An Assessment of Open Space, Sport and Recreation (PPG 17 Compliant)

Section I - Introduction

Introduction

1.1

Strategic Leisure Limited (SLL) was appointed by Thanet District Council (TDC) in July 2005 to undertake an assessment of open space, sport and recreation facilities (PPG 171 compliant) to identify local needs for provision, and opportunities for enhancement, development or replacement of current

facilities.

Scope of the Study

1.2

The study adheres to the guidance detailed in “Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide

to PPG17” on undertaking local assessments of open space, sport and recreation provision. The study has included an audit of existing indoor and outdoor open space, sport and recreational facilities in terms of:

• Quantity
• Quality
• Accessibility

1.3

The study has also given consideration to the following factors:

• Different uses of facilities
• Classification and differing typologies of provision
• The scale and availability of resources for maintenance / management
• English Nature’s “Natural Accessible Greenspace Standards”

1.4

The study undertaken has included:

• Consideration of the likely needs up to 2017
• A review of all existing applicable plans and strategies
• A review of existing open space, leisure and recreation policies contained within the Local Development Plan (LDP).
• A range of consultation exercises to ascertain the views of the local community, key interest groups and wider stakeholders
• Consideration of existing facilities within the district, including provision by the local authority (including education), private and voluntary sectors
• An assessment of playing pitch provision using the methodology detailed in “Toward a Level Playing Field: A Guide to the Production of Playing Pitch Strategies” (Sport England, 2002)
• Recommendations for local standards of provision with regard to quantity, quality and accessibility for inclusion within the emerging Local Development Framework

Structure of Study Report

1.5

A number of key tasks have been undertaken to complete the assessment and develop standards of

provision and recommendations. These are detailed in Section II.

1.6

This report has been structured as follows, to assist in the presentation, and analysis of a vast amount of

information.

Section I - Introduction to, and rationale for, the study

Section II - Study Methodology - approach, techniques, consultation Rationale, and explanations of quality ratings

Section III -

• Assessment Findings, by typology (types of open space/facility), on a District wide basis
• Findings, by typology, on an area basis
• Local Standards - their rationale, recommendations for Thanet, and implication of their application
• Recommendations and Conclusions

Rationale: Why Develop a Strategy?

1.7

The desirable outcomes from undertaking a PPG17 Assessment are to provide local people with networks of accessible, high quality open spaces and sports and recreation facilities in both rural and urban areas, which will meet the need of local people and visitors. PPG 17 strives to provide a balance between enhancing existing provision and new provision.

1.8

The provision of good quality, accessible open spaces, and sport and recreation facilities can make a

positive contribution to a number of key social objectives. These include:

1.9

Promoting and supporting the urban renaissance agenda through the provision of local networks of

well maintained and well managed, open spaces, sports and recreational facilities in order to help create urban environments that are safe, attractive and clean. Greenspaces in urban areas perform vital functions as areas for nature conservation and biodiversity and by acting as’ green lungs’ can assist in meeting objectives to improve air quality.

1.10

Supporting rural renewal – the countryside can provide opportunities for recreation and visitors can play an important role in the regeneration of the economies of rural areas. Open spaces within rural settlements and accessibility to local sport and recreational facilities contribute to the quality of life and well being of those people that live in the remoter areas.

1.11

Promoting social inclusion and community cohesion – well planned and maintained open spaces

and good quality sports and recreational facilities can play a major part in improving people’s sense of well being in the place they live. As a focal point for community activity, they can bring people from deprived communities together providing opportunities for wider social interaction.

1.12

Health and well being – open space, sports and recreational facilities have a vital role to play promoting healthy living and preventing illness and in the social development of children of all ages through play, sporting activities and interaction with others.

1.13

Promoting more sustainable development – by ensuring that open space, sports and recreational

facilities (particularly in urban areas) are easily accessible by walking or cycling and that more heavily used or intensive sports and recreational facilities are planned in locations well served by public transport.

1.14

Improving open spaces, sport and recreation facilities and to encourage greater use by all members of

the community. A key driver for this is to provide the residents of the District with safe, accessible, attractive provision and facilities that are of the right type and meet the needs of the communities that use them.

1.15

Protecting valuable provision from development where there is a definite need and ensuring that new

landscape schemes contribute to improving the area and that quality is maintained obtaining correct levels of funding.

1.16

Identify processes for Partnership Involvement – the Council is keen to involve local communities in the management of greenspaces and wishes to create opportunities for people to be involved and have ownership, working together to improve the greenspace.

Key Principles of the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment

1.19

There are several key principles in the development of the assessment, they are:

• To concentrate on providing quality provision
• To develop wider use of facilities with restricted access e.g. school facilities
• To secure high levels of access at a local level to a range of facilities (variety of green spaces and sport/recreation facilities)
• To respond to local needs when there is a clear articulated consensus of opinion
• To concentrate on providing sports pitches at strategic locations fit for purpose
• To develop local standards to meet local needs

The Thanet Approach: Methodology

1.20

For the assessment, the Companion Guide to PPG17 identifies five key steps to undertaking an assessment of playing pitches, indoor facilities and open space. These are broadly:

• Step 1 – Identifying Local Needs
• Step 2 – Auditing Local Provision
• Step 3 – Setting Provision Standards
• Step 4 – Applying Provision Standards
• Step 5 – Recommendations

1.21

The desirable outcomes from undertaking a PPG 17 Assessment are to provide local people with networks of accessible, high quality open spaces and sports and recreation facilities in both rural and urban areas, which will meet the needs of LOCAL people and visitors. PPG 17 strives to provide a balance between enhancing existing provision and new provision. The study undertaken for Thanet District Council has followed the framework above.

1.22

The objectives of the open space and indoor recreation study are to:

• Assess the quantity, quality and accessibility of open space and recreational facilities in the distinct.
• Set local standards for the quantity, quality and accessibility of open space and recreational facilities taking into account local needs and priorities in accordance with PPG17
• Identify deficiencies or surpluses in the quantity, quality and accessibility of open space and provide recommendations for resolving them
• Provide information to inform decisions and help determine future development proposals in the area and feed into the Local Development Framework (LDF) (In line with Central Government guidance contained in PPG12)
• Support corporate and departmental strategies including the community strategy, cultural strategy, leisure plan.

1.23

A number of key tasks have been undertaken to complete the assessment and develop standards of provision and recommendations. These are summarised below:

1.24

Stage 1: Identification of local needs: The following key tasks have been undertaken:

• A review of the implications and priorities of existing strategies to identify links with existing strategic priorities.
• A review of existing policies and provision standards relating to open space, sport and recreation facilities.
• Consultation with the community and stakeholders via Sports Club Surveys, School Surveys and Face-to-face meetings. Additionally a 500 door to door survey to capture the views of facility users and non-users was undertaken.

1.25

Stage 2: Audit of local provision: The following key tasks have been undertaken:

• Review of quantitative information held by the Council
• Site visits to an identified sample of over 200 known open space, sport and recreation facilities with community use (across all sectors)
• Consultation with facility providers
• Mapping facilities in respect of location and catchment area

1.26

Stage 3: Setting Provision Standards: The following key tasks have been undertaken:

• Quantity Standards set using the findings of facility audits, local consultation and demand modelling.
• Quality Standards set using the findings of facility audits and local consultation.
• Accessibility Standards set using the findings of facility audits, local consultation and mapping catchment areas.

1.27

Stage 4: Application of Provision Standards: On the basis of the standards set, application of these,

such as defined catchment areas, the impact of poor quality, allows the:

• Identification of deficiencies in accessibility
• Identification of deficiencies in quality
• Identification of surpluses or deficiencies in quantity

1.28

The strategy has been developed to provide an overall framework that will guide the Council in future

management and designation of open spaces

Context for Study

1.29

In undertaking this study, it has been important to reference and reflect the thinking at national level, on

the role of open space, sport and recreation provision. The key strategic influences are summarised in

Table 1.1

1.30

The need for improved use and management of open spaces particularly public parks in urban areas has

seen increased commitment demonstrated in national regional and local government policy.

1.31

The recent Urban Parks Assessment undertaken by the DETR found the shortfall in budgets for public

Greenspace nationally to be in excess of £1.3 billion.

1.32

A prescribed methodology for the assessment of playing pitch provision is detailed in “Towards a Level Playing Field” (Sport England, CCPR, 2002). In addition to the assessment methodology, a number of policies to oppose the loss of playing fields are detailed in this guidance document.

1.33

The following key documents summarised in Table 1.1 below have provided the impetus for the development and preparation of this strategy. They include:

Table 1.1 - National and Local Planning Guidance Strategic Framework and Assessment

Of equal importance is the need for the study to reflect the local context, to ensure that whilst the principles of the audit and assessment correspond with national policies and legislation, the outcomes of the study clearly link with the local issues, inform planning policy, and support achievement of the corporate priorities in Thanet. This approach has been adopted to ensure that the study sets out a clear way forward for the Council, and its partners, for the future development, provision protection and delivery of open space, sport and recreation as part of the overall regeneration and development of the District, for the benefit of local people.

Next: Section II - Methodology

Section I - Introduction

Section II - Methodology

Section III - Audit of Local Provision

• Parks, Formal Gardens and Recreation Grounds
• Natural and Semi Natural Greenspace
• Green Corridors
• Outdoor Sports Facilities
• Sport by Sport Assessment - Key Findings
• Other Outdoor Sports
• Indoor Sport Provision
• Amenity Greenspace
• Provision for Children and Young People
• Allotments
• Cemeteries & Churchyards
• Generic Recommendations 

E-mail: local.plans@
thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577591