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

165. If these sites are not developed for rugby, they should still be secured forcommunity use for football.166. .167. The opportunity to play rugby matches on synthetic surfaces has beensanctioned by the RFU, but under limited circumstances. The opportunityshould be taken however to consider if, through the provision of an STP whichmeets the RFU technical specifications for match play, the club(s) can berelocated in <strong>Stoke</strong> to James Brindley and/or Mitchell High School sites.Standards of provision for rugby168. It is proposed that 1 additional site with 2 pitches is brought into securecommunity use in the period up to 2016 in order to provide a base for HanfordRUFC. The proposed rate of provision per 1000 is therefore 0.07 ha per1000, which includes the playing field area in addition to the pitch itself.Number of pitches in 2008 in secure community use withinthe City 10Population 244,000Pitches per 1000 (incl pitches outside authority area) 0.04Playing field area @ 150% of pitch area (1 pitch = 1.2 ha) 0.07169. This quantitative standard should be supplemented by accessibility andquality standards, as set out in the Planning Policies section of this report.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 331Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009