 10 year
investment strategy
• Infrastructure (structure and partnerships), including leading on the new structure for sport
• Innovation and delivery, including new models of multi-sport/activity environments; new
technology; project delivery; Physical Education in schools; making parks and open space
centres of activity.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Sport embraces much more than traditional team games and competition: “Sport means all
forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or
improving physical fitness and mental wellbeing, forming social relationships or obtaining results
in competition at all levels” (Council Of Europe European Sports Charter 1992).
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
A more holistic ‘spatial’ approach is required to sport rather than simple quantity standards and
land use designations.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
European Sports Charter 1992
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B24
Title
Review of national sport effort and resources
(The Carter Report on Sport)
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
March 2005
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
A higher profile for sport will lead to additional provision of facilities.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
It is clear from our research that sport plays a valuable role in society and that Government has
recently made good progress (especially in school and elite sport) although there is still room for
improvement in the area of community sport. Whilst the private sector generally recognises
sport as an attractive platform for marketing, companies are reluctant to invest significant sums
of money – especially at grass roots level – to a sector that is at least partially lacking in
commercial orientation and effective management. There is, however, an appetite for additional
corporate sponsorship accompanied by clear guidance, an understanding of the business needs
of sponsors and a well co-ordinated national campaign for sport, as is the case in Germany.
At the operational level, private sector providers are keen to maintain and expand their current
investment, as long as they are not penalised by local planning guidelines or a lack of
transparency in contract tendering. Together with the re-establishment of a voice for sport at
local government level (through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment culture block),
this private sector investment could help to renew and refinance the current ageing and heavily
subsidised facilities to ensure equality of access and participation across the country.
We have, therefore, identified five key areas for consideration and recommend that over the
next three years (to March 2008) they inform the priorities of the sports sector.
1. To introduce robust measurement and monitoring systems that inform Government
investment at local level and ensure clear lines of accountability.
2. To promote the personal benefits of sport and physical activity and to help people identify
their local delivery points.
3. To improve the local delivery of sport and suggest the Government considers how it can
support the co-ordination of public, private and voluntary sector investment – as well as Local
Authorities and regional bodies – in order to improve local sporting facilities.
4. To create, under strong Government leadership, a single access point and brand for sport in
England and to streamline duplicating ‘back office’ functions that would release more money for
front line activity.
5. To provide targeted incentives and commercial assistance – via a new National Sports
Foundation – to encourage individual and corporate support and to ‘help sport help itself’.
These recommendations directly address the primary issues identified during the review team’s
consultations. It is our considered opinion that the above five areas represent the next stage of
the journey for sport and will build upon the momentum already achieved. The report shows
that sport has considerable financial resources which can be redeployed to deliver more and
better services. In addition, innovative capital and revenue funding schemes working with the
public, private and voluntary sectors could enable us to continue with our programme of reform
and ensure that, at all levels, we are fit for purpose by 2012.
Sport is good for public health, for communities and for national identity. The sector depends in
no small measure on the good will and involvement of volunteers and commercial investors
whose continued commitment will in part be predicated on our getting the next steps right.
Opportunities
With regard to local planning guidelines, need to work with ‘Communities and Local
Government’ to promote sports facilities as community assets to be located in areas convenient
for users.
Issues and constraints
There is considerable unmet demand for sport and leisure facilities which cannot be met in part
for planning reasons. Currently, sport and leisure are designated, for planning purposes, in the
same category as cinemas and bingo halls.
Local planning policy is constraining private sector investment. Planning objectives outlined by
the Government emphasise the importance of developing inner city and brownfield sites; this
often conflicts with the commercial imperatives of health and fitness operators, many of which
require sites outside town centres. However, there is no presumption against development
outside town centres: it recognises the value of community sport and leisure facilities and –
within its current policy framework – the Government is engaging in the issue. Commercial
operators agree that there is demand for new sports facilities, though there are differences of
experience in planning applications submitted to meet that demand. Companies with large
footprint, multi-sport sites report facing lengthy (and costly) planning applications. Operators of
smaller sites, meanwhile, report fewer concerns and seem to benefit from a simpler form.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
This report and the progress made elevates the role of sport in society and this role needs to be
reflected in the Local Development Framework. We need to provide a positive policy framework
for sports provision. Need to maintain our policy separation between commercial leisure and
sport and recreation.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Audit and Needs Assessment
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B25
Title
Planning for Sport and Active Recreation:
Objectives and Opportunities Interim Statement
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2005
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This is a key document setting out Sport England’s planning policy objectives, their rationale and
their expectations as to how they might be realised through planning applications and the
content of Local Development Frameworks. It is based on the document ‘Land Use Planning
Policies for Sport’ published in 1999 that informed the revision of Planning Policy Guidance
(PPG)17.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
It covers:
• Local assessments of need
• Protection / replacement of facilities
• Recognition that some areas are of national or regional significance for some sports
• Loss of playing fields
• The provision of new facilities
• Making use of planning obligations
• Shared use sites
• Opportunities in the urban fringe
• Opportunities in the Green Belt
• Community forests and woodlands
• Access to the countryside, incl rights of way and other permissive routes
• Intensification through floodlighting
• Intensification through using synthetic turf or hard surfaced multi use games areas
• Additional facilities for golf
• Opportunities for motorised sports and gun sports
• Water sports
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
It sets out Sport England’s policy objectives on all of the above aspects of sport and, given that
Sport England is a statutory consultee and it strongly relates to Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17,
it is clearly a significant part of the evidence base.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment.
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Safeguarded land and Green Belt
Landscape
Table B26
Title
Spatial Planning for Sport and Active
Recreation: Guidance on Sport England’s
Aspirations and Experience
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2005
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This document is Sport England’s response to the opportunities of the new planning policy
system.
There are 6 Spatial Planning Principles or Themes covering:
• Environmental Sustainability
• Community Safety
• Local Economic Viability
• Quality of Life and Well-Being
• Health Improvement and
• Raising Standards in Schools.
The outcomes of change for sport and active recreation are:
• increasing participation on sport and active recreation
• improving levels of performance
• widening access
• improving health and well-being
• stronger and safer communities
• improving education, and
• benefiting the economy.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
It sets out the role of sport and recreation in delivering the sustainable communities agenda
through spatial planning.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
It sets out what policies Sport England wants to see in development plans and how they can be
implemented, sets out best practice and includes case examples.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Sustainability is one of the themes.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Environmental Sustainability
Community Safety
Economy
Quality of Life / Well-Being
Health
Education
Table B27
Title
Improving urban parks, play areas and green
spaces
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
May 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The main aim of the study was to inform the work of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce. The
study looked at the uses and users of urban green spaces, barriers preventing use, the wider
benefits to quality of life in urban areas and examples of innovative approaches to creation,
management and maintenance. It included 15 local authority case studies, focus groups with
park users and a telephone survey of non-users. Examples of good practice and innovation
were also sought.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Research confirms the importance of urban green spaces to the future of towns and cities in
England. It is estimated that, in England, over 33 million people make over 2.5 billion visits to
urban green spaces each year.
The five main barriers deterring people from using urban green spaces are:
• Lack of or poor condition of facilities (including play facilities for children)
• Other users (including anti-social behaviour)
• Concerns about dogs and dog mess
• Safety and other psychological issues (e.g. feelings of vulnerability and inertia)
• Environmental quality issues such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.
In addition, access issues are of concern to the elderly and particularly to people with
disabilities. They relate to concerns about the proximity of and ease of access to urban green
spaces, access to get into those spaces and ease of moving around safely within them.
Most of the barriers are resource issues which relate to the location, accessibility or
environmental quality of urban green spaces and could therefore be overcome if planners,
designers and managers of these spaces could address them satisfactorily.
The most frequently mentioned characteristics of the ideal urban green space were vegetation,
water, play opportunities, comforts (seats, toilets, shelters), good access, sport and events.
There is no clear link between levels of spending and the extent of good or innovative practice.
There were large differences in the amount of external funding that had been gained by local
authorities. Lack of resources for capital spending was identified as a major problem by all local
authorities in the research. Heritage Lottery Funding and Section 106 Agreements were seen
as the most valuable external sources for capital development. In most cases private
sponsorship is not significant.
Urban green spaces can act as a catalyst for wider community initiatives. The fact that parks
(and other green spaces) are open every day with free entry and offer neutral ground with nondiscriminatory access makes them completely different from many building based activities.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy on parks and green spaces and identify them on the Proposals Map –
the need for such a policy approach will be informed by our open space needs assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Green Spaces, Better Places: Final Report of
the Urban Green Spaces Task Force
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Community
Accessibility
Table B28
Title
Green Spaces, Better Places: Final Report of the
Urban Green Spaces Task Force
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
May 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Parks and green spaces are a popular resource, which can make a valuable contribution to the
attractiveness of a neighbourhood, to the health and well being of local people and expand the
educational opportunities of children and adults alike. They are assets to the nation.
Despite their popularity, there has been a worrying decline in the quality of far too many urban
parks and green spaces and action is needed if they are to deliver their many benefits.
This final report of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce has a simple message: now is the time
for an urban renaissance with these invaluable, but often neglected resources. We hope the
report also conveys the enthusiasm of all involved for achieving our vision of excellence.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The report is in four parts:
Parks and green spaces and urban life - emphasises the benefits urban parks and green
spaces bring to people, neighbourhoods and cities. They make an important contribution to
wide, long-term social, economic and environmental progress.
Challenges and responses - considers some of the problems affecting urban parks and green
spaces and how they might be overcome.
Creating green spaces networks – a strategic policy framework is needed within which all
decision-makers should operate and work collaboratively.
Making it happen - shows how and why the recommendations made in parts two and three can
help deliver our wider vision of 'liveable', sustainable, modern towns and cities.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy on parks and green spaces and identify them on the Proposals Map –
the need for such a policy approach will be informed by our open space needs assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Cross references (General)
Improving urban parks, play areas and green
spaces
Assessing needs and opportunities: a
companion guide to PPG17
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Communities
Landscape, Townscape etc
Table B29
Title
Living Places; Cleaner, Safer, Greener
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
October 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This document set out the Government’s approach to making cleaner, safer, greener public
spaces.
Section 1 explains why our public spaces are important; the need for new thinking to sort out the
complex, overlapping responsibilities for public spaces, to remove the cumulative symptoms of
degradation, to tackle the problems in deprived areas and to respond to changing times. It also
identifies some key components that underpin successful schemes – committed leadership,
strong partnerships, active community involvement, desire for quality and innovation and better
communicating and sharing of ideas.
Section 2 maps the main policies of different parts of Government. It highlights reforms, policies
and initiatives and how these measures are working to forge stronger partnerships across the
sectors, thus enabling more imaginative and better designed solutions to meet people’s
concerns about the places where they live.
Section 3 explains that local environments also need to be greener and healthier and details the
need for a good balance of green spaces in our towns and cities. It sets out how the
Government has achieved the Urban White Paper’s commitments to raise the profile and
improve the quality of urban parks, play areas and green spaces. It also contains the further
measures that the Government will implement. It also shows how a general approach can be
applied to other elements of the public realm.
Finally, Section 4 explains how the Government will implement additional measures for
improving the quality of the public realm – structures, legislation, policies and funding, to tackle
the quality of the local environment in deprived neighbourhoods and to meet the commitments
on urban parks and green spaces. It launched a new national campaign for raising awareness,
stimulating debate and inspiring action for cleaner, safer, and greener spaces in all our
communities.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The Government is committed to working with all the parties to deliver a programme of action in
four key areas.
1. Getting the Basics Right:
• Establishing an inter-departmental Ministerial team for improving coordination of policies
and programmes across Government that will deliver cleaner, safer and greener public
spaces for everyone.
• Ensuring that funding for these policies and programmes is in place and delivers the
outcomes required against a rigorous system of performance measurement.
• Making the legislation fit for purpose – balancing rights and responsibilities with the power to
deliver and the possibility of redress.
• Making sure that public spaces are accessible to all members of our society, able and
disabled, young and old.
2. Tackling the Particular Problems of the Poorest Communities:
• Better targeting of mainstream resources, along with better co-ordination of those resources
with funding from both the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Lottery.
• Producing a review of social and environmental exclusion complete with recommendations
for action.
3. Tackling the Needs of Urban Parks and Green Spaces:
• Setting up a new unit for urban spaces attached to the Commission for Architecture and the
Built Environment, supported by a strategic partnership, to deliver a comprehensive
programme of work for improving urban parks and green spaces.
• Implementing a clearer national policy framework and stronger planning policy guidance for
open spaces.
• Programme of work to improve information and data, good practice and higher quality
standards that can be accessed by a wide range of users. Working with partners to raise
standards and aspirations.
4. Communicating Ideas and Promoting Best Practice:
• Launching a drive to raise awareness of the benefits of high quality public spaces in
•
•
improving the lives of people and their communities and to promote the sharing of best
practice between professionals through events and use of new technology.
Raising standards of design by appointing Design Champions and developing Design
Quality Indicators for public space.
Working with partners to develop an approach to communications that will raise awareness
of public space issues and encourage changes in behaviour and attitudes.
Opportunities
It stated that over the next five years (to 2007?) the Government would lead in developing an
effective national framework for urban parks and green spaces. Within this it would implement
new planning policy that puts green spaces at the heart of our objectives for achieving a
renaissance of towns and cities.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
By implementing PPG17 and the companion guide.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Cross references (General)
Urban White Paper
Green Spaces, Better Places
Developing Accessible Play Space
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Assessing needs and opportunities: a
companion guide to PPG17
Planning Policy Statement (PPS)1
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B30
Title
The Green Flag Award website
The Civic Trust
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Current
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and
Wales. It began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces. It
was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental
standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The Civic Trust and Government believe that there are huge benefits from the scheme and we
are encouraging organisations to select one or all of the following reasons to make it their cause
for going for a Green Flag Award, a mark of quality in their area.
Promotion: Management of award winning green spaces may use the Green Flag Award logo
on stationary, promotional literature, vehicles, uniforms, and in other appropriate situations for
the duration for which the green space holds the award.
Best Value and Service Improvement: A Green Flag Award visibly demonstrates to the local
community and local councillors a clear improvement to that park or green space. Widespread
coverage of green flags raises the standards within a local authority and meets the needs of
best value for the council and the community. The Green Flag Award scheme is included in the
local performance indicators as set up by the Audit Commission.
Regeneration: Regeneration of a park or greenspace benefits whole communities and raises
the profile of a particular area. It is a vehicle for community involvement and a means of
securing funding, not least from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Beacon Status: Beacon councils get noticed and are praised by the government as examples
of good practice. The first winners of Beacon Council status for green spaces were announced
in 2002. Four of them are also successful Green Flag Award winners.
Good Community Facilities: Improvements to community facilities and the engagement of
local people will improve health and education, reduce crime and be a visible benefit to an area.
Revenue Opportunities: The Green Flag Award scheme is a lever for obtaining external
funding through improvement grants and is also a means of maximising revenue opportunities
from within.
Tourism: People will visit award winning parks from afar and successful venues for events bring
repeat business. The Green Flag Award makes a statement as to the quality of the experience
the visitor can expect and word of mouth is a very effective marketing tool.
Part of a National Standard: The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and
green spaces.
Civic Pride: Pride is important. Our Victorian forefathers knew it and positively promoted the
best of their parks and green spaces as examples of civic achievement. It is still relevant today
Opportunities
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust are aiming for Green Flag status for at least 3 parks in the
Borough.
Issues and constraints
We have no Green Flag parks at present.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
This is largely a qualitative issue regarding the management of a site but it could be advanced
through a hierarchy of sites that is set out in the policy.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not identified for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Green Spaces, Better Places: Final Report of
the Urban Green Spaces Task Force
Green Flag Award Winners 2007/2008
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Community
Table B31
Title
Sport in the Green Belt, Planning Bulletin 13
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
March 2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This bulletin examines Green Belt policy and the way in which sports proposals are treated in
Green Belt areas. It was considered particularly topical as policy on Green Belts was under
review (no changes have emerged)
It examines the current and possible future purposes and policy objectives of Green Belts and
their implications for sport and recreation and looks at a number of planning appeal and called-in
decisions on proposals in Green Belts.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The report ‘The Effectiveness of Planning Policy Guidance on Sport and Recreation’, produced
by Oxford Brookes University to inform the revision of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17,
briefly considered the impact of Green Belt policies on sport. It found an apparent tension
between promoting sport and recreation in the Green Belts near to major towns and cities in the
interests of sustainable development, and the aim of Green Belt policy to keep land open.
The report went on to recommend that the issue of promoting sport and recreation in Green
Belts through the planning system, and necessary ancillary facilities, should be assessed as part
of the ongoing monitoring of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)2.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
If sports facilities cannot compete with other higher-value land uses in urban areas and also
cannot locate within Green Belts, where can they go?
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Allocate land for sports facilities in response to the Needs Assessment
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Green Belt
Table B32
Title
Planning for Open Spaces, Planning Bulletin 12
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
September 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This bulletin draws together a large body of research and good practice on the subject of open
space, including international examples and some from closer to home. It then focuses on the
revised Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 and its companion guide ‘Assessing Needs and
Opportunities’. Some approaches to planning for open space at a local level are then be
examined.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
It is a short summary of limited value given the wider evidence base that prevails.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B33
Title
The Future for Allotments
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
11 June 1998
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This paper sets out the Government's response to the Environment, Transport and Regional
Affairs Committee's report 'The Future for Allotments'. It welcomed the detailed consideration
that the Committee gave to allotments policy.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Heath - The Government agrees that allotments will often form a component part of healthy
neighbourhoods, and will consider this in the development of Healthy Neighbourhoods policy.
The Government recognises the health benefits of allotment gardening.
Legislation - The Government acknowledges that the allotments legislation is complex.
However, although consolidation would be useful it would not in itself enhance the protection of
allotment land. We agree that there are changes which could usefully be made, but neither
consolidation nor an overhaul of the legislation which involves changes would be likely to secure
a place in the Government's programme in the near future. It should be recognised that
allotment gardening already enjoys far greater legal protection than other worthwhile leisure
activities.
Demand - The loss of allotment land is due largely to a decrease in demand for allotments since
their peak for food supply during the Second World War, and there is no evidence for an
expected increase in demand. The 1997 English Allotments Survey found there to be over
33,000 vacant statutory plots in England.
Disposal - On 25 March 1998 the Government introduced a requirement for authorities to
demonstrate the steps they have taken to promote allotments in their area before they can
obtain the Secretary of State's consent to dispose of statutory allotment land. This was
implemented specifically to meet the concern that people were not aware of the duty of local
authorities to provide allotments, and that latent demand therefore existed.
Planning policy - PPG3 is currently being revised and will reflect our desire to ensure the
availability of, and adequate protection for, good quality open spaces within our urban areas,
including allotments. However, specific guidance on the role of allotments will be considered as
part of the revision of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17. In the event allotments are included
as a ‘type’ of open space to be covered
Status - The Government agrees that it is useful for local authorities to clarify the status of their
allotment sites.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy on allotments and identify them on the Proposals Map – the need for
such a policy approach will be informed by our open space needs assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross References (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Community
Table B34
Title
Survey of Allotments, Community Gardens and
City Farms
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
28 September 2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This summary presents the key findings of a survey carried out by the University of Derby on
behalf of ‘Communities and Local Government’. Its findings and recommendations are those of
the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Department.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Three in ten local authorities who responded said they had an allotments policy. Those with
more sites were more likely to have a policy. Almost two thirds of responding Local Authorities
had completed an audit on its open spaces in line with Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) 17 or
were expecting to do so within six months of the survey.
Most authorities (72 per cent) offered incentives to potential plot holders, retired people, new
plot holders or the unemployed. The majority also promoted their sites in some way (77 per
cent), including via a website, leaflets or a site notice
Two thirds of respondents had not disposed of any sites, in whole or part, since 1996. Those
who had disposed of sites were more likely to have more than twenty vacant plots.
In terms of anti-social behaviour, almost one in five had faced low level problems or none at all.
Just over half had moderate problems perhaps occurring on more than one site and 28 per cent
had experienced severe problems.
Half of city farms and community gardens identified by the survey reported moderate problems
with anti-social behaviour while one third reported severe problems.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy on allotments and identify them on the Proposals Map – the need for
such a policy approach will be informed by our open space needs assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Community
Table B35
Title
Sports Clubs and Club Development, Planning
Bulletin 18
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
August 2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
For many sports clubs the planning system is one of the hurdles that they need to overcome
when seeking to develop, redevelop or find alternative accommodation for their club.
On other occasions the planning system is a procedural mechanism available to them to
challenge redevelopment proposals of their grounds and facilities where there may only be a
tenant.
This edition of the Planning Bulletin seeks to bring together many of the issues raised in the
other editions (such as intensive use of sports facilities; sport in the Green Belt and; sport
stadia) in a club-focused edition, and focuses on:
• Tenure
• Relocation
• Designations
• Intensification
• Multi Sport Clubs, and
• Design
Key messages, requirements and objectives
This bulletin is primarily aimed at sports clubs and explains the development management
process to a lay person.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Only if considering the need for a sports club development.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B36
Title
School Sites and Community Sports Provision,
Planning Bulletin 16
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Prepared within the context of Building Schools for the Future and Section 77 of the School
Standards and Framework Act 1998. Consent from the Secretary of State for Education and
Skills, under Section 77 of School Standards and Framework Act 1998, may be required if the
Building Schools for the Future proposal involves the disposal or change of use of school fields.
Whilst the protection of school playing fields is strengthened, the Government has also
introduced programmes aimed at renewing school sites, upgrading facilities and encouraging
schools to branch out their role to the community. The dual use of facilities outside of school
hours is encouraged, including schools’ sports facilities – something Sport England has long
been advocating.
This bulletin explores the requirements for schools to extend their range of activities on offer in
the context of a general presumption against development on school playing fields.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Schools may be caught in a conflict. On one hand they are encouraged by initiatives to develop
and modernise facilities; on the other had they are restricted by protection measures in place
against development on playing fields.
A holistic approach is required with applicant schools providing facilities for community use as
part of a local sport and recreation strategy and playing pitch strategy. In terms of Building
Schools for the Future projects, this will need to be done as early as possible in the
development process, prior to procurement.
Having decided on which facility to enhance and develop, it will then be necessary to secure
formal agreements to allow access to that facility. Community use, out of school hours, can be
formalised through Community Use Agreements secured under Section 106 of the Town and
Country Planning Act 1990.
It therefore follows that community use of school facilities will form a major part of any case for
development affecting school playing fields. This will particularly be the case where applications
seek to rely on one of the exceptions (in paragraph 15 of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) 17
and Sport England’s specific circumstance) where it is indicated that the proposed development
has sufficient benefit to the development of sport to outweigh the loss of the playing field.
Applicant schools will also need to be aware of the site planning constraints for their proposals.
An example discussed in Planning Bulletin 14 is floodlighting.
Opportunities
To secure enhanced community facilities for sport and recreation through the Buildings Schools
for the Future initiative.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Need to fully engage with Building Schools for the Future
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
The Protection of School Playing Fields and
Land for Academies” 8 November 2004
Building Schools for the Future,
www.bsf.gov.uk
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Education
Table B37
Title
Strategic Planning for Sport Revisited, Planning
Bulletin 15
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2004 approx
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
General update on the benefits of strategic planning for sport, covering planning policy and
strategic planning tools, within the context of the Framework for Sport in England.
A paper copy of this bulletin is in the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Evidence Base file.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
This bulletin covers planning policy (no surprises), strategic planning tools including ‘Active
Places’, ‘Playing Pitch Strategies’, ‘National Benchmarking’, ‘Better Places for Sport’, ‘Planning
Obligations’, the ‘Facilities Planning Model’, and the ‘Sports Facilities Demand Estimator’
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
It is a useful summary but the detail is elsewhere.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
The Framework for Sport in England
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B38
Title
Intensive Use Sports Facilities Revisited,
Planning Bulletin 14
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
June 2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Since first producing guidance in 1998 on the subject of Intensive Use Sports Facilities, the
technology of sports facilities has moved on, a new version of Planning Policy Guidance
(PPG)17 has been issued and more planning appeal decisions have been made relating to
these types of facilities.
This bulletin therefore revisits the theme and provides an update on the facilities themselves, the
planning policies which relate to them and the decisions which Planning Inspectors are reaching
on appeals involving such facilities.
It covers new generation synthetic pitches, multi use games areas (MUGAs) and floodlighting.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The availability of better quality synthetic turf pitches which will be used for competitive games at
all levels, from local park sides to international level, may encourage providers to concentrate
more on synthetic turf and less on natural grass. The implications of this are immense: if local
authorities can cater for the sporting needs of their communities by providing fewer grass
pitches and more high quality synthetic pitches, the potentially redundant pitches can be
converted into other formal sporting uses, or informal recreational uses or used for built
development to fund the remaining sports facilities.
Although such an approach may not be palatable to some, as it would reduce the overall
quantity of open space in an area, it could improve the variety and quality of facilities. Thus, in
place of wide expanses of grass pitches, which may only be used twice a week for sport and are
also used by dog walkers, to the detriment of players, a mix of synthetic pitches, purpose
designed informal open spaces and play areas could be provided. Fewer grass pitches could
also lead to a higher degree of maintenance on those retained pitches. Naturally, such a
process would have to involve full consultation with local communities and local sports clubs and
bodies. It would also need to take account of the amenity value of the existing areas of open
space.
Although MUGAs and synthetic turf pitches are designed for multi-sports activity, each new
facility should be carefully planned to take account of the intended primary and secondary users.
Floodlighting technology has also moved on in the past five years, seeking to provide higher
qualities of lighting for the sporting activities concerned whilst reducing the amount of light
spillage onto adjacent properties and into the night skies.
The issue of light pollution was recently examined by the House of Commons Science and
Technology Committee Report on Light Pollution and Astronomy. The report notes that the UK
is the second most light polluted country in Europe, after the Netherlands.
Floodlighting of sports facilities is covered in only one paragraph of the 70 page committee
report. This notes the benefits of sports floodlighting but also identifies evidence that "many
sports facilities had recently received lottery grants to install floodlights, leading to a number of
complaints from people living in the surrounding area whose properties were lit up by cheap,
badly installed floodlights".
In fact, floodlights which are properly planned and installed by recognised companies are
unlikely to result in any adverse impacts on the surrounding areas. However, it is necessary to
ensure that the floodlighting installation is designed for its intended purpose and for its intended
level of competition. Initial advice can be obtained from company websites such as
www.lighting4sport.com which provides information on lighting levels, lighting design and the
avoidance of light pollution.
Opportunities
Enhanced sports facilities though the provision of new generation synthetic pitches, multi use
games areas (MUGAs) and floodlighting.
Issues and constraints
Pressure to develop grass pitches for other uses. Amenity issues arising from intensely used
facilities.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
•
Identify sites for synthetic pitches, multi use games areas (MUGAs) and floodlighting.
•
Protect existing pitches.
•
Identify existing pitches for other development?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B39
Title
Commercial Sports Provision, Planning Bulletin 11
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
January 2002
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The commercial sports sector is loosely defined as ‘those sports providers that provide sporting
and leisure opportunities for their users and members in order to generate profits for their owners
and shareholders’. Excluded, therefore, are the public and voluntary sectors, which are governed,
or at least influenced, by other objectives and professional sports clubs, which generally raise
different types of issues.
Although driven by business demands, companies in the commercial sports sector are
increasingly looking to contribute towards wider sports development objectives. For example,
indoor tennis centres frequently put forward a package of community sports benefits when seeking
planning permission. These can include a specified number of hours of reduced cost or free
community use of the courts, links with schools and local clubs and reduced-price access for
talented young players. Similarly, five-a-side soccer centres might run coaching sessions and
after-school clubs for young players, youth tournaments, street leagues and holiday coaching
camps.
Clearly, there is a major element of self-interest in such sports development initiatives, aimed as
they are at attracting young players into a lifetime of participation in the sport concerned. There is
also an element of public relations, particularly for indoor tennis centres, which have sometimes
been seen as the exclusive preserve of those who are more affluent and well connected.
However, for whatever reason, commercial sports providers are becoming an integral part of local
sports provision and links between them and local authorities and sports clubs are increasingly
common.
Predominantly, the commercial sports sector provides the following types of facilities:
• indoor tennis/racquets centres (with/without health and fitness facilities)
• health and fitness clubs
• five-a-side football centres
• golf facilities, including driving ranges
• indoor and outdoor karting centres
• tenpin bowling centres
• snooker clubs.
The characteristics of these facility types are then summarised.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Leisure or sport? The word ‘leisure’ has caused some confusion in the past, as it is referred to in
Planning Policy Guidance (PPGs) 6, 11 and 13. Should it embrace passive pursuits such as
cinema and active pursuits such as tennis?
If sports facilities were to be included within the heading of leisure, then proposals for indoor
tennis centres or large health and fitness facilities would need to satisfy the sequential tests set
out in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)6.
However, two appeal decisions relating to indoor tennis centres in Surrey and Hertford have
shown that the Secretary of State and the Inspectors take the view that sports-led proposals
should not be subject to the sequential approach of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)6. Instead,
they should be considered in the light of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17, which encourages
intensive multi-use facilities. Any search for alternative sites ‘should be a local exercise and not
strategic’ and ‘developers can legitimately choose the town in which they wish to develop and
should not be forced to go to a different town simply because a site is available.’ See the Hertford
case study in the Planning Appeals Database section.
Opportunities
Proposals for active sport do not need to be considered against Planning Policy Statement
(PPS)6.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Continue to clearly differentiate between passive leisure (Planning Policy Statement 6) and active
leisure (Planning Policy Guidance 17) – useful background information.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) 17
Retail and centres
Table B40
Title
Sport and Regeneration, Planning Bulletin 10
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
September 2001
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
How effective can sport be as a catalyst for regeneration? What examples of successful
sporting regeneration can be seen in this country and elsewhere? What are the key ingredients
of a successful scheme? What role does the planning system have in the process of
regeneration? This bulletin explores the issues and provides case studies and examples of
appeal decisions
The term ‘regeneration’ can be interpreted in a number of ways, traditionally, mainly in economic
and environmental terms but recently more emphasis on social and community aspects.
Increasingly, it is linked with social inclusion, seeking to reintegrate groups of people that have
become excluded from employment, education and sporting opportunities.
‘Sport England is seeking the inclusion of policies in development plans that:
• acknowledge the role that sport can play in regeneration schemes in terms of economic,
social and environmental benefits
• encourage the provision of new sports facilities to sustain the vitality of communities
• encourage the use of redundant land and water for sport
• encourage any major development to consider the potential for sports elements
• recognise that sport itself has to be regenerated by improved and new facilities at schools,
clubs, public and commercial operations.’
The Social Exclusion Unit explored innovative ways of tackling social exclusion via a number of
Policy Action Teams. The PAT 10 report ‘Arts and Sport’ (July 1999) had a remit to report on
‘best practice using arts, sport and leisure to engage people in poor neighbourhoods, particularly
those who may feel most excluded, such as disaffected young people and people from ethnic
minorities’ and ‘how to maximise the impact on poor neighbourhoods of Government spending
and policies on arts, sport and leisure.’ The goal was to: ‘Draw up an action plan with targets to
maximise the impact of arts, sport and leisure policies in contributing to neighbourhood
regeneration and increasing local participation.’
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Key findings of PAT 10 included:
• Arts and sport, cultural and recreational activity can contribute to neighbourhood renewal and
make a real difference to health, crime, employment and education in deprived communities.
• These activities make such contributions because they relate to community identity,
encourage collective effort and help build positive links with the wider community.
Principles that help to exploit the potential of arts/sport in regeneration communities include:
• valuing diversity
• embedding local control
• supporting local commitment
• connecting with the mainstream of art and sports activities.
The report contained numerous recommendations aimed at a number of mainly governmentrelated bodies. A progress report was published in February 2001. It noted that ‘culture and
leisure have become part of the neighbourhood renewal process’ and that ‘if having nowhere to
go and nothing constructive to do is as much a part of living in a distressed community as poor
housing or high crime levels, culture and sport provide a good part of the answer to rebuilding a
decent quality of life there.’
In 2000 the issues were explored in some detail in a report by Coalter, Allison and Taylor for the
Scottish Executive Central Research Unit. ‘The Role of Sport in Regenerating Deprived Urban
Areas’ examined the role that sport had played in the regeneration of urban areas in Scotland
and also explored wider evidence for the assumption that sport can contribute positively to
aspects of urban regeneration and social inclusion. Some of the key findings were:
•
sport is most effective when combined with programmes addressing wider personal and
social development
•
sports facilities can make an important contribution to the physical infrastructure of
communities, providing a social focus and affecting people’s perception of their
neighbourhood
•
the maintenance of under-used community facilities and wider environmental recreation
related improvements have a significant role to play in the development of the quality of life
in communities.
Issues and constraints
The PAT 10 report also found that barriers to be overcome include short-term perspectives and
a lack of hard information on the regeneration impact of arts/sport.
The 2000 Coalter, Allison and Taylor report for the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit
also found that there is little research on the regenerative potential of investment in sport, or the
long-term benefits to local communities of sports-led investment strategies.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Include a policy on sport and regeneration and direct and sports development and specify types
of development in terms of where it will have the greatest regeneration impacts, building on the
gains made through Leigh Sports Village.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Community
Table B41
Title
Planning for Water Sports, Planning Bulletin 9
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
February 2001
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The term ‘water sports’ now embraces a wide variety of active forms of recreation, from
traditional sailing to the more recent emergence of jet skiing and wake boarding. In this bulletin
‘water sports’ are taken to include such activities as sailing, rowing, canoeing, power boating,
water skiing and jet skiing. Other water-based activities such as angling, or pool-related
activities like swimming and diving are not within the scope of this issue.
The Government’s decision to approve a 10mph speed limit by-law on Lake Windermere –
thereby removing the last water space available for water skiing and power boating in the Lake
District – demonstrates the planning difficulties facing some water sports at the start of the new
millennium. By looking at the Windermere case and at other water sport venues that have
become entangled in the planning system, this bulletin seeks to identify common threads of
planning policy and decision-making that will help to guide these sports in the future.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
Many water sports utilise facilities or resources that are used for non-recreational purposes and
that may also provide a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. Many of these sporting and
recreational activities can coexist with other recreational and non-recreational uses and can, in
fact, enhance the quality of the environment. For example, sailing and rowing on enclosed and
linear waters can provide a pleasant backdrop for adjacent houses and commercial properties.
Other water sports, particularly those that involve powered craft (water skiing, jet skiing and
power boating), have the potential for conflict with other users, particularly in areas where the
background noise levels are low.
Where such potential exists, forward planning and a sensible approach to the introduction of
water sports will pay dividends. For example, siting powered watercraft away from noisesensitive locations (such as residential areas) and adjacent to noise-generating infrastructure
(such as roads and railways) is a logical approach.
Controlling the timing and duration of activities may also be necessary, avoiding if possible early
morning and late evening sessions. The issue of controlling the timing and duration of activities
is touched upon in ‘Appeal Decisions’ at the end of this bulletin.
One conflict that often arises involves issues surrounding sporting use and the needs of wildlife,
usually birds. Although many birds are remarkably resilient and are able to use waters on which
water sports occur, a sensible approach is to avoid those parts of a lake or other water areas
that are colonised by birds, particularly during their breeding season. Conditions can be
attached to planning permissions that require areas of water bodies to be set aside for nature
conservation purposes, either permanently or at certain times of the year. Again, ‘Appeal
Decisions’ at the end of this bulletin addresses this point.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Consider the extent of demand for water sports in the Borough, the provision and whether any
more can be accommodated in the Borough. The Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs
Assessment should inform this
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Nature conservation
Table B42
Title
Land Based Motor Sports, Planning Bulletin 6
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
October 1999
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This bulletin focuses on competitive motorcycle and motor car activities organised through the
relevant governing bodies and club structures, and on commercial facilities that provide
corporate hospitality or ‘fun’ events. The facilities required for motor sports are as varied as the
sports themselves.
Most motor sports activities operate within the scope of the general permission granted by the
Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. This permits use of
any land, subject to a number of specified exclusions, for any purpose for not more than 28 days
each calendar year, of which not more than 14 may be for ’motor car and motorcycle racing,
including trials of speed, and practising for these activities’.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The former Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 (Sport and Recreation) was unambiguous in its
guidance on motorised sports: ’where there is a clear demand for noisy sports activities, it is
important that planning authorities seek to identify sites which will minimise conflicts with other
uses……. Suitable sites can be found; they could include degraded land, former minerals sites
or set-aside farming land which meet all of the criteria.’
In practice, there are few examples where local planning authorities have taken such a positive
approach to planning for motor sports. Most development plans that do address motor sports or
the wider category of ‘noisy sports’ tend to be negatively worded and resist such uses in
principle.
The Government report ‘The Effectiveness of Planning Policy Guidance on Sport and
Recreation’ makes the following recommendation in relation to motor sports:
’Positively worded criteria-based policies should establish the legitimacy of providing for motor
sports at strategic level (in structure plans). (At local level motor sports would fall within the
generic policy on sport in the countryside at R.30). Local authorities should also be encouraged
to liaise with ‘LARA’ where specific issues emerge over the use of land for motor sports.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17 no longer refers to motor sports. Planning Policy Guidance
(PPG)24 refers to noise.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Need to relate to current version of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17. The borough has
formal provision at Three Sisters racing circuit. Does it need any policy coverage? Is any other
provision needed? The Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment do not cover
this?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)24
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B43
Title
Good Practice Guide: Providing for sport and
recreation through new housing development
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2001
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Advocates funding new community sport and recreation facilities through section 106
agreements attached to housing developments.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We have a Supplementary Planning Document on open space provision in new housing but it
doesn’t cover sports provision. This gap could be addressed through the Local development
Framework.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross References (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Housing
Table B44
Title
Active design
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2007
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Active Design was commissioned by Sport England to promote new environments that offer
opportunities for communities to be naturally active as part of their daily life. In promoting
physical activity and walking and cycling (referred to as Active Travel) Active Design integrates
with a number of converging agendas: the Design Agenda, the Health Agenda and the
Transport Agenda.
The guidelines are aimed at all those involved in the master planning of new developments.
The guidance is also relevant to the planning of new sports, play and leisure facilities.
It forms part of Sport England’s Planning Contributions Kitbag: a suite of resources to assist
local authorities identifying the need for new sports facilities and securing them through planning
obligations associated with new development. This includes advice on deriving local standards,
developing planning policy frameworks to secure investment in sport and promoting best
practice in securing funding for sport.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
There are 3 objectives (the 3 A’s):
•
•
•
Improving Accessibility: providing easy, safe and convenient access to a choice of
opportunities for participating in sport and physical activity and active travel for the whole
community;
Enhancing Amenity: promoting environmental quality in the design and layout of new sports
and recreational facilities, their links and relationship to other buildings and the wider public
realm;
Increasing Awareness: raising the prominence and legibility of sports and recreation
facilities and opportunities for physical activity through the design and layout of
development.
Design guidance is provided on accessibility, amenity and awareness.
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
•
By encouraging a high standard of design. And noting the results of the survey.
•
Co-locating facilities promoting awareness of benefits of health and sporting facilities.
•
Ensuring active travel routes are more direct than car based routes, coupled with slow car
speeds.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
By design
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Design
Accessibility
Health
Table B45
Title
Active People Survey
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
October 2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This survey was carried out by ‘IPSOS MORI’ on behalf of Sport England. It was the largest
sport and recreation survey ever undertaken. 363,724 people were interviewed (a minimum of
1,000 in each local authority area) by telephone across England between mid October 2005 and
mid October 2006. The results are representative of the total adult population in England, the
regions and the local authorities. It measured the percentage of the population that undertook at
least thirty minutes of moderate intensity sport and active recreation on three or more days in a
week.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
‘Scores’ ranged from 14.29% to 29.76%. Wigan was in the middle band of 20.24-22.35%. It
was lower than Warrington and Trafford; level with Bury, Manchester, Stockport, West
Lancashire, Chorley and Sefton; and higher than all other Greater Manchester and Merseyside
districts.
Opportunities
This is a key baseline statistic.
Issues and constraints
Not sure what the programme is for undertaking this survey again to monitor against the
baseline. Possibly not for 5-10 years if at all?
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Note the statistic.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Communities
Table B46
Title
Improving Access to the Countryside, Planning
Bulletin 17
Sport England
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
March 2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This bulletin advocates walking in the countryside in the context of the roll out of the right to
roam under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the creation of Natural England.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Of minimal significance, even in the context of public rights of way.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Countryside / accessibility
Table B47
Title
Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good
Practice
Department of Communities and Local Government
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
July 1997
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Exterior lighting brings many benefits and considerable personal convenience. However, there
has been a growing recognition that excessive, poorly designed and badly aimed lighting may
have adverse effects. It can lead to skyglow which shuts out the night sky, and lighting
apparatus can spoil daytime views. Glare causes dazzle, with safety implications for motorists
and pedestrians. Light spill or trespass may impinge directly on the home, destroying its sense
of privacy and interfering with people's ability to sleep.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The purpose of the guide is to provide practical advice on the prevention and control of lighting
impacts through appropriate action by all those involved with lighting in the countryside. Specific
objectives are to:
• identify good practice in the planning and design of lighting in rural areas; and
• advise on how it can be achieved, using case study examples.
It is intended to present an overview and common understanding of all aspects of good lighting
practice for a wide audience.
Controls over lighting appear to be poorly understood and there is a lack of information on
technical lighting issues and options. This guide explains the basic principles and points to
where additional information can be found.
Opportunities
Lighting in itself is not a problem; it only becomes a problem where it is excessive, poorly
designed or badly installed. Better use of planning controls; greater awareness, and improved
lighting design and landscape design are among ways of tackling issues of over-lighting.
The planning system offers much greater scope than is currently realised. The research shows
that with the exception of domestic security lighting, most lighting that gives rise to problems is
associated with new development that does require planning permission. More effective
development plan policy and development control practice should be able to achieve a great
deal.
Local planning authorities should recognise the cumulative impacts of lighting on countryside
character. They should consider the need for policies on lighting in the development plan, and
for supplementary planning guidance to elucidate those policies. Through better awareness and
understanding of technical lighting issues, they should be able to deal more effectively with
planning applications that involve lighting.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Although the guidance is prepared for rural locations, much of its content applies to urban
settings. We could consider including more policy content on lighting in the development plan.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Lighting has a potentially significant adverse impact on the environment (and some social
indicators) and consumes a large amount of energy. However, it has positive social impacts
also in terms of community safety.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Design
Table B48
Title
Green Flag Award Winners 2007/2008
Civic Trust
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
August 2007
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and
Wales. It recognises and rewards the best green spaces. Awards are made annually.
There is a paper version of this ‘document’ held in Planning Policy. It is otherwise accessible on
the Green Flag website via the link above (under ‘title’).
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Wigan still has no green flag parks and green spaces. By comparison, Blackburn with Darwen
has 5; Bolton 2; Burnley 4; Bury 11; Chorley 1; Halton 6; Hyndburn 2; Knowsley 6; Liverpool 13;
Manchester 21; Wirral 4, Oldham 7; Preston 4; Rochdale 3; Salford 3; Sefton 4; South Ribble 3;
St Helens 7; Stockport 8; Tameside 8; Trafford 6; Warrington 5; and West Lancs 1.
Opportunities
We have a target to secure Green Flag status in our draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.
Issues and constraints
Resources.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Policy hierarchy and policy details that supports excellence at key sites.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross references (General)
The Green Flag Award
Draft Wigan Parks and Open Spaces Strategy
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Table B49
Title
Providing Accessible Natural Greenspace
in Towns and Cities
Natural England (formerly English Nature)
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Approximately 2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This guide provides a suggested methodology and advice on applying English Nature’s
Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards.
These standards form part of the guidance published by Government on strategic open space
provision. Further information about these standards can be found in English Nature Research
Report 526, ‘Accessible Natural Green Space Standards in Towns and Cities: A Review and
Toolkit for their Implementation’,
English Nature have developed a model to guide local authorities in identifying the
current level of provision of accessible natural greenspace and to assist with the production of
local standards and targets.
The model is intended to be a positive addition to the tools available to local authorities working
to meet the needs of their communities. It provides a flexible and inclusive method for the
understanding of the existing local greenspace resource and a decision support mechanism for
the determination of future policy. It is not intended to be an unwarranted impediment to
development where local priorities dictate otherwise, nor is it intended to promote the provision of
natural greenspace at the expense of other types of open space of value. The model promotes
the concept of multifunctional space whereby an area of managed parkland or playing fields
could also be said to be natural, at least in part, if the appropriate criteria are met. This guide
explains how this might work in practice.
Key messages, requirements, objectives
To promote the importance of accessible natural greenspace for the enjoyment of nature,
informal children’s play, gentle exercise and environmental education as well as for conserving
wildlife and geological features. In addition, such areas can contribute to natural drainage
processes, improving air quality and moderating urban microclimates.
English Nature recommends that provision should be made of at least 2ha of accessible natural
Greenspace per 1000 population according to a system of tiers into which sites of different sizes
fit:
•
•
•
•
no person should live more than 300m from their nearest area of natural greenspace;
there should be at least one accessible 20ha site within 2km from home;
there should be one accessible 100ha site within 5km;
there should be one accessible 500ha site within 10km.
This guidance is based on the implementation of the model based on a staged pathway
approach. This can be summarised into four equally important phases:
•
•
•
•
Inception- the planning phase in which the team is established, information sources are
identified, resources are allocated, the scope of the project set and progress indicators are
determined;
Assessment - in which data is gathered, local Greenspace identified and its status
established against the model, so that the accessible natural greenspace resource is known;
Analysis - which consists of establishing the spatial pattern of accessible natural
greenspace and its associated catchment zones, as well as identifying those areas currently
lacking in provision;
Response - whereby the priorities are set out for policy and management action to address
issues arising from the analysis.
English nature believe that this process is likely to produce the best results when it is
implemented as part of a strategic commitment by a local authority, involving key stakeholders
and with the objective of integrating and balancing the policy response with the needs of other
policy areas.
Opportunities
Local authorities are encouraged to determine for themselves the most appropriate policy
response in the light of a sound understanding of the standard, the needs of the local community
and the value of accessible natural greenspace to it, the existing Greenspace resource and
funding constraints.
The planning system will provide an important means of ensuring that key elements of the
accessible natural greenspace resource are protected and of achieving improvements in levels of
provision. However, there is also great potential for improvements to be made through the
enhancement of existing greenspaces by management means, and this is likely to be the most
immediately useful approach to improving provision. Changes to the management regimes of
greenspaces already under local authority control can be effectively planned and controlled
according to priority and demand.
Issues / Constraints
While it is expected that local authorities should aspire to meet the provisions of the standard, it
is recognised that this will be more difficult in some urban contexts than in others.
How could the Local Development Framework respond
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Greenspace standards should form part of the baseline position and be used as targets /
evidence to inform appraisals.
Cross references (General)
Cross reference (Topic Reviews)
English Nature Research Report 526,
Biodiversity and Nature Conservation
‘Accessible Natural Green Space Standards in
Towns and Cities: A Review and Toolkit for
their Implementation’
The Companion Guide to Planning Policy
Guidance 17 Open Space, Sport
and Recreation
Table C1
Title
North West On The Move: The North West Plan
for Sport and Physical Activity 2004-2008
Sport England North West
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
June 2004
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Game Plan, the government’s strategy for sport and physical activity, has challenged the nation
to become more active and achieve greater success on the medal podium. This has stimulated
radical reform across sport at a national and regional level, and it is no coincidence that a broad
range of stakeholders representing health, education, community safety/development, economic
prosperity, and the environment have been engaged in the formulation of the North West Plan
for Sport and Physical Activity. These non-sporting agencies can support sport and physical
activity directly to invest in the sporting infrastructure and indirectly to influence people’s
attitudes to sport and a more active lifestyle.
North West on the Move is a plan for sport and physical activity, not a Sport England plan. Its
formulation has involved national, regional and local consultations with key stakeholders,
agencies and organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors who fully
understand the strategic issues and local needs of the region. It has been facilitated by Sport
England under the guidance of the new North West Sports Board.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The plan has two main aims:
• To increase participation in sport and physical activity
• To widen access and reduce inequality in participation amongst priority groups.
The plan will deliver across five themes:
• Enhancing the sporting infrastructure
• Improving health and well being
• Developing education and skills
• Benefiting the economy
• Creating stronger and safer communities.
The challenge:
• increase participation in sport and physical activity from 33% of the north west
population active in 2003 to 50% in 2020 (1% annual increase)
• widen access and reduce inequality in participation amongst priority groups
• celebrate success and having fun
• enhance the image of the region
Opportunities
If we can work together to identify ways to overcome the barriers below, we should be
successful in encouraging more people from all walks of life to participate in sport and physical
activity.
Sport has significant value to the regional economy in its own right but also contributes in other
associated sectors such as retail, construction, education and training, exports, transport and so
on.
The North West Plan for Sport and Physical Activity sets a target of increasing participation from
33% to 50% by 2020. This increase will require significant growth in the supply side of the
economic environment.
The development of a long term sporting infrastructure will have a significant effect on
increasing jobs, developing skills, creating businesses, generating wealth and contributing to the
gross value added percentage contribution of the sports sector to the overall economy.
There will be opportunities to raise the profile of sport and its benefit to the economy, which in
turn, can influence investors and develop the sports industry. Businesses such as sports goods
manufacturers and event promotion companies will need to develop. There will be scope for
increasing international trade and opportunities for the north west to increase its share of the
UK’s international sports industries.
Feedback leads us to believe that the north west has a unique selling point in sport.
Issues and constraints
Understanding the barriers that affect participation is important if we are to encourage the
‘inactive’ to ‘get active’. Research conducted by the Henley Centre for Forecasting and
subsequent consultation between key people in sport and partners in health, education,
community development and other sectors identified seven key drivers impacting on our ability
to increase participation and retain people in sport and physical activity:
• Ageing population
• Time pressures
• Well-being and obesity
• Capacity issues related to the workforce (volunteers and professionals)
• Utilising education
• Variations in access for different sections of society
• Levels of investment
The first three are ‘consumer trends’. The next three are ‘supply side’ issues. The final driver
relates to investment and how existing resources are used and the need for additional
resources. If we can work together to identify ways to overcome these barriers, we should be
successful in encouraging more people from all walks of life to participate in sport and
physical activity.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Enhancing the physical infrastructure for sport and active recreation.
Encourage walking and cycling opportunities for access to work etc.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
???????????????/
Cross references (General)
Game Plan
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Heath
Accessibility
Economy
Transport
Table E1
Title
Wigan Children and Young People’s Plan 20062009
Wigan Children, Young People and Families
Proponent body
Strategic Partnership
Statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The production of Wigan's first Children and Young People's Plan represents a hugely
significant moment in the life of the Borough. For the first time, a range of organisations and
agencies have come together to produce a blueprint for improving the lives of all children and
young people.
The plan has not been created overnight or by a small group of people. Rather, it has grown
and taken shape as the result of much deliberation, consultation and no little challenge. The five
key outcomes listed below form the basis for the strategic priorities around which the plan is
focused, namely:
• being healthy;
• staying safe;
• enjoying and achieving;
• making a positive contribution;
• achieving economic well-being.
In the first part we describe the way in which we consulted with children and young people and
what they told us about what was important to them. They provided a wide range of responses
in relation to the five key outcomes and the kind of messages they sent out have been a major
influence on the shaping of the plan. A selection of their comments is included as a
demonstration of the importance of the voice of the child and young person in shaping this plan:
•
"I think being healthy is really important because you don't want to be ill; it keeps your body
in shape; you die of old age and when you're old you're still healthy."
•
"Not wandering off on my own. Staying with an adult."
•
"Having hugs and kisses from your mum and dad."
•
"Don't argue over something I don't want to do. Don't say no all the time. Believe in
yourself that you can do it and it doesn't matter if you can't.”
•
"When you achieve something it feels good. We should have things that everyone can be
good at so that everyone can feel good inside."
It is important to recognise that:
• as a single plan, replacing many of the current plans and drawn up in consultation with all
key agencies, it reduces the chances of confusion and duplication;
• it shows quite clearly how the Children, Young People and their Families Strategic
Partnership’s vision, aims and principles are being put into practice;
• it highlights the areas where improvement is most needed – the strategic priorities above;
• it demonstrates how agencies are working together on the ground to improve outcomes for
children and young people.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Objectives with a spatial dimension include:
• The overall fitness of children and young people is improved.
• Children and young people with chronic/long-term conditions receive care closer to home.
• All children and young people have access to safe areas in which to engage in leisure
activities.
• Safeguarding children and young people and promoting their wellbeing is seen as
everyone's business.
• Children and young people are not disadvantaged in their education by the educational
setting they attend or the area in which they live.
• The diversity of provision for young people 14-19 is increased in order to engage a greater
number and provide appropriate pathways into further learning.
• More children and young people will participate in creative, leisure and learning activities
outside normal school hours.
• Children and young people are able to influence decisions that affect their lives as a
member of their community.
• The physical environment, in which children and young people grow up and develop,
•
•
•
encourages pride in their community.
Children and young people are increasingly safe from crime and can access a greater range
of diversionary activities.
Ensure young people develop key transition and employability skills to enable them to make
a successful transition to working life
Ensure community regeneration initiatives address the needs of children and young people.
Opportunities
Wigan already has a strong track record of Partnership working to draw on.
Issues and constraints
•
Amongst children and young people dental health, mental health and teenage conceptions
remain a concern.
•
6% of primary and 16% secondary pupils went to school without having breakfast
•
Wigan's economy is reliant on traditional industries, like manufacturing and engineering with
a relatively low proportion of high value, knowledge driven employment and businesses. The
knowledge economy is the route to full employment, better jobs and other attributes in the
workforce.
•
Only 17% of the working population is qualified to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)4
and above - the second lowest proportion in Greater Manchester.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
To ensure that planning policy and the preparation process addresses the needs of young
people and the objectives of the plan. We need to liaise with the Director of Children and Young
People’s Services to ensure they have proper ownership of the Local Development Framework
process.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
A range of baseline data and indicators are available in the document.
Ensure the framework promotes health and wellbeing of children and young people and
supports facilities for play and leisure.
Cross references (General)
Children Act 2004
Every Child Matters
Wigan Community Plan
Wigan Corporate Plan
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust's
Local Delivery Plan
Wigan Local Area Agreement
SHAPE (Sport, Health and Physical Education
in Wigan Borough)
Building Schools for the Future
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Education
Health
Training
Community Safety
Environment
Economy
Table E2
Title
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs
Assessment
Knight Kavanagh and Page for Wigan Council
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
August 2007
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This study is an integral part of our evidence base by virtue of Planning Policy Guidance 17.
The first section of this report considers supply and demand issues for open spaces facilities
in Wigan. Each part contains relevant typology specific data. Further description of the
methodology on open spaces can be found in Part 2. The report, as a whole, covers the
predominant issues for all the typologies defined in ‘Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A
Companion Guide to PPG 17’ and is structured as follows:
Part 3: General open space issues.
Part 4: Parks and gardens.
Part 5: Natural and semi-natural greenspace.
Part 6: Green corridors.
Part 7: Amenity greenspace.
Part 8: Provision for children and young people.
Part 9: Allotments, community gardens and city farms.
Part 10: Cemeteries, churchyards and other burial grounds.
Part 11: Civic spaces.
Part 3 includes the results of the residents survey (described in Part 2).
The study also incorporates an assessment of sports facilities in accordance with the
methodology provided in the Sport England ‘Towards a Level Playing Field – A guide to the
production of playing pitch strategies’ for assessing demand and supply. Further description of
the methodology adopted is provided in Part 12.
Parts 13-24 provide a quantitative summary of provision for sports facilities. It also provides
information about the availability of facilities to the local community and the governing body of
each sport and regional strategic plans (where they exist). Details of local leagues are provided
in order to outline the competitive structure for each sport. The findings of club consultation and
key issues for each sport are summarised and structured as follows:
Part 13:
Part 14:
Part 15:
Part 16:
Part 17:
Part 18:
Part 19:
Part 20:
Part 21:
Part 22:
Part 23:
Part 24:
Football.
Cricket.
Rugby league.
Rugby union.
Hockey
Bowls.
Tennis.
Golf.
Athletics.
Netball.
Indoor sports.
Education provision.
This report sets out the principles to be adopted in calculating provision standards. The final
report will incorporate calculated standards.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Parks and gardens
There are 57 sites totalling 817 hectares. There is generally good coverage in provision.
However, there are catchment gaps of various significance in each township except Wigan
North, most significantly in Golborne / Lowton and in Orrell, Billinge and Winstanley. In the
former, Golborne Park, known as ‘The Bonk’, goes some way to meeting the need there but
there is demand for more formal provision. In the latter there is also no local formal provision.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is the process of drafting a Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.
18 key sites have been identified for prioritisation in terms of future investment. Development
plans have been drawn up for 6 of the sites and are being developed for a further 2 sites. They
include an intended masterplan.
The Trust will continue to manage and maintain the remaining parks and open spaces to their
current standard and promote external funding opportunities.
There are Green Flag aspirations for Haigh Hall Country Park, Mesnes Park, Alexandra Park
and Pennington Hall Country Park.
Natural and semi-natural greenspaces
There are 1,137 sites totalling 10,155 hectares. It includes 4 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
and 3 Local Nature Reserves, the latter being 98 hectares below Natural England’s standard
(locally supported). Catchment mapping demonstrates that the Borough is adequately
provided for in quantitative terms.
Green corridors
There is a large amount of off-road green corridor provision utilising old mining and railway
routes. These, along with the towpath provision, are a major recreational asset for walkers,
cyclists and horse riders throughout Wigan. In total there is just less than 78 hectares of green
corridor provision across Wigan. There is also 470km of public rights of way.
Amenity greenspace
There are 1,890 sites totalling just over 376 hectares. A significant proportion is grass verges
adjacent to housing offering only a visual amenity. Usable amenity greenspace is most often
found in housing estates and can function as informal recreation spaces. There is demand for
more functional amenity greenspace provision. Catchment mapping based on all current
provision shows that the majority of the Borough is adequately catered for.
Provision for children and young people
There are 132 sites totalling 11 ha. There are significant gaps in terms of accessibility. The
Trust operates a highly commended play service facilitating a variety of play opportunities for
children up to 12 years. There is a gap in play provision service for children above 12 years and
demand for greater youth provision. The Council is currently preparing a play strategy in order
to access nearly £700,000 allocated from the Big Lottery Fund.
Allotments
There are 58 sites equating to just over 34 hectares. There is generally good coverage across
the Borough. However, there are significant catchment gaps in Standish, Aspull, Shevington;
Wigan North; Ashton, Bryn; and Hindley, Abram. There is a total waiting list of 634.
Cemeteries and churchyards
There are 40 sites equating to 89 hectares. There is a lot of pressure on burial space with a
number of sites having reached capacity.
Civic space
Only one site, Wigan Market, equating to 0.2 hectares has been identified as civic space
provision in Wigan. Comment has been made that this is incorrect.
Football
29 sites are overplayed on a weekly basis. A significant number of sites are played over their
capacity. In the main, pitches are only slightly overplayed - this appears to be due to poor
quality pitches. 4 clubs have latent demand, which equates to an additional 1.5 senior pitches,
3.5 junior pitches and 1.5 mini-pitches. 29 sites have no changing facilities.
Cricket
Wigan Council provides only one pitch, used as a third team pitch, assessed as poor quality
and over marked with football pitches. All private grounds are rated as good quality and are
well maintained. Shared use would enable more schools to use club pitches and more clubs to
use school halls for training. 4 clubs have latent demand, which equates to an additional two
pitches. In the main, this comes from clubs needing a second pitch for 3rd and 4th teams and
junior participation.
Rugby league
6 sites are currently overplayed on a weekly basis. In the main, pitches are only slightly
overplayed and this appears to be due to poor quality pitches. 4 clubs have latent demand,
which equates to an additional 3 junior pitches. Council sites have poor quality changing
facilities.
Rugby union
2 sites are overplayed on a weekly basis. In the main, pitches are only slightly overplayed.
There appears to be a genuine need for additional pitches. 4 clubs have latent demand, which
equates to an additional 3 junior pitches.
Hockey
The availability of multi use games areas at school sites should help to encourage and
increase junior participation. It appears that current demand generated by clubs can be
accommodated comfortably.
Bowls
Junior membership is developing and will help to sustain demand for provision. Junior teams
tend to play competitively in the Leigh and District Bowling League against senior teams.
Tennis
No latent demand. Current levels of demand can be met by improving existing facilities, either
by upgrading ancillary facilities or installing floodlights. Public accessible courts play an
important role as they provide access to the community to participate in the sport.
Golf
There are 8 golf courses in the Borough, of which 2 are municipal. Current demand levels are
low with some spare capacity at the majority of clubs.
Athletics
New provision at Leigh Sports Village will meet catchment gaps in the East of the Borough. The
facilities at Robin Park are good quality but with drainage problems on one lane.
Netball
Schools are the main providers of netball courts. Most are over marked with tennis courts and
range in quality. None are available for community use. Competitive netball is played outdoors
and indoors on central venue sites outside of the Borough. Clubs have expressed demand for
access to courts for training, but need 2 courts together plus ancillary facilities.
Indoor sports facilities
There is generally good provision, which will be significantly enhanced by the development of
Leigh Sports Village. The redevelopment of Wigan International Pool will also significantly
enhance provision at this site.
Schools
53 primary schools have access to formal grass pitches either on site or adjacent. 31 have
access to a form of hard court area. Nearly half (47%) allow the use of outdoor sports facilities
by the local community.
Opportunities
• The 18 key flagship parks and gardens. The Green Flag aspirations.
• Provision of off-road motorcycling site.
• The draft Wigan Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan will guide the future strategic
management of the network and will focus upon the issues raised through user and
stakeholder consultation that fed into the plan. This should result in a higher quality, linked
up and well used PROW network.
• Wigan Council is currently drafting a play strategy in order to access £695,794 allocated to
the Borough for play from the Big Lottery Fund Children’s Play Programme. It will deliver
play opportunities for children up to 19 years.
• There is potential to raise the value of cemeteries through increased educational
opportunities and wildlife habitats.
• There are a number of council sites which could be suitable for long term lease by football
clubs. With investment, could be suitable to accommodate both current and future
demand.
• Better usage could be made of cricket facilities, both the availability of pitches to schools
and of school indoor training space to clubs.
• Hesketh Fletcher High School pitches are currently not in use. This could therefore create
some additional capacity to accommodate latent demand, although there are no rugby
union teams in Atherton. Consideration should be given establishing use of the pitch.
• The availability of multi use games areas (MUGAs) at school sites should help to
encourage and increase junior hockey participation.
•
•
•
Floodlights will not only facilitate winter tennis competitions, but also allow county
accredited clubs to increase player rankings (through regular winter play).
Private golf clubs have begun to actively target junior players and offer incentives to join,
including coaching sessions and cut-price membership. Municipal courses need to provide
further offers, as well as improved facilities.
Clubs have expressed demand for access to netball courts for training.
Issues and constraints
• Consultation identifies the presence of dog foul and occurrences of anti-social behaviour are
the main factors impacting upon quality and usage of parks and gardens.
• There are a number of issues impacting on the quality and usage of natural and seminatural greenspaces, particularly off-road motorbikes, fires and fly tipping.
•
The key quality issues, identified through user consultation, regarding PROW relate to
overgrown or blocked footpaths, obstructive landowners, poor drainage and broken or
difficult stiles/gates.
• The presence of dog foul, abuse by off-road vehicles and the occurrence of littering and fly
tipping are the main quality issues impacting on amenity greenspaces.
• The main issues impacting on the quality and usage of play areas is vandalism and antisocial behaviour associated with youth congregation on sites e.g. glass and litter.
• There is a lack of strategic allotment management due to resources. Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust is working to improve this situation.
• The main issue affecting the quality of cemeteries and churchyards is dog foul and the
usage of sites by off-road motorbikes.
• Generally, football pitches in Wigan are more expensive to hire than in neighbouring
districts. Clubs believe that the quality of pitches does not reflect value for money. There
is a higher % of poor quality senior pitches compared to Bolton.
• There are 2 cricket developments that will provide an additional 2 pitches. However, these
will only cater for current demand, not latent demand.
• There is no competitive league structure for women’s and girls’ rugby league, but a
number of clubs operate at least two girls’ teams that play competitively through festivals could be a latent demand. Poor quality pitches is a significant issue.
• The majority of rugby union clubs have one women’s team but there are no girls’ teams
competing.
• The artificial pitch at Golborne Sports and Social Club is adequate for hockey but the
carpet is likely to need replacing over the next 5-6 years.
• There is no junior specific bowls competition in the Borough. There is a lack of provision in
Lower Ince. Members travel 2 miles to access a green at Platt Bridge. A lack of specialist
maintenance and vandalism on greens and ancillary facilities is reducing the overall quality
of local authority sites.
• Floodlit tennis courts are needed to provide all round year play for clubs to develop
towards county accredited status and develop player rankings.
• It is likely that poor facilities at municipal golf courses have led to a reduction in
membership levels. At private clubs the low levels of demand appear to result from a lack
of junior development. There is a lack of specialist maintenance at municipal golf courses.
Private clubs employ several full time ground staff and have very few quality issues.
• Clubs require sites with at least two netball courts and access to ancillary facilities.
• There is no apparent need for additional sports hall provision, but there is a need to review
access to school sites. There is no need for additional swimming provision.
• Sacred Heart Catholic Primary (Leigh) has an agreement with Leigh East Amateur Rugby
League Football Club to use its pitches for curricular use. However, the club is moving to
Leigh Sports Village so the school is likely to lose access to these pitches.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
• New broader standards for open space, sport and recreation provision to replace Wigan
Unitary Development Plan Policy C1B.
• Improved provision targeted at areas where ‘gaps’ have been identified, including:
ƒ the significant gaps in terms of accessibility to play space and demand for greater youth
provision
ƒ the significant catchment gaps for allotments
ƒ the need for 1.5 senior football pitches, 3.5 junior pitches and 1.5 mini-pitches and
changing facilities
ƒ an additional two cricket pitches
ƒ an additional 3 junior rugby league pitches
ƒ an additional 3 junior rugby union pitches
ƒ a bowling green at Ince
•
•
ƒ floodlit tennis courts
ƒ improve netball provision
ƒ greater shared use of school facilities
ƒ new burial sites.
Overall policy approach that encourages better quality provision.
Consider need for dedicated off-road motorcycling facilities
•
Identification of flagship parks and gardens, play areas, pitches, allotments etc on Proposals
Map, to enhance Unitary Development Plan Policy C1C.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Will be useful for establishing baseline position for site specific policies or projects.
Cross references (General)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)17
Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A
Companion Guide to PPG17:
Towards a level playing field, Sport England
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Study: Strategy and Action Plan
The Green Flag Award website.
Wigan Children’s Play Strategy
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Landscape
Biodiversity
Table E3
Title
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study:
Strategy and Action Plan
Knight Kavanagh and Page for Wigan Council
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Not published yet.
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This document is the Strategy and Action Plan for open spaces, sport and recreational facilities
provision in Wigan. The Strategy has been developed from the results of research and analysis
of open space, sport and recreational facilities provision within Wigan. The document will make
up part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework and help identify where
there are deficiencies in open space provision.
The document has five sections:
Strategic Vision and Aims: Sets out how open space provision can help meet the objectives of
the Community Plan.
Strategic Framework for Open Space Improvements: objectives for the development of open
space provision in Wigan. They seek to address the issues raised in the Open Spaces
Assessment Report.
Strategic Framework for Outdoor Sports Facility Improvements: sets out objectives for the
development of outdoor sports facilities in Wigan. They seek to address the issues raised in the
Assessment Report
Setting Standards: sets out the standards for open space and sports provision in the borough.
Action Plan: sets out an action plan up to 2017, based on information in the Assessment Report.
The Action Plan sets out how the standards in the previous section can be met.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The strategic aims of the document are set in the context of the Wigan Community Plan. These
include increasing the health of Wigan’s residents, raising aspirations, provision of clean and
green neighbourhoods. Creation of a network of open spaces, sports and recreational facilities
that are easily accessible and provide opportunities for participation in community and culture
activities.
The management objectives of the strategy to enable the delivery of the strategic objectives:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Improve the quality of facilities within a phased programme
Ensure provision is of an appropriate distribution, quantity and quality
Consult with sporting community and local residents to identify facility
need/improvements
Ensure sites lost through closure are replaced by facilities of an equal or improved
standard
All partners and stakeholders to work together through appropriate mechanisms to
provide facilities.
Facilities should be accessible to all
The demand for facilities should be continually reassessed.
General Strategic Requirements:
•
•
•
•
Unofficial motorbike use on open space needs to be decreased. Through enabling more
opportunities for official use on designated land and through more deterrents (signs and
perimeter fencing).
Raise awareness of accessible open space and its education, wildlife and health
benefits.
Education campaign to increase awareness of problem with dog fouling on open space.
Increased education and enforcement of fly-tipping on open space.
General objectives for Outdoor Sports Facility Improvements:
•
In order to achieve an increase in participation in sport and physical activity, improve the
quality of facilities in the Borough.
•
•
In order to achieve an increase in participation in sport and physical activity, ensure that
there are a sufficient number of facilities to meet both current and future demand.
Adopt a strategic management approach to all facilities in the Borough to achieve the
necessary increase in quality and quantity of provision.
Outdoor Sports Facilities
Local standards (per 1,000 population) are derived from:
• Existing provision (within this a recognition of ‘poor quality’ provision)
• Additional provision to meet current unmet demand
• Additional provision to meet current future demand
Opportunities
Parks and Gardens:
•
•
Continue to develop and keep up to date management plans for all the major parks.
Develop a rolling programme of Green Flag site applications.
Natural/Semi-Natural Greenspace:
•
All Local Nature Reserves to have written management plans to guide strategic
management
• Promote access to the countryside through the Greenheart Regional Park project.
• Revise and update the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Woodland Strategy and site
specific woodland management plans.
Green Corridors
•
Once finalised, implement the Rights of Way Improvement Plan to guide the
management and improvement of the public rights of way network within the Borough.
• Work to create a well connected, accessible and promoted off-road Public Right of Way
network.
• As resources allow, implement a two-year rolling programme of inspection to proactively
identify safety and maintenance issues across the network.
Amenity Greenspace
•
•
Work to create more functional and visually attractive amenity greenspaces through, for
example, provision of formal seating and/or flowerbeds.
Develop, promote and encourage the play opportunities offered by sites, where
appropriate
Allotments, community gardens and city farms
•
•
•
Work towards producing an allotment strategy to guide the strategic management of
provision.
Improve the management of vacant plots and waiting lists.
Encourage greater use by schools and community groups.
Cemeteries, disused churchyards and burial grounds
•
•
•
•
•
It is not considered appropriate to cover all catchment gaps through new provision.
Review grounds maintenance responsibilities
Encourage greater use of cemeteries for informal recreation
Promote cemeteries as an educational resource, both in terms of heritage value and
environmental value.
Consider potential sites for future entry to the Green Flag Award.
Civic Spaces
•
•
Better utilise town centre open spaces for community activities/events.
Continue to fund the town centre caretaker scheme
Sports Specific Objectives:
Football:
•
Where appropriate, develop lease arrangements with clubs to manage their own ‘home’
sites thus facilitating club development.
•
As a priority, continue to apply a high level of maintenance to key sites and all newly
developed sites in the future.
• Continue to develop the Borough wide football forum. Its aim is to encourage
participation through bridging the gap between the sport and schools with a focus on
club development, participation, workforce development and nurturing talent and
performance.
• Encourage greater usage of secondary school sites to cater for latent and future
demand for senior football.
• Increase the quality and standard of changing rooms to accommodate segregated
changing.
Cricket:
• Increase the quality and availability of school cricket pitches to meet future demand.
• Provision of two cricket development centres located at secondary schools.
Rugby League:
•
Improve the quality and capacity of changing accommodation to meet current and future
demand.
• Support and encourage clubs to seek security of tenure of home ground facilities.
• Encourage and support development of a competitive league structure for women’s and
girls’ rugby league in the Borough.
Rugby Union:
•
Encourage greater usage of secondary school sites to cater for latent and future
demand for rugby union pitches.
• Encourage and support development of junior girls’ rugby union.
Hockey:
•
Secure appropriate access to synthetic turf pitches for hockey clubs for training
•
Support further availability of MUGAs (Multi Use Games Areas) at school sites to encourage and
increase junior hockey participation.
sessions.
Tennis:
• Where demand exists, support private clubs in seeking to improve court quality and/or
install floodlighting (in order to increase capacity) of existing tennis court provision.
• Encourage further casual use of parks courts and provide strategic reserve for the
current usage levels at private facilities.
• Continue to support and encourage junior development at key clubs in order to increase
participation levels in the sport.
Athletics:
•
Continue to support and encourage junior development at key clubs in order to increase
participation levels in the sport.
Golf:
•
•
Identify two clubs/municipal courses across Wigan to be a partner/focus for junior
development to provide pathways for the work in progress through the school sports
partnerships.
Support the work of clubs to promote the take up of golf with children and young people.
Issues and constraints
Parks and Gardens
Catchment gaps are identified throughout the entire borough. Priorities are:
• New provision required in Hindley Green of up to 2 hectares
• New provision required in Winstanley of up to 2 hectares
• Additional park and garden provision of 1 hectare to serve Shevington Vale.
• Increased formal provision at Kitt Green.
Semi-Natural and Natural Greenspace
The Natural England recommendation is one hectare of designated Local Nature Reserve per
1,000 population. This means a shortfall of 117 hectares based on 2017 population projections.
Amenity Greenspace
There are catchment gaps (some minor) throughout the borough. These occur in: Bickershaw,
North and Central Leigh, South West Tyldesley. In each of these areas the shortfall is 0.66
hectares.
Provision for Children and Young People
Aim to have at least one Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play, one casual play site and one
site with youth provision in each township.
Significant investment in new play provision across the borough to bring it in line with National
Playing Fields Association (Fields in Trust) standards.
There is a gap in provision and responsibility for provision for over 12s.
The following provision needs to be made:
• Neighbourhood Equipped Areas of Play in Golborne-Lowton, Hindley-Abram, OrrellBillinge-Winstanley and Wigan South
• Casual Play Areas in Standish-Aspull-Shevington and Ashton-Bryn
• Youth Facilities in Ashton-Bryn, Golborne-Lowton and Tyldesley-Astley.
Pitch Surpluses and Deficiencies (up to 2017)
Ashton Bryn:
•
•
There likely to be a deficiency of both junior and mini football and rugby pitches.
There is a slight surplus of senior pitches. The significant shortfall of junior pitches
against a significant oversupply of senior pitches indicates that junior teams are
currently playing on senior sized pitches.
Atherton
• There is likely to be a deficiency of junior football pitches
• There is also the same surplus of senior pitches.
• This indicates that junior teams are currently playing on senior sized pitches and that
there is no requirement for additional football pitches to be provided in this area.
Golborne Lowton
• A likely shortfall of football pitches in Golborne requires the need for additional pitch
provision at private sports clubs.
• In comparison, the shortfall of junior rugby pitches can be dealt with without provision
of additional pitches, but by utilising spare capacity elsewhere.
Hindley Abram
• There is likely to be an overall surplus of pitches.
Leigh
•
The likely overall shortfall of pitches can be addressed with without provision of
additional pitches, but by increasing pitch quality and providing changing
accommodation across local authority sites
Orrell Billinge Winstanley
• There is likely to be a deficiency of junior football pitches
• A surplus of senior pitches indicates junior teams are currently playing on senior sized
pitches
• There is no requirement for additional football pitches to be provided in this area.
Standish Aspull Shevington
• There is likely to be a significant surplus across the majority of pitch sports with the
exception of junior rugby league.
• Even after taking into account site capacity, some sites are still surplus to requirements.
• The likely shortfall of rugby league pitches can be addressed without provision of
additional pitches, but by increasing pitch quality.
Tyldesley Astley
• There is likely to be a significant surplus across the majority of pitch sports, with the
exception of cricket.
• Even after taking into account site capacity, some sites are still surplus to requirements.
Wigan North
• Surplus of pitches across the majority of sports
• Sites are not surplus to requirement as there is enough latent demand in the area to
utilise the pitches.
• Indication that junior teams are currently playing on senior pitches
Wigan South
• The likely overall shortfall of pitches can be dealt with without provision of additional
pitches but by increasing the quality of pitches and providing changing
accommodation
• Investment of this nature on all sites in Wigan South would lead to an oversupply of
football pitches
• Indication that junior teams are currently playing on senior pitches
Cricket
•
•
•
The figures show a shortfall of cricket provision in Atherton, Golborne, Leigh, Orrell
Billinge Winstanley and Wigan South.
However it is difficult to determine how many matches can be accommodated in a day
due to varying match lengths.
Senior cricket takes place on weekends, whereas juniors play reduced overs matches
during the week and therefore does not count as a complete match.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
The Local Development Framework can use this strategy to help inform the core strategy and
allocations and infrastructure development plan document. The recommendations that are set
out in the action plan could be implemented and improve provision of open space in the
borough. The data from the study will ensure that the evidence base for the Local Development
Framework is robust and credible.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Needs Assessment
Landscape
Planning Policy Guidance 17
Communities
Wigan Children’s Play Strategy
Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A
Companion Guide to PPG17:
The Green Flag Award website.
Biodiversity
Table E4
Title
Community Playgrounds Strategy 2003-2008
(published paper document version only)
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2003
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
There is a misconception that ‘children’s play’ is solely about equipped play areas because this
is the most widely available type of provision. However, children will play anywhere and many
other services and provisions link into this, some of which are: parks and open space; school
environments; street play; private sector retail; libraries; sports buildings and facilities; homes
and gardens; public health buildings and services.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Through this strategy the Leisure and Culture Trust would like to encourage all planners,
architects and practitioners in environment where children to have access to give due
consideration to:
•
Consider and cater for children’s play needs throughout public spaces, in new housing
developments, environmental and road schemes, as well as public facilities.
•
Enable children and young people to participate in the planning of local recreational facilities
and public spaces, and respond to their needs and views.
•
Adapt and improve existing areas with inadequate play facilities to take into account all
children’s needs for good quality, safe play opportunities.
•
Ensure that access for all children has been considered.
Opportunities
Funding has already been secured through the residential development process by virtue of
Policy L1A in the first Unitary Development Plan and Policy R1E in the current plan.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Review and, if possible, enhance the mechanisms for securing funding through the residential
development process under Policy R1E in the current Unitary Development Plan.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Not a key document for broad appraisal. Provides background information.
Cross References (General)
Community Plan
Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy
Wigan Children and Young People’s Plan
2006-2009
Community Safety Strategy
Housing Strategy
Local Transport Plan
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Regeneration
Community Safety
Housing
Transport
Table E5
Title
Draft Wigan Children’s Play Strategy and Action
Plan (word copy on G drive)
Wigan Council / Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2007
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The Wigan Play Strategy sets out the vision for the development of ‘Play’ across the borough
over the next five years. It has been produced with the support of the Play Strategy Steering
Group and Sub Group, made up of a range of professionals from the statutory, voluntary and
community sectors involved in developing and delivering quality services for children and young
people. It will ensure that Wigan provides a coherent approach to play development.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
At the heart of the strategy is the Action Plan for 2007 to 2012. It sets out the four objectives:
Objective 1. To adopt a multi-agency approach to increase the amount, accessibility and variety
of good quality supervised and unsupervised play provision (across the spectrum) to meet the
needs and gaps identified within the Play Strategy and ensure the sustainability of all provision.
Objective 2. To increase the participation of children and young people and other stakeholders,
in planning and decision making processes around play.
Objective 3. To ensure that all children and young people have the opportunity to experience
challenging and stimulating play environments whilst encountering acceptable risks.
Objective 4. To ensure consistency in the quality, innovation and inclusiveness of play
provision.
Each Objective is supported by a number of recommended actions. The first is to formalise,
maintain and develop the Play Partnership to ensure the continuous development and delivery
of the Play Strategy. Other key actions include:
• promoting the importance and value of play for health and well-being
• identifying and publicising available play facilities and opportunities
• consulting widely with children and young people, including those with special needs and
children from black and minority ethnic communities
• exploring funding sources and developing a funding strategy
• undertaking risk assessments of all play opportunities
• drawing up a set of quality standards for play provision
• developing a play training programme for all relevant staff and volunteers.
Section 1 of the Strategy stresses the critical role of play in a child’s healthy development. It
reminds us that creating opportunities for free and spontaneous play is as important as the
provision of equipment and play programmes.
Section 2 “makes the case for play”. It contains definitions, lists the benefits, examines the
barriers and the importance of inclusiveness, outlines the risks and refers to the contribution of
play to wider agendas in the borough.
Section 3 explores the complexities of the context for the play strategy, drawing together a
number of elements including those listed under ‘cross references’ below.
Section 4 reviews a number of consultations carried out with children and young people over the
last three years, and reports key points from the results.
Section 5 examines the extent and quality of existing play provision, drawing on a recent audit of
each Township. It draws conclusions about areas of need and priorities for development.
Section 6 sets out the existing Play Policy for Wigan, and the six key policy statements.
Section 7 sets out the Local Standards for Play within Wigan.
Section 8 sets out the Action Plan in table format, under the headings of the 4 Objectives. A
number of recommended actions are laid down; each accompanied by a statement of outcomes,
an implementation date, the lead organisation/partner and some performance indicators.
Finally, Section 9 covers the role of the Wigan’s Economic Regeneration Office in the evaluation
of the Play Strategy.
This is the first time a comprehensive Play Strategy for the borough has been put together. It
highlights examples of existing provision / good practice and points up areas for development.
The final strategy has to be submitted to Government by the end of August 2007. These
details need to be confirmed against the final strategy.
Opportunities
The Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment is a key part of the evidence base
for this strategy and the development of this strategy is a key part of the evidence base for the
development of a play policy in the development plan.
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
See ‘Opportunities’
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
???????????????????????????????
Cross references (General)
The Community Plan, 2005-2010
Wigan Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs
Assessment
The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy
The Children Act 2004
Every Child Matters
The Play Review: Getting Serious About Play
The Department of Health White Paper: Choosing
Health, Making Healthy Choices Easier
The Wigan Local Area Agreement
Sure Start and Extended Schools
The Children’s Play Council
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Community
Table E6
Title
Taking SHAPE for the future: 2006-2012
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
SHAPE (Sport, Health and Physical Education in Wigan Borough) is not just a sports policy, but a
policy for health, education, culture, social care, stronger and safer communities, and economic
development. All of these key areas need to have an opportunity to contribute and have a voice, if
a coherent ‘joined-up’ strategic approach to increasing participation in sport and physical activity is
to be achieved.
Each of the 4 themes of SHAPE (see key messages below) has 4 ‘common goals’. Theme 3
‘Provide a dynamic infrastructure is of most relevance to the Local Development Framework. Its
common goals (abridged) are:
1.
A facilities strategy that reflects local need – the development and improvement of facilities,
identifying gaps in provision
2. Key resources in place to plan and implement
3. An infrastructure that allows access to high quality facilities and services – removing physical
and other barriers to participation (including Disability Discrimination Act compliant)
4. Programmes and pathways designed that reflect relevant choices for diverse client groups.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
National targets underpinning SHAPE:
• To enhance the take-up of sporting opportunities by 5 – 16 year-olds so that the percentage of
school children who spend a minimum 2 hours each week on high quality PE and school sport
within and beyond the curriculum increases from 25% in 2002 to 75% by 2006 and 85% by
2008 in England, and to at least 75% in each school sport partnership by 2008 (Government
Public Service Agreement target). (The long-term ambition is that by 2010 all children will be
able to spend four hours each week on sport. This will be made up of at least two hours of high
quality Physical Education and sport at school and two to three hours of sport beyond the
school day)
• To halt the year-on-year increase in obesity among children under 11 by 2010, in the context of
a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole (Government Public Service
Agreement target)
• By 2008, increase the take-up of cultural and sporting opportunities by adults and young
people aged 16+ from priority groups by increasing the number who participate in active
sports, at least 12 times a year by 3%, and increasing the number who engage in at least 30
minutes of moderate-intensity-level sport, at least three times a week by 3% (Government
Public Service Agreement target)
• To lead the delivery of cleaner, safer and greener public spaces and improvement of the
quality of the built environment in deprived areas and across the country, with measurable
improvement by 2008 (Government Public Service Agreement target). (National physical
activity action plan)
• Quadruple the number of journeys made by bicycle between 1996 and 2012 (National Cycling
Strategy)
• Increase levels of participation in physical activity and sport to 70% of individuals undertaking
30 minutes of physical activity five days a week by 2020 (Game Plan) (The North West Plan
ambition is to achieve 50% of the North West population being active by 2020)
Success will be dependent on achieving a common agenda that:
• Transforms perception and culture (Theme 1)
• Reduces inequalities and works within a range of targeted settings (Theme 2)
• Provides a dynamic infrastructure (Theme 3)
• Develops the scope for personal development and self-care (Theme 4).
Opportunities
There are two new facility developments taking place in the Borough to improve the condition of
the Council owned leisure facilities. A new pool will be built as part of the Leigh Sports Village to
open in 2007. In 2006, the DCLG and DCMS gave first stage approval for a PFI scheme to build a
Joint Service Centre in Wigan town centre. The JSC will provide modern swimming pool facilities
and other leisure facilities to replace the current dilapidated facilities on the site.
Issues and constraints
Physical activity and adults in Wigan:
• 29.8% of the population do not participate in any sessions of physical activity for at least 15
minutes or more each week (similar for men and women)
• Only 30.5% of adults are active enough for it to benefit their health
• 16.6% of people aged 18 – 34 undertake no physical activity.
• 58.3% of older people undertake no physical activity
• High levels of inactivity are closely linked with high levels of deprivation
• 21% (1 in 5) undertake sports and leisure activities outside Wigan Borough (Citizen’s Panel)
• 57% live in households where at least one person owns or has access to a bike (Citizen’s
Panel)
Physical activity and children and young people in Wigan:
• 50% of Y6, 47% of Y8, 32% of Y10 and 60%* of a post-16 group exercised hard during the
previous week for at least 3 times or more. (*the post-16 survey question was phrased
differently from the other age groups)
• 57.6% of Y9 young people (68.5% for boys, 47.6% for girls) took part in sport and physical
exercise for 60 minutes or longer on three or more occasions a week’ (56% for Greater
Manchester, 57.8% North West).
• Since 2001 the proportion of Y9 students taking part in extracurricular sport has increased
significantly. The pattern is particularly pronounced for boys.
• 57% of school children (2004) in all school sport partnership schools were spending 2 hours a
week on high quality PE/school sport within and beyond the curriculum.
• 48% of school children (2004) in the ‘Lowton’ partnership schools were spending 2 hours a
week on high quality PE/school sport within curriculum.
• 19% school children (2004) in the ‘Abraham Guest’ partnership schools were spending 1 hour
each week on sports and physical activity beyond the curriculum
Wigan Council has been the main provider of sport and recreation services for over 40 years.
However, the pattern of sport and leisure provision is changing.
Secondary schools are now playing an increasing role as community sports providers. 15
secondary schools have benefited from the installation of a new all weather pitch as a result of
the Big Lottery Fund. These will be open for community access. There are opportunities to open
up school sports halls and playing fields for public use.
There is a thriving voluntary sports club infrastructure and many clubs have attracted substantial
external funding from Sport England and the Football Foundation. 38 sports clubs currently
receive 100% rate relief from the Council in recognition of their role in developing sport within the
communities that they serve.
There is substantial private sector health and fitness provision across the Borough, with four
major private health and fitness and a number of smaller independently owned clubs. These
operate almost exclusively for their membership with no general community access.
Against this background, the Council owned Sports Centres and swimming pools have
deteriorated with age. Significant capital investment will be required for the swimming pools and
sports centres over the next five years to keep the facilities operational.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
The former Planning and Regeneration is identified as a key partner to help reverse the decline in
walking, cycling and everyday activity but only generally through having “a positive impact on both
the environment and the facilities of the borough to make it more conducive for maintaining an
active life”. It does not recognise the role of planning in protecting facilities and allocating land for
new facilities.
There is some valuable survey material and monitoring activity.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
The overall success of this policy will be evaluated in terms of the targets identified and their
contribution to increasing participation and physical activity. It will also be judged against the
progress towards the achievement of the national Public Service Agreementtargets:
• The percentage of 5-16 year olds engaged in 2 hours a week minimum on high quality
Physical Education and school sport within and beyond the curriculum (Wigan’s initial target
is 90% by 2008)
• The percentage of adults participating in at least 30 minutes moderate intensity sport and
active recreation (including recreational walking) on 3 or more days a week (Indicative Lower
Threshold: 29%, Indicative Higher Threshold 35%)
There are many key partner targets. Progress reports are programmed in March and September
annually from Sept 2007 to March 2012.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference
(Topic Reviews)
1992 Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey – Sports Council and
Health (physical
Health Education Authority
activity)
2000 A physical activity strategy for the borough of Wigan, ‘To
Transport (walking and
encourage and support lifelong participation in physical activity to
cycling)
improve people’s health and quality of life
Education
2000 Grass Playing Pitch Strategy
Community safety
2001 Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, To develop and sustain a
Economic development
vibrant sporting community which encourages more people of all ages
and all social groups to take up a lifelong involvement in sport; and
Social inclusion
provide better opportunities and support to enable individuals and
Environment
groups to achieve their chosen sporting goals.
2001 The Wigan Borough Health Survey, gathered information about
peoples health status and their perceptions of their own health, about
the use of the health services and about social factors that may be
associated with health.
2002 Wigan School Playground Development Strategy, to promote
long term planning and integrate the school grounds into other relevant
strategies
2002 Review of School facilities, consultation and application for PE
and School Sport Capital Funding (NOF)
2002 Game Plan – A strategy for delivering the Government’s sports
and physical activity objectives
2003 Equity audit for Wigan Borough, Coronary Heart Disease – Public
Health Annual Report
2003 Study to shape the Boroughs Community Plan, Gave an overall
assessment of the borough with comparisons to national average as
well as other areas in the region
2003 Strategy for School Sport Partnerships
2004 Health Select Committee – Report into inequalities in Health in
Wigan Borough
2004 Supporting the Health of Young People in Wigan Borough Survey
with young people 10 – 16+
2004 Participation in sport, the arts, physical and creative activities in
England’s North West Survey with Y9 students
2004 Reports and strategic Plans – School Sport Partnerships
2004 Wigan’s Leisure and Culture Trust Non-user Survey
2004 Citizen’s Panel Report
2004 At least five a week – Evidence on the impact of physical activity
and its relationship to health (A report from the CMO) (Dept of Health)
2005 Choosing Activity – a physical activity action plan (Dept of Health)
2005 Carter Report – Sport England
2005 Youth Matters DFES
2005 Higher Standards, Better Schools for all – more choices for
parents and pupils, DFES
2006 Comprehensive Performance Assessment Sports and Physical
Activity Indicators – Sport England
Table E7
Title
Draft Wigan Parks and Open Spaces Strategy
Wigan Council / Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2007
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The key elements of the Parks Strategy are seen as:• A vision statement
• Determining the locations of the service
• Articulating what the service will aim to achieve
• Specifying what the service will provide
• Describing how the service will be provided
• Forecasting the financial /resource implications
The strategy document is still work in progress and is expected to be concluded following more
detailed work at Township level.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The vision is:
“Parks and green spaces will aim to make a significant contribution to the quality of life in the
borough. They will offer local communities the opportunity to shape and influence the features
and facilities provided and, above all, the chance to get active – physically, mentally and
creatively, and as citizens in the community.”
This is significant. It moves on from the previous service vision that made a contribution to the
quality of life in a passive way, to one which puts emphasis on the role of local communities in
shaping the service. This has not always been evident in the past. It also, of course, makes
direct reference to Getting Wigan Active (the vision of the Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust).
The next key element of the Strategy involves establishing a management framework. In
practice, this means a classification of sites so that appropriate and consistent management
practices can be applied across the service. The current conventional wisdom is to adopt a
classification that takes the form of a “hierarchy” based on the size of the site, its catchments
and its functionality. The model proposed (which generally follows the Planning Policy
Guidance (PPG)17 classification, but the names of the groups have been amended for local
circumstances) is:• Principal borough parks (serving a 3.2 km catchment)
• Township/district parks (serving a 1.2 km catchment)
• Playing fields (catchments vary)
• Local/community green spaces (generally serving a 400m catchment)
• Local nature sites/reserves (target of 1 ha per 1,000 residents)
The key sites proposed are:• Principal borough parks: Haigh Hall and Country Park, Pennington Flash Country Park,
Mesnes Park
• Township/district parks: Abram Park, Leyland Park (Hindley), Alexandra Park(Newtown),
Lilford Park, Ashfield Park, Orrell Water Park, Aspull Civic, Pennington Hall Park, Astley
Street Park, Shevington Park, Central Park (Atherton), Three Sisters Recreation Area,
Golborne Bonk, Walmesley Park (Lower Ince), Jubilee Park (Ashton)
There will be at least one ‘Township Park’ in each township, supplemented in some cases by a
Principal Park, and in all cases by a range of other provision (playing fields (including school
grounds where possible), play sites, local green spaces etc) to make up the township “offer”.
Opportunities
There are many smaller sites (local green spaces, etc.) that form a key part of the local
environment within the most deprived communities. It is here that the Strategy can make the
greatest contribution to these areas, by setting a framework that facilitates the bending of
mainstream resources into these areas.
The Green Flag award scheme for parks is nationally recognised. Quite a few local authorities
have 10 or more in their area. Wigan has none. There is general support for the scheme, and
therefore the service will aim to achieve a number of these over the next few years.
The Trust has begun some thinking on how to measure social impact, particularly in relation to
lifelong learning and health. A robust method of assessment is being trialled that attempts to
measure the impacts of parks activities. For example, there will be more emphasis on providing
for young people, particularly to support the new facilities that have been installed at some sites
(skate parks, multi-use games areas, etc.) and to measure the impacts of this work.
In terms of environmental impact, the Natural England target of 1 Ha of designated Local Nature
Reserve per 1,000 head of population is a useful one. Wigan currently has 203 ha. A further 98
ha is required to meet the target. The Parks Strategy will make a significant contribution to
addressing this gap. There is also a great opportunity to raise awareness of climate change
issues, and these will be built into new programmes of events and activities.
Issues and constraints
Some concerns remain amongst stakeholders that this will be a “league table” and that sites in
the lower leagues will be starved of resources or even disposed of altogether.
However, overall satisfaction rates have been falling, and in the last General Residents’ Survey
the Wigan score of 62 put the borough in the lowest quartile nationally. Equally, many of the
parks are in poor condition and 70% of residents wish to see improvements (Citizens’ Panel –
2006). Clearly, there is an expectation that the service should respond to these figures. The aim
will be to move the residents’ satisfaction score into the “mid-quartile”.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
We could include a policy on parks and open spaces and identify them on the Proposals Map –
the need for such a policy approach will be informed by our open space needs assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Appraisal framework to promote access to quality parks, green and open spaces.
Cross references (General)
Community Playgrounds Strategy
Green Playing Pitches Strategy
Local Bio-Diversity Strategy
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Community
Table E8
Title
Wigan Greenheart Regional Park Project
Proposal
Wigan Council
Proponent body
Non-statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
2006
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
The concept for the regional park is to regenerate approximately 15 square kilometres at the
heart of Wigan’s former coalfield into a linked up network of open space, sport and recreation
facilities, which encourage residents to make use of the ‘countryside on their doorstep’. The
strategic approach being put forward outlines the creation of a regional park which combines
canals, woodlands, wetlands, industrial heritage, sporting, leisure and commercial attractions in
a countryside setting to create a destination of regional significance for local people and tourists.
The project aims to regenerate the economy and provide local communities with a diverse range
of opportunities through the ‘Getting Wigan Active’ (the vision of the Wigan Leisure & Culture
Trust) programme to improve their overall health and well being.
Significant funding (£725,000) has been obtained from the European Regional Development
fund and will enable the appointment of a dedicated project manager to drive the project
forward. A number of partners are involved including the Council, Groundwork, Northwest
Development Agency, British Waterways, Lancashire Wildlife Trust. To ensure efficient
partnership working and drive the project forward a Greenheart Board has been established.
Key messages, requirements and objectives
The draft outline prospectus details a series of objectives, which will help achieve these aims:
• Recreation – to provide a range of indoor, outdoor, formal and informal recreational and
sporting opportunities.
• Nature conservation – To protect and enhance the area’s biodiversity.
• Accessibility – To make the park’s facilities as accessible as possible to the people of the
sub region and to encourage travel to and movement within the park by the most
sustainable means i.e. on foot, bicycle, boat, horse and public transport.
• Restore the environmental deficit – To reclaim all the derelict land within the park,
improve the environment and manage it to a high standard.
• Heritage conservation and interpretation – To conserve the built and industrial heritage,
enhance its setting, interpret its significance and market it to the public.
• Support wider regeneration – To contribute to the physical, economic and community
regeneration of the sub region by spreading benefits such as jobs, community development,
education and access to a high quality environment and facilities.
Opportunities
• The creation of a Regional Park Project which combines canals, woodlands, wetlands,
industrial heritage, sporting leisure and commercial attractions, in a countryside setting, to
create a ‘day visitor’ destination of regional significance for local people and tourists.
• The development a Regional Park Project that will regenerate the economy, benefit local
communities and radically change the image of the sub-region.
• To provide local communities with a diverse range of opportunities through the ‘Getting
Wigan Active’ programme to improve their overall health and well being.
Considerable gains for recreation / open space as well as nature conservation, accessibility, the
environment, heritage and regeneration.
A key element of the project is the planned Bickershaw Colliery development. The site is set to
receive £16.85 million as part of a larger £36 million funding package awarded through the
English Partnerships National Coalfields Programme. There are plans to create various open
space elements such as a country park, community woodland, allotments and walking and
cycling trails. A golf course, play area, landscaped outdoor events area and a visitor centre
providing educational facilities are all included within the initial plans. Work is expected to begin
in early 2008, subject to planning permission.
Issues and constraints
• Within the Greenheart area, a significant proportion of land is in the public realm, although
there are still some tracts of derelict, underused and neglected land
This is a very ambitious long-term project with very real potential but there are numerous issues
and constraints to overcome, such as land ownership, funding, maintenance, partnership
working.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Need to provide a complementary policy framework to help deliver the opportunities and a
robust policy framework to help tackle the constraints. The policy framework can deliver funding
for the Regional Park.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Appraisal framework to acknowledge the importance of the regional park in providing leisure and
nature conservation facilities and economic development.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Regional Economic Strategy
Biodiversity, Accessibility, Built environment,
Regional Spatial Strategy
Landscape
Title E9
Wigan Grass Playing Pitch Strategy
Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust
Proponent body
Non statutory
Status (e.g. statutory, nonstatutory)
Approx 2000
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
This strategy follows an initial Grass Playing Fields Strategy prepared in 1996 which identified a
number of problems and issues in relation to the supply of facilities. Following additional research
the new strategy will focus upon grass sports pitch provision; in particular the supply and demand
for soccer and rugby. Hockey is increasingly played on synthetic grass surfaces and will be
considered within a future study on synthetic sports pitch provision. Cricket is, to a large degree,
provided for within the voluntary sports sector, and, therefore, facilities will be considered within the
context of a Focus Sport Development Plan.
Key messages, requirements & objectives
• To protect existing land for playing field provision against development, where there is an
identifiable need/demand.
• To increase and enhance the number and quality of sports pitches within the Borough.
• To optimise the use of existing playing fields through a co-ordinated management and letting
policy.
• To assess current and latent demand for playing fields from the schools and voluntary sector
and the extent to which that demand is being met.
• To establish clear standards of provision based upon population catchment and the number of
teams within a designated area.
• To identify deficiencies in playing field provision, both in terms of quality and quantity.
• To identify deficiencies in changing accommodation provision, both in terms of quality and
quantity.
• To lever external funding towards addressing deficiencies in provision.
• To identify and prioritise potential sites to address deficiencies in provision.
• To establish a demarcation of future responsibility in relation to future playing field provision
and management.
• To establish a demarcation of future responsibility in relation to synthetic sports pitch provision
and management.
Opportunities
Opportunities were identified to potentially address problems and issues:• Capital funding of circa £950k earmarked within the Robin Park Development to match funding;
• The availability of Sports Lottery Funding;
• Existing and potential partnerships with the voluntary sports sector, as well as
Education/schools.
Issues and constraints
• There is a current shortfall in the area of playing field provision currently available for
community use of 67.45 hectares (based upon 1.21 hectares per thousand population). This is
likely to increase given forecasted population increases.
• Many leisure pitches are overplayed for their construction (3 or more games per week, plus
informal recreational use). This particularly applies to those sites with changing rooms.
• Many junior soccer teams are playing on adult-size pitches, which is not beneficial to the
children’s development and enjoyment of the game. There was however no national guidance
on this matter from the Football Association.
• Most leagues require changing facilities and a significant percentage of leisure pitches do not
have access to such. This is a major issue; a pitch may have no demand simply because it has
no changing facilities. The availability of pitches is not in itself sufficient.
• Many school pitches are of poor quality for curricular activities and are (at the decision of the
schools) not maintained to an appropriate level for the usage they receive. This includes
examples of adult soccer teams playing on pitches only maintained for primary school use.
• Evidence indicates that there is a level of latent demand for soccer, particularly mini-soccer.
• Many rugby pitches are overplayed because mini and junior (midi) pitches are played over
them.
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
•
Wigan Unitary Development Plan Policy C1B already incorporates the quantitative standards.
•
Take account of key messages relating to open space and sports pitch provision, particularly
qualitative issues
•
Will be updated through the Needs Assessment.
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
•
Sustainability framework to include sub-criteria ensuring access to quality sports pitches and
open space.
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)
Wigan Unitary Development Plan
Landscape
Local Agenda 21
Green Belt
Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West
Wigan Open Space, Sport and recreation Needs
Assessment
Table
Title
Proponent body
Status (e.g. statutory, non-statutory)
Date produced
Why is it relevant to the Local Development Framework?
Key messages, requirements and objectives
Opportunities
Issues and constraints
How could the Local Development Framework respond?
Implications for the sustainability appraisal
Cross references (General)
Cross Reference (Topic Reviews)