Agenda item

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report on the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy. She advised that the Council had agreed to undertake a review of the district plan including an update of the evidence documents needed to support the new District Plan.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy 2025 replaced the previous playing pitch strategy, published in 2017. The report summarised the findings, provided a robust assessment of the supply and demand for outdoor sports facilities across East Herts and set out a framework for protecting, enhancing and providing new facilities to meet community needs up to 2043. The strategy had been developed in accordance with Sports England guidance.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth highlighted that since the Executive meeting, some minor factual errors had been corrected in the golf sections of the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy. Whilst the location of golf clubs within each sub-area were shown correctly in figure 12.1 of Appendix B, the accompanying table labelled the sub-areas of some of the facilities incorrectly. In addition, reference to Whitehill Golf Club driving range had been updated to clarify that the driving range was available on a pay and play basis and not for Members only. Consequently, these changes were also reflected in the assessment summaries within Appendix C, The Strategy and Action Plan. It was noted that these minor amendments to Appendix B and C did not affect the analysis of golf provision and had been corrected for clarity.

Councillor Glover-Ward, the Executive Member for Planning and Growth proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor Wilson seconded the proposal.

Members welcomed the report, and the importance placed on sports and exercise.

Members acknowledged that although future growth had not been formally considered, the delivery of some projects was likely to be dependent on future growth and planning obligations. It was confirmed that the strategy would inform development decisions for Section 106 funding. It was noted that whilst Sports England was no longer a statutory consultee on planning, their role would continue in an advisory capacity.

Following a public question, Members highlighted the request for spectator sports (including Speedway) to be included in the plan, despite them not being participatory.  Members heard that there had not been any intention to update the strategy document to include them. It was however noted that if evidence was brought forward by the Speedway group as part of the district plan consultations, it would be considered for inclusion in the district plan.

In response to a Member question regarding alternative surfaces for 3G pitches, Members heard that Sports England were currently undertaking research in this area and that the Council would be guided by their advice.

Concerns were raised that the distinction between public facilities and private members’ facilities had not been made clear enough. In addition, Members queried if there had been omissions, particularly under the heading “Other open space and sports facilities”. It was noted that activities such as basketball, softball, BMX, motorsport, speedway and canoeing had not been covered, even though they formed part of sport and recreation. Members were informed that canoeing had been referenced on page 260 of the report, and it had included consultation with the British Canoe Union.

The motion to support the recommendation, having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy, attached as Appendix A, B and C was agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts District Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications.

(B) future updates of the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Action Plan be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.