Playing pitch strategy approved at Cabinet

A playing pitch strategy, approved at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (29 August), assesses current and future demand for formal sports pitches in the borough over the 10-year period from 2016 to 2026.

It covers all pitches in the borough not just those owned by the council, focussing on the main pitch sports of cricket, football, hockey, lacrosse, rounders, rugby league and rugby union.

The strategy proposes a ‘sports hub’ in each township area at Heywood Sports Village, Bowlee Playing Fields, Littleborough Sports Centre and Firgrove. Where these hubs don’t currently offer the full range of sports and facilities it is proposed that they are supported by key school sites to supplement the offer.

Overall the findings suggest that the borough currently has:

• Shortfalls of junior football provision and moderate spare capacity of adult and mini football pitches
• Shortfalls of cricket provision
• Rugby Union pitches are being played to capacity
• Rugby League pitches are being played to capacity
• Hockey pitches are being played to capacity
• Lacrosse pitches are being played to capacity
• Rounders pitches are being played to capacity
• There is a shortfall of 1 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) to meet current training demand

The assessment shows there are no surpluses of pitch provision and that some currently unused sites may be required to be brought back into use to meet future demand.

The aims of the strategy align with Sport England’s aims to protect playing pitches for formal sports; to enhance facilities where this is needed to meet the needs of a particular sport or club or to increase capacity to meet demand; and to provide facilities where they do not currently exist.

The strategy has been developed through consultation with Sport England, the pitch sport National Governing Bodies, sports clubs, league associations, schools and colleges. It has been informed through a review of the borough’s sports pitches and ancillary facilities.