Purpose

The current Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy
(PPS) was compiled in 2016 and adopted by Wiltshire
Council in February 2017. We have been advised by Sport England
this strategy is now out of date.

The PPS renewal will give Wiltshire Council a new, up-to-date
strategy, data set and strategic framework to provide the necessary
robustness and direction to inform decisions affecting the
provision of playing pitches (inc. artificial pitches) and
ancillary services.

The strategy covers the four main playing pitch sports of football,
cricket, rugby and hockey, looking at both grass pitches,
artificial turf pitches and ancillary services. There are four main
parts: -

1. Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS): The strategy
document.
2. Action Plan: Giving clarity on strategic priorities.
3. Community Area Profiles: Looking at more local needs within the
Councils 18 community areas.
4. Needs Assessment: Research data to inform decision making and
policy development.

A PPS strategy is required to be produced in accordance with
national planning guidance to provide a robust and objective
justification for future community sporting infrastructure
provision throughout Wiltshire. An up-to-date Wiltshire PPS is a
tool to assist in the planning process and is needed to underpin
the new Wiltshire Local Plan as an evidence base to conform with
the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). A renewal of the
Wiltshire PPS can: -

• Provide a fresh strategic approach and direction to playing
pitch provision with outlined priorities.
• Inform and provide a strategic evidence base in the Councils
negotiation and securing of S106 developer contributions towards
pitches and facilities.
• Provide a strategic view and options for the provision of
pitches aligned to the Local Plan Review (LPR) for Wiltshire,
helping to meet housing development strain on community sporting
infrastructure.
• Be used as robust evidence to protect existing playing
pitches and fields to help defend against inappropriate development
or loss of pitches.
• Create an area-by-area community assessment of need adding
support for local place shaping priorities.
• Outline a priority list of deliverable projects that will
help to meet any current deficiencies, provide for future demands
and feed into wider Council infrastructure planning work.
• Support increased formal club-based sport as well as social,
casual and informal sporting opportunities helping all Wiltshire
residents to get more active including those who face barriers to
participation and/or experience multiple health inequalities.
• Provide evidence of need for a range of capital grants and
help secure external funding.
• Provide for an integrated approach towards land use planning
and playing pitch provision (inc. school playing fields) through
the Council’s LPR and through decisions on individual
planning applications.

Content

Resolved: 

 
That Cabinet approve
and adopt the Wiltshire Playing Pitch Strategy.
 
Reason for Decision:
 
An
up-to-date Wiltshire PPS is a tool to assist in the planning
process, it informs decision making, policy development, the
levering in of s106 developer contributions and is needed to
underpin the Wiltshire Local Plan as an evidence base to conform
with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).