01
This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Colchester. It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:
Every local area in the Country will have a LFFP to enable investment in football facilities to be accurately targeted.
The Football Association, the Premier League and Sport England (on behalf of Government). This partnership finances the National Football Facility Strategy (NFFS) and commissions the Football Foundation to deliver it.
The national funding partners have significantly increased investment to accelerate efforts to deliver more and better football facilities for the grassroots game. The purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in Colchester.
As the nation’s most popular team sport, football has the power to contribute positively to vital social outcomes and health priorities. To maximise this power, facilities have to be welcoming environments to attract first-time users and repeat visits, whether for informal, recreational or competitive football.
Research clearly and continually demonstrates the positive impact high-quality football facilities, in the right locations, can have on participation and enjoyment. Latent demand exists, but facility quantity and quality has to ‘step up’ if football is to reach out to everyone.
£1.3billion has been spent by football and Government since 2000 to enhance existing football facilities and build new ones. However, more is needed if football and Government’s shared objectives for participation, individual well-being and community cohesion are to be achieved.
Nationally, direct investment will be increased – initially to £69 million per annum from football and Government (a 15% increase on recent years). Locally, the work has already started* - this LFFP will guide the allocation of 90% of national funds and forge stronger partnerships with local stakeholders to develop key sites. This, together with local match-funding will deliver over one billion pounds of investment into football facilities over the next 10-years.
This LFFP, with guidance from local partners, has developed a list of high level projects for potential investment. Each is aligned to the investment priorities set out in the National Football Facilities Strategy, which include:
The priority projects for potential investment identified in this plan will help develop a sustainable network of quality facilities to drive participation across all parts of the game. Central to this are five key success factors: quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage. Each identified project takes account of these factors.
This LFFP will, in effect, be the go-to document for football facility investment in Colchester.
Whilst it identifies priority projects for potential investment, it does not guarantee the success of future funding applications. Each project must still follow an application process to show how it will deliver key participation outcomes, become a quality & sustainable facility and demonstrate suitable match-funding.
When each project is in a position to proceed, the Football Foundation will determine a suitable timeframe to submit a grant application and pre-application support will be provided by Essex County FA and the Football Foundation.
A LFFP is an investment portfolio of priority projects for potential investment - it is not a detailed demand and supply analysis of all pitch provision in a local area. It cannot be used as a replacement for a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and it will not be accepted as an evidence base for site change of use or disposal.
A LFFP will however build on available/existing local evidence and strategic plans and may adopt relevant actions from a PPS and/or complement these with additional investment priorities.
02
The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 190,098. This is expected to rise to 228,977 by 2039.
26.6% of the Colchester population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups).
Colchester’s ethnic composition is primarily White (92.3%) and this is higher than the national average (85.4%).
The proportion of Colchester’s population represented by the BAME community is 7.7%. This is below the national average (14.6%).
*ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17
Colchester Borough Council’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 identifies the priorities and direction for the Borough over the stated time frame. One of the key priorities is to make Colchester an even better place to live and to support those who need most help. To ensure this, the Authority will help residents adopt healthier lives which will be achieved by providing excellent accessible leisure provision.
The Authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place; which was adopted in 2015. The key findings state that natural turf pitches across the Borough are generally in good condition, which has resulted in spare capacity of 95 pitches. Population growth suggests that there will be demand for additional adult (3), youth (11) and mini soccer (10) pitches. It also identifies there is a need for six full size 3G FTPs, of which there are currently two in the area. This results in a shortfall of four pitches.
ECC and Active Essex have been successful in securing funding through the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot programme, primarily to increase levels of physical inactivity. Focusing on the three authorities of Basildon, Tending and Colchester. The pilot aims to:
Currently the University of Essex is undertaking some initial research to understand what the structure of activities will be in the respective areas, to support the three aims. Research findings are due at the end of 2018.
Colchester 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.
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.
*See Football Foundation website for more information: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes
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.
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:
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.
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). Colchester United Football in the Community runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area. This delivery is primarily through Shrub End Community and Sports Centre, which is managed by Colchester United Football in the Community but owned by the Local Authority. The site also has a 3G FTP, which is reported to be popular.
In terms of leisure provision, the Council owns and manages a range of facilities including Colchester Leisure World, Tiptree and Highwoods leisure centres. There is a 3G pitch at Tiptree Leisure Centre which is available for community use on a dual use agreement with Thurstable School
This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Colchester. 12 individuals (representing nine local organisations) were consulted. These include:
(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)
There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Colchester has a total of 313 teams, which is comparable to 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 Colchester, 10 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:
*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18
Six leagues operate in Colchester. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults.
Note: the Essex County Girls League, Women's League and the Essex Soccability League is county wide.
Colchester’s largest local leagues (2017-18) include:
The County FA reports that there is low level cross boundary migration in Colchester due to teams migrating inwards.
There are 9.4 million 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 Colchester there are 12 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 run Regional Centres and England national squads.
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. Colchester has five FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.
At 17, Colchester’s number of female teams is comparable to 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 Football 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 Women's 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.
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
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 five futsal teams in Colchester that play in the BUCS League at key site locations including University of Essex. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth boys and girls players.
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 are currently four FA Just Play Centres in Colchester. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Colchester United Football in the Community. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth. Other local recreational football programmes include other recreation programmes e.g. pro-club community scheme activity / casual bookings and Man v Fat which are delivered by a range of organisations including Colchester United Football in the Community.
The key strengths of local football in Colchester include Youth Disability 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 Colchester are:
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.
03
This section reviews existing football facility assets in Colchester. 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:
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.
04
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 four 3G FTPs in Colchester. Colchester's PPS (2016 refresh) highlighted a demand for two full sized FTPs based on a 1:60 team ratio whereas the current shortfall of 3G pitches has been calculated using the FA demand model (1:42). In summary, based on the number of affiliated teams, (313), there is the demand for seven full size FTP's, resulting in a current shortfall of three full sized FTP's.
Existing 3G FTPs in Colchester include:
Additionally, there are currently two small-sided 3G FTP centres in Colchester:
The Northern Gateway site is being developed without funding from the Football Foundation. This is a sport and leisure development to the north of the Authority. It will comprise of a new sports hall, several grass rugby pitches and two 3G FTPS, both of which will be rugby compliant. The development will primarily support Colchester Rugby Club; however, consultation confirms that one 3G FTP will accommodate football demand, resulting in the need for two full size 3G FTPS in the Authority. It is anticipated the facility will be available by September 2019.
All four pitches are available for community use and are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It must be noted that the small sided provision at St Helena is also on the FA Register.
The geographical spread of existing facilities is uneven; with the majority of pitches located in the west and south west of the Authority. There is provision in the town of Tiptree and to the west of Colchester, however, there are no facilities to the east and north of Colchester despite high levels of population and it is recommended that these are addressed.
Local club consultation reveals common issues with high pricing and a lack of availability, and it is recommended that these are addressed. For example, certain clubs highlighted that the price of hiring facilities (such as St Helena School) exceeds available budgets which results in limited training opportunities to certain teams.
Three priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread, and demand for football:
1- Broad Lane: New floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
2- Shrub End Sports Ground: New floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
8- The Glebe: New floodlit 7v7 3G FTP
05
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.
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 indicates that there are currently 14 grass pitch sites in Colchester with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 72 grass pitches. Of these, five are considered to have poor quality pitches.
Local consultation demonstrates that the majority of grass pitch sites are good to standard quality, but that a number of key sites require investment to improve quality. The main focus is to ensure that the key strategic grass pitch sites (e.g. Broad Lane and Shrub End Sports Ground) are improved to support affiliated football.
Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each site has three or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor quality. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by FA data and qualified by local partners. The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition that were most well utilised and strategic focus to improve pitches:
1- Broad Lane: Works to natural grass pitches
2- Shrub End Sports Ground: Works to natural grass pitches
3- Lexden King George Sports Ground: Works to natural grass pitches
4- Mile End: Works to natural grass pitches
6- Gilberd School: Works to natural grass pitches
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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 14 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Colchester, 12 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses and two have facilities that need improvement/ replacement. There are no sites which require a new changing pavilion.
Two priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has three or more full-size pitch equivalents and has either no facilities or was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion:
1-Broad Lane: Changing pavilion upgrade
6- Gilberd School: Changing pavilion upgrade
07
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.
No potential opportunities for the development or improvement of indoor facilities have been identified.
One potential opportunity for a MUGA has been identified. 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:
9- Monkwick Estate: MUGA upgrade (ADI Zone upgrade)
Following local consultation, six locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on highly popular local parks and open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football:
10- Magnolia Fields: Informal football provision
11- Lorkin Way: Informal football provision
12- Baden Powell Drive: Informal football provision
13- Mill Road Recreational Ground: Informal football provision
14- Salary Brook: Informal football provision
15- Speedwell Road Open Space: Informal football provision
08
This list compiles all of the priority projects for potential investment. Each project has been scored against two principle factors: deliverability and outcomes (quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage).
The list will be used flexibly; a projects ‘rating’ does not determine the exact order that it will progress to a funding application to the Football Foundation as we understand there are many factors that influence this. The process for moving a project from this list and into the ‘pre-application stage’ will be managed by the Football Foundation.
BROAD LANE SPORTS GROUND Broad Lanes, Elmstead, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7HA
Local Authority
High (3/4)
4.0/4
92% (11.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
SHRUB END SPORTS GROUND SHRUB END SPORTS GROUND BOADICEA WAY, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO2 9BG
Local Authority
High (3/4)
4.0/4
92% (11.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
MILE END SPORTS GROUND Fords Lane, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5FP
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
LEXDEN KING GEORGE SPORTS GROUND Clairmont Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 9BE
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
The Gilberd School Brinkley Lane, Colchester, , CO4 9PU
Education
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
THE GLEBE COLCHESTER ROAD, WEST MERSEA, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO5 8DZ
Football club
Medium (2/4)
2.8/4
63% (7.6/12)
Adult male; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
Monkwick Estate Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, , CO2 8NB
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.0/4
50% (6.0/12)
Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
Lorkin Way, Colchester, , CO6 3SN
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.0/4
50% (6.0/12)
Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
Baden Powell Drive, Colchester, , CO3 4SL
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.0/4
50% (6.0/12)
Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational
MILL ROAD RECREATION GROUND RECREATION GROUND MILL ROAD, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO4 5LE
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.0/4
50% (6.0/12)
Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
Salary Brook Trail Isbourne Road, Colchester, , CO4 3FD
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.0/4
50% (6.0/12)
Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
Speedwell Road, Colchester, , CO2 8DD
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.0/4
50% (6.0/12)
Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
Magnolia Fields Magnolia Drive, Colchester, , CO4 3SA
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
1.9/4
48% (5.8/12)
Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational
09
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