01
This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Leeds. It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:
West Riding County FA
Football Foundation
Leeds City Council
Leeds United Community Foundation
West Yorkshire Sport
Sport England
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 Leeds.
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 Leeds.
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 West Riding 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
Leeds is in the Yorkshire and The Humber region and borders five other local authorities; Bradford, Harrogate, Kirklees, Selby and Wakefield. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 784,846. This is expected to rise to 861,796 by 2039.
30.1% of the Leeds population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups) which is comparable with the 30.6% national average.
Leeds’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (85.1%) which is comparable to the national average (85.4%).
The proportion of Leeds population represented by the BAME community is 14.9%. This is similar to the national average (14.6%).
Leeds is a city of both great challenges and opportunities, with significant anticipated economic and employment growth juxtaposed with an increasing rate of deprivation in some areas, especially the South of the City.
Between 2011-15 Leeds had no lower super output areas (LSOAs) within the 1% most deprived nationally. The position has changed and there are now 16 LSOAs within the 1% most deprived.
The Council is focusing support on 6 identified priority neighbourhoods at LSOA level:
ONS data and Sport England Active lives survey 2016/17
Leeds City Council views sport as a key tool through which to influence and achieve key outcomes across the City with regard to health and physical activity, but more importantly to address wider issues such as obesity, crime and deprivation. The Leeds Sport & Active Lifestyles Strategy (2013-18) identifies Leeds as a tale of two cities with significant participation and health inequalities between the North and South of the City. Addressing these health inequalities is a key strategic priority for the Council.
The Authority has its Playing Pitch Strategy in place; researched in 2015, yet to be taken forward for formal adoption. The overarching outcomes with regards to football are a shortfall of capacity at youth and mini 5v5 formats, caused largely by limited capacity due to poor quality pitches. Furthermore, existing changing pavilion stock is poor at several key sites, whilst there is a significant shortfall of full sized 3G FTPs.
The Leeds Parks & Green Spaces Strategy (2009) identifies that around 95% of the City is deficient in all types of green space. Whilst there is adjudged to be sufficient pitch stock, the issue is the quality of pitches and supporting facilities. However, the deficiency of green spaces in many cases sees a need for existing sites to serve a multi-functional role, meaning many football pitches are subject to public access and some host a range of local community events.
Leeds is covered by West Riding County FA. They provide 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 info (http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes)
West Riding is one of just three areas nationally which has a long-established District FA system in place. Whilst many of their previous functions have since been taken on through the role of the County FA, the district FAs are more local and continue to run local cup competitions. There are 13 district FAs, with both Leeds DFA and Wharfedale DFA operating in Leeds. Leeds DFA has a significant influence on facilities in the City in that it allocates pitches from the City Council to member clubs and leagues. The DFAs do not presently manage nor actively invest into facility development, however they may have capital to invest to enhance football facilities in Leeds as a partner.
There are three universities in Leeds; University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Trinity University. Between them they account for a significant proportion of sports facilities in the City. As such, they are not only key facility partners but are key strategic partners in the development and delivery of football opportunities across the City.
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.
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 Leeds United Foundation runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.
Active Leeds is the operator of Leeds City Council’s leisure facilities. It currently operates 17 key sites including 14 sports centres. Key venues with football facilities include John Smeaton Leisure Centre (grass pitches, artificial grass pitch), Middleton Leisure Centre (3G FTP, grass pitches), Fearnville Leisure Centre, (grass pitches, artificial grass pitch) and John Charles Centre for Sport (small sided 3G FTPs).
This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Leeds. A total of 22 individuals (representing 20 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. Leeds has a total of 1,156 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 Leeds , 41 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based on 2017-18 affiliation data) are:
The FA Whole Game System- season 2017/18
Nine leagues operate in Leeds. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including youth girls, youth boys, and adult males. Whilst there are no specific league opportunities for adult females & disability football within Leeds, there are suitable opportunities provided in neighbouring leagues.
Leeds’ largest local leagues (2017-18) include:
The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration both inwards and outwards by youth male teams and adult male teams (Saturdays) to other leagues across the County. The midweek adult central venue leagues (U21’s, Flexi & Veterans) see some cross boundary migration inwards and outwards from other local areas.
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 Leeds there are 52 football teams/sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to sustain this provision. For talented players the FA runs 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. Leeds has nine FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.
Leeds has 97 female teams which is comparatively more 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 West Riding Girls League and matches are played on both a home and away and central venue basis. The league is expected to grow in future years. The local adult female league is the West Riding Women’s League and matches are played on a home and away basis. The league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.
For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Leeds United which is located in Sherburn (Selby). 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 Manchester City 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 is played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size four football with reduced ball bounce. It is The FA’s aim to ensure Futsal is available across the country.
There are currently four affiliated futsal teams in Leeds, along with some recreational provision at the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth and adult 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 is currently one FA Just Play Centre in Leeds. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Leeds City Council, Rothwell Old Boars and Leeds Titans. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include those run by community organisations including FC Yorkshire St Pauli, Hyde Park FC, Leeds Grand Mosque and Hamara Centre.
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 Leeds is played across the City. Roundhay Park, Middleton Park, Crossflats Park, and Hyde Park are key site locations that are heavily used.
The key strengths of local football in Leeds include affiliated football provision across all formats and a flexible 11v11 offer. It is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include, female football and flexible/recreational football offers.
It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Leeds 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 Leeds. 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.
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.
The Leeds PPS identifies a requirement for 24 full sized 3G FTPs in total to service affiliated football team training demand. FA data states that there are currently 16 3G FTPs in Leeds (13 of which are full sized); this is a shortfall of 11 pitches relative to assessed demand via the FA training model, or 12 via the Parklife model for competitive match play.
Leeds is presently part of the FA Parklife programme to develop new multi-3G FTP hubs through large scale portfolio investment.
Existing 3G FTPs in Leeds include:
There are, however, four other 3G FTP proposals further to those being explored through the Parklife programme which are considered by the County FA to be sustainable and have its support. Consequently, 16 additional full sized 3G FTPs are proposed.
Additionally, there are currently five small-sided 3G FTP centres in Leeds:
Powerleague recently announced the planned closures of 13 centres as part of a restructuring of its assets. These sites are anticipated to close in January 2019, including all three of its sites in Leeds. Small sided football is largely serviced by the commercial market in Leeds and the subsequent impact of these closures on small sided football should be monitored.
Leeds Grammar School has successfully obtained planning permission for the development of a floodlit 11v11 3G FTP without funding via the Football Foundation. The operating model and impact with regard to its availability for community use is not yet known.
All of the 16 pitches are available for community use, eight are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play – 2017/18 season). It is recommended that the eight remaining pitches achieve registration to enable more match play on 3G.
The Football Foundation is presently engaged with Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley with regard to the delivery of a possible new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP and is developing the case for a possible funding application in early 2019.
The geographical spread of existing facilities is relatively even; the majority are located in the west, north west and south of the local area. There are facilities/provision gaps in the central and east of central areas despite high levels of population and it is recommended that these are addressed. Many east and north eastern parts of the City are more rural and less densely populated.
Local consultation reveals no common issues other than simply lack of supply in relation to team demand for training.
Sand based pitches at academy managed sites Ralph Thoresby Academy and Garforth Academy need to be resurfaced. The potential aspirations for each, in respect of 3G is not known but self-funded projects could influence the strategic picture for 3G FTP provision. Any proposal to resurface these pitches to 3G either through partnership or self-funded should consult England Hockey to ensure no significant impact on demand for hockey.
The pitch at Springwell Academy (South Site) is not floodlit and would require floodlighting to facilitate evening community use. There are no identified planning constraints in this regard and this should be pursued to maximise the potential community benefit of the pitch.
Fifteen priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated initially using the FA Parklife 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of concentration of local demand, good access, high population, geographical spread, success and quality of existing facilities.
The following sites have been identified as strategically important hub sites in the City with the potential for accommodating multiple 3G pitches supported by ancillary facilities. These sites may possibly be developed as Parklife hubs or as other strategic hubs (subject to due diligence) and together could realise the development of up to 10-12 new 3G pitches.
Proposals for potential 3G FTP development at Woodhall Sports Ground must give consideration to priority projects identified within the Bradford LFFP. Though owned by Leeds City Council, the site itself is located within Bradford Council administrative boundaries and would service a catchment spanning both local authorities.
The Plan also identifies a further six 11v11 3G FTP projects which are considered to be strategically important to the steering group but are likely to comprise of single 3G pitch developments. These projects are:
1 - King George’s Fields (Horsforth) - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
2 - Prince Henry’s Grammar School (Otley) - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
3 - Chapeltown Youth Development Centre (CYDC) - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
4 - The Hunslet Club - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
5 - Garforth (site TBC – identified area of need) - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
6 - Wetherby/Boston Spa (site TBC – identified area of need) - new floodlit 11v11 3G FT
Care must be taken not to create an oversupply of 3G pitches in the City. To ensure a sustainable and fit for purpose approach, the supply and demand model for Leeds should be reviewed and a holistic view taken as each potential scheme is brought forward for consideration. The opportunity for co-location / partnership working with the likes of the RFU and RFL needs to be reviewed as well as the impact that any projects developed outside of FF investment could have on the overall supply and demand for football.
The Plan also identifies four 3G projects for the conversion of sand based or hard court cages to 3G for small sided, recreational and informal football:
7 - Sports Park Weetwood (University of Leeds) – 3G FTP conversion of sand based tennis courts x4
8 - Carnegie Sports Centre (Leeds Beckett University) – 3G FTP conversion of sand based small sided cage
9 - Leeds Trinity University – 3G FTP conversion of hard court area
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 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.
There are currently 54 grass pitch sites in Leeds with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 236 grass pitches. Of these, four are considered to have good quality pitches, 27 are of standard quality and 23 poor quality.
Local consultation shows common issues with poor quality and it is recommended that these are addressed.
There is no pressure for the Council to externalise assets or management to reduce expenditure, however it will consider cases for self-management and maintenance on a case by case basis and where benefit and improvement can be achieved.
The majority of teams in Leeds play on pitches which are local authority managed. Many also serve as public open space which potentially undermines investment and improvement of sites. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some clubs undertake top-up maintenance work on Council pitches to supplement basic cutting and marking.
There is a need to focus investment and maintenance resource at key football participation sites such as Queens Park, Temple Newsam Estate and potential FA Parklife hubs. There may be opportunities to externalise management and maintenance of one or two pitch sites to local clubs/leagues to help facilitate this. This could be supplemented with investment into a maintenance equipment bank to sustain and improve these assets locally outside of local authority responsibility.
Fifteen priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each site has three or more full-size pitch equivalents of poor or standard quality. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS data and qualified by local partners. Due to significant number of grass pitch sites in Leeds, local partners did not select all sites and prioritised only 15, containing 79 full-size pitch equivalents. The prioritisation was made by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that had the most pitches, were most well utilised or had greatest potential for development as multi-grass pitch hubs:
10 - Bedquilts Recreation Ground – natural grass pitch improvements
11 - Brigshaw High School – natural grass pitch improvements
12 - Bruntcliffe Academy – natural grass pitch improvements
13 - Fearnville King George V (KGV) Playing Fields – natural grass pitch improvements to support potential new FA Parklife Football Hub.
14 - Queens Park – natural grass pitch improvements
15 - Rothwell Juniors Football Club – natural grass pitch improvements
16 - Roundhay Park – natural grass pitch improvements
17 - Shaw Lane Recreation Ground – natural grass pitch improvements
18 - Stanningley Park – natural grass pitch improvements (to be reviewed in line with Parklife hub proposals at Woodhall Sports Ground)
19 - Swallow Hill Community College (Blue Lane, Wortley) – natural grass pitch improvements
20 - Temple Newsam Estate – natural grass pitch improvements
21 - Wetherby Sports Association/The Ings – natural grass pitch improvements
22 - Woodhall Sports Ground – natural grass pitch improvements
23 - Woodkirk Academy – natural grass pitch improvements
06
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 54 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Leeds, 45 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses whilst two are served by facilities adjacent to the site. Five have existing facilities that need improvement/ replacement and two have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion.
Further to the above, there is a new site under development at Whinmoor Grange which will require changing provision. Nepshaw Lane POS and Butcher Hill Playing Fields have less than 3 pitch equivalents each, but require changing provision.
Quality of changing room provision is identified as a key issue in Leeds, particularly the presence and quality of changing and toilet facilities at key multi-pitch sites such as Roundhay Park, Queens Park and Temple Newsam Estate.
Leeds Grammar School has successfully obtained planning permission for the development of new changing provision and plans to do so without funding from The Football Foundation.
The balance of cost and quality of changing room provision in Leeds is seen as an issue by many clubs and the County FA identifies that this is ‘out of sync’ with other authorities in the area.
Eight 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 assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion:
10 - Bedquilts Recreation Ground – refurbish changing pavilion (review alongside proposals for Adel Sports & Social Club)
14 - Queens Park – new changing pavilion
16 - Roundhay Park – new changing pavilion
17 - Shaw Lane Recreation Ground – refurbish changing pavilion
18 - Stanningley Park – refurbish changing pavilion (to be reviewed in line with Parklife hub proposals at Woodhall Sports Ground)
20 - Temple Newsam Estate – refurbish changing pavilion
24 - Adel Sports & Social Club – extend and refurbish changing pavilion (review alongside proposals for Bedquilts Recreation Ground)
25 - Whinmoor Grange – new changing pavilion
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.
The Council identifies 6 priority neighbourhoods at LSOA level:
These six areas represent priority projects for the Council, however the exact nature and type of facility investment is yet to be determined. Further consultation with local stakeholders is required to inform the most suitable form of investment in these localities.
The following potential projects have been identified within these priority neighbourhoods:
26 - Boggart Hill (The Rein)
27 - Cliftons, Nowells
28- Holbeck Moor
29- Hunslet Moor Park
30- Jailly Fields (Armley)
31 - Lincoln Green
32 - West Leeds Rugby Club
Local consultation reveals there are three indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football, if these spaces have capacity to accommodate this football use and would not come at the expense of other sport users. Should there be any conflict between different sports, agreement amongst national governing bodies needs to be reached that this is acceptable.
33 - Bilal Sports Centre (Bilal Masjid) – refurbish indoor football facility
34 - Old Cockburn Sports Hall – refurbish and extend indoor football facility
35 - Ramgharia Sikh Sports Centre – refurbish indoor football facility
Whilst there is a good number of MUGAs across the City, it is clear that some of them would benefit from investment to improve the quality and make them more community friendly. Including the possible projects in priority neighbourhoods, thirteen potential opportunities for MUGA’s have been identified, five of which below are not located within priority neighbourhoods. 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:
18 - Stanningley Park – refurbish MUGA
21 - Wetherby Sports Association– refurbish MUGA (flood damaged)
36 - Burley Park – refurbish MUGA
37 - Cross Flatts Park – refurbish MUGA
38 - South Bank Park – new informal/recreational football facility
Outside of the priority neighbourhoods identified, one other location has been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on an open green space with suitable space / area to increase informal football:
39 - Little London – instatement of new grass 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.
Location details: P1 - Parklife Hub
Not known
High (3/4)
4.0/4
92% (11.0/12)
Site TBC
Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
Location details: P2 - Parklife Hub
Not known
High (3/4)
4.0/4
92% (11.0/12)
Site TBC
Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
Location details: P3 - Parklife Hub
Not known
High (3/4)
4.0/4
92% (11.0/12)
Site TBC
Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
WOODKIRK ACADEMY MAIN SPORTS HALL, WOODKIRK ACADEMY REIN ROAD, TINGLEY, WAKEFIELD, , WF3 1JQ
Education
Very High (4/4)
3.0/4
83% (10.0/12)
Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
PRINCE HENRYS GRAMMAR SCHOOL FARNLEY LANE, OTLEY, , LS21 2BB
Education
High (3/4)
3.4/4
82% (9.8/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
THE HUNSLET CLUB HILLIDGE ROAD, LEEDS, , LS10 1BP
Football club
Medium (2/4)
3.7/4
78% (9.3/12)
Share with rugby league
Adult male; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male
QUEENS PARK 42 HENRY GROVE, PUDSEY, , LS28 7FD
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.1/4
77% (9.2/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Youth female; Youth male
CHAPELTOWN FOOTBALL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE PLAYING FIELD SCOTT WOOD LANE, MILES HILL, LEEDS, , LS7 2HJ
Football club
Medium (2/4)
3.5/4
76% (9.1/12)
Adult male; BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male
FERNVILLE (KING GEORGE VI) PLAYING FIELDS Oakwood Lane, LEEDS, , LS8 3LF
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
ROUNDHAY PARK OLD PARK ROAD, LEEDS, , LS8 1JB
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Youth female; Youth male
, LS12 4JH
Education
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
WOODHALL SPORTS GROUND SPORT GROUND A WOODHALL LANE, STANNINGLEY, PUDSEY, , LS28 7TT
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male
KING GEORGES PLAYING FIELDS KING GEORGES FIELD BROWNBERRIE LANE, HORSFORTH, LEEDS, , LS18 5SD
Football club
Medium (2/4)
3.4/4
74% (8.8/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
WETHERBY SPORTS ASSOCIATION THE INGS LODGE LANE, WETHERBY, , LS22 5FN
Football club
High (3/4)
2.6/4
69% (8.3/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
BRIGSHAW HIGH SCHOOL Brigshaw Lane, Allerton Bywater, Castleford, , WF10 2HR
Education
High (3/4)
2.5/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
SHAW LANE RECREATION GROUND SHAW CLOSE, GUISELEY, LEEDS, , LS20 9LQ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
STANNINGLEY PARK 16 CHURCH HILL GARDENS, STANNINGLEY, PUDSEY, , LS28 6LP
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
To be reviewed in line with Parklife hub proposals at Woodhall Sports Ground
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
TEMPLE NEWSAM ESTATE TEMPLENEWSAM ROAD, HALTON, LEEDS, , LS15 0AE
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
, LS25 1DS
Not known
Medium (2/4)
2.8/4
63% (7.6/12)
Identified area of need
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
, LS22 5DX
Not known
Medium (2/4)
2.8/4
63% (7.6/12)
Identified area of need
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
, LS14 2AA
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.7/4
61% (7.3/12)
New site
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
BEDQUILTS RECREATION GROUND 21 ST. HELENS GARDENS, LEEDS, , LS16 8BT
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
61% (7.3/12)
Potential to accommodate several more pitches than presently marked
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
ROTHWELL JUNIORS FOOTBALL CLUB FLEET LANE, OULTON, LEEDS, , LS26 8NX
Football club
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
61% (7.3/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
THE REIN 48 THE REIN, LEEDS, , LS14 1JZ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
, LS9 6JJ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
HUNSLET MOOR 19 BURTON ROW, LEEDS, , LS11 5NX
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
, LS12 4NZ
Other
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups
, LS11 5EW
Other
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational
, LS7 3AP
Other
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
BAME
, LS4 2LB
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
Small-sided informal
CROSS FLATTS PARK HARLECH CRESCENT, LEEDS, , LS11 7DZ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
, LS10 1JQ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
New site
Small-sided informal
, LS19 7DX
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.6/4
60% (7.2/12)
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Youth female; Youth male
BRUNTCLIFFE ACADEMY BRUNTCLIFFE LANE, MORLEY, LEEDS, , LS27 0LZ
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.5/4
59% (7.0/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
BILAL SPORTS CENTRE BILAL SPORTS CENTRE CONWAY ROAD, HAREHILLS, LEEDS, , LS8 5JH
Other
Medium (2/4)
2.5/4
58% (6.9/12)
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (SPORTS PARK WEETWOOD) WEETWOOD SPORTS PAVILION RING ROAD, WEETWOOD, LEEDS, , LS16 5AU
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
3G conversion of tennis courts
Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY (CARNEGIE SPORTS CENTRE) CHURCHWOOD BUILDING, HEADINGLEY CAMPUS CHURCH WOOD AVENUE, LEEDS, , LS6 3QS
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
3G conversion of sand based pen
Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY (TRINITY FITNESS) Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, , LS18 5HD
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
3G conversion of hard court area
Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
ADEL SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB CHURCH VIEW, ADEL, LEEDS, , LS16 8DG
Football club
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
HOLBECK MOOR 116 HOLBECK MOOR ROAD, LEEDS, , LS11 9QL
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
, LS12 2TJ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.4/4
57% (6.8/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
, LS9 7BQ
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.3/4
56% (6.7/12)
LCC priority neighbourhood - exact nature of the scheme to be determined
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
09
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