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

SECTION 7:PLAYING PITCH STRATEGYIntroduction1. The Playing Pitch Strategy assesses the current and future demand for grassplaying fields for the whole of <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent. It updates the 2003 PlayingPitch Strategy to take account of:• Changes to the number and quality of pitches and playing fields since2003;• Changes in demand for grass playing fields from football, rugby union andcricket, including trends within the sports;• The Building Schools for the Future programme which has the potential tobe both an opportunity to increase/secure community access to schoolplaying pitches (and other sports facilities) and to be a threat toexisting/potential community access, where proposals look to utiliseplaying fields for buildings, hard play and car parking;• The changing population – this is expected to be relatively stable, but witha gradually aging population;• New policies and strategies from the national governing bodies at thenational, regional and county level.2. The updated Playing Pitch Strategy highlights the main findings for each ofthe key sports of Football, Cricket and Rugby in terms of pitch requirementsand priorities for action in the short term. It guides planning policy in terms ofprotecting existing sites and providing new provision.3. In particular it considers how school playing fields can be used for thecommunity where schools are planned to close or move as part of theBuilding Schools for the Future programme.4. The comprehensive sites list is provided as Appendix 16.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 268Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009