Local Football Facility Plan South Ribble

South Ribble is in the North West Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 110,400. This is expected to rise to 112,200 by 2039.

South Ribble is ranked 36 out of 39 LAs in the region, and 235 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

South Ribble's ethnic composition is primarily white (97.6%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of South Ribble's population represented by the BAME community is 2.4%. This is below the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

Policy G11 (Playing Pitch Provision) of the South Ribble Council Local Plan commits it to ensuring that open space, sport and recreation facilities are made accessible to everyone, including the disabled and to increasing leisure opportunities for young people. It also sets out an objective to deliver a wide range of high quality open space that is fit for purpose throughout the Borough.

Policy 24 in the Central Lancashire Core Strategy has the aim to "ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access good sport, physical activity and recreation facilities by (a) devising robust standards based on quantified needs, accessibility and qualitative factors, through seeking developer contributions; (b) protecting existing sport and recreation facilities unless they are proven to be surplus to requirements; and (c) identifying sites for new facilities where providers have evidence of need".

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was finalised in 2018. It was part of a joint strategy for Central Lancashire (Preston, Chorley and South Ribble). The key findings and stated overarching priorities are to reduce grass pitch and 3G shortfalls.

County football association

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

Football Foundation

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

Sport England

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

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Preston North End Community and Education Trust runs some health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

South Ribble Leisure is a leisure operator of community football facilities in South Ribble. Parish councils also operate many football sites, whilst schools are also a key provider.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in South Ribble. Twelve individuals (representing nine local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• South Ribble Borough Council
• Lancashire County Council
• Penwortham Town Council

In addition, the majority of clubs, leagues and schools were consulted as part of the 2018 PPS. It was not felt necessary to consult with these again, unless supply/demand was known to have changed significantly.

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. South Ribble has a total of 266 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 South Ribble, ten clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Lostock Hall Juniors FC - 34 teams
• Penwortham St Theresa FC - 19 teams
• Gregson Lane FC - 17 Teams
• Penwortham Town FC - 17 teams

Leagues

Three leagues cater for clubs and teams in South Ribble. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including youth and adults. While there is no specific league opportunity for female or disability football, suitable provision is made across other authorities in Lancashire. The main local leagues (2018-19) are:

• Mid Lancashire Colts Junior Football League - 218 teams - home and away (u18s-u9s) and central venue (u7s and u8s)
• Central Lancashire Junior Football League - 220 teams - home and away
• Lancashire Sunday Football League - 71 teams - home and away

The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration to/from South Ribble due to teams playing in the Central Lancashire Junior Football League.

Disability football

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 South Ribble there are no football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

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

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

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

At 21, South Ribble’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 West Lancashire and North Valley Girls' League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to sustain its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Lancashire County Women's League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is also expected to sustain its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Blackburn Rovers FC. 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 teams are Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Manchester United football clubs, which provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small sided football

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

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

• PowerPlay - Brownedge St Mary's - 10 teams
• LFA County Sixes - County Ground - 12 teams

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 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure that futsal is available across the country.

There are currently seven futsal teams in South Ribble that play in the Red Rose Futsal League at key site locations. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for all players.

Recreational football

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

There is currently one FA Just Play centre in South Ribble. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Lancashire FA. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development.

Informal football

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

Currently, informal football in South Ribble is played particularly in the north, south and west/parts of the local authority. Worden Park, Much Hoole Playing Fields and Walmer Bridge Recreation Ground are key well-used site locations.

The key strengths of local football in South Ribble include youth and adult provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, including disability. football. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for South Ribble are:

1. Investment and development of grass pitch improvement
2. Development of 3G training and match facilities
3. Recreation facilities being accessible, with potential mobile and semi-permanent options
4. Development and reconfiguration of facilities for futsal
5. Development of ancillary provision at grass pitch sites.

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

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

This section reviews existing football facility assets in South Ribble. 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:

• 3G FTPs
• Improved grass pitches
• Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
• Small sided facilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

The five full sized 3G FTPs in South Ribble are located at:

• Balshaw's C of E High School
• Lancashire County FA Headquarters
• Penwortham Leisure Centre
• Runshaw College
• St Mary's RC High School

Although some of these are slightly smaller than full size adult pitches, such as the pitch at Lancashire County FA Headquarters, they are considered full size 3G FTPs for the purpose of this plan and in the PPS due to the demand volume accommodated.

There are also five small-sided 3G FTPs at two sites; the Lancashire County FA Headquarters (one 38m x 28m) and four at South Ribble Tennis & Fitness Centre (28m x 16m).

No new 3G FTPs are currently proposed within the Borough; however, a potential development in Chorley could cater for some Leyland-based demand if it comes to fruition. This is at Jim Fowlers Memorial Ground, which is the home of Euxton Villa FC. It is understood that there is cross-boundary migration from South Ribble residents; with infrastructure in place and with support of the Club, it could be a viable host for a 3G surface.

The South Ribble PPS was undertaken in 2018. It indicates a current shortfall of one full size 3G FTP but based on current affiliation data, the shortfall has increased to two. The PPS did acknowlege this possibility within its future demand calculations.

In addition to the shortfall of full sized 3G FTPs noted, the existing pitch at Penwortham Leisure Centre will need to be resurfaced in the short to medium term. Although it is within its estimated 10-year lifespan, the pitch is heavily used and is showing signs of deterioration.

All existing pitches are available for community use, although neither Runshaw College nor Balshaw's C of E High School can be accessed at weekends. This is due to planning conditions at the former and management issues at the latter. These issues should be explored with the providers; if they cannot be resolved further additional provision may be required.

Four of the five full sized 3G FTPs are on the FA register (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the remaining one; Runshaw College, is assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G (provided it can also be made accessible at weekends).

The geographic spread of existing facilities is even; all provision is located within the urbanised central spine of the Borough. New provision should also be located within this spine to ensure that all demand is catered for.

Local consultation confirmed issues of limited availability and community access and the need for more options for match play on 3G. This plan seeks to address this.

Three priority projects for potential investment are identified. This consists of one project to create two full size 3G FTPs within a hub site, a project to resurface the existing full size 3G surface (at Penwortham Leisure Centre) and a project to provide a new small-sided 3G FTP. Further research is required as to the merits of a hub site, following practices adopted in other areas.

The hub site project is mooted because it is considered that a double pitch site will achieve greater outcomes than two separate one pitch sites (there are also a lack of options to provide pitches at two suitable sites). Further exploration should be carried out to identify a preferred site and it would be beneficial if this could also provide good quality grass and ancillary provision to complement the 3G FTPs. If a large community site cannot be identified, schools could be considered as an alternative.

The small-sided project proposes the conversion of a macadam area at Lostock Hall Academy. This school caters for a large volume of community football activity and it is considered that 3G provision will help accommodate this as well as servicing its own curricular and extra-curricular demand. The grass pitches on site are currently overplayed.

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 quality and one in six games is 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.

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

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

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

For more information click here.

PitchPower

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

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

Learn more by clicking here.

There are currently 16 grass pitch sites in South Ribble with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 79 grass pitches. Of these sites, none have good quality pitches, six are of standard quality and 10 are poor quality.

Local consultation confirms the issues associated with poor quality and it is recommended that this is addressed. The joint PPS noted that pitches in South Ribble were generally rated lower in quality when compared to provision in Chorley and Preston. South Ribble has been identified by Lancashire FA as a key target area for the FA's Pitch Improvement Programme as engagement to late has been low, with only a small number of clubs involved.

Of the 16 key pitch sites referenced, it was determined that nine should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 34 pitches.

Nine priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites which have pitches in poor condition and that are, or have the potential to be, well utilised.

Please note that six of the proposed projects relate to school sites. Many clubs within South Ribble are dependent on the supply of pitches within schools as many large clubs access such provision, despite their general poor quality and current overplay. It should therefore be noted that binding community use agreements will be needed with these schools prior to any investment being considered so as to ensure long-term access for community users. Potential investment in grass sites could also be re-evaluated if there is an opportunity to move clubs to alternative sites i.e. to 3G FTP provision.

Some of the sites proposed for investment also provide fewer than three pitches. These may be given a lower priority when compared to the projects at larger sites given the outcomes that will be achieved.

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 16 key grass pitch sites in South Ribble with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance), 13 sites have suitable changing rooms (or are not considered to be in need), whilst the remaining three require improvement. None require a new build.

Three priority projects for potential investment are identified:

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 and 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 and 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 indicates one indoor facility that could be developed for small-sided football. This would be at the proposed hub site noted in the 3G FTP section (the exact location of which will be subject to further investigation). There are numerous futsal teams within South Ribble and any facility development would also help cater for demand from other nearby local authorities. The creation of a specialised futsal facility would compliment the proposed 3G and grass provision on site.

Four potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. In each case, the rationale is based on the site potentially serving an area of significant population with corresponding high local demand for informal football. Three of the proposed sites have an existing MUGA that could be improved and/or expanded to better cater for football activity, whereas the other possible venue would be developed to support football for the blind (via Galloways).

One of the suggested options is an either/or opportunity. This relates to MUGAs at Peacock Hall Green and Shaw Brook Green. They are in close proximity to each other so it considered that it is only necessary to invest in one. If this is the case, further evaluation is required to identify which would achieve the best outcomes.

In addition to the four identified projects, the Lancashire Constabulary reports that it is looking to invest in mobile youth zones in South Ribble. This will entail creating 'pop up' provision within target areas in order to increase physical activity, with the facilities used as a tool to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. It is, thus, recommended that this initiative is supported to ensure it has access to appropriate facilities in terms of quality and location - Moss Lane and Moss Side are referenced as potential target areas.

No locations are presently identified to support small sided informal football. It is considered that MUGAs are more appropriate in order to develop the small-sided game in the Authority given the existing facilities in place.

A range of local agencies and local football clubs were invited to participate in the LFFP consultation. Those that contributed are listed below:

• Chief Inspector - Police
• Head of Services - Galloways
• Operations Manager - Active Lancashire
• Planning Officer - Lancashire County Council
• Head of PE - Lancashire County Council
• Futures Manager - Progress Housing Group
• Sports Development Manager - South Ribble Borough Council
• Assistant Director - South Ribble Borough Council
• Leisure Contracts & Projects Manager - South Ribble Council
• Head - Preston North End Community & Education Trust
• Clerk - Penwortham Town Council
• Manager - Fox Lane Sports Club

In addition, the majority of other clubs, leagues and education providers were consulted as part of the 2018 PPS process; findings from this have informed LFFP development.