Playing Pitch Strategy

Rotherham has lots of playing pitches in parks, recreation grounds, schools, colleges and clubs across the borough. Many of these are available for community use. The pitches support thriving leagues and other competitions in football, cricket, rugby league, rugby union, and hockey. They can also be used for informal recreation and to enhance the local landscape.

The Council has a major role in ensuring that future pitch provision meets changing patterns of demand, not only as a service provider but also as a planning authority. For this reason work has been undertaken by the Council, supported by Sport England, to better understand current and future requirements for pitches in different sports. We have also looked at the current quantity and quality of pitches so that we can assess where improvements might be needed to meet demand.

This work has allowed us to produce a Playing Pitch Strategy. The strategy is available via the "Related Downloads" link below.

Thank you to all who shared their comments on Rotherham's draft Playing Pitch strategy. The consultation process has ended and the Playing Pitch Strategy has now been adopted as Council policy.

Background information about the assessment of demand for playing pitches and current supply is contained within two reports produced by he Council's consultants Scott Wilson in 2004 and 2005. These reports are available on request.

Consultation Feedback - January 2008

Introduction

The Council would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation process and gave up time to view and comment on the draft Playing Pitch Strategy. The purpose of this stage of the consultation was to seek the views of key groups and interested individuals on the findings to date, and on the proposed way forward identified in the draft strategy.

A list of those consulted and their feedback is presented below, along with an indication of the response to that feedback, and a summary of the next steps.

It is important to note that where there has been no specific feedback in relation to issues and proposals, an assumption has been made that the strategy should pursue the suggested directions. It is also important to note that the strategy is an ongoing piece of work and over time needs to take account of any changes in circumstances which might affect the key principles and action plans. As such we would encourage people to continue to offer feedback which they think might be relevant and of which the strategy might take account at appropriate points in its development.

What did we do?

The consultation process began in May 2007 and continued until July/August 2007. The process allowed for individuals/groups to comment on any aspect of the draft strategy. It was carried out through meetings, presentations to groups, letters and emails. The strategy document was also placed on the Council's website and intranet with a link from the "Home Page" allowing for ease of access.

All comments received have been responded to in the table in this document.

What did we find?

The consultation process was structured in an open format thus inviting a variety of different responses across a wide number of topics. Comments not only focused on the content of the draft Playing Pitch Strategy but on general sports provision throughout the borough. The findings were of a qualitative nature and have been grouped as follows:

1. 5 key sites
2. Standard Sites
3. School Sites
4. General Comments
5. Club Matters
6. Representative Organisations

List of Consultees

Site	Comments	Issue	Response
1) 5 KEY SITES
Herringthorpe Playing Fields	Improvement in the quality of the all weather surface and floodlighting to be maintained. Poor quality of showers.	Operational issue	The Playing Pitch Strategy is focused on the strategic development of grass based pitches and ancillary facilities including changing rooms. As Herringthorpe Playing Fields is identified as a key site, planned improvements will address these issues. The Strategy action plan (A10) identifies the need for more work to be done in relation to the development of artificial playing surfaces.
Bill Hawes Recreation Ground	Parking/ access to grounds/ Lack of Police involvement	Operational issue	Parking will be a consideration of any master planning exercise for the site once the key sites have been agreed. Local consultation will be an essential part of developing a master plan for Bill Hawes Recreation Ground and other sites. Where cars are blocking access to housing, the Police should be contacted.
	Concerns on underlying surface	Operational issue	Prior to any development / improvement work at any site appropriate surveys and investigatory work will be undertaken.
	Litter/ mud on roads	Operational issue	This is an operational matter relating to the lack of current car parking which is something that will be addressed if the site is to be developed. At present we are working to improve this issue by writing to teams and monitoring the situation
	Wild Deer	Operational issue	There are Roe Deer living in the area but not on the site itself. As any new developments will not change the landscape it is felt that there will be no negative impact on the local deer population.
	Concern over height of trees	Operational issue	The is not directly related to the Playing Pitch Strategy, Trees and Woodlands will be made aware of this issue
	Ruts and hollows to land	Operational issue	Any new development will involve the levelling of the current surface
	Request for community consultation	Operational issue	Any master planning exercise for the site will involve local consultation.
	Request for improvements to changing facilities	Operational issue	It is envisaged that any development to the site will include improvements to the current changing/ ancillary facilities
Greenland's Park	Changing Character of Park	Strategic issue	There is already an adopted master plan for this site. The plan has been designed to retain the existing character of the park as well as identifying any additional pitches which may be required. The plan aims to meet the needs of all user groups. Resident's views on the location of the pitches were taken into account when the master plan was produced.
	Proposed location of additional pitch and proximity to residents.	Operational issue	The proposed future pitch is planned should demand increase. The proximity to residents is something which was discussed at the time of the development of the master plan. However residents concerns will be considered if a future pitch is required.
	Parking/ changing issues if more pitches are created	Operational issue	At present there is surplus parking available according to recommendations, however, Parking/ changing will be a consideration of any proposed development once the key sites have been agreed.
2) STANDARD SITES
	Lack of quality provision in Rawmarsh	Strategic issue	The 5 Key sites have been chosen based on their location, number of pitches and potential for development. However improving provision on all sites is part of the long term plan, although this will depend on the availability of funding. There are proposals for Barbers Avenue to receive new changing facilities as part of the new call centre development
	Changing provision at Barnsley road	Operational issue	This needs to be considered as part of current and future operational management of the site. However the strategy does not identify this site as a priority and as such any development would only be considered after the key sites and it would also be dependent on the availability of funding opportunities.
	Should not always concentrate on multi- pitch sites. Single pitch sites should be considered.	Strategic issue	In establishing the priorities, key multi pitch sites have been identified as having the greatest potential to meet need / demand and have therefore been identified as the highest priority. This is considered to be good practice and is supported by Sport England. If the strategy is agreed and when work is completed on the key sites, it will be possible to consider single pitch sites.
3) SCHOOL SITES
	Community use of Rawmarsh Sports College	Strategic issue	Community use of school sites is identified in the Strategy action plan (A8)
	Community use of Dinnington Comprehensive School	Strategic issue	Community use of school sites is identified in the Strategy action plan (A8)
4) GENERAL
	Fencing around sites	Operational issue	Wherever possible RMBC owned sites have access controls for health and safety reasons. Public access is allowed in all cases. Only sites that are leased or privately owned are restricted from public use.
	Lack of grounds maintenance	Strategic issue & Operational issue	Current and future levels of maintenance will be considered as part of the process of setting quality standards for playing pitches (A3).
	Posts available out of season	Operational issue	Goal posts are not erected during the off season to allow time for pitches to recover from the seasons use. There is no intention to change this policy as it would have an adverse effect on improving quality standards. The Strategy action plan (A10) identifies the need for more work to be done in relation to the development of training facilities.
	Two pitches required for Wath St. James FC	Strategic issue	Adequate provision of playing facilities, which are available in the right place at the right time, is an essential element of the Strategy (A1). This issue will be picked up as part of the implementation of the strategy but it is recognised that there may not be a simple or short term solution
	Thurcroft Miners Welfare require upgrading of facilities and disabled access	Operational issues	This is not identified as a priority in the Strategy but could form part of the second phase, standard site development. Thurcroft Sports Federation is currently seeking funding to improve the facilities on this site.
	Foul language during matches	Operational issues	All pitch users will be reminded of courtesy issues at the start of each season as part of their hire agreements
5) CLUB MATTERS
	Ruby Cook pitch usage rates	N/A	An update was provided by Bramley Sunnyside Junior Football Club on the numbers of teams within the club.
	Upper Haugh Cricket Club	N/A	An update was provided on the numbers of teams within the club and that the club site is privately owned and not Parish Council owned as previously stated.
	Rotherham Hockey Club- lack of water based Synthetic Turf Pitches	N/A	An update was provided on the numbers of teams within the club. Rotherham Hockey Club will be invited to local consultation regarding new facilities in the Borough.
6) LEAGUE REPRESENTITIVES
	Rotherham FA, Rotherham Sunday League and Rotherham Grounds Committee are in full agreement with playing pitch strategy.	Strategic issue	N/A
	Concerns over lack of changing and vandalism	Strategic issue	A major theme of the Strategy is to address current issues relating to provision and protection of facilities
	Implementation of plan should be as soon as possible	Strategic issue	Adoption of the Strategy is planned for early 2008. Timescales for physical developments are unknown at this point.
	New pitches should be of a suitable standard to cater for higher playing standards.	Strategic issue	The proposal for 5 key sites is aimed at meeting this
	Agreement with 5 key sites	Strategic issue	Rotherham Sunday League Committee and grounds Committee support the chosen 5 sites for development.
	Teams in north Rotherham currently have to play out of the borough as there are insufficient pitches in the area.	Strategic issue	Adequate provision of playing facilities, which are available in the right place at the right time, is an essential element of the Strategy. This issue will be picked up as part of the implementation of the strategy but it is recognised that there may not be a simple or short term solution

What next?

Consultation on the draft playing pitch strategy produced a variety of comments and feedback. A significant amount of the information received related to operational issues, which can and should be dealt with through the day to day management of the sites. As such this information has either been passed on to the Council's Green Space management team or it is being used to inform the development of new management plans for particular sites. Information identified as a strategic issue has been taken account of in the re-drafting of the strategy and associated action plan.

Analysis of the feedback suggests that the findings, key issues, recommendations and proposed course of action (i.e. the action plan) are broadly supported, and as long as the issues identified above are taken account of, it is reasonable to assume that the strategy can be progressed along the proposed lines. The feedback also suggests that consultees are supportive of the proposed 5 key sites, subject to further consultation at a local level.

Update - July 2009

Following the consultation we have sought approval from Council members on both the strategy and proposed action plan. We are pleased to let you know that the Playing Pitch Strategy has now been accepted as Council policy.

Officer will now carry out further local consultation and partnership working in order to develop detailed plans, identify necessary funding and deliver the proposed improvements. The Council recognises that it will not be able to achieve these improvements on its own and that the Strategy document is only the start of a potentially long process, during which it will be necessary to prioritise resources in order to determine what might be done and when. However the Strategy does mark the start of what could be a very exciting and much needed process of redevelopment across a range of playing pitch facilities in the borough.

Once again we would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the process and we hope that we will all be able to continue to work together to develop and deliver these ideas and plans.

Consultees included

• Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA/ Junior League
• The Football Foundation
• Sport England
• Cabinet/ Ward Members
• Local community organisations
• Schools/ Colleges
• RMBC Service Areas
• Parish Councils
• CISWO (Coalfields Industry Social Welfare Organisation)
• Rotherham Sunday Football League
• Rotherham United FC
• Meadowhall Sunday League
• Millennium Junior League
• Doncaster Free Press League
• County Senior League
• North East Counties League
• South Yorkshire Cricket League
• Yorkshire Cricket Board
• Rotherham Town Cricket Club
• Sheffield & Doncaster Cricket League
• Rotherham FA 
• Rotherham Midweek Cricket League
• Rotherham Titans Rugby Union Club
• Rotherham Roosters Rugby League Club
• Wath RFC
• Dinnington RFC
• Rotherham Clifton
• Dearne Valley Bulldogs
• Rotherham Hockey Club
• South Yorkshire Sport
• Local Junior Football Clubs
• General Public