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

Grass vs synthetic turf pitches51. Section 6 of the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy includes a major sectionon synthetic turf pitches, and the trends towards increasing demand for thistype of provision. The further development of the network of 3rd GenerationSTPs appears likely to ensure that adult game remains strong in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent. However, the following needs also be to taken into account indetermining the balance between grass pitchand synthetic provision:• Hire cost – mini and junior teams in particular often struggle to meet hirecosts and are unable to make regular bookings. If the hire charges are setartificially low it will potentially impact on the economic viability of facilitieswhich have to set realistic charges to balance management, operationaland ongoing maintenance costs (including longer term carpet replacementcost);• Market sustainability - it is very difficult to assess the market for 3 rdGeneration or other types of synthetic turf pitches, whether small or largesize. There are already two commercial small-sided multi-pitch venues in<strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent, plus three large size pitches and a number of small sizevenues. Experiences from other authorities have indicated that the totalmarket for football is limited, and that increasing the number of pitchesmay not in itself lead to increased demand;• Floodlighting – for synthetic turf pitches to be viable they need to be openduring the evening which requires floodlighting. Planning applications forfloodlighting are often successfully challenged, particularly in urban areas;• Economic viability - a much expanded network of 3 rd Generation STPsmay not be the answer to maintaining or increasing mini and junior footballin <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent. If schools wish to include them within their facility mix itwould be advisable to build a business case where community-use is seenas a bonus if the market is shown to be there, rather than an integralcomponent;• Maintenance issues - the FA have highlighted a number of issues, notleast the difficulty of continuing to achieve the optimum playingperformance where there is a high intensity of use and/or shortcomings inthe quality of the maintenance routine for the surface.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 288Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009