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This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Epping Forest. 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 Epping Forest.
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 Epping Forest.
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.
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Epping Forest is located in the Eastern region.
The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 130,576, which is expected to rise to 152,353 by 2039.
22.5% of the Epping Forest population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is lower than the national average (30.6%).
Epping Forest’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (90.5%) which is higher than the national average (85.4%).
The proportion of Epping Forest’s population represented by the BAME community is 9.5%. This is below the national average (14.6%).
*ONS data and Sport England Active Lives survey 2016/17
Epping Forest District Council Corporate Plan's vision to ensure the Authority is a great place where people enjoy living, working, learning and being physically active. To achieve this, one of the key objectives is to maintain and enhance the current stock of leisure facilities throughout the District through its leisure contractor, Places for People.
The Authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place; which was adopted in 2017. The strategy identifies two 3G FTP pitches currently with a requirement for an additional four pitches, based on the FA training demand model. It also illustrates a small oversupply of grass pitches across the Local Authority. Despite this small oversupply, there is a deficit of youth 11v11 pitch provision, with many 12-15 year old participants using pitches larger than recommended (adult pitch size). Future population growth demonstrates demand for youth and mini pitches are likely to increase.
The Authority delivers a number of football programmes, including walking football sessions at Epping Sports Centre, Town Mead, Waltham Abbey and Roding Valley Recreation Ground, Loughton. It also delivers a disability football sessions for children and young people with SEND at Waltham Abbey .
Epping Forest 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), however, there is no active CCO in Epping Forest.
Places for People is the key leisure operator in Epping Forest. It currently operates four key sites including Epping Forest Sports Complex and Ongar Leisure Centre. It does not operate any outdoor football provision.
This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Epping Forest. 13 individuals (representing 12 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. Epping Forest has a total of 239 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 Epping Forest, 7 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
Four leagues operate in Epping Forest. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth and adults.
Note: the Essex County Girls League, Womens League, Greene King Veterans League and the Essex Soccability League is county wide.
Epping Forest largest local leagues (2017-18) include:
The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration in Epping Forest due to teams migrating outwards to the Echo Junior Football League, Essex Alliance Football League and Essex Sunday Corinthian Football League.
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 Epping Forest there are zero 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. Epping Forest has 3 FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.
At 13, Epping Forest’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 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 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.
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 0 futsal teams in Epping Forest. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth inclusive of 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 0 FA Just Play Centres in Epping Forest. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development.
The key strengths of local football in Epping Forest include youth male and mini soccer provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include disability football, recreational football and futsal.
It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Epping Forest 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.
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This section reviews existing football facility assets in [add area]. 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 inline 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.
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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 five 3G FTPs in Epping Forest; of which four are community available. Three pitches have been built since the PPS was adopted (the PPS states there are two pitches).
Based on the current number of affiliated teams in Epping Forest (239), the FA training demand model (1:42) results in a requirement for 6 full sized FTPs resulting in a shortfall of two full sized FTPs. This figure agrees with the PPS.
Existing 3G FTPs in Epping Forest:
Additionally, there are currently two small-sided 3G FTP centres:
Four of the five pitches are available for community use. The second pitch at Roding Valley High School does not have floodlights and is not available for community use. Three pitches are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the remaining pitch is on the register to enable more match play on 3G.
The geographical spread of existing facilities is uneven; the majority are located in the south and west of the Authority. There are no facilities in east and central areas despite high levels of population and strong demand from affiliated teams. It is recommended that these are addressed.
Local consultation reveals common issues with high pricing and low availability of 3G pitches and it is recommended that these are addressed. An example of this is demonstrated through consultation with Epping Youth. The Club ideally would like to use the local pitch at Epping St. John's School more frequently, however, the majority of pitch slots are filled by Tottenham Youth Academy. Consequently, it is having to seek alternative sites outside Epping to accommodate its training demand.
Two priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread, success and quality of existing facilities.
4- Buckhurst Hill Football Club: New floodlit 11 v 11 3G FTP
10- Townmead Leisure Park : New floodlit 11 v 11 3G FTP
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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 resources 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.
PPS Data indicates that there are currently 15 grass pitch sites in Epping Forest with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 71 grass pitches.
Of these, eight are of poor quality.
Local consultation shows common issues with poor quality pitches, particularly with drainage and it is recommended this is addressed.
Eight 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 the PPS 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:
4- Buckhurst Hill Football Club: Works to natural grass pitches
5- Debden Sports Club: Works to natural grass pitches
6- Loughton Football Club: Works to natural grass pitches
7- Metropolitan Police (Chigwell Sports Club): Works to natural grass pitches
8- Roding Valley Recreational Ground: Works to natural grass pitches
9- Stonards Hill Recreational Ground: Works to natural grass pitches
10- Townmead Leisure Park : Works to natural grass pitches
11- Willingale Road Playing Fields : 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 15 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Epping Forest, 10 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses and five have facilities that need improvement/ replacement.
Five 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:
4- Buckhurst Hill Football Club: Changing pavilion upgrade
5- Debden Sports Club: Changing pavilion upgrade
6- Loughton Football Club: Changing pavilion upgrade
8 - Roding Valley Recreational Ground: Changing pavilion upgrade
10- Townmead Leisure Park : Changing pavilion upgrade
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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 there is one indoor facility that requires improvement to develop small-sided football :
1- King Harold School: Sports Hall Upgrade
Two potential opportunities for MUGA’s 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:
9- Stonards Hill Recreation Ground: New MUGA
10- Townmead Leisure Park : New MUGA
Following local consultation, no locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football.
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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.
TOWNMEAD LEISURE PARK Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JH
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.2/4
79% (9.4/12)
RODING VALLEY RECREATION GROUND (NORTH) 42 SOUTH VIEW ROAD, LOUGHTON, Essex, IG10 3LQ
Local Authority
High (3/4)
2.7/4
70% (8.4/12)
Site is on a flood plain - may cause funding issues.
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
BUCKHURST HILL FOOTBALL CLUB Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 6BJ
Football club
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
WILLINGALE ROAD PLAYING FIELDS 43 WILLINGALE ROAD, LOUGHTON, Essex, IG10 2DD
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
STONARDS HILL RECREATION GROUND Stonards Hill, Epping, Essex, CM16 4QH
Local Authority
High (3/4)
2.4/4
65% (7.8/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
LOUGHTON FOOTBALL CLUB SPORTS PAVILION AVONDALE CLOSE, LOUGHTON, Essex, IG10 3DH
Football club
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
DEBDEN SPORTS CLUB CHIGWELL LANE, LOUGHTON, Essex, IG10 3TP
Football club
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
56% (6.7/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
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