Issue - meetings

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture presented the report on the adoption of the revised Nottingham City Playing Pitch Strategy, which is informed by new Sport England assessment methodologies.

The revised Strategy covers Nottingham’s football pitches, cricket pitches, rugby pitches (Union and League), artificial grass pitches, tennis courts and bowling greens.

RESOLVED

(1)  to adopt the updated Playing Pitch Strategy and its strategic recommendations at Appendix 1 to the report;

(2)  to use the document to inform the review of the Local Plan, helping shape policy, inform on the protection and provision of sports facilities and provide development opportunities as part of the review of the Local Plan to help address housing needs of the city;

(3)  to note the agreed approach with Sport England and the National Governing bodies of sport for the disposal of surplus sites for new housing growth, as listed within Appendix 1;

(4)  to agree the action plan, which provides a framework for the improvement maintenance , development and, as appropriate, rationalisation of the playing pitch stock;

(5)  to delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture and the Director of Neighbourhood Services to implement the action plans within the Playing Pitch Strategy.

Reasons for decisions

The revised Playing Pitch Strategy provides a robust, up-to-date assessment for sport and recreation facilities, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.

The revised Strategy provides the framework for the maintenance and improvement of formal outdoor sports facilities, as well as providing an agreed approach for the release of surplus facilities for development opportunities, as part of the review of the Local Plan.

Other options considered

Not completing the Strategy: rejected, as this would mean that there would be no clear rationale or strategic support for attaining external funding to take forward these developments.