Local Football Facility Plan Basildon

Basildon is located in the Eastern region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 184,479. This is expected to rise to 218,596 by 2039.

31.3% of the Basildon population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups), which is similar to the national average of 30.6%.

Basildon’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (92.7%) which is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Basildon’s population represented by the BAME community is 7.3%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Local Authority

Basildon Borough Council’s Health and Wellbeing Policy (2018) demonstrates the Council’s commitment to work collaboratively with partners to influence the factors that are the biggest contributors to health inequalities in the Borough. Basildon Borough Council recognises that many of the core functions that it delivers can act as levers to positively impact on the health and wellbeing of its residents; examples of which include provision of play areas, maintenance of the public realm and green space and the provision of leisure services to facilitate access to activities that promote physical activity.

The local authority is in the process of developing a Playing Pitch Strategy, which will be signed off by the end of 2018. The PPS states that there are six full size 3G FTP, resulting in a shortfall of two 3G FTPs in the Authority. The PPS identifies a total of 174 grass football pitches within Basildon across 46 sites, of which 157 pitches are available for community use across 35 sites. Of the community available pitches, 22 pitches are assessed as good quality, 77 as standard and 59 as poor quality. The PPS determines that there are current shortfalls of youth 11v11, youth 9v9 and mini 5v5 pitches, which remains the case when accounting for future demand.

The overarching priorities in the PPS are to better utilise current provision, through improving quality, improving ancillary facilities, re-configuring pitches and enabling access to existing unused provision (e.g. unavailable school sites) in order to alleviate shortfalls. There is also a need to provide 3G FTPs to help reduce grass pitch shortfalls through the transfer of play, thus reducing overplay, which in turn can aid pitch quality improvements.

The PSS Strategy and Action Plan links into an overarching vision and strategy for the South Essex area. The Association of South Essex Authorities (ASELA) consists of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Essex County, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, and Thurrock councils. All seven councils have recognised the need for cross boundary working on strategic issues such as infrastructure, planning and growth, skills, housing and transport connectivity.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 10th January 2018. This recognises that through a collaborative approach, the councils will be best placed to deliver a vision for South Essex up to 2050, promoting healthy growth for communities. There is also an intention to assist the delivery of this vision through the preparation of a Joint Strategic Plan.

Due to high levels of inactivity in Basildon, it has been selected to be a pilot authority for the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot. The focus of the Local Delivery Pilot is to gain an understanding or what is required to get people more active, whilst acknowledging that one size does not fit all. This means investigating individual needs and requirements within local communities.

The priority is focus on using physical activity to tackle the worst social and health inequalities. The three outcomes for the Essex Local Delivery Pilot, as identified by Active Essex are to:

• Increase physical activity, in particular targeting people who currently do under 30 minutes physical activity per week and who live in the most deprived communities.
• Achieve wider social and economic outcomes e.g. stronger, healthier, cohesive communities and improved equality.
• Achieve transformational change – a shared vision among system leaders, realignment of system budgets and using robust evidence that enables us to replicate success at scale.

County Football Association

Basildon is covered by Essex County FA which provides governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.

Sport England

Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities. They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.

Professional Club Community Organisations (CCOs)

These continue to expand and enhance their range of community delivery, offering a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Chelsea Football Club Foundation, Southend United Community and Education Trust and West Ham United Foundation run a variety of football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Everyone Active is a key leisure operator in Basildon. It currently operates two key sites; Eversley Leisure Centre and Basildon Sporting Village. Eversley Leisure Centre has seven grass pitches, which are managed by the local authority. There is also one full size, floodlit 3G FTP at the site managed by Everyone Active. Everyone Active also managed 12 grass pitches and six small sized, floodlit 3G FTPs at Basildon Sporting Village.

County Sports Partnership (CSP)

Active Essex is a publicly funded organisation supported by Essex County Council and Sport England. It aims to make sport accessible for all Essex residents by:

• providing up-to-date information on sports, activities, events and programmes available in and around our county;
• running training courses for those who are seeking a more structured involvement in sport and physical activity, for example as a coach or referee;
• funding clubs, community sport initiatives and individuals through small grants;
• partnering with other organisations and trusted third parties to increase the number and range of opportunities available;
• advocating for improved and enhanced sport facilities, funding and engagement for the communities we serve.

As the strategic lead for physical activity across the county, in its 2017 - 2021 strategy it focuses on getting one million more people active by 2021.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Basildon. 46 individuals (representing 42 local organisations) were consulted. This includes football clubs that were consulted as part of the PPS.

• Active Essex
• Sport for Confidence
• Southend and District Junior Sunday League

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Basildon has a total of 349 teams, which is higher than local areas of a similar size.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch which includes an aim to have a qualified FA coach with every youth team by 2020/21. In addition, it will support 1,000 clubs to create full player pathways from youth to adult teams and develop 150 community football hubs with male and female pathways, disability and recreational playing opportunities.

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Basildon, nine clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

• Berry Boys Youth - 11 teams
• Billericay Town FC / Girls / Colts / Ladies - 32 teams
• Bowers & Pitsea FC / Youth - 18 teams
• Essex Royals Youth - 21 teams
• FC Redwing FC / Youth - 18 teams
• Forest Glade Youth / Veterans / Girls / U21 - 34 teams
• Hannakins Farm Youth - 31 teams
• Intersports Youth - 21 teams
• Wickford Town FC / Youth – 24 teams

Six leagues operate in Basildon. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adult. Note: the Essex County Girls League, Womens League, Greene King Veterans League and the Essex Soccability League is county wide.

Basildon's largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

• Sceptre Sunday Football League – 55 teams – home and away
• Basildon & District Sunday – 15 teams – home and away
• Southend and District Junior Sunday Football League – 356 teams– home and away
• South East Essex Primary Mini Soccer League – 291 teams– home and away
• Southend Borough Football Combination – 39 teams– home and away
• Southend Borough Combination Veterans – 41 teams – home and away

The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration in Basildon due to teams migrating outwards to the Thurrock Association Sunday Football League.

Disability football

There are 9.4million people in England with a long-standing limiting disability, illness or condition which equates to 18% of the population – almost one in five. Football playing opportunities should be flexible, inclusive and accessible for everyone, whatever their level of ability. This could entail inclusion in mainstream activity or teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability.

In Basildon there are nine football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

The FA has big ambitions for the female game and aims to double levels of participation by 2020. To achieve this requires a combined effort across four pathways: education, recreation, competition and talent.

Education environments have a huge impact on the first experience of football for young girls. This pathway can offer many opportunities for females of all ages to develop and grow a lifelong interest in football.

FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. Basildon has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 17, Basildon’s number of female teams is higher than local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Essex County Girls League and matches are played on a home and away basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Essex County Womens League and matches are played on a home and away and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is the Essex County Regional Talent Centre which is located in Colchester. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League team is West Ham United Ladies which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

Many different types of small-sided football are played in England, from teams and leagues to recreational and informal. It is an established and important part of the modern game.

Small-sided teams & leagues are organised and competitive activities; typically with players registered to clubs and affiliated to leagues and their County FAs. Examples include Futsal and local small-sided leagues running at venues such as sports halls, 3G FTPs or small-sided 3G centres.

Key local providers include:

• Powerplay – Basildon Sporting Village and Woodland School
• Soccer Sixes – Billericay High School, James Hornsby School and Gloucester Park
• 2 Worlds LTD – Beauchamps High School
• Leisure Leagues – Hannakins Farm

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it’s played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure Futsal is available across the country.

There are currently no futsal teams in Basildon. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for youth inclusive of boys and girls players.

Recreational football

Recreational football is played where facilities are typically booked and there might be someone to help organise. Examples include FA Just Play sessions, walking football and casual pitch hire for small-sided match play.

There is currently one FA Just Play Centre in Basildon. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as 2 Worlds. Walking football and Just Play are formats that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include pro-club community scheme activity / casual bookings which are delivered by a range of organisations including 2 Worlds.

Informal football

Informal football is played in local parks and green spaces – it is free, open access and often played spontaneously (normal clothing is worn). Common examples include a kick-about at a local park or on a multi-use games area (MUGA).

Currently, informal football in Basildon is played particularly in the south and south west of the Borough. Langdon Hills Recreation Ground and Lake Meadow Park and Kent View Open Space are examples of key site locations that are heavily used.

The key strengths of local football in Basildon include disability and girls football provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include Futsal.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Basildon are:

1. Retain and increase the local Wildcats offer.
2. Improve and increase ladies affiliated offer.
3. Deliver a flexi-football offer for adult males.
4. Develop a recreational offer for all provisions.
5. Offer an affiliated and recreational futsal provision.

The facilities required to assist this are now set out in the Assets and Opportunities section.

Additionally, each priority project that progresses to a funding application via the Football Foundation will produce a detailed ‘site development plan’ specifying all football development activity, usage and key partner engagement.

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Basildon. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.

Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed in line with four investment priorities:

1. 3G FTPs
2. Improved grass pitches
3. Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
4. Small-sided facilities

To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area has been reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.

While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

3G FTPs are a high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated. In recent years the industry has seen major innovations and improvements to artificial surfaces (and sports lighting). This has created playing surfaces that replicate a good standard natural turf pitch whilst significantly increasing levels of use (x20). All FTPs must have sports lighting to achieve this.

The high quality, consistent playing surface is the ideal environment to play the game and for young people to learn. With regular maintenance programmes, FTPs can be heavily used all year round with no decline in quality. They almost completely negate annoying fixture cancellations during winter months, helping football to be a key part of a regular physical activity habit.

High capacity levels offer a great opportunity to embrace all formats and engage all participants. A full-sized 3G caters for an average of 1,200 participants per week and is suitable for various location types. That means being fully inclusive to all sections of the community, with a particular focus on under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with a disability, BAME communities and people from lower socio-economic groups.

The way 3G FTPs are used is rapidly changing; current line-marking systems allow for match play across all formats of football (5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11). This enables significant levels of match-play to be transferred from grass to 3G.

The national ‘Mini Pitch’ programme delivers small 3G FTPs at primary school sites to provide a high quality introduction to football and get children more physically active. While mini pitches are reviewed in this section, they are not included in the demand and supply analysis for 3G FTPs.

FA data states that there are currently seven full size 3G FTPs in Basildon. This equates to a shortfall of one pitch relative to assessed demand.

Existing 3G FTPs in Basildon include:

• Beauchamps High School
• Billericay School
• Bowers & Pitsea Football Club
• Eversley Leisure Centre
• Hannakins Farm Community Centre
• James Hornsby High School
• Woodlands School

In addition to the above, there are small sided 3G FTPs at the below sites:

• Lee Chapel Primary School
• Lincewood Primary School
• Basildon Sporting Village (x6)

All seven full size 3G FTPs are available for community use; however the pitch at Bowers & Pitsea Football Club has only recently been developed and levels of community use are still being determined.

Aside from Woodlands School, all of the 3G FTPs are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that any future 3G FTPs developed should meet the criteria to be on the register to enable more match play to take place on 3G provision.

The geographical spread of existing facilities is fairly even across areas of higher population density, with the majority (three) located in the central area of Basildon.

All full size 3G provision is accompanied by ancillary facilities that are considered adequate and no major issues were raised during the consultation for the most recent PPS.

Four priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Although there is a shortfall of one full size 3G FTPs, five options have been identified. The project steering group considered additional projects as there is currently uncertainty that preferred projects (Hannakins Farm and Bartlett Park) can be delivered.

Based on population growth projections, there will also be a need for one more 3G FTP in Basildon in the future. In order to meet this increased demand, Gardiners Lane South or West Basildon could be considered as part of re-provision packages for developments due to take place.

Further to this, there may be a need for additional provision in Basildon to provide for demand from neighbouring authorities such as Rochford. This is due to sites in Basildon being more suited for 3G FTP provision. Bartlett Park has is being considered on this basis and is evidenced in the recent overarching South Essex PPS document. This document also highlights the need for feasibility studies to be undertaken as part of identifying the best 3G FTP locations across the area.

Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread, success and quality of existing facilities:

2 - Hannakins Farm Community Centre: Provide second full size, floodlit 3G FTP.

• Existing facilities: one full size, floodlit 3G FTP, five full size equivalent pitches and changing provision.
• Current users: currently used by 27 teams from Hannakins Farm FC and Queens Park FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socio-economic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.
  

3 - Bartlett Park: Provide: Provide one full size, Floodlit 3G FTP

• Existing facilities: three full size equivalent pitches and changing facilities.
• Current users: currently used by 13 teams from Wickford Town Youth FC. Site sits close to the neighbouring authority of Rochford and as such, it is anticipated a 3G FTP would support with accommodating demand from here as well.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socio-economic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.
  

4 - Gardiners Lane South: Provide up to two full size, Floodlit 3G FTP should development at Basildon Sport and Leisure Club, Basildon Post Office Club and Basildon United Football Club.

• Existing facilities: amalgamation of Basildon Sport and Leisure Club, Basildon Post Office Club and Basildon United Football Club.
• Current users: demand from Basildon Sport and Leisure Club, Basildon Post Office Club and Basildon United Football Club.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

5 - West Basildon: Provide one full size floodlit 3G FTP

• Existing facilities: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Ford Sports and Social Club.
• Current users: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Ford Sports and Social Club. As such, will take on all demand from this site.
• Rationale: Support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, disability football, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low standard and 1 in 6 games are cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).

Playing fields are also a valuable resource for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.

In many local areas the key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long-term. Many local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, many players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.

While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.

Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.

For more information click here.

PitchPower

The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.

If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.

Learn more by clicking here.

PitchFinder data indicates that there are currently 15 grass pitch sites in Basildon with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 88 grass pitches. Of these, three are considered to have good quality pitches, five are of standard quality and seven poor quality.

Local consultation shows common issues with poor quality, in particular regarding issues with drainage, and it is recommended that these are addressed.

12 priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Nine sites have three or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor and standard quality. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by the most recent PPS. Due to significant number of grass pitch sites in Basildon local partners did not select all sites and prioritised only nine, containing 50 full-size pitch equivalents.

In addition, two new sites: Gardiners Lane South and West Basildon have been in included as priority projects. The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that were most well utilised or of strategic focus to improve Local Authority pitches.

The Barleylands Farm site is a strategic football site located in Basildon. It is made up of three parcels of connecting land (Barleylands farm 1, Barleylands Farm 2 and Barleylands Farm 3), which provide a total of 34 pitches (accounting for 23% of available pitch provision in Basildon), accommodating for 110 local teams.

Despite its strategic importance, there is currently no security of tenure for clubs using this site and should it be taken out of use, the remaining pitch stock would be unable to accommodate such high levels of demand. As such, there is a need to consider options should this situation be realised. The pitches at these sites are mostly of poor quality and require significant improvement; however, until security of tenure can be obtained, it is unlikely to be feasible to invest in the pitches and investment would be better placed at alternative secure sites (both existing and newly developed) where demand can be transferred.

3- Bartlett Park: Works to natural grass pitches and creation of four youth 11v11 grass pitches to accommodate demand.

• Existing facilities: three full size equivalent pitches, all rated as standard quality in recent PPS. Site also has changing facilities.
• Current users: currently used by 13 teams from Wickford Town Youth FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

4 - Gardiners Lane South: Works to natural grass pitches.

• Existing facilities: amalgamation of Basildon Sport and Leisure Club, Basildon Post Office Club and Basildon United Football Club.
• Current users: demand from Basildon Sport and Leisure Club, Basildon Post Office Club and Basildon United Football Club.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

5 - West Basildon: Provide grass pitches should development at Gardiners Lane South take place for Ford Sports and Social Club.

• Existing facilities: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Ford Sports and Social Club.
• Current users: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Ford Sports and Social Club. As such, will take on all demand from this site.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

6- James Hornsby High School: Works to natural grass pitches, should security of tenure be secured.

• Existing facilities: three full size pitch equivalents, all rated as poor quality in recent PPS.
• Current Users: currently used by 13 teams from five clubs; Basildon United Youth FC, Fryerns Boys FC, Laindon Orient FC, Pitsea Athletic FC and Woodham Wanderers FC. Also used by school pupils.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

7 - Basildon Sport and Leisure Club: Works to natural grass pitches.

• Existing facilities: six full size equivalent pitches, all rated as poor quality within the most recent PPS and changing provision. Needs to be considered alongside potential move to Gardiners Lane South site.
• Current users: currently used by 15 teams from Basildon Town FC, Basildon Town Youths FC, C&K Basildon Girls FC, Hutton Womens FC, Nicholas Colts FC and Sparco European FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

8 - Eversley Leisure Centre: Works to natural grass pitches.

• Existing facilities: six full size equivalent pitches, all rated poor quality in the most recent PPS and changing provision.
• Current users: currently used by 24 teams form Basildon United FC, Bowers and Pitsea FC, Chalvedon Boys FC and Fryerns Boys FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

9 - Basildon Sport Village: Works to natural grass pitches to improve with potential of moving demand from overplayed sites.

• Existing facilities: eight full size equivalent pitches, all rated as standard quality in the most recent PPS and changing provision.
• Current users: currently used by two teams from Chalvedon Boys and Laindon Athletic Veterans.
• Rationale: support participation growth in junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, disability football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

10 - Barn Hall Recreation Ground: Ensure replacement pitch provision.

• Existing facilities: one full size equivalent pitch rated as standard quality in the most recent PPS.
• Current users: Essex Royals Youth.
• Rationale: the site is expected to be allocated for housing development in the Local Plan. Ensure replacement provision to an equal or better quantity and quality in suitable location. Investment will support women & girls participation, junior and senior football, informal/recreational football.

11 - Holy Cross Recreational Ground: Works to natural grass pitches.

• Existing facilities: six full size equivalent pitches, all rated poor quality in the recent PPS.
• Current users: the pitches are used by 12 teams across eight Clubs.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, disability football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

17 - Barleylands Farm Site 1: Works to natural grass pitches, should security of tenure be secured.

• Existing facilities: ten full size equivalent pitches assessed as either standard or poor quality in the most recent PPS.
• Current Users: currently used by 48 teams from Essex Royals Youth FC, Basildon Boys Club Youth FC, FC Redwing Youth, Intersports Youth and Cisk Sports FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

18 - Barleylands Farm Site 2: Works to natural grass pitches, should security of tenure be secured.

• Existing facilities: nine full size equivalent pitches all rated as poor quality in the most recent PPS.
• Current users: currently used by 54 teams from Essex Royals Youth FC, Forest Glade FC, Lee Chapel FC and Trinity United FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, disability football, lower socioeconomic communities, BAME communities, recreational football and football for the over 50s.

19 - Barleylands Farm Site 3: Works to natural grass pitches, should security of tenure be secured.

• Existing facilities: five full size equivalent pitches all rated as poor quality in the most recent PPS.
• Current users: currently used by eight teams from Perry Street Youth
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, disability football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

*All grass pitch improvement projects identified above should be considered in line with the strategic recommendation made in the overarching South Essex PPS to adopt a collaborative approach to improving football facilities. This is to be overseen by the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA), which consists of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Essex County, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, and Thurrock Councils.

These can provide a number of different benefits. While the primary function is normally the provision of changing rooms to accommodate match-play and training (for players and officials), there can be equal value in facilities such as community and education rooms, catering facilities and spectator toilets.

Each project will take a progressive approach to pavilions and clubhouses (beyond the provision of changing rooms) and be open to new opportunities to engage the whole community. That means, creating environments that are welcoming to players, spectators, volunteers, officials and all sections of the community.

Such assets should support other investment priorities (e.g. 3G FTPs and grass pitches) and be located at sites that will have the greatest impact on local communities. To ensure this, focus is given to sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents. However, as pitch quality is the number one priority for players this is prioritised before investment in changing room pavilions /clubhouses.

Clearly, facilities need to be well managed and maintained to keep them in a good state of repair. Consideration will be given to reviewing the best operator solution for key sites and the installation of revenue generating features such as catering facilities and community rooms. To achieve this, business plan support will be given to each priority project as it progresses to an application to the Football Foundation.

Of the 15 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Basildon, 14 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses and one has facilities that need improvement/ replacement. In addition, two sites; Gardiners Lane South and West Basildon, which are to be developed in the future will require a new changing pavilion.

Three priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. One project; Barleylands Farm Site 1, has ten full-size pitch equivalents and has unsuitable facilities. Of the remaining three sites, two are sites to be developed and one is a potential 3G FTP site.

4 - Gardiners Lane South: Provide new changing facilities as part of site development.

• Existing facilities: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Basildon Sport and Leisure Club and Basildon Post Office Club.
• Current users: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Basildon Sport and Leisure Club and Basildon Post Office Club. As such, will take on all demand from this site.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

5 - West Basildon: Provide new changing facilities as part of site development.

• Existing facilities: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Ford Sports and Social Club.
• Current users: site creation to mitigate loss as part of Ford Sports and Social Club. As such, will take on all demand from this site.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

17 - Barleylands Farm Site 1: Refurbish temporary changing facilities, should security of tenure be obtained.

• Existing facilities: ten full size equivalent pitches assessed as either standard or poor quality in the most recent PPS.
• Current Users: currently used by 48 teams from Essex Royals Youth FC, Basildon Boys Club Youth FC, FC Redwing Youth, Intersports Youth FC and Cisk Sports FC.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women’s and girls football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

Good facilities are important to all small-sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.

Research suggests that small-sided players in teams & leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams & leagues and recreational sessions. Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.

Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.

Local consultation reveals the potential in Basildon to provide indoor facilities that to develop small-sided football.

20 - Areas south of A127 - Based on Active Lives data, IMD rankings and consultation with the Local Authority, as well as being in line with the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot, projects in this area should be considered to increase physical activity through football.

• Existing facilities: n/a
• Current users: a number of sites in this area used for informal football. This could also include regeneration offers, opportunity to co-locate sport / physical activity facilities e.g small sided goals, line markings and equipment within empty retail space - Potential for high footfall and exposure to new participants.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

Six potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population, limited green space, high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

11 - Kent View Open Space - Provide MUGA and explore floodlighting options.

• Existing facilities: one standard quality adult grass pitch.
• Current users: Basildon United Youths. Site is also heavily used for informal football.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

13 - Freshwater Drive - Upgrade MUGA and explore floodlighting options to enhance usage.

• Existing facilities: one standard quality MUGA.
• Current users: recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

14 - Lake Meadow Park - Upgrade MUGA and explore floodlighting options to enhance usage.

• Existing facilities: one standard quality MUGA.
• Current users: recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: support participation growth in junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

15 - Steeple View Open Space - Upgrade MUGA and explore floodlighting options to enhance usage.

• Existing facilities: one poor quality MUGA.
• Current users: recreational/informal users.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

16 - Shotgate Park MUGA - Upgrade MUGA and explore floodlighting options to enhance usage.

• Existing facilities: one standard quality MUGA.
• Current users: site used for informal football.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

20 - Areas south of A127 - Based on Active Lives data, IMD rankings and consultation with the Local Authority, as well as being in line with the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot, projects in this area should be considered to increase physical activity through football.

• Existing facilities: n/a
• Current users: a number of sites in this area used for informal football. This could also include regeneration offers, opportunity to co-locate sport / physical activity facilities e.g small sided goals, line markings and equipment within empty retail space - Potential for high footfall and exposure to new participants.
• Rationale: support participation growth in; junior football, girls football, recreational football, informal football, lower socioeconomic communities and BAME communities.

Following local consultation, no sites has been identified to support small-sided informal football.

• Active Essex
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