Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Implications155. Only one of the existing large-size pitches is on a school site (Holden Lane HighSchool) and this is run as a commercial venture outside of school hours. Theschool is remaining under the current proposals, and the pitch is thereforereasonably secure in the long-term for both school and community use.156. There is a small-sided pitch at St Peters High School which will be affected bythe proposed school reorganisation programme as the school is due to berelocated. Alternative provision should be sought in the area, and this may bebest met through the development of a full-size STP at Thistley Hough.157. There are opportunities for new provision under the schools reorganisationprogramme (BSF), and it is proposed that new full-size pitches are developed onschool sites at Brownhills (to link to the Trubshaw Cross grass pitch site),James Brindley Blurton School, and at either the new 20:20 Discovery Academysite or the new Longton Leisure Centre.158. It is proposed not to prescribe in this report which type of STP is to be providedon which site as this will largely need to reflect the priorities of the schoolsinvolved, as well as taking account of any gaps in provision locally. This will alsogive schools the opportunity to consider a pitch type which can cater for bothhockey and football, reflecting the new guidance from England Hockey.Adopted standards of ONS comparators159. Neither <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent nor the ONS family group authorities have adoptedstandards of provision for STPs.ConsultationElected Mayor’s Green Paper for Sport and Physical Activity160. Football came out as the third most popular activity in relation to the question“What sports facilities and programmes would you like the city to develop?”however the answers did not differentiate between football on grass or onsynthetic pitches.161. The general issue about cost and local availability of facilities is relevant here,particularly in light of the comments and low usage levels shown by the children’sand young people survey (see below).Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 161Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009