Playing Pitches Delivery Plan for the Plymouth Policy Area ... · Playing Pitches Delivery Plan for the Plymouth Policy Area (PPA): Needs Assessment- Core Sports Page 4 of 126 1 Football

Playing Pitches Delivery Plan for the Plymouth Policy Area (PPA)

Needs assessment – Core Sports

2018 - 2021

Playing Pitches Delivery Plan for the Plymouth Policy Area (PPA): Needs Assessment- Core Sports

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4global Consulting Terms of Reference Estimates and forecasts contained within this report are based on the data and information obtained at that time and the accuracy of resultant findings and recommendations is dependent on the quality of that data.

The author(s) will not be held liable for any data provided by third party organisations as part of the Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) delivery process. The data and recommendations have been conscientiously reviewed through the PPS governance process, with all data and information subject to a thorough check and challenge process via the Project Steering Group. Notwithstanding this, it has not been possible for the author to independently review every element of data provided by third parties.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 FOOTBALL GRASS PITCH ANALYSIS 4

2 ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES (AGP’S) 56

3 CRICKET ANALYSIS 67

4 RUGBY UNION ANALYSIS 87

5 RUGBY LEAGUE ANALYSIS 107

6 HOCKEY ANALYSIS 110

7 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 123


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1 Football grass pitch analysis

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 This section assesses the adequacy of pitches for football in Plymouth (including the administrative

fringe) by presenting the following:

• An overview of pitch supply

• An overview of demand for football

• The pattern of play of football

• A review of the capacity and adequacy of current provision across Plymouth, including an

understanding of activity at individual sites. This is based on a review of sites as broken down

by (groups of) Neighbourhood Areas, of which there are 39 in the City

• The future picture of provision for football across the City

• A summary of findings and the key issues for the Plan to address.

1.1.2 It should be noted that this document represents a ‘marked-up’ version of the 2014 PPP Needs

Assessment. This means that where new data is available or the situation is known to have changed the

figures and commentary relating to this has been changed also. Where the information is thought to have

remained consistent with the 2014 study, or no new information is available, this has been carried

forward into this study.

1.2 Overview of pitches

1.2.1 There are estimated to be 125 individual formal grass football pitches in Plymouth currently marked out

for play.

1.2.2 Other sites (especially a significant number of primary/junior schools) have grass spaces, but which are

not formally marked as pitches (at least at the time of this study (2018)).

1.2.3 Figure 1.1 summarises the breakdown of pitch sizes that are available across the City, and on the fringes

just outside, so as to include pitches over which there is City Council control, but which lie just outside

the city boundaries. The table also outlines the level of community access that is available. Further detail

is provided in the playing pitch strategy approved data set.

Figure 1.1 – Football Pitches in Plymouth: Total

Classif -ication

Definition Adult Youth Mini

Total

11v11 11v11 9v9 7v7 5v5

A1 PCC/local authority owned and available for community use 32 10 21 14 2 79

A2 Community Asset transfer but available for use 10 1 8 4 0 23

A3 PCC/local authority owned but not available for community use 3 1 3 3 0 10

B Available but not used 1 1 0 0 0 2

C Not available 6 0 0 5 0 11

Total 52 13 31 26 2 125

1.2.4 The figure above represents a decrease in recorded provision from the 2014 strategy:

• -7 Adult 11v11

• -7 Youth 11v11

• -4 Youth 9v9

• -1 Mini 7v7

• -4 Mini 5v5


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1.2.5 It should be noted that this decrease is considered to be largely due to the configuration of sites changing

due to the requirements and preferences of site users. It is confirmed that there has been no loss of

playing pitch land in this period. A complete audit of the changes to site configurations is available at the

end of this need assessment.

1.2.6 It should also be noted, that not included in the above table are pitches that are categorized as ‘D’-

pitches that were recorded in 2014 but were on sites that were closed, or disused, but remain

undeveloped. There are 6 of these sites in Plymouth:

• Beechwood Primary School (1x Mini 7v7 pitch)

• Leigham Primary School (1x Mini 7v7 and 2x Mini 5v5 pitches)

• Mayflower Community Centre (1x Youth 11v11 and 1x Youth 9v9 pitches)

• Old Priory Academy (1x mini 7v7 pitch)

• Pomphett Primary School (1x mini 7v7 pitch)

• Tothill Enclosure (1x adult 11v11 and 1x youth 9v9 pitches)

1.2.7 These sites are also summarized at the end of this chapter.

OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

1.2.8 Ownership and management of the pitches captured in the current audit is as follows:

Figure 1.2 - Football Pitches – Ownership and Management

Owners Sites Adult 11v11

Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5

Pitches

(Total)

Plymouth City Council 37 40 7 21 10 2 81

Education 20 6 6 8 17 0 37

MOD 4 3 0 1 0 0 4

Private 5 2 0 0 0 0 2

Cricket Club 1 0 0 1 0 0 1

1.2.9 Plymouth City Council owns the majority of adult pitches, but it can be seen that the educational sector is

also a very important provider. Most of the educational sector is comprised of schools and colleges that

have independent management of their facilities (even though the City Council, as education authority,

owns much of the property). In such circumstances, it is important to note that schools are at liberty to

reconfigure how their playing fields as they see fit. It should be noted that in such a circumstance, all

playing fields would need to be protected to allow schools to fully utilise their sites for playing pitches.

1.2.10 In addition, certain City Council owned sites are, in fact, leased to individual clubs, and there are several

leasehold arrangements currently under consideration amongst the relevant interests. The majority of

larger schools and colleges have some community use of their pitches, although they are not always

able to confirm whether formal community use agreements exist. The use of such pitches is considered

further in the site/area-based review provided later in this section.

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QUALITY: SCORING OF SITES

1.2.11 The scores given to both the pitch quality and built facilities are based upon Sport England’s guidance –

Appendix 2d. (https://www.sportengland.org/media/3522/pps-guidance-october-2013-updated.pdf)

1.2.12 The final pitch quality scores were based upon the assessments made as part of the 2014 research.

They are an amalgamation of scores for the playing surface (grass length/cover, size/slope/evenness of

pitch and any problem areas) with scores for the pitch maintenance programme (frequency and

adequacy of grass cutting, seeding and application of remedial dressings). The majority of sites with

community use were assessed as part of the 2014 PPP. As part of the 2014 PPP process, these scores

were reviewed and sometimes amended to take into account the views of local clubs, league and NGB

reps, as well as site mangers, so as to achieve a rounded view.

1.2.13 The agreed quality scores were brought forward to the 2018 PPP refresh and were used as a starting

point. Where officers from the PPP steering group were aware that the quality of sites had changed

(either via improvement or declining pitch quality), the quality scores were changed to reflect this. In

addition, representatives from the community leagues administering football in Plymouth were invited to

review the pitch data and to recommended amendments where required.

QUALITY SUMMARY ASSESSMENT

1.2.14 The quality of such pitches is considered further in the site/area-based review provided later in this

section. However, the following is a general summary:

1.2.15 The average carrying capacity of PCC owned adult pitches is 2.0 (equivalent to average/standard

quality). However, PCC owned Youth 11v11 pitches (1.5) and Youth 9v9 (1.9) have average capacity

scores below 2.0. This indicates that the quality of these pitches is a mixture of predominantly

average/standard and poor pitches. Standard/average mini soccer pitches have a carrying capacity of

4.0. The average capacity of a PCC owned Mini 7v7 pitch is 2.9. This shows that the average PCC

owned Mini 7v7 pitch is below average/standard quality.

1.2.16 Education owned sites had the lowest average capacity scores across all pitch types in Plymouth, with all

pitch types recording an average capacity below the standard quality capacity (Adult 11v11: 1.5, Youth

11v11: 1.7, Youth 9v9: 1.8, Mini 7v7, 2.0). Of all these pitch types, Mini 7v7 can be considered the worst

as 2.0 is the capacity awarded to all poor quality pitches. This means all Mini 7v7 pitches on education

sites in PCC are considered poor quality. The cause of this poor condition is thought to be due to the lack

of pitch maintenance taking place on the site coupled with the results of overplay on the site from

combined community and school use. This means that during times of poor weather pitches can become

significantly overused for both school and community use which reduces their quality.

1.2.17 The only pitch types recorded on private and MoD sites are adult pitches. The average pitch capacity for

the site was 2.3 (MoD) and 2.0 (Private).

1.2.18 This reflects very much a mixed picture. The best situation occurs in the club-managed facilities. The

education sector seems to perform poorest of all ownership type recorded.

1.2.19 Generally, the worst situation is apparent with local authority pitches, with public sector cut-backs

impacting on the management of the pitch stock. Despite this, some investment has been made to

Staddiscombe to improve drainage and general pitch quality with a beneficial impact.

https://www.sportengland.org/media/3522/pps-guidance-october-2013-updated.pdf


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GENERIC QUALITY ISSUES CONSTRAINING DEVELOPMENT OF CLUBS

1.2.20 In their responses to the 2014 PPP survey, various clubs have made comments about the quality of local

facilities, and these are identified in the site/area based profiles later in the section.

1.3 Overview of Demand

ACTIVE LIVES DATA (SPORT ENGLAND)

1.3.1 The Sport England Active Lives Survey can be used in helping to evaluate the proportion of the adult

population that are likely to participate in football. More information on the Sport England Active Lives

Tool can be found here. The key messages for football are:

• 6.8% of adult residents in Plymouth participated in some form of football at least twice within

the last 28 days. This represents around 14,700 people living within the city

• Of the adult residents in Devon, around 2% are thought to play small-sided football (see the

AGP chapter)

• The Sport England Local Profile resources (available here) indicate there are currently 55.7%

of adult residents that would like to do more sport

CURRENT PARTICIPATION – MATCH PLAY

1.3.2 Building upon the Active People analysis set out above, football is the most popular pitch sport in

Plymouth and it is popular throughout the area. Figure 1.3 summarises the number of teams playing

within the city, as well as the number of teams being exported to sites in neighbouring South Hams.

Figure 1.3 – Football Teams in Plymouth (2018)

Adult 11v11 Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5 Total

Teams Playing within Plymouth 114 102 69 52 28 365

Exported Demand to South Hams 9 2 2 2 3 18

Total Demand 123 104 71 54 31 383

1.3.3 These figures are a bone fide ‘best estimate’ and will in any event change over the course of time. They

take into account, as far as possible, clubs and teams that have a strong affinity with Plymouth City

based on their membership, but which may play just outside the City.

1.3.4 Trends in football participation tend to ebb and flow, and can be influenced by demographics, sports

development campaigns, and international success amongst other things. Any estimates of trends over

recent years have to be interpreted and treated with caution. Figure 1.4 below shows the difference

between the level of play captured by the 2014 study (for teams playing within the study area), in

comparison to the 2018 work.

Figure 1.4 – Trend in Football demand, 2014 - 2018 (Source: Plymouth PPP, 2014 & 2018)

Adult 11v11

Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5

Total

Total Demand (2014) 151 95 61 51 29 387

Teams Playing within Plymouth 114 102 69 52 28 365

Exported Demand to South Hams 9 2 2 2 3 18

Total Demand (2018) 123 104 71 54 31 383

Difference in teams -28 +9 +10 +3 +2 -4

Percentage Change -18.5% +9.5% +16.4% +5.8% +6.9% -1.3%

https://www.sportengland.org/our-work/partnering-local-government/local-sports-data/

https://public.sportengland.org/Shared%20Documents/Map%20Library/LA%20mini%20sport%20profiles%20-%20Aug%202016/Plymouth.PDF


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1.3.5 When compared, the 2014 and 2018 audits show that there has been a stagnation in overall demand,

with greater fluctuation within each age bracket. Figure 1.4 shows that’s the greatest change in demand

has been in adult football, where the number of teams competing has dropped by 28 teams (18.5%).

However, across all other age brackets, the number of teams has increased, with Youth 9v9 teams

increasing by 16.4%.

1.3.6 It should be noted that 18 of the 28 adult teams no longer playing in the city are from university intramural

teams which have not affiliated to the FA’s Whole Game System Data, where this demand has been

drawn from. It should be noted that there maybe other teams that had not affiliated by the time this data

was drawn and therefore this figure should be seen as a ‘minimum’ level of affiliated demand.

1.3.7 It should be noted that the change in demand from all pitch types (other than adult football) has not

resulted in pitch re-marking to suit this demand. This would help to better serve the changing profile of

demand in Plymouth. This is evidenced by the lack of adequate supply of Youth 11v11 pitches and the

spare capacity in Adult 11v11 pitches (see table 4.13 below).

MIGRATION OF TEAMS

1.3.8 From the above it can be clearly seen that there is some ‘cross-border travel’ from Plymouth based

teams to make use of pitches outside of the city.

1.3.9 There are some notable examples of teams travelling across the city boundaries to use home grounds in

adjacent local authority areas. The most notable of these relate to the large Staddiscombe Playing Field

complex, which is owned and managed by the City Council, but is located in South Hams. Amongst

others, many intra mural teams from Plymouth University use this site. The club survey has also

indicated that several clubs rely on facilities outside the area for training (to be considered at relevant

points elsewhere in this section).

PATTERN OF PLAY AND CAPACITY

1.3.10 Table 1.5 shows the overall distribution of ‘match play’ over the course of a week in the season. For

adults the peak-times are Saturday PM, although midweek fixtures form a very significant component of

overall demand compared to other areas (this has changed since 2014 when demand was almost evenly

split between Saturday PM and Sunday AM for adult male football. It should be noted that, the relatively

large mid-week component for adult teams is in part due to due to BUCS fixtures, but also due to the

Devon Wednesday League. The times of play for individual club teams is provided in the playing pitch

strategy approved data set.

1.3.11 Most Youth 11 v 11 and 9 v 9 football is played on Saturday mornings, as is almost all mini-soccer.

During consultation with the FA was reported that, in contrast to other areas of the country, teams in

Plymouth are known to play more flexibly within a given time slot. This means that 2 matches can be

played consecutively at peak times (e.g. Saturday PM) for much of the season. This is understood to

allow more teams to play in their preferred venues but may have an impact on some sites if ‘overplay’ is

an issue; this is explored below. The ‘double time slot’ will impact on the peak time capacity analysis of

this document (see 1.14 below).


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Figure 1.5 – Times of match play (2018 data)

Adult Youth 11v11 Youth 9v9 Mini Soccer

Male Female Male Female Male Female 7v7 5v5

Total Teams 111 12 86 18 53 7 54 31

Saturday 49% - 78% 86% 88% 89% 98% 87%

Sunday 27% 89% 21% 14% 13% 11% 2% 13%

Midweek 24% 11% 1% - - - - -

TRAINING (2014 DATA)

1.3.12 The club questionnaire survey forming part of the 2014 study asked the following question, with the

response also summarised below.

Figure 1.6 – does your club train on your home ground? (2014)

Response

Percent Response

Total

1 Yes – on the pitch

32.00% 8

2 Yes – elsewhere on the ground

20.00% 5

3 No

48.00% 12

answered 25

skipped 8

1.3.13 The 2014 PPP data did not clarify how many clubs and teams actually do formally train. However, the

study’s findings indicated that beyond the more ‘casual’ teams, most do. The 2014 results above, do not

include the University teams, playing and training at Staddiscombe. The above is noteworthy for

highlighting the reliance of many teams on training on their pitch; and, the substantial number of clubs

who either do not train at all; or else, train at another facility. Where the training patterns of individual

clubs and teams have been identified, they have been factored into the site evaluations, and assessing

the overall use of pitches in relation to their notional carrying capacity. Where these precise training

needs have not been identified, there have been assumptions made about where and how often club

teams train.

1.3.14 Where the 2014 survey has revealed clubs and teams making use of other venues for training the

following are the most important (clubs have been anonymised).


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Figure 1.7 – Training venues (off-pitch/site) (2014 data)

Venue Type of Facility Frequency

All Saints School AGP Regular

All Saints School AGP Regular

Bickleigh Camp AGP Weekly During Winter

Brickfields AGP Weekly



Central Park Open ground During Daylight In Summer

Central Park (Summer) Grass Twice A Week

Coombe Dean School AGP Winter Training Oct-March

Devonport Park Open ground During Daylight Hours In Summer

Drake Naval Barracks AGP Once A Week During Winter Period

Eggbuckland Community College (U9-U16) AGP Weekly (30 Weeks Per Year Approx)

Eggbuckland Community College (U9-U16) Grass pitch Daily (July-September & April-May)

Estover AGP Weekly

Goals Plymouth AGP Not Very Often, Cost To High

Goals Plymouth AGP Not Very, Cost Too Much To Hire

Goals Soccer Centre AGP Weekly

Harpers Park (First Team & U18) Grass Pitch Daily

Heles School Sports hall Once A Week

Ivybridge Community College (U9-U16) AGP Daily (September-March)

Lipson Community College AGP Weekly (30 Weeks Per Year Approx)

Longcause School Sports Hall 2 Teams Winter Only

Manadon AGP Weekly

Manadon AGP Regular

Manadon Park Open ground During Daylight Hours In Summer

Plymouth College AGP Weekly

Plymstock School AGP Octoberto End March 3 Teams

Plymstock School AGP Weekly

Plymstock School AGP Once A Week

Ridgeway School Sports hall 3 Teams Octoberto End March

Staddiscombe Open fields Weekly March To September

Tor Bridge High School AGP Weekly

Tor Bridge High School AGP Weekly

Torbridge High School AGP Weekly (30 Weeks Per Year Approx)

1.3.15 It can be seen from the above that AGPs are a very important resource for training for a considerable

number of local clubs and teams. A fuller analysis of the provision and use of AGPs in the Plymouth area

is contained in Section 8.

1.3.16 The 2014 club survey asked if any difficulty was experienced in gaining access to facilities for either

home matches or training, with the resulting overall response.


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Figure 1.8 – Difficulty accessing training facilities (2014 data)

Yes No Response Total

Obtaining pitches for home matches or training? 45.8% (11)

54.2% (13)

24

1.3.17 A very large minority therefore appear to experience such problems with key issues being exemplified by

the following comments (respondents anonymised):

• Lack of times, costs and locations.

• Intense competition for use of facilities.

• If found they cost too much to hire.

• The cost is too much hire.

• Short supply of 3G pitches when weather puts grass pitches out of bounds - competition with other clubs.

• Lack of pitches and training facilities.

• Lack of availability to train on winter evenings

• It’s very difficult to find places to train during the winter as limited availability at reasonable cost.

• If out of bounds alternative venues are very limited. Would like to train on grass at certain times of year.

• Flooding of facilities.

• Availability of pitches when weather is poor.

• Inappropriate or lack of changing facilities.

• Lack of suitable and available grass and artificial surfaces meeting required and expected standards.

OTHER USE OF PITCHES (2014 DATA)

1.3.18 Many of the football pitches in Plymouth are part of larger, multi-functional spaces. Such will be either

schools, public recreation grounds, or other multi-sport venues. Shared use of space is generally an

optimal and cost-effective solution where land is scarce, as in Plymouth. However, problems can be

experienced. The 2014 club questionnaire asked whether home ground pitches were used for other

activities during the week, with the following overall response.


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Figure 1.10 – Shared use of sites/pitches (2014 data)

Are your home ground pitches used for any other informal sports/recreation use during the week?

Response

Percent Response

Total

1 Yes

44.00% 11

2 No

28.00% 7

3 Don't Know

28.00% 7

1.3.19 Some of the issues associated with the shared use of specific sites will be highlighted in the site/area

specific summaries, later in this section.

1.3.20 The majority of schools in Plymouth have their own playing fields and only a small proportion do not have

any outdoor space at all. Not all schools mark out their playing field area as formal pitches, but most

have the capacity to do. However, there are some educational establishments that use local authority

pitches and therefore impact upon the availability and capacity to a limited extent of facilities for

community use. Most notably, these include use of the Staddiscombe site by Plymouth University intra

mural teams. Their pattern of play is largely complementary to other users and offers opportunities for

partnerships, providing the pitches have the capacity to accommodate this.

1.3.21 Many of the playing fields in Plymouth also function as public recreational areas and as such are also

used for more informal recreation. This certainly impacts upon the quality of some pitches, particularly

with regards to dog fouling. During the football season, the use is not sufficiently extensive to reduce the

capacity of pitches, but it does have an impact in terms of the quality of facilities.

LOCAL DEMAND AND SUPPLY

1.3.22 Supply and demand is measured through the use of match equivalents to ensure that a comparison is

possible. Both the adequacy of pitch provision to meet demand over the course of a week; and the

capacity of a pitch to meet demand at peak time are measured. To measure demand, a team playing

home fixtures every other week would generate the equivalent of 0.5 match equivalents per week (one

fixture every other week). Match equivalent values are also used to measure the use of pitches by

educational establishments and the impact of casual access and training. Weightings have been factored

in to take account of considerations like shared education use, and pitch quality.

PEAK TIME DEMAND

1.3.23 The ability of a pitch to accommodate demand at peak time is as important as the overall capacity of the

site over a week. The local leagues all have specific kick off times and while these are flexible to a

degree, it is important that there are enough pitches available when people wish to use them. It should

be noted that pitches can only be considered to have spare capacity at peak time when they are not

already utilised to their full capacity over the course of a week. An adult pitch that is not used on a

Saturday afternoon (City-wide peak time), but is used three times per week at other times (Sunday

morning, Sunday afternoon and midweek for example) would not be considered able to sustain additional

play at peak-time, even though no one would be using the facility then, as this would be detrimental to


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the quality of the pitch. To account for the possibility of 2 matches being played consecutively on the

same pitch during the same peak-time period, a scenario has been developed to account for this in the

analysis.

CAPACITY SCORES

1.3.24 FA guidelines on playing pitch capacity are used to measure supply – pitch capacity is based upon the

quality of the pitch and the consequential number of matches that it can sustain per week. The

assumptions used are set out in Figure 1.11.

Figure 1.11 – Capacity Scores based upon Pitch Quality (2014 data -updated where appropriate by steering group officers)

Agreed pitch quality rating

Number of match equivalent sessions a week

Adult football Youth football Mini soccer

Good 3 4 6

Standard 2 2 4

Poor 1 1 2

It is mandatory to play U11s on 9v9 pitches this season, and this pitch size will be mandatory for U12s

next season (2014/2015). The following table sets out the pitches junior teams are playing on. Figure

1.12 - FA recommended pitch sizes

Age Type

Recommended size without run-off (m)

Recommended size including runoff (m)

Recommended size of goalposts (m)

Length Width Length Width Length Width

Mini soccer U7/U8

5v5 37 27 43 33 1.83 3.66

Mini soccer U9/U10

7v7 55 37 61 43 1.83 3.66

Youth U11/U12

9v9 73 46 79 52 2.13 4.88

Youth U13/U14

11v11 82 50 88 56 2.13 6.40

Youth U15/U16

11v11 91 55 97 61 2.44 7.32

Youth u17/U18

11v11 100 64 106 70 2.44 7.32

Over 18 (senior ages)

11v11 100 64 106 70 2.44 7.32

1.4 Site/ area profiles

1.4.1 The following pages consider the supply of and demand for grass pitches in more detail, by examining

the situation on a site-by site-basis.

1.4.2 The sites are considered in relation to the City Council neighbourhood area in which they are situated.

The 2014 study used 39 designated neighbourhood areas in Plymouth. This document mirrors this

layout.


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1.4.3 Match Equivalents are derived from an assessment of the number of match equivalent sessions taking

place on a weekly basis in the season. These will include both the matches themselves, as well as

training activity. The amount of training activity that takes place on a pitch is a key determinant of its

overall susceptibility to wear and tear. Where club training activity was known or thought to take place

wholly on a grass pitch, an estimate was made of ‘squad sizes’ (expressed as a multiple of the team (as

squads are normally bigger than teams)), and the length and frequency of training sessions. The

information sources used in this regard were club questionnaire returns, information from schools, and

club websites. Often teams will train on the grass pitches during the later evenings at the beginning and

end of the season, and train either on an AGP or indoors (usually in a sports hall) during the darker mid-

season period. To reflect this pattern, the multiple factored in to reflect squad training sizes is usually

reduced (to 0.75 of a team).

1.4.4 At some venues casual activity (such as informal matches in public parks and recreation grounds) can

add to wear and tear on pitches. Where there is a known tendency for this to happen it has been noted.

The calculations and assumptions underlying Equivalent Match Capacity and Match Equivalents are

more fully explained in playing pitch strategy approved data set.

1.4.5 Key information is also provided in tabular format preceding the commentary. Where actual usage of

pitches is estimated to exceed notional capacity, the Match Capacity figures are shown in Red in the

tables. In respect of references to ownership ‘LA’ means Plymouth City Council. Where a site is leased

from the PCC this is mentioned. Other abbreviations in the table are ‘NP’ (No Pitch) and ‘AC’ (At

Capacity).

1.4.6 Abbreviations are also used to describe site ownership. These abbreviations are explained below:

A1: PCC/local authority owned and available for community use

A2: Community Asset transfer but available for use

A3: PCC/local authority owned but not available for community use?

B: Available but not used

C: Not available

D: Former playing pitch sites with potential to be reinstated as playing pitches

U: Unknown

1.4.7 PLEASE NOTE: Capacity demand is calculated on specific pitch types. Where there demand for a

specific pitch type (e.g. a youth 9v9 pitch) but there is no 9v9 pitch on the site. It should be assumed that

the demand for this pitch is being placed on the next largest pitch size (e.g. if there were youth 9v9

demand but no youth 9v9 supply, and there was a youth 11v11 pitch (and no adult 11v11 pitch), it

should be assumed the Youth 9v9 demand is taking place on the youth 11v11 pitch, either via

overmarking or the matches taking place on the wrong pitch sizes.

1.4.8 Where there adult demand but no adult pitches, this demand can be attributed to any youth pitches

available at the same site.

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North Prospect & Weston Mill/ Beacon Park/ Peverell & Hartley/ Ford

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip

Pitches Pitch Capacity Teams playing on site Capacity Balance Peak Time Match Slots (2x

match slots per session)

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Central Park Playing Fields

(including Sports Plateau,

Tip Site, Cottage Field,

Barn Park Road sites)

A1 LA 2 2 3 3 1.0 NP 3.0 NP NP 1.0 NP 3.0 NP NP

Harpers Park C LA 2 4 4.0 NP NP NP NP 4.0 NP NP NP NP

Weston Mill Oak Villa

A2 LA 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 1.5 2.0 2.0 NP NP 0.5 1.0 1.0 NP NP

1.4.9 Central Park (including Sports Plateau, Tip Site, Barn Park Road, Cottage Field Pitches): The site is owned and managed by the City Council, and hosts 4

pitches. The pitches are located as follows; Cottage Field – 1x adult pitch; Sports Plateau – 1x adult pitch, and; Tip Site – 2x 9v9 pitches. The Barn Park and

Love’s Field sites were once used as football pitches but haven’t been for some time due to poor pitch conditions. The site is currently undergoing

refurbishments and is not currently used. The assessment considers pitch quality to be poor due to poor drainage. Changing accommodation exists in the

southern part on Central Park but this is a considerable distance from pitches. As explained later in this section, there are proposals to further develop the

facilities on this site into a community sports hub.

1.4.10 Harpers Park: This site is owned by the Council, but managed by Plymouth Argyle FC. It is used largely by teams associated with the Plymouth Arglye Football

Club. It hosts 2 adult pitches.

1.4.11 Devonport High School for Girls: The site is managed by the school, and there are no recorded pitches.

1.4.12 Weston Mill Oak Villa: Club-owned and managed site. There is 1 x adult 1x Youth 11v11 and 1 x 9v9 pitches on the site. The adult and youth 11v11 pitches are

of good quality, whilst the youth 9v9 is of standard quality. The changing facilities are considered to be good. Adult and youth teams reported to train on

Plymouth College AGP. It is estimated that the pitches are not being used to capacity and there is spare peak-time capacity across all pitch types.


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Chaddlewood; Colebrook & Newnham Ridgeway; Woodford

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip

Pitches Pitch Capacity Teams playing on site Capacity Balance Peak Time Match Slots

(2x match slots per session)

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Hele's School A1 Education 1 1 2 4 1 2 2 -

0.5 1.0 NP 3.0 NP NP 1.0 NP 1.0 NP

Peacock Meadow

C LA 1 2 NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP

Plympton Community

Sports Centre A1 Education

9v9 (FA)

1 1 5 NP NP NP NP NP NP NP AC AC AC

1.4.13 Heles School: The site has 1 x youth 11v11 pitch; and, 1 x mini 7v7 pitch. It is managed by the school. There is some adult demand which is expected to be

played on the youth 11v11 pitch (meaning its overall carrying capacity is likely to be 0.5). The site is well used by AFC Plympton Youth. Pitches and changing

facilities are both rated as average/standard. The assessment suggests that the pitches have some spare capacity to accommodate more demand at peak-times

however, this school site is subject to heavy community pressures and has high aspirations for the use of its playing fields. Future issues may arise in the

coordination of multi-sport activity on the pitch areas.

1.4.14 Peacock Meadow: This city council controlled site is recorded as having 1 x 7v7 mini-soccer pitch which is no longer available for community use. Previously

recorded as a junior pitch, but no markings nor apparent use this past season. The assessment considers the pitch to be of poor quality.

1.4.15 Plympton Community Sports Centre: The site is managed by the Plympton Academy and has 1 x 9v9 3G AGP pitch. The pitch is on the FA register and is

therefore considered to be able to meet demand for soccer and 9v9 matches. The site is currently recorded as being used to capacity.


Page 17 of 126

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Whitleigh

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip

Pitches Pitch Capacity Teams playing on site Capacity Balance Peak Time Match Slot


Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Aylesbury Crescent

A1 LA 2 4 1 3.5 NP NP NP NP 3.5 NP NP NP NP

1.4.16 Aylesbury Crescent: The site is owned and managed by the city council. It hosts 2 x adult pitches. The site is on a pronounced dome. The pitches are rated as

being of standard quality, and there is a changing facility of standard quality. However, the site does appear to have spare capacity to absorb additional play.

1.4.17 Sir John Hunt School: The site is not recorded in the 2018 pitch audit.

Tamerton Foliot

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Mary Deans C

of E Primary School

A1 Education 1 3 2 NP NP NP 3.0 -

1.0 NP NP NP 2.0 NP

1.4.18 Mary Deane C of E Primary School: The site is managed by the school and has 1 x 7v7 mini-soccer pitch. The site is available for community use and is used

by Tamerton Foliot Youth FC (4 teams). The pitch has to be used by both age groups of mini-soccer teams meaning that its true balance is likely to be 2 rather

than 3.


Page 18 of 126

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Devonport/Stonehouse/Stoke

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Brickfields Sports Centre

A1 LA 2 1 4 2 7 6 2 0.5 -

3.0 1.0 NP NP 0.5 NP 1.0 NP NP

Devonport High School

For Boys A3 Education 1 1

11v11 (FA)

1 2 8 2 NP NP 2.0 2.0 NP AC 1.0 1.0 1.0 NP

Devonport Park

A1 LA 1 1 2 2 1 7 1.5 -

3.5 2.0 NP NP 1.5 NP 2.0 NP NP

Stoke Damerel

Community College

A1 Education 1 1 4 0 1 NP NP 3.5 0.0 NP NP NP 1.5 AC NP

Victoria Park A1 LA 2 4 4 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP

1.4.19 Brickfields: This site is owned by the city council and managed by Everyone Active, and hosts 2 x adult, and 1 x youth 9v9 pitches. The site is used by a mixture

of 11 adult and youth teams. As there is no youth 11v11 pitches but 3.0 demand for these pitches it is considered likely that this demand is being met by adult

11v11 pitches. Which would mean these pitches are in actual fact being overplayed by 2.5 match equivalents per week.

1.4.20 There are now two AGPs on site- one long-pile 3G (used only for rugby, and not performance assessed for football) and one sand-filled.

1.4.21 There is a 6-lane synthetic track on the site. The Millbridge FC train on the Manadon AGP. Railway Beacon youth teams train on open ground at Central Park, so

training is discounted at Brickfields. The FA believe that the football pitch in the middle of the athletics track has the potential to be one of the best in the City, if

maintained well and shared with athletics.

1.4.22 Both the pitches and the changing facility are assessed as average/standard quality.

1.4.23 Devonport High School for Boys: The site is managed by the school and hosts 1 x 9 v 9 youth pitch and 1 x 7 v 7 mini-soccer pitches that are used by

Devonport Boys FC. The pitch is assessed as being of average/standard quality, and the changing facility is assessed as good.

1.4.24 The site now has a full-size 3G pitch (replacing the adult grass pitch), and an artificial wicket for a junior cricket field is being developed elsewhere on site. The

3G pitch appears to have teams booked in to use it for match play and training next season.


Page 19 of 126

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1.4.25 Devonport Park: This site is owned and managed by the city council, and hosts 1 x adult and 1 x youth 9v9 pitches. It is considered by the County FA to be a

key site for local league football.

1.4.26 The pitches are rated as being of average/standard quality, and changing facility is of good quality. The adult pitches are thought to be meeting the youth 11v11

demand meaning the adult pitch is actually being overplayed by 2 match equivalents per week.

1.4.27 There is a new, lottery funded, cafe with changing rooms as part of the complex. Teams from Keyham Kolts and Railway Beacon Youth FCs use the site. There

is a mismatch between the adult pitch and junior size teams.

1.4.28 Stoke Damerell College: This site is managed by the college and hosts 1 x youth 9v9 and 1 x mini 7v7 pitches, but there is no known formal use of the grass

pitches. The youth 9v9 pitch is considered to be of good quality but the mini pitch is considered to be poor. The changing facility are rated as being of good

quality. There is a half-size sand-based AGP on the site. The AGP is in heavy demand for training.

1.4.29 The school has stated that improvements are needed to create a full-size AGP, but this is not planned at the moment.

1.4.30 Victoria Park: This council owned and managed site has 2 x adult football pitches. The pitches are rated as standard. The changing accommodation was rated

as poor but in 2018, enhancements took place including a new roof and floor and the facility should now be considered to be of good quality. The pitches

frequently suffer from flooding. Consecutive matches are cancelled resulting in disruption to league match play.

Southway

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Becton Dickinson

C Private 1 2 0 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP

Bond Street A1 LA 2 2 NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP

1.4.31 Becton Dickinson: The site is privately managed and hosts 1 x adult pitch. There is no demand captured on this site for this study, which is a reduction from the

2014 study which found 1 team, Tamerton Youth FC, playing at the site.

1.4.32 Beechwood Primary School: No supply has been identified for this site by the study. In the 2014 study the site was understood to have 1x Mini 7v7 pitch. The

site has no demand recorded on it.


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1.4.33 Bond Street: This is identified by the County FA as important for local football in the north of the City. The site hosts 2 x 9v9 pitches which are deemed to be of

average/standard quality. There is no changing facility. The site seems to be used by just one Tamerton Youth FC team. There would appear to be scope for

greater use of this site.

Plympton St. Maurice & Yealmpton

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip

Pitches Pitch Capacity Teams playing on site Capacity Balance

Peak Time Match Slot (2x match slots per session)

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Plympton St. Marys

A1 LA 3 1 6 2 12 2 2 0.0 -1 1.0 NP NP AC NP 1.0 NP NP

1.4.34 Plympton St. Mary’s Recreation Ground: Local authority owned and managed, and hosting 3 x adult and 1 x youth 9v9 pitches. The site is recorded as being

used by 16 teams comprising both adult and youth. Both the pitches and changing facility are rated as being of average/standard quality. An obviously busy and

popular site. But there is a badly potholed car park, and puddles on all pitches (recorded after recent rainfall). There may be an issue with youth teams playing

on wrong-size pitches here. The Chaddlewood teams sometimes train at the 3G at Drake Naval Base. Woodford FC train at Heles School sports hall, so have

been discounted for training on this site. However, the adult pitches have been assessed as being over-played.

1.4.35 The County FA have suggested that the provision of portable goal posts at this site might help to reduce the ‘overplay’ by discouraging informal games.

1.4.36 Old Priory Academy: School-controlled site with no supply or demand identified by this study. In 2014 two mini-soccer teams (Old Priory Academy) were

recorded as playing on 1x Mini 7v7 pitches.


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Honicknowle; Manadon & Widney

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Chaucer Way

A1 LA 1 2 2 NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP

Knowle Battery

A1 LA 2 1 4 2 1 1 3.5 NP 1.5 NP NP 3.5 NP 1.5 NP NP

Manadon Vale

School C Education 1 2 NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP

Plymouth Parkway Football

Club

A2 LA 1 3 2 4 1 2 2.0 NP -2.0 -0.5 -1.0 1.0 NP NP NP NP

Sheridan Gardens

A1 LA 1 2 1 2 1.5 -

1.0 NP NP NP 1.5 NP NP NP NP

West Park Playing Field

A1 LA 1 1 2 0.0 NP NP NP NP AC NP NP NP NP

1.4.37 Chaucer Way: Council owned and managed facility (with new changing rooms) on the site of a former primary school, with 1 x adult pitch (small in size). It is

recorded as being used by two adult teams. The pitch and changing facility are recorded as being of average quality. The County FA suggest that ball catch

netting is needed along both touch line areas of this pitch, as teams are continually losing balls.

1.4.38 Knowle Battery: A city council owned and controlled site, with 2 x adult and 1 x youth 9v9 pitches. This is a heavily used site and there are 6 teams recorded as

playing on the site a reduction of 6 since 2014.

1.4.39 Up until recently changing was provided for in a number of container style-units (since removed). The pitches are assessed as being of poor quality. The

changing facilities were assessed as being of standard quality.


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1.4.40 Manadon Vale Primary School: A small site hosting 1 x mini 7v7 pitch, with no changing facilities. No recorded teams playing here.

1.4.41 Plymouth Parkway: This is a club-managed site, hosting 1 x adult pitch. Both the pitch and the changing facility are recorded as being of good quality. The site

is understood to be overplayed due to youth and mini soccer matches being played on the site.

1.4.42 Sheridan Road Playing Field: This is a city council controlled site, hosting 1 x adult pitch. The pitch is assessed, on balance, to be of average/standard quality

(it was the borderline of poor/average via the assessment). The changing facility is recorded as being of poor quality. The site is recorded as being used by 3

teams, and is under-played but only by 0.5 match equivalents per week. Although the relatively low pitch quality might not allow it to absorb much additional play.

1.4.43 St. Boniface’s RC College: The school appears to also rely on the use of other facilities, notably at Derriford Health & Leisure, The Life Centre, and Manadon

AGP. No pitches are understood to be present at the site.

1.4.44 West Park Recreation Ground: This is a city council owned and controlled site, which hosts 1 x adult pitch. It is recorded as being used by two adult teams.

The pitch is assessed as being of average/standard quality, and the changing facility as being of poor quality. The site is considered to be at capacity. There is a

sharp drop from side of pitch. Needs some sort of ball retention screen/fence/hedge.


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Higher Compton & Mannamead; Mutley; Lipson & Laira; Efford

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Collins Park

A1 LA 3 6 3 NP NP NP 4.5 NP NP NP NP 4.5 NP

Higher Efford

A1 LA 1 1 2 2 3 1 NP 0.5 1.5 NP NP NP 0.5 1.5 NP NP

Lipson Community

Sports & Arts Centre

A1 Education 1 1 1 1 5 5 2 3 4 NP -

1.5 0.0

-1.5

-2 NP AC AC NP NP

Lipson Playing Field

A1 LA 1 0 NP 0.0 NP NP NP NP AC NP NP NP

1.4.45 Collins Park: The site is owned and controlled by the city council and hosts 3 x 7v7 mini-soccer sites. It is used by 10 youth teams. The pitches are assessed as

being of average/standard quality, and there is no changing facility. The site is signed as “Wrigley's Soccer Development Scheme Football Coaching Centre”.

There is likely to be a mismatch between the pitch sizes and some of the teams, as it provides for only mini-soccer.

1.4.46 AC Plymouth Youth train at the 'Goals' facility, and not at Collins Park.

1.4.47 Consultation suggests that AC Plymouth Youth are seeking to obtain their own ground but have not been successful at the time of writing.

1.4.48 The County FA believe that this site can be a key site for youth football. It could host 9v9 and 7v7 pitches. The FA believes there is a need to provide toilets, as a

minimum and look to improve pitch quality and maintenance.

1.4.49 Higher Efford: This is a city council owned and managed site, which hosts 1 x 11v11 youth and 1 x 9v9 youth pitch, used by Friary Mill Youth FC teams. The

pitch is assessed as being of average/standard quality, and the changing facility of poor quality. There is estimated over-play of the site, and a potential

mismatch between pitch sizes and age group needs.

1.4.50 Lipson Community College: This school-controlled site hosts 1 x 11v11 youth and 1 x 9v9 youth pitches. It is the home of Lipson FC and several Sport Lipson

Youth FC teams. The pitches and changing facility are recorded as being of average/standard quality. The pitches are estimated as being over-played. Adult

demand is thought to be met by the youth 11v11 pitches meaning the youth 11v11 pitches are in fact being overplayed by at least 1.5 match equivalents per

week.


Page 24 of 126

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1.4.51 There is also a full-size sand-Dressed AGP on the site. Several adult and youth teams train on the AGP, and the mini soccer teams train on grass. The AGP is

being inspected for possible refurbishment but has not yet been renewed.

1.4.52 Lipson Playing Field: This is a city council owned and managed site, that appears to host 1 x 9v9 youth pitch with very faint markings, and is rated as being of

poor quality, to the extent that there is no capacity attributed to the site. There is no changing facility, and no recorded current formal use. No demand is

attributed to the site. There is considerable sway in goalpost sockets.

1.4.53 Plymouth College: The site has a 60 x 40m sand-based AGP which is available and used by the community. There is no record of regular community use of the

grass pitches.


Page 25 of 126

OFFICIAL

Estover, Glenholt & Derriford East

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Marjon Sport

Centre A1 Education 1

11v11 (FA)

3 10 8 4 6 -

2.0 NP

-2.0

-3.0 NP AC AC NP NP NP

Tor Bridge Sports Centre

A1 Education 2 11v11 (FA)

4 1 3 3 2 NP -

1.5 2.5 NP NP 1.5 0.5 2.5 4 NP

1.4.54 Marjons Sport Centre: This is a University-controlled site, which hosts 1 x adult football pitches. The pitches are rated as being of average/standard quality, and

the changing facility is rated as good. The pitches are heavily used largely by Marjons-based teams (as well as some community teams at youth age groups).

There does appear to be a mismatch between the size of the grass pitch and the needs of younger teams but most of this demand is thought to be on the AGP

pitches where there is greater flexibility of use. The FA believe that the grass pitches require upgrading- perhaps through the FA Pitch Improvement Programme.

1.4.55 There is a full-size 3G (rugby/football compliant) pitch on site. There are also 2x sand-dressed AGPs. It is likely that much of the training now takes place on

AGPs, so that there is no need to train on the grass pitches. The club consultation suggests that there is a strong and growing demand for pitches at this site

which is difficult to fulfil due to peak-time capacity being reached.

1.4.56 Tor Bridge High School: The site is managed by the school, and hosts 2 x 9v9 youth and an AGP. The site is heavily used by several youth and adult teams,

as well as being the venue for the Saints SW Soccer School. Both the pitches and the changing facilities are rated as being of average/standard quality.

1.4.57 There is a full-size 3G AGP. Several senior and youth teams train and play competitive matches on the AGP. The site is thought to be well used but not

overplayed at this stage.


Page 26 of 126

OFFICIAL

Ernesettle

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Ernesettle Green

B LA 1 1 1.0 NP NP NP NP 1.0 NP NP NP NP

Lakeside, Ernesettle

C LA NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP

Parkway Sports &

Social Club A2 LA 1 2 5 3 1 2 1

-0.5

-1.5

-2.0 -0.5 NP AC NP NP NP NP

1.4.58 Ernesettle Green: A city council controlled site. It is now seemingly disused for organised football as the site was not found to carry a football pitch during the

2014 and 2018 PPP audits.

1.4.59 Ernesettle Primary School: The site is school-controlled and there does not appear to be any pitches marked out or any community use of the playing field,

currently.

1.4.60 Lakeside: City Council owned and managed site which was thought to have a football pitch in the past but does not have one any longer.

1.4.61 Parkway Sports and Social Club (Optimus Park): This is a club-controlled site, which hosts 1 x adult pitch assessed as being of average/standard quality. The

changing is rated as being of good quality. The site is used by 12 teams (including two ladies teams) and is over-played. All demand is thought to be placed on

the adult pitches meaning the pitch is overplayed by 3.5 match equivalents. There was a lot of surface water at the time of the site visit. There is a dedicated

training area, so the pitches will not be used heavily for training.


Page 27 of 126

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Barne Barton; Keyham; Morice Town

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Bull Point C MOD 2 4 1 2 1 3.5 -

1.0 -

0.5 NP NP 3.5 NP NP NP NP

Esturary Way

C MOD 1 2 NP NP 2.0 NP

NP NP

NP 2.0

NP NP

Northdown Playing Field

A1 LA 1 4 3 1 NP NP 1.0 -0.5 NP NP NP 0.5 NP NP

Riverside Primary School

A1 Education 1 0 1 1 NP -

0.5 NP -0.5 NP NP NP NP AC NP

Wyvern Centre

C MoD 11v11 1 NP NP NP NP NP 1.5 NP NP NP NP

1.4.62 Bull Point: This AGP appears now to be largely unavailable. The site’s two grass pitches are used by 4 teams. It is considered likely that teams are playing with

incorrect pitch and goal sizes as there is significant demand from youth 11v11 and 9v9 teams but no provision for these matches to be played on.

1.4.63 Estuary Way: This pitch site is associated with the Bull Point MOD site but is situated away from it. The site has one standard 9v9 pitch but is not used for

community use at the moment and has no secured community access either.

1.4.64 Northdown Playing Field: This council controlled site hosts 1 x 9v9 youth football pitches and is a venue for Keyham Kolts Youth/Junior FC. The pitches are

rated as being able to take 4 matches per week and there is no changing facility. There appears to be a mismatch between pitch sizes and some of the age-

group needs (with respect to the mini-soccer teams).

1.4.65 Riverside Community Primary School: The site is school controlled and hosts 1 x Mini 7v7 pitch that is assessed as being of good quality. There is no

changing facility available. This is a new school. The surface is shared between a youth team and a mini soccer team, and therefore only counts as one pitch

(youth 9 v 9).

1.4.66 Wyvern Centre: This MoD site is not generally considered to be available for community use but does have one team attributed to playing at the site (possibly

due to a personal relationship between the team and the base).


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Widewell

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Widewell Primary

Academy A3 Education 1 1 2 2 2 3 2 2 2.0 -1 -1.5 1.0 -1.0 NP NP NP 1.0 NP

1.4.67 Widewell School: This school controlled site hosts a standard quality Mini 7v7 pitch. There is no recorded training on this pitch. Belliver FC teams play here,

and there is a mismatch between pitch sizes and the needs of mini-soccer teams. It is understood that use of this site by community teams is largely due to the

enthusiasm and efforts of an individual member of staff. There is significant overplay on this site. It this thought that the youth 11v11 and 9v9 demand must be

taking place on the adult 11v11 pitch that may not have the appropriate sized goal-posts for the age-groups of the matches being played on the site.


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Leigham & Mainstone; Eggbuckland

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Eggbuckland Community

College A3 LA 2 1

7v7 (FA)

4 2 4 7 7 8 2.0 -

3.5 -1.5 -1.5 NP 2.0 NP AC NP NP

Hoskins Park A2 LA 1 2 2 4 6 4 2.0 -

3.0 2.0 NP NP 2.0 NP 2.0 NP NP

1.4.68 Eggbuckland Community School: This school-controlled site hosts 2 x adult, 1 x 9v9 youth, and 1 x 7v7 AGP, and is a major venue for community football. It is

the venue for Activate teams, amongst others. The pitches and changing facility are assessed as being of average/standard quality, and are heavily used. The

previous action plan suggested that pitch improvements were desirable. It also suggested the need for an AGP, which has now been provided, albeit now

seemingly insufficient due to a lack of size and the fact that the site is still considered to be operating over capacity. Much of the training will take place on the

heavily-used AGP, although mini-soccer teams will also train on the grass areas. The adult pitch is thought to be overplayed by 1.5 match equivalents per week

and the youth 9v9 by 3 match equivalents also.

1.4.69 Eggbuckland Recreation Ground: This council controlled site does not host any pitches, but has been recorded as being used for activity by the Activate

Ladies FC team.

1.4.70 Hoskins Park: The council granted a licence to Chaddlewood Miners for the site which hosts 1 x adult and 2 x youth 9v9 pitches. The pitches are assessed as

being of average/standard quality, and there is no changing facility. The site is used heavily by Chaddlewood Miners Youth FC teams, and there is some

mismatch between pitch sizes and age groups (especially with regard to the adult pitch). The AGP at Plymstock School is sometimes used for training, as are

sports halls. Lack of parking will limit usage. The site is also known to suffer issues with poor drainage.

1.4.71 Leigham Primary School: The site is school controlled and hosts 1 x 7v7 mini-soccer. The pitches are assessed as being of good quality, and there is no

changing facility available. The pitch was used by Marjons Youth FC but is no longer considered to be available for use.


Page 30 of 126

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Elburton & Dunstone; Goosewell

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Coombe Dean

Sports & Leisure

A1 Education 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 0.0 -

1.0 0.5 2.0 NP AC NP 1.5 2.0 NP

Elburton Villa

Football Club

A2 LA 2 1 1 5 2 4 6 4 2 2 2 2.0 -

2.0 1.0 3.0 -1.0 1.0 NP 1.0 1.0 NP

Staddis -combe Playing Fields

A1 LA 10 20 15 12.5 NP NP NP NP 12.5 NP NP NP NP

1.4.72 Coombe Dean School: The school site has 1 x adult, 1 x 9v9 youth, and 1 x 7v7 mini-soccer pitches, which are assessed as being of average/standard quality.

1.4.73 The pitches are used by several Hooe Rovers Youth FC teams. The site also has a half-size AGP. Much of the training is likely to take place on the AGP, and

therefore only mini soccer training has been calculated. The County FA have suggested that as the drainage of site has caused several games to be cancelled,

an FA ‘Pitch Improvement’ visit might be desirable.

1.4.74 Elburton Villa: This club managed site has 2 x adult, 1 x 9v9 youth and 1 x 7v7 pitches which host Elburton Villa’s adult and youth teams, as well as 2 Plymouth

Argyle Youth teams. One the pitches and changing facilities are rated as being of good quality, with the rest of the pitches being rated as average/standard. They

are used heavily, and there may be a mismatch between pitch size and some team needs. The adult pitches are thought to be at capacity.

1.4.75 Staddiscombe Playing Field: This large site is owned by the city council and has recently been invested in for pitch improvements. It hosts 10 x adult pitches.

Both the pitches and the changing facility are rated as being of average/standard quality (although club survey comments suggest that the changing facilities

require improvement). 15 teams are recorded as using this site.


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Turnchapel, Hooe & Oreston

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Jennycliffe A2 LA 1 2 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP

Oreston Recreation

Ground A1 LA 1 2 NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP

1.4.76 Jennycliffe: This is a city council controlled site (but leased via a community asset transfer). The site hosts 1 x adult pitch. The pitch and the changing facility are

assessed as being of average/standard quality. The site is not used by community teams.

1.4.77 Oreston Recreation Ground: A council controlled site, but there are no teams recorded as currently playing here, although there is evidence that it has been

used by Hooe Rovers FC, Oreston FC, and Plymstock United FC in the past. The site has 1 x adult pitch, but it is thought to be under-sized. The pitch is

assessed as being of average/standard quality, and there are no changing facilities. The pitch is recorded as having reasonable grass cover, but very worn goal

mouths. The goal posts are also considered to be of poor quality.


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Plymstock & Radford

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Deans Cross

A2 LA 1 2 1 3 4 4 2 3 3 3 2.0 -

1.5 2.5 2.5 NP 1.0 NP 2.5 0.5 NP

Foresters Field

A2 LA 1 1 5 1.0 -

2.5 NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP

Plymstock Community

Sports Centre

A1 Education 11v11 (FA)

1 1 5 -

0.5 NP NP NP NP NP NP NP AC

1.4.78 Deans Cross This council controlled site hosts 4 pitches; 1x adult 11v11, 2x youth 9v9, 1x mini 7v7. The site has significant youth 11v11 demand but no

dedicated pitches indicating that some matches are taking place on pitches with inappropriate pitch and goal dimensions.

1.4.79 Foresters’ Field: This council controlled site hosts 1 x adult pitch. Both the pitches and the changing facility are rated as being of average/ standard quality. The

site is heavily used by youth teams of Plymstock United FC and the adult pitch is thought to be overplayed by youth 11v11 demand.

1.4.80 Foresters Field is separate but adjacent to (and can be accessed from) Deans Cross. Part of the cricket outfield is shared with football pitches. There is no

changing unit on the Forrester's Field. There is a mismatch between youth age groups and pitch sizes.

1.4.81 Plymstock Community Sport Centre: This school controlled site has 1 x 11v11 AGP. The site is heavily used by Morley Rangers FC youth teams as well as

the Goals Soccer School (which will use the AGP, largely). Plymstock CC have also used the site for cricket. Local teams will use the AGP for some matches

and training, and this activity has been discounted.

1.4.82 This site is clearly not just important for football, but also for local cricket interests.

1.4.83 Pomphlett Primary School: This school controlled site was recorded as having a 1 x 7v7 mini-soccer pitch rated as good quality in 2014. However, there is no

record of such a pitch during the 2018 audit and therefore the site is now considered a Category D site.


Page 33 of 126

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Greenbank & University; City Centre; East End; Mount Gould

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Astors B LA 1 0 NP 0.0 NP NP NP NP AC NP NP NP

Milllbay Park

A2 MoD 1 3 2 2.0 NP NP NP NP 1.0 NP NP NP NP

Prince Rock

Playing Fields

A1 LA 1 2 1 NP NP 2.0 NP NP NP NP 2.0 NP NP

Tothll Enclosure

A1 LA 1 1 1 1 1 1 0.5

NP 0.5 NP

NP 0.5 NP

1.5 NP NP

Tothill Park

A1 LA 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 0.0 -0.5 0.5 NP NP AC NP 1.5 NP NP

1.4.84 Astors: Posts in place but no markings. This pitch should therefore be considered more of an informal football space than a dedicated playing pitch.

1.4.85 Millbay Park: This is a MoD site that has some use by adult community teams, it appears. There is 1 x adult pitch with changing facilities. The pitch would

appear to be in excellent condition. The site is categorised as in the A3 class (similar to schools used by the community). However, there is very little long-term

security of tenure for community clubs, as MoD needs will take priority.

1.4.86 Prince Rock Playing Field: This council controlled site has 1 x youth 9v9 pitch. The pitch is rated as being of average/standard quality, and there is no changing

facility. One youth 11v11 team is recorded as playing on site and is therefore considered to be playing with incorrect goal and pitch dimensions. This site has

been identified by Plymouth City Council for urban development as part of the Joint Local Plan. Plymouth City Council are working with Sport England to find a

way of mitigating the loss of this site. It must be protected as playing pitches in the JLP and should be covered by policy ES2 (overall strategic policy)


Page 34 of 126

OFFICIAL

1.4.87 Tothill Enclosure: A PCC site predominantly used by Mount Gould FC. The site hosts two pitches, an Adult 11v11 pitch and a Youth 9v9 pitch.

1.4.88 Tothill Park: This council controlled site hosts 1 x adult and 1 x 9v9 youth pitches. The pitches and the changing facility are rated as being of poor quality, with

the adult pitch considered undersized. It is used by a mix of adult and youth teams. Very worn and indented goal mouths. The changing rooms are old and

dated, but clean. The County FA believe that both the changing accommodation and the pitches require improvement.

1.4.89 Windmill FC train on an AGP at Torbridge High School, so their training on this site has been discounted.

1.4.90 Taking into account the quality of the pitches and training needs, the pitches are assessed to be overcapacity.

St, Budeaux & Kings Tamerton

Site Name

Availa

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Marine Academy Plymouth

A1 Education 1 1 2 1 0.5 1.5 5 5 3 2 1.0 -2.5 -2.0 0.0 -1.0 2.0 NP AC AC NP

1.4.91 Marine Academy: This school controlled site has 1 x adult, 1 x 9v9 youth and 1 x 7v7 mini. The pitches and the changing facility are both rated as being of

average/standard quality. There are 15 teams of various age groups using the site- all run by Marine Academy FC.

1.4.92 Given the number of teams, quality of pitches and the need to train, all pitches are likely to be over-played. A proposed 3G AGP has previously been refused on

planning appeal.

1.4.93 This is an extremely heavily used site for community football, with capacity issues, which would be alleviated greatly by the provision of a 3G pitch.


Page 35 of 126

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Ham & Pennycross

Site Name A

vaila

bili

ty

Ow

ners

hip



Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

3G

AG

P

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

Adult

Youth

11v11

Youth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

All Saints Academy

A1 Education 1 2 1 1 1 4 4 4 2 0.5 -

1.0 -

2.0 -

2.0 -

1.0 1.5 AC NP NP NP

Manadon Playing Fields (Treveneague

Gardens)

A2 LA 1 2 2 8 2 6 3 -2.0 -

3.0 0.5 6.5 NP NP NP 0.5 4.0 NP

1.4.94 All Saints Academy: This school controlled site hosts 1 x adult and 2 x 11v11 youth pitches that are rated as being average/standard quality. The changing

facility is rated as being of good quality. The main user of this site is the multi-youth team, YMCA All Saints. Two Special Olympics adult teams are also recorded

as playing at the site, but they have been excluded as regular users. There is some mismatch of pitches and sizes. The youth pitches would appear to be over-

used, but in reality some of the youth teams would be likely to play on the adult pitch. There is no dedicated provision for the mini-soccer team. All pitches on the

site are considered likely to be overplayed.

1.4.95 Treveneague Gardens: The site is controlled by the city council, and is used mainly by female teams. It has 1 x 9v9 youth and 2 x 7v7 mini soccer pitches. Both

the pitches and the changing facility are rated as a (low) average/standard quality. Use is quite light as there are only three teams recorded on the site. This site

is used by AFC Plympton Youth u11, u13, 15 although they are also recorded as using Manadon Recreation Ground. The SB Frankfort team that play here train

outside the area, and so their training on this site has been discounted. The pitch is rated as being of poor quality, and there is no changing facility.

1.4.96 The teams using site state that they use the marginal land to train, so no additional pressures have been recorded on the pitches due to squad training. The adult

and junior demand is expected to be met by temporarily marked out pitches (possibly over the Mini Soccer pitches) meaning the site is likely to be overplayed.

Page 36 of 126

1.5 A city-wide overview of supply and demand

Figure 1.13 – City-wide assessment of use versus notional capacity

Pitch Type Adult 11v11

Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5

Total

1. All Supply - Total Demand 39.5 -32.0 23.5 32.5 -7.5 56

2. All Supply - Current Plymouth Use 44.0 -31.0 24.5 33.5 -6.0 65

3. Securely Accessible Pitches (A1 & A2) - Total Demand

20.5 -32.0 19.5 12.5 -7.5 13

4. Securely Accessible Pitches (A1 & A2) - Current Plymouth Use

25.0 -31.0 20.5 13.5 -6.0 22

1.5.1 The preceding neighbourhood and site-by-site analysis can be converted into a city-wide picture of use

and capacity. In terms of estimated use of grass pitches relative to notional capacity. An interesting note

for the table is that it illustrates that all youth 11v11 supply is provided by A1 and A2 pitches in Plymouth,

save for 1 exported match equivalent of demand, hence the lack of variance across each analysis row.

1.5.2 The site by site analysis identifies numerous sites where youth 11v11 demand is being played on adult

pitches. Figure 1.13 shows that when all demand attributed to the city is considered (analysis 3) there is

insufficient capacity of 11v11 pitches to meet the combined adult and youth demand in the city. This

undersupply is the equivalent to 11.5 match sessions per week (the equivalent of 23 teams).

1.5.3 If all LA maintained and managed pitches were increased to standard / average pitches, there would be

an increase in capacity of 16 match equivalent per week across all pitch types. Youth 11v11 capacity

would increase by 3.0 match equivalents per week.

1.5.4 If all education facilities increased the quality of their pitches to standard, then there would be a net

increase of 37.5 mepw across all pitch types also.

1.5.5 Most tellingly, if all A1 and A2 accessible pitches were to be considered standard / average quality,

capacity across Plymouth would be increased by 35.5 mepw. However, the increase in capacity for Adult

11v11 and Youth 11v11 pitches is just 4.5 mepw across the whole study area. If all A1 and A2 were

improved to a good pitch rating, capacity across all Adult 11v11 and Youth 11v11 pitches would increase

by 58.5 mepw per week. Under this scenario, the current pitch stock would theoretically have enough

capacity to meet current demand for 11v11 pitches, with over 40 mepw of spare capacity across the city.

1.5.6 The following figure aggregates the figures for all the sites to form city-wide totals of peak-time capacity.

As stated above, there is a convention within the city of some sites hosting 2 matches consecutively on

the same pitches during the same match sessions throughout much of the season, this analysis has

been used to show the aggregate peak-time balance within the city.


Page 37 of 126

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Figure 1.14 – Net supply of A1 and A2 (only) pitches at times of peak demand

Measure Adult 11v11

Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5

1x slot per session

Spare Capacity (in match slots)

15 4 13 8.5 1.5

Sites At Capacity 16 7 11 7 0

2x slots per session

Spare Capacity (in match slots)

42.0 9.5 32 21 3.5

Sites At Capacity 7 5 5 4 0

1.5.7 Figure 1.14 shows that along with significant overplay of sites there is limited spare match slots available

for youth 11v11 pitches. It should be noted that unlike the capacity analysis where sites can have

negative supply balances to represent overplay, it is not possible to have overplay in the peak-time

analysis. Therefore, small amounts of availability indicate that the city is operating very close to full

capacity for that pitch type.

1.5.8 The aggregate capacity analysis therefore shows that:

• There is insufficient capacity within the 11v11 pitch supply (adult and youth combined) to

meet demand without pitches being overplayed.

• When all demand originating from Plymouth (including that exported to neighbouring South

Hams) is modelled against the supply in Plymouth, there is spare capacity for just 10 match

equivalents per week across all pitch types.

• There are sufficient peak time match slots to meet demand in the city but when only one

session is considered at peak-time, there is limited spare capacity amongst youth 11v11 and

mini 5v5 teams to play on dedicated pitches.

1.6 Scenario testing (b): The Future

FUTURE PICTURE OF PROVISION

1.6.1 The future requirement for playing pitches will be impacted by several factors, including;

A. changes to the number of people living in the area and / or to the demographic profile of the population;

B. changes in participation trends and in how pitch sports are played;

C. amendments to the current facility stock either through the provision of new pitches or the loss of current pitches.

1.6.2 These issues are considered in turn in order to build a picture of future demand for playing pitches.

TEAM GENERATION RATES AND FUTURE NATURAL POPULATION CHANGE IN THE POPULATION

1.6.3 Team Generation Rates (TGRs) indicate how many people in a specified age group are required to

generate one team. TGRs are derived by dividing the appropriate population age band by the number of

teams playing within that area in that age band. By applying TGRs to natural population growth

projections, we can project the theoretical number of teams that would be generated from natural

population growth and gain an understanding of future demand.

1.6.4 Figure 1.15 summarises the current TGRs for football in Plymouth and uses them to assess the potential

impact of projected changes to the population profile on demand for football.

Page 38 of 126

Figure 1.15 - TGRs and Potential Change to Number of Football Teams in Plymouth: 2018-2034

Age Group No. of teams in age group

Current population in

age group

Future population in age group

(2034)

Current TGR

Population Change in Age

Group

Potential Change in Team Numbers

Total Number of Projected Teams

(2034)

Football Adult Men 11v11 (16-45yrs)

111 57,045 61,742 514 4,697 9.1 120.1

Football Adult Women 11v11 (16-45yrs)

12 52,828 57,178 4,402 4,350 1.0 13.0

Football Youth Boys11v11 (12-15yrs)

86 5,363 6,159 62 796 12.8 98.8

Football Youth Girls 11v11 (12-15yrs)

18 5,227 5,987 290 760 2.6 20.6

Football Youth Boys 9v9 (10-11yrs)

53 2,961 3,092 56 131 2.3 55.3

Football Youth Girls 9v9 (10-11yrs)

7 2,899 3,000 414 101 0.2 7.2

Football Mini Soccer Mixed 7v7 (8-9yrs)

54 5,970 6,462 111 492 4.4 58.4

Football Mini Soccer Mixed 5v5 (6-7yrs)

31 5,970 6,462 193 492 2.6 33.6

Source: Population data: Office of National Statistics, 2016-based Subnational Population Projections: 2018-2034 (May 2018) incorporating Plymouth and South Devon Joint Local Plan Housing Trajectory.

Page 39 of 126

1.6.5 The above table shows that:

• Adult Football – looking ahead to 2034, an increase in the number of adults aged between

16 and 45 will create additional demand equivalent to 10 adult football teams (5 match

equivalents per week);

• Youth Football – increases to an additional 18 youth football teams (9 match equivalents

per week);

• Mini Soccer - between 2018 and 2034 the number of young people aged between 6 and 9

(the age groups that typically play mini soccer) is projected to increase, creating additional

demand equivalent to 7 mini soccer teams (3.5 match equivalents per week) by 2034

PLANNED CHANGE IN THE POPULATION

1.6.6 The above projects the change in team numbers arising out of natural change in the population up to

2034. There is also a need to consider any additional teams generated from population change resulting

from planned new development. The estimated population of the City in 2034 based on natural

population trends alone is predicted to be c. 275,000. The precise housing growth allocations to be

catered for in the emerging new development plan is currently not determined. However, as stated in the

PCC strategic housing projections for the city, there is a strong suggestion that there may be a need to

cater for a city population of around 300,000 by 2034, based on a growing employment base, and new

residents therefore being attracted into the area. This suggests an additional 39,462 beyond those

catered for in the above calculations.

1.6.7 It is assumed that the age structure of this additional 39,462 people is similar to the present population,

then an application of the above TGRs would suggest a possible:

• 14.5 adult football teams (7.25 match equivalents per week);

• 14.8 male and female youth football teams (7.4 match equivalents per week); and

• 7.6 mini-soccer teams (3.8 match equivalents per week).

1.6.8 When adding the above to team changes resulting from natural change in population, the estimated net

change in teams arising from natural and planned population change is calculated to be:

• 21.5 adult football teams (10.75 match equivalents per week)

• 45.8 male and female youth football teams (22.9 match equivalents per week)

• 13.6 mini-soccer teams (6.8 match equivalents per week)

1.6.9 The combined effects of both natural and population change will therefore put significant pressure on the

existing football pitch stock, and especially in relation to junior/youth football. This is shown below in

figure 1.16.

Figure 1.16 – Impact on Projected demand on projected supply and demand balances


Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5

Total

1. All Supply - Total Demand 28.3 -45.6 13.7 28.2 -10.0 14.6

2. All Supply vs Current Plymouth Use 32.8 -44.6 14.7 29.2 -8.5 23.6

3. Securely Accessible Pitches (A1 & A2) - Total Demand

9.3 -45.6 9.7 8.2 -10.0 -28.4

4. Securely Accessible Pitches (A1 & A2) - Current Plymouth Use

13.8 -44.6 10.7 9.2 -8.5 -19.4

1.6.10 The combined effects of both natural and population change will put significant pressure on the existing

football pitch stock, and especially if the demand generated within the city must be meet only with A1 and


Page 40 of 126

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A2 pitches. Should this be the case (in a worst-case scenario), this can be said to be insufficient capacity

within the city to meet projected demand.

CHANGES IN PARTICIPATION TRENDS AND HOW SPORT IS PLAYED (2014)

1.6.11 Although population growth will influence demand, changes in participation may perhaps have the most

significant impact on demand for playing pitches.

1.6.12 Changes to youth football have only been introduced in the last year (including the creation of 5 v 5 and 9

v 9) and as such, the impact is not yet fully apparent. The FA indicate that in pilot areas, the introductions

of these new formats have seen an increase in the number of teams playing and greater retention of

players through the older age groups. In particular;

• where historically two 7 v 7 teams would merge to become one 11 v 11 team when starting to

play junior football, now the two teams will seek additional players and instead of merging will

remain as two 9 v 9 teams; and

• the same will happen at 9 v 9 age groups, where 9 v 9 teams transition to 11 v 11 teams, they

will stay as two teams and seek additional players instead of merging.

1.6.13 The FA therefore believe that there will be an increase in the overall number of teams (and participants)

in future years as a result of the youth review and that higher levels of demand will occur as a result. In

this event:

• the already insufficient stock of age appropriate junior football pitches would become even

more constrained, and mini soccer pitches (7 v 7 and 5 v 5) would also become insufficient;

and

• if issues relating to the drop off in the transition between junior and senior football were

addressed however, the spare capacity currently seen in adult football pitches may also

become constrained.

1.6.14 A number of football initiatives are also being implemented by Sport England, focusing on 14 – 24 year

olds, and this is similarly expected by the FA to increase the number of teams being formed.

1.6.15 If the stock of football pitches in secured community use remains the same, the above additional teams

will place further demands upon the pitch stock. Firstly, they will compound issues in relation to wear and

tear on existing pitches, many of which will be used both for matches and training. Secondly, they will

impact upon the net supply of pitches at times of peak demand. Figures 1.13, and 1.14 indicated the net

balance of supply of adult, youth, and mini-soccer pitches respectively, based on the current level of

provision. Assuming that the currently times of peak demand remain the same over the coming years,

the above additional teams and match requirements would have the following temporal impact on the

demand for pitches.

FORTHCOMING CHANGES IN SUPPLY

1.6.16 There are plans in hand for the development of improved football facilities in Central Park (see below). In

addition, there are proposals for the development of additional AGPs in parts of the City, and these

include potential facilities at Heles’ School and Sherford. Some of these proposals have to overcome

planning and developmental issues and concerns. (For example, at the time of writing this report a

proposal for a full-size 3G pitch at the Marine Academy had been refused on appeal. The school was

exploring options for the provision of a reduced size pitch). It should be noted that the facilities being

installed as part of the Sherford development are principally intended to meet demand created by the

new community.


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1.6.17 The initial aspirations suggest that most, if not all these surfaces, are likely to be proposed as 3G, which

would be suitable for football (but not suited to hockey, as reported in the relevant section of this report.

1.6.18 More specifically, the city council is currently in discussions with relevant interests about the following

proposals.

1.6.19 Bond Street: Bond Street is a large area of open space currently maintained by Street Services. It is

currently recorded as hosting 2 x 9v9 pitches. However, ground conditions and lack of changing facilities

has now left much of the site redundant (except as public open space).

1.6.20 The project would create a new football community hub at the Bond Street Playing Fields site (including

part of a parcel of land that once formed the Southway Primary School site). The playing pitch

improvement works would include levelling and drainage with new ancillary facilities for changing and car

parking. This football community hub would provide suitable pitches for age-group advancement from

mini soccer through to the adult game.

1.6.21 It is noted that the FA believe additional provision nearby is required as one of the pitches cannot be

accommodated on the Bond Street site due to a mains water pipe located close to the surface. The

effectual loss of this pitch should be mitigated by replacing it with like-for-like provision at a nearby site to

avoid a net-loss of facilities.

1.6.22 The proposed improvement of this site would lead to 1 x adult and 1 x mini-soccer pitch being reinstated

into the area.

1.6.23 (Former) Civil Service Sports Ground: Although much of this site is to be lost to alternative use, two adult

football pitches and changing accommodation is to be provided. Compensatory off-site provision is also

offered (largely in the process of being provided at Manadon). The proposals will lead to the provision of

2 x adult pitches and changing accommodation. (The larger sports ground has been closed to sports

use, for some time now).

1.6.24 Central Park: Plymouth City Council has committed to undertaking a programme of improvements to

Central Park. The overall ambition is identified in the Master plan for Central Park that was adopted by

the Council in March 2013. This plan has relevance to other pitch sports as well, and will therefore be re-

visited in other sports specific sections.

1.6.25 Central Park is the largest park in Plymouth covering 94 hectares (232 acres). It was originally created in

1928 as a park devoted to the improvement of the health of city residents. The Master plan was created

as a response to the need identified in the Central Park Area Action Plan (AAP) for a comprehensive

strategy of improvement to ensure the park achieves its potential as a key public space for the City.

1.6.26 Plymouth City Council has worked with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the Master plan for

Central Park and the Sports Plateau has been identified as the priority for sports pitch enhancements.

1.6.27 The Sports Plateau is the first in a series of proposed enhancements to sports pitches in Central Park.

The pitches previously located on the site were prone to heavy water logging throughout the autumn and

winter which severely restricts their use. The proposed enhancements will significantly improve drainage

and re-arrange the site to provide: 3 x youth football pitches (as well as 1 x artificial cricket wicket and 1 x

senior rugby pitch). Changing provision is also to be provided in the new Community Sports Hub in the

park.

1.6.28 The improved and additional facilities created at the Central Park Sports Plateau will play an essential

role by providing an increased capacity of football pitches and a site that will be robust and sustainable in

the years to come.


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1.6.29 Other proposed works at the site include 2 x junior football pitches and 4 x mini soccer pitches. Although

it should be noted that further investigation to the ground conditions on site needs to be completed

before any of these future pitch projects are confirmed.

1.6.30 A proposed linked development related to Plymouth Argyle FC facilities will provide new changing

accommodation.

1.6.31 It should be noted that the works at Central Park have not impacted on the overall hectarage of available

playing pitch space that could potentially be used for pitches. However, these ground-works are

expected to significantly increase the quality and carrying capacity of the land subject to the works.

1.6.32 The changes in the provision at Central Park would lead to the net loss/gain of -2 x adult pitches; +5 x

junior pitches; and, +4 x mini-soccer pitches.

1.6.33 Manadon Football Development Centre: This is owned by the city council, and partly managed by the

YMCA. There is no current formal use of the grass pitches, which are recorded as being of poor quality

(1x 9v9 and 1x7v7). There is a full-size, 3G AGP on this site which was upgraded from a sand-based

pitch in 2017. With reference to the underused pitches, there are posts in place, but no recent markings.

The derelict former changing containers on site have now been removed. These pitches have been

counted in the pitch audit so would not yield a change in the pitch provision numbers presented in this

report.

1.6.34 Higher Efford: The project includes the improvement of the playing pitches at Higher Efford and the

Former Plym View Primary School in addition to the construction of a new two team changing facility at

Higher Efford.

1.6.35 In addition to an overall shortfall in playing pitch quantity many of the existing pitches in Plymouth suffer

from a lack of quality. This is particularly relevant for Higher Efford where drainage and pitch surface

issues prevent the facilities being used to their full potential. The lack of suitable changing rooms also

contributes to the underuse of the facility.

1.6.36 Improving the playing pitches and providing new changing facilities will enable this asset to be used to its

full potential. This will enable greater participation in sport in Efford and the City as a whole.

1.6.37 The proposed improvement of this site would lead to no net gain in pitches, but improved facilities,

including better surfaces/drainage, and changing accommodation.

1.6.38 Saltram Meadows: The master planning for this facility includes a 9v9 3G AGP pitch on site which is

expected to have a 40mm pile but no floodlights.

1.6.39 Plymouth Parkway Social Club: The site is undergoing a pitch improvement programme, but the final

layout of the site is yet to be established.

1.6.40 Boringdon Estate: New pitches to be added to the area through developer contribution. It is believed

these pitches will have a youth 11v11 focus but are primarily focused on providing pitches for the new

residents of the area.

1.6.41 Sherford Development: Technically in South Hams, this development is expected to attract users from

the city. The site will have an AGP pitch as part of its facility mix, which is expected to be sand dressed. It

should be noted that the new facilities added here will be primarily aimed at addressing the demand

created by the new community.


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1.7 Scenario testing (c): the impact of planned/potential additional provision

1.7.1 The above changes improvements in provision would therefore lead to an estimated net improvement in

the local pitch supply.

Figure 1.17 – Pitches added by new development

Adult Football Junior Football Mini-soccer 3G AGP Sand AGP

+1 + 6 + 5 +1 9v9 +1 Full sized

1.7.2 The junior provision proposed would make a significant contribution to offsetting the lack of projected

available capacity to play junior/youth football assumed in the earlier Figure 1.16. Figure 1.18 below

shows the predicted/supply demand balance with the additional pitches (as detailed in figure 1.17)

included in the supply. These pitches have been assumed to be of standard quality (meaning adult and

youth pitches are assumed to have a carrying capacity of 2mepw and mini pitches 4mepw). All junior

pitches are assumed to be youth 11v11 because it pitch type is not specified and youth 11v11 pitches

are overplayed by the greatest amount.

Figure 1.18 – Projected supply and demand balance with additional pitches


Youth 11v11

Youth 9v9

Mini 7v7

Mini 5v5

Total

Project Securely Accessible Pitches (A1 & A2) - Total Projected Demand

12.3 -32.6 9.7 25.2 -10.0 4.6

1.7.3 Figure 1.18 shows that, in theory, the additional pitch capacity will reduce the deficit of theoretical

capacity in A1 and A2 pitches across all pitch supply to 1.06mepw. However, it should be noted that the

new pitch supply will fail to address the net shortfall of provision in 11v11 pitches (adult and youth 11v11

combined). Even where all new 'junior' football pitches have been assumed to be youth 11v11for the

purposes of this analysis, the net projected deficit is estimated to be -22.3mepw.

1.7.4 Following the work of the previous PPS, there has been significant changes to the way pitch space has

been utilised. This is thought to be due to clubs and site managers remarking pitches to meet their

needs. It is thought part of the reduction of pitches maybe due to sites rotating the spaces used for

pitches to minimise wear and tear. It should be noted that the reduction of pitch numbers does not

necessarily mean a reduction in playing pitch land in Plymouth.

1.7.5 It should also be noted that it may be possible to open up community use programmes at selected

schools. Candidate schools are detailed in the action plan of this report.

1.7.6 The figure below shows how pitch marking has changed between 2014 and 2018 and where more

playing pitch space may potentially be available.

1.7.7 To match site names across the 2014 and 2018 audit, the table below uses the following key:

Site recorded in 2018 and 2014 Audit

Recorded in the 2014 audit but not recorded in 2018 audit

Recorded in the 2014 adult but not recorded in 2018 football audit - but protected by inclusion in other sports

Recorded in 2018 but not in the 2014 audit

Page 44 of 126

Figure 1.19 – Changes to pitch layout 2014-2018

Site Name in 2018 audit

2018 Audit Change from 2014 audit

Nature of Change

Amalgamated Comments from the Devon FA, Sport England

and Plymouth City Council

Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?

Additional pitches possible from previous

configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Astors 0 1 0

0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1x Youth 11v11 added Not currently used due to poor condition. Could be used if levels are improved.

No - -

Aylesbury Crescent

2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 -1 0 0

-1 1x Youth 9v9 not marked

The site has previously had three pitches in the past and could have a third pitch added if required

No 1 Youth 9v9

Beechwood Primary School 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0

-1 Site no longer available for community use and not marked

The site was not recorded as being available for community use at the time of the data was collected. It is understood there is space for a 9v9 pitch on the site

No 1 Youth 9v9


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Bull Point 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0

2 2x additional adult pitches marked

Considered "available" during this study but as this is under MOD control this could be subject to change at short notice and with limited ability to prevent this change.

No - -

Central Park Playing Fields

2 0 2 0 0 4 -2 0 0 0 0 -2 2x adult 11v11 pitches not marked

Construction of upgraded pitches and lack of changing provision in the park has reduced the number of marked pitches.

No - -

Chaucer Way 0 1 0

0 0 1 -1 1 0 0 0 0 Adult pitch re-marked as youth 11v11

Pitch re-classified from and adult 11v11 to a youth 11v11 as the 'adult' pitch was considered too small.

No - -

Eggbuckland Community

College 2 0 1 0 0 3 -1

-2 1 -2 0 -4

1x adult and 2x youth 11v11 not marked, one of these pitches has been re-marked as a youth 9v9. 2x mini 7v7 not marked

Pitches reconfigured by the school and are only available to the community at its discretion.

No 4

2x Adult 11v11 and 2x Mini 7v7

Elburton Villa Football Club

2 0 1 1 0 4 0 -1 0 1

0 0 1x Youth 11v11 re-marked as a mini 7v7 pitch

Youth 11v11 remarked as a Mini 7v7 pitch

No - -

Ernesettle Green

1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1

1x additional adult pitch marked

No additional comments made No - -

Esturary Way 0 0 1 0 0 1

0 0 1 0 0 1 1x additional youth 9v9 marked

A smaller adult pitch as the pitch space has been reduced due to the playpark and MUGA that have been installed. Also the pitch is quite close to the road meaning it isn't especially appealing for users

Yes - -


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Glen Park Primary School

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1

0 1 1x additional mini 7v7 marked

1x additional mini 7v7 marked No - -

Harpers Park 2 0

0 0 0 2 1 0 -2 0 0 -1 1 youth 9v9 not marked, 1x re-marked as an adult pitch.

2014 data considered inaccurate. Pitches used by Plymouth Argyle with no community use. Confirmed as having 2 adult pitches on site.

No - -

Hele's School 0 1 0 1 0 2 -1 0 0

1 0 0 1x adult pitch re-marked as a mini 7v7

1x adult pitch re-marked as a mini 7v7 and is used by the local community for football use.

No 1 Mini 7v7

Higher Efford 0 1 1 0 0 2 -1 1 0 0 0 0

1x adult pitch re-marked as a youth 11v11

1x adult pitch re-marked as a youth 11v11 No -

-


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Higher Efford East

0 0 0 0 2 2

0 0 0 0 2 2 2x additional mini 5v5 pitches marked

The site is currently not in use due to the upgrading works. After which the site will continue to provide 2x 5 v 5 mini soccer pitches.

No - -

Home Park (Plymouth Argyle FC)

1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

0 1 1x additional adult pitch marked

Plymouth Argyle's stadium pitch. No community use

No - -

Hooe Primary Academy

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1

1x additional mini 7v7 marked

1x additional mini 7v7 marked which was not picked up in the 2014 audit

No -

-

Hoskins Park 1 0 2 0 0 3 0

-1 1 0 0 0 1x youth 11v11 re-marked as youth 9v9

It is possible to go back to a youth 11v11 if/when required

No - -

Leigham Primary School 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 -2 -3

1x min 7v7 and 2x mini 5v5 no longer marked

No longer Used by Plymouth Marjon Youth FC. No pitches are considered to be marked on the site any longer, but this is at the school's discretion. It is not known why the club left this site. There has been no loss of playing pitch space at this site

No 3

1x Mini 7v7 and 2x Mini 5v5


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Lipson Community

Sports & Arts Centre

0 1 1 0 0 2 -1 0 1 -1 0

-1 1x adult football re-marked as youth 9v9. 1x mini 7v7 not marked

No net loss of pitch space. The pitches could be brought back into use if required.

No 1 Mini 7v7

Lipson Playing Field

0 1

0 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 0 0 1x youth 9v9 remarked as youth 11v11

It is possible to go back to a youth 9v9 if/when required

No -

-

Manadon Football

Development Centre

0 0 1 1 0 2 -1

0 1 1 0 1 1x adult re-marked as a youth 9v9. 1x additional mini 7v7

The number is accurate, but this will be subject to further change due to further development on site

No - -

Manadon Vale School

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1

0 1 0 0 1x youth 11v11 re-marked as mini 7v7

There is potential that this site will change to a youth 9v9 next and then an 11v11 in next few years if linked to a community sport team.

No - -

Marine Academy Plymouth

1 0 1

2 0 4 0 -1 0 0 -1 -2 1x youth 11v11 and 1x mini 5v5 not marked

There is no loss of grass pitch area. All pitches could be reintroduced if needed.

No 2


Marjon Sport Centre

1 0 0

0 0 1 -1 0 0 0 0 -1 1x adult pitch not marked

Pitch space lost as used for a sand-dressed AGP

Yes - -

Mayflower Community

School 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 -1 0 0 -2

Site no longer available. Was used by Keyham Colts. Pitch space is still there but no-longer marked

No loss of pitch space so this pitch could be considered as part of the future supply if required.

No 1 Adult 11v11


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Northdown Playing Field

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 -1 0 0 -1 1x youth 9v9 no longer

marked

There are no changing rooms. Since the data was collated an 9v9 has been added to the site. Now the PCC are in talks with the club about extending the 9v9 to an 11v11.

No 1 Youth 11v11

Old Priory Academy 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0 -1

Site no longer available. Was used by Old Priory Academy FC - now disbanded. Mini 7v7 pitch no longer marked

The site could be considered as part of the future supply as there has been no net loss of pitches here.

No 1 Mini 7v7

Oreston Recreation

Ground 0 1 0 0 0 1 -1 1 0

0 0 0

1x youth 11v11 no longer marked

The site is considered to be of poor quality. There are no changing or toilet facilities here. However, there is, no loss of pitch space so the site could be brought back in the future for use if required.

No 1 Youth 11v11

Plymouth Argaum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0 0 -1 -2

1x youth 11v11 and 1x mini 5v5 not drawn

These pitches were not marked at the time the data was signed off for the project but have since been re-marked on the site

No 2

1x Youth 11v11 and 1x Mini 5v5

Plymouth College

(Delganey Field)

0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 -2 0 0 0 -3

1x adult and 2x youth 11v11 not marked

The pitches are available for community use around the school's requirements. For example, 2 cricket clubs use them in the Summer. The pitches were not marked at the time the PPS data was signed off by the one pitch has been reintroduced as it is used by the PAFC as a facility for U18 training.

No 3

1x Adult and 2x Youth 11v11


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Plessey (Roborough

CC) 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

1 1x additional adult pitch marked

Pitch added between the 2014 and 2018 audits

No - -

Plymouth Cricket Club

0 0 1

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1x additional youth 9v9 marked

The pitch has been added as there is a new club using site but without a secured community use agreement.

No -

-

Plympton Community

Sports Centre 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 -1 0 0 -1 -2

1x youth 9v9 and 1x mini 5v5 no longer marked

Change in site due to construction of new AGP

Yes - -

Plymstock School Sports

Centre 1 0 1 2 0 4 1 -1 0 0 0 0

1x youth 11v11 re-marked as adult 11v11

Change in configuration but no net loss of pitches

No - -

Pomphlett Primary School 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0 -1

Site no longer available for use. Was used by Plymouth Stock United Youth and Hooe Rovers. 1x mini 7v7 no longer marked

The pitch is no longer marked but this is no net loss of playing pitch space.

No 1 Mini 7v7


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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Prince Rock Playing Fields

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0

1 -1 0 0 1x mini 7v7 re-marked as a youth 9v9

Site is to be lost and replaced at Staddiscombe playing Fields

Yes - -

Riverside Primary School

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 -1 0 0 -1 1x Youth 9v9 not

marked

Private finance initiative (PFI) school owned so they are unable to allow community use of the pitches. The additional pitch could be re-marked out but neither could now be used by the community

No 1 Youth 9v9

St. Budeaux Foundation

Junior School 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1

0 1


Net gain of one pitch across the two studies

No - -

Staddiscombe Playing Fields

10 0 0

0 0 10 1 0 0 -4 0 -3 4x mini 7v7 re-marked as 1x adult pitch

Not actually a loss of pitch space, just 4x mini pitches used for 1x adult pitch

No - -

Stoke Damerel Community

College 0 0 1 1 0 2

-1 -1 1 1 0 0

1x adult and 1x youth 11v11 pitches re-marked as youth 9v9 and mini 7v7

No net loss of the pitch space or change in the overall number of pitches on site

No - -


0 0 2 0 0

2 0 -1 1 -1 -1 -2 1x youth 11v11 re-marked as youth 9v9. Mini 7v7 and mini 5v5

No net loss of the pitch space so further pitches could be brought back if required

No - -

Tothill (Enclosure) 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 0 -1 0 0 -2

No longer available. Mount Gould FC used to use the site. 1x adult and 1x youth 9v9

These pitches now picked up in Tothill pitches. This means there is a net loss of 2 pitches on the Tothill Park site (1x adult 11v11 pitch and 1x Mini 7v7), however, there has been no reduction in playing pitch space on the site

No 2



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Nature of Change



Lo

ss o

f p

layin

g

pit

ch

sp

ace?


configuration?

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

Ad

ult

11v11

Yo

uth

11v11

Yo

uth

9v9

Min

i 7v7

Min

i 5v5

To

tal

# Pitch Type

Weston Mill Community

Primary School 0 0 0 1 0

1 0 0 0 1 0 1


One pitch included in the 2018 audit but not in the 2014 audit. Pitch is understood to be unavailable to the community and is for school use only

No - -


1 1 1 0 0 3 -1 1 -1 0 0

-1

1x adult pitch re-marked as a youth 11v11. 1x youth 9v9 no longer marked

Agree with pitches on site, previous 9v9 thought to be due to overmarking issue as no loss of green space

No - -

Widewell Primary

Academy 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 -1 1 0 0

1x youth 11v11 pitch re-marked as mini 7v7.

No net loss of pitches on this site. Site could return to previous configuration if required

No - -

Wood View Learning

Community 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 -2 0 0 -1

1x youth 9v9 pitch remarked as youth 11v11. 1x youth 9v9 no longer marked

Unsure on 2014 data, potential issue with overmarking in 2014. Green space is unchanged

No - -

Wyvern Centre 0 0 0 0

0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 -1 1x adult pitch no longer marked

Access is restricted as with all MOD sites but this pitch isn't included in the current data as it it’s not marked.

No 1 Adult 11v11

Total 51 13 31 25 2 122 -8 -7 -4 -2 -4 -25

27

Adult 11v11 7

Youth 11v11 5

Youth 9v9 3

Mini 7v7 8

Mini 5v5 4

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1.7.8 Table 1.19 shows the change in pitch provision between the 2014 and 2018 audits. The table shows that

there are four instances where playing pitch space has been reduced. However, it should be noted that

this has predominantly been to allow for the development and investment of different types of sporting

and physical recreation facilities, including two AGPs. Loss of playing pitch space has taken place at the

following sites;

• Estruary Way; the pitch space has been reduced due to the playpark and MUGA that have

been installed.

• Marjon Sports Centre; Pitch space lost as it will be used for a sand-dressed AGP

• Plympton Community Sports Centre (land lost due to the construction of an AGP)

• Prince Rock Playing Fields; Pitch provision lost is to be re-provided at Staddiscombe playing

Fields

1.7.9 The table shows the disparity in the number of pitches located on sites between the 2014 and 2018

audits and suggests there is playing field space available for 27 additional pitches on the subject sites.

These are broken down by 7x Adult 11v11, 5x Youth 11v11, 3x Youth 9v9, 8x Mini 7v7, 4x Mini 5v5

pitches (obviously pitch configuration would vary the actual number of pitches potentially possible on

these sites).

1.7.10 It should be pointed out that the reason for the change in pitch numbers and types may be beyond the

control of the PCC or any football related body.

1.7.11 Further analysis of the table above shows that of the 27 potential pitches that could be reinstated across

the city, 19 are located on sites owned and managed by educational establishments:

• Beechwood Primary School - 1x youth 9v9

• Eggbuckland Community College - 4, 2x Adult 11v11 and 2x Mini 7v7

• Heles School - 1x Mini 7v7

• Leigham Primary School - 3, 1x Mini 7v7 and 2x Mini 5v5

• Lipson Community Sports & Arts Centre - 1x Mini 7v7

• Marine Academy Plymouth - 2, 1x Adult 11v11 and 1x Mini 5v5

• Mayflower Community School - 1x Adult

• Old Priory Academy - 1x Mini 7v7

• Plymouth College (Delganey Field) - 3, 1x Adult and 2x Youth 11v11

• Pomphlett Primary School - 1x Mini 7v7

• Riverside Primary School - 1x Youth 9v9

1.7.12 Further opportunities listed in the table above is at the MoD site, Wyvern Centre (an MoD controlled site)

for 1x adult 11v11 pitch 1. However, such is the nature of MoD controlled site there is limited opportunity

for the PCC to influence the reinstatement of this pitch. This brings the total number of opportunities to

reinstate pitches beyond the PCC’s influence to 7 of the 27 identified in the table above.

1.7.13 Of the remaining 7 pitches that could be reinstated according to the differences between the 2014 and

2018 audits, all the others remain on sites within the sphere of influence of PCC. However, one of these

sites, Oreston Recreation Ground, which could accommodate a further 1x Youth 11v11 pitch, was not

used due to the reported poor quality of its condition. Therefore, it is fair to estimate that some

investment would be needed to reinstate this pitch. This could mean that developing pitches at other

sites maybe a financially more viable option than reinstating this pitch.

1.7.14 The above commentary means that of the 27 pitches that could be reinstated from the 2014 audit, 6

remain as viable options. These are as follows;


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• Aylesbury Crescent - 1x Youth 9v9;

• Northdown Playing Field - 1x Youth 11v11;

• Plymouth Arguam - 2, 1x Youth 11v11 and 1x Mini 5v5; and,

• Tothill Park - 2, 1x Adult 11v11 and 1x Mini 7v7

1.7.15 Since the data for the project was signed off, the PCC has confirmed that it has reinstated the pitches at

Plymouth Argaum. These pitches were not marked at the time the data was signed off for the project but

have since been re-marked on the site.

1.7.16 It should be noted that the above commentary does not take into consideration where the PCC has

increased the number of pitches between the 2014-2018 audits. The sites under PCC control that are

recorded as increasing the number of pitches are as follows;

• Astors - 1x youth 11v11;

• Ernesettle Green - 1x adult 11v11;

• Estuary Way – 1x youth 9v9;

• Higher Efford East - 2x mini 5v5; and,

• Manadon Football Development Centre- 1 x adult re-marked as a youth 9v9, 1x additional

mini 7v7.

1.7.17 This raises the question of what the net increase or decrease of pitch numbers has been on PCC

controlled sites between 2014 and 2018 has been. This is shown below in figure 1.20 combined, the net

increase / decrease to the number of pitches present in Plymouth on PCC controlled sites (excluding

those sites detailed above where there has been a net loss of playing field space and excluding

Plymouth Argaum where the pitches have been reinstated).

Figure 1.20 – Net change in pitch supply between 2014 and 2018 on PCC controlled sites*

Pitch Type Reduced Pitches Additional Pitches Net

Change

Adult 11v11 2 – Tothill Park / Manadon Football Development Centre 1 – Ernsettle Green -1

Youth 11v11 1 – Northdown Playing Field 1 – Astors 0

Youth 9v9 1 – Aylesbury Crescent 2 – Estuary Way / Manadon Football Development Centre +1

Mini 7v7 1 – Tothill Park 1 – Manadon Football Development Centre 0

Mini 5v5 - 2 – Higher Efford East +2

Total 5 7 +2

* The table only includes sites where there has been a net change in the number of pitches offered at the site

1.7.18 Figure 1.20 shows that on PCC controlled sites where there has been a net change to the number of

pitches on offer at the site, the PCC provides 2 more pitches than it previously did in 2014. It should also

be noted that there is a net reduction of one adult 11v11 pitch and an increase of one youth 9v9 pitches

and a further two mini 5v5 pitches.

1.7.19 It is recommended that, when the PCC and football delivery partners discuss opportunities for adding

new provision in Plymouth, the sites that have had a reduction in the number of pitches on the site

without the loss of playing field land should be considered as potentially cost effective options and should

be explored as to the feasibility, viability and suitability of addressing the playing pitch challenges the

partners are attempting to resolve.


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1.8 Football: Key Findings and Issues for the Plan to address

1.8.1 The key issues identified during the above needs assessment are as follows:

• There is a significant lack of youth 11v11 capacity and the evidence suggests that many

youth 11v11 matches take place on adult sized pitches. This is an issue not because of the

dimensions of the pitch and also the size of goals utilised being for these matches is deemed

inappropriate for the age groups of the teams using them. This is expected to have a

subsequent impact on the players enjoyment of the game as well as a their technical

development.

• The level of maintenance across pitches requires improvement. Such improvement will

increase capacity, reduce overplay, reduce match cancellations and increase the players

experience of the facilities they use.

• The 2014 club consultation data found that, in addition to problems relating to the above, the

grass football facilities:

• Cost of hire is much too high

• There is a lack of available training facilities (and their cost is too high)

• Inappropriate, poor quality or a complete lack of changing facilities.

• The issues stated above are exacerbated at times of inclement weather and high rainfall,

which Plymouth is known to suffer from more than most cities in England.


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2 Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP’s)

2.1 Utilising 3G AGP provision for training and matchplay

3G AGP USAGE FOR FOOTBALL

2.1.1 The FA and Football Foundation considers high quality 3G pitches as essential in promoting coach and

player development across all age groups. These pitches can support intensive use and as such are

valuable assets for both playing and training. Primarily, such facilities have been installed for community

use and training however they are increasingly used for competition, which the FA wholly supports

providing the pitch has been appropriately tested and is on the FA 3G pitch register. The FA’s long-term

ambition is to provide every affiliated team in England with the opportunity to train once a week on a

floodlit 3G surface together with priority access for Charter Standard Community Clubs through a

partnership agreement.

2.2 Introduction

2.2.1 This section assesses the adequacy of artificial grass pitches (AGPs) in Plymouth (including the

administrative fringe) by presenting the following:


• An overview of demand for these facilities

• The pattern of use


understanding of activity at individual sites.

• The future picture of provision for selected sports across the City including football, rugby

union and hockey.

• A summary of findings and the key issues for the Plan to address.






2.2.3 As has been emphasized in this report AGPs are used by different pitch sports for both training and

match play. It is therefore important to consider their function and provision ‘in the round’, as they are

valuable media for playing sport, and there is clearly intense local competition to play on the AGPs that

do exist in and around the City.

2.2.4 The data and assessments in this Section are taken from a variety of sources including, Sport England’s

planning tools (including Active Places, Facilities Planning Model, and Sports Facilities Calculator), and

local authority records as well as from site visits and meetings with facility managers. The data has been

analysed separately, partly because the criteria for each tool differs slightly, but are brought together in

the final assessment. The assessment deals with the following topics – supply/quantity, demand,

accessibility and quality.


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AGPS IN PLYMOUTH

2.2.5 The table below lists details the AGP facilities in the City. The full-sized facilities (those capable of

hosting a full-sized rugby, football or hockey pitches) are highlighted in bold.

Figure 2.1 - AGPs in Plymouth

Site Name Facility Sub

Type Size (m)

Floodlit?

Access Type

Ownership Type/

Management type

Year Built/ Refurb (R)

All Saints Academy

Sand Dressed Half 45m x

35m Yes

Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)/

YMCA 2013

Rubber Crumb (3G)

Half sized 40m x 30m

Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)/

YMCA 2013

Brickfields Sports Centre and Recreation Ground

Sand Filled 100 x 63 Yes Pay and Play

Local Authority/ Everyone

Active

1970/ 2011 R

Rubber Crumb (3G) –

FORMERLY World Rugby 22

Certified

Half 60 x 40 Yes Pay and Play PCC (leased) 2005

Bull Point Sand Dressed 96 x 58 Yes Private Use MoD 2014 R

Coombe Dean Sports Centre

Sand Half 60 x 40 Yes Pay and Play Education (academy)

2005

Devonport High School for Boys

Rubber Crumb (3G) – FA register

Full 98 x 62 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)

2013

Sand Dressed 55x58 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)

2018

Eggbuckland Community College


Half 60 x 40 Yes Pay and Play PCC Education 2005/ 2013R

Goals Soccer Centre

Rubber Crumb (3G)

10 x 5v5 pitches

Yes Pay and Play PCC (leased to

commercial management)

2006

HMS Drake Rubber Crumb

3G Full 104 x

65 Yes Private Use MoD n/a

HMS Devonport - Keyham

World Rugby 22 3G

Full Yes Sports Club / Community Association

MoD 2012?

Lipson Sports Centre

Sand Dressed 100 x 60 Yes Pay and Play Education (academy)

2004/2015 R

Manadon Football Development Centre

Rubber Crumb – 3G – FA register

110 x 70 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Local Authority (leased to

YMCA)

Resurfaced in 2016

Plymouth College Sand Dressed Half 40m x

45m Yes


Education (private)

n/a 2013R

Plympton Community Sports Centre

Rubber Crumb 3G – FA register

80x50 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education 2018

Plymstock School Sports Centre


100 x 60 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)

2008

Sand Based 57x41 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)

2017

Stoke Damerel Community College

Sand Filled 60 x 40 Yes Sports Club / Community Association

Education (academy)

2003


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Site Name Facility Sub

Type Size (m)

Floodlit?

Access Type

Ownership Type/

Management type


Stonehouse Barracks

Sand Filled 100 x 62 Yes Disused MoD 2000



100 x 60 Yes Pay and Play Education (academy)

2011

UCP Marjon Sport

Sand Dressed 100 X 60 Yes Pay and Play Education (private)

2013

Sand Dressed 100 X 60 Yes Pay and Play Education (private)

2013

Rubber Crumb (3G) – World

Rugby 22 – FA register

Full Yes Pay and Play Education (private)

2017

2.2.6 In addition to the above facilities, it should be noted that:

• A bid for funding for a full size floodlit 3G at Marine Academy (education) had previously been

submitted. However, permission for a full sized pitch was refused planning permission after

appeal. The academy is considering a 9v9 3G in the location of their old and now demolished

school building.

• Until earlier in 2014 the full-size floodlit sand AGP at Stonehouse Barracks (MoD) was

available for some community use, however this is no longer the case and the facility is now

used as a car park by the MoD. This facility is protected as part of the local plan and requires

reinstatement (which would require remedial works to make it suitable for use again) or

mitigation.

• Saltram – 9v9 non-floodlit 3G AGP – coming online in 2019/20.

AGPS OUTSIDE PLYMOUTH CITY BOUNDARIES

2.2.7 In addition to provision within Plymouth, there are a further 11 full size floodlit AGPs in adjoining local

authorities, within an approx. 30 minute drive from the centre of Plymouth. AGP provision in the

neighbouring local authorities of South Hams, West Devon and Cornwall is set out below, along with the

estimated drive times from Plymouth city centre. It should be noted that 20 minutes’ drive-time is the

industry standard for maximum drive-time. However, some of the facilities are commutable from parts of

Plymouth in less than 20 minutes and have therefore been included.

Figure 2.2 - Full size floodlit AGPs within 30-minute drive time of Plymouth

Site Access Ownership/

management

Travel time from

Plymouth city centre

Type of AGP

Size (m)

Saltash Community School,


Education/in house

12 mins Sand filled

101 x 63

Saltmill Park, Saltash

Pay and Play – FA Register

Local Authority/ other

12 mins 3G 91 x 55 (slightly under full

size)

HMS Raleigh (MOD), Torpoint


MOD 15 mins Sand filled

160 x 100

RN Bickleigh Barracks (MOD)


MOD 16 mins Sand filled

100 x 60

Ivybridge Community College

Community school – FA Register

Education/in house

17 mins 3G 91 x 60 (floodlit) - also has a MUGA-size 3G which is not on the FA


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register

Ivybridge Rugby Club


NGB / Club 17 mins WR22

3G 110 x 70

Callington Sport & Leisure

Pay and Play

Education/in house

26 mins 3G 100 x 70

Ashmoor Recreation Centre, Ashburton


Education/in house

29 mins 3G 100 x 60

Mount Kelly, Tavistock


Independent School/in house

30 mins Sand

Dressed 100 x 60

Tavistock College Pay and Play – FA Register

Education/in house

30 mins 3G 100 x 60

KEVICS, Totnes Sports Club / Community Association

Education/in house

30 mins Sand

Dressed 100 x 60

Lux Park, Liskeard Pay and Play Local Authority/ Trust

30 mins Sand

dressed 102 x 64

Sherford - proposed TBC TBC 10 mins Full-size

sand AGP

TBC

QUALITY (2014 DATA)

2.2.8 Site audits have been undertaken at the sites with community use. MoD sites which are available for the

MoD/Service teams only were not assessed (Bull Point (sand); HMS Drake, Devonport (3G). The

commercial Goals Centre was not assessed. The Marjon 3G has only recently opened and was not

therefore audited for quality.

2.2.9 The scores given for AGPs are based upon Sport England’s new playing pitch strategy guidance –

(found in Appendix 6d. http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-

and-guidance/playing-pitch-strategy-guidance/). The overall pitch quality score (2nd column from right)

gives the total of all the characteristics scored.

Figure 2.3 - Quality Ratings for AGPs Rating of selected characteristics, according to Sport England Visual Quality Assessment (excluding AGPs considered under Hockey – Lipson, Brickfields, Manadon and Plymouth Marjon) (2014 data) -Based on NGB consultation Overall Scoring: Poor <=50 Standard51-79 Good 80+ * Not all pitch characteristics scores are listed so overall quality score does not equal the sum of those listed. The scores are predetermined according to the Sport England template. Age of surface is also taken into account. **Pitches not assessed but given a ‘Good’ score as they are new facilities.

Pitch Pitch score*/Site audit comments

All Saints Academy (3G) Good

All Saints Academy (sand) Good

Brickfields (sand) Poor

Coombe Dean (sand) Good (resurfaced in 2018)

Devonport High School for Boys (Sand) Good**

Devonport HSB (3G) Good

Eggbuckland Community College (3G) Good

Goals Centre Good: commercial facility

HMS Devonport - Keyham (WR22) Good: marked for rugby

Lipson Sp. Centre (sand) Good: pitch has been resurfaced

Plymouth Albion, Brickfields (3G) Poor

Plymouth College (sand) Good

Plympton Community Sports Centre (3G) Good**

Plymstock School Sports Centre (3G) Standard

Plymstock School Sports Centre (Sand) Good **

Stoke Damerel Community College (sand) Standard

http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/playing-pitch-strategy-guidance/

http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/playing-pitch-strategy-guidance/


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Pitch Pitch score*/Site audit comments

Tor Bridge Sports Centre (3G) Standard

UCP Marjon (3G) Good**

UCP Marjon (sand) Good

UCP Marjon (sand) Good

2.2.10 Table 2.3 shows that the majority of full sized pitches in the City are considered to be of good quality. It

should be noted that there is also a full-sized AGP facility at Stone House Barracks which is currently

disused due to it being utilised by the MoD as a carpark.

2.2.11 With regard to the half size AGPs. The majority are good, but the surfaces at Stoke Damerel Community

College and Plymouth Albion are rated as satisfactory only.

2.2.12 Further comments re: quality for individual sports are made in the separate sports sections (football and

hockey).

CAPACITY

Issues identified in the 2014 PPP

2.2.13 It is clear from analysis presented in the 2014 report that the use of AGPs (both full and half-size) where

they are available for community use, was found to be at or near peak-time capacity. Moreover, 3G

pitches outside the city which are catering for Plymouth demand (in Saltash, Tavistock and Ivybridge) are

also virtually full, certainly at peak times. In addition, the wider consultation exercise conducted for this

study tends to highlight the following general points of view:

• Cost of hiring – the less expensive AGPs are more sought after. 6v6 leagues football leagues

pay well and can afford higher prices – and can sometimes ‘take over’ from local community

teams. (Although this is unlikely to be the case where facilities have been funded by the

Football Foundation).

• AGP surfaces and provision in Plymouth are constantly changing and this inevitably leads to

a redistribution of demand pressure.

• The University of Plymouth is desperate for access to a 3G. Such provision was to take place

at the Marine Academy, but the planning application for a full-size 3G AGP has been rejected

on appeal. The University has to use a variety of surfaces throughout the city to

accommodate its BUCS needs and intramural fixtures.

• Lacrosse is a growing sport within the University and needs provision – currently played

mostly on natural grass but would benefit from suitable 3G surface. A revised proposal for a

half-size AGP might be progressed at the Marine Academy at some point.

2.2.14 The adequacy of AGPs to accommodate demand for football, taking into account both training and

competitive fixtures is discussed in the section that follows. Demand for hockey is also considered (and

will be discussed with specific reference to hockey in Section 7) as there can often be competing

demands from these two sports as both are reliant upon AGPs.

2.3 AGPs for football

PITCH SUPPLY

2.3.1 Whilst competitive football is still primarily played on grass pitches, artificial pitches are frequently used

for football training and are becoming more commonplace for competitive play provided surfaces meet

the specifications required of them for the level of play (as stipulated by the FA and FIFA). A register of


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pitches meeting these specifications is hosted on the FA’s website and is available at

http://3g.thefa.me.uk/?countyfa=Devon.

2.3.2 There are a variety of different surfaces of AGPs and their suitability for football is as follows;

• Long pile 3G with shock pad – suitable for football and rugby training & matches (World

Rugby 22) (pile should be 50mm or 60mm)

• Long pile 3G – preferred surface for football (pile should be 50mm or 60mm) provided it

meets the

• Sand filled – acceptable surface for football training

• Sand dressed – acceptable surface for football training

2.3.3 The FA has recently changed the standard code of rules regarding the use of 3G football turf pitches, to

become effective from 2014/15 season, Provided a football turf pitch has been tested and appears on the

FA Register it will be allowed to be used for match play in all competitions outside the National League

System (NLS) i.e. Step 7 and below (including women’s and youth football). The test is based on the

British Standard for synthetic turf sports surfaces – BS EN 15330-1 and must be carried out by a

recognized test house accredited by FIFA and/or having ISO 17025 accreditation by UKAS. The facility

operator should commission and pay for the cost of this. It should be noted that a number of 3Gs

throughout the country have not passed this test and are therefore not compliant for matchplay; it cannot

be assumed that existing 3Gs will necessarily comply with this requirement. For clubs playing at Step 6

and above there is a different testing process, but they can still be used for competitive matches if they

comply.

PITCH QUALITY

2.3.4 Football clubs and teams in Plymouth still very largely play on grass pitches. However, many teams train,

and some even play their matches on AGPs. It was reported in the football need assessment chapter

that amongst football clubs responding to the 2014 club questionnaire survey, the overwhelming

response when asked the question, was that most clubs would be prepared to both train and play their

matches on appropriate AGPs (subject to cost), especially if it meant better playing surfaces, and fewer

cancelled matches.

2.3.5 However, the perceived cost of using an AGP is seen as a major issue by many clubs. Education is

required into what it costs to install and operate 3Gs – and users need to understand the costs and risks

involved to the provider.

PARKLIFE STANDARD DEMAND MODEL FOR 3G AGPS

2.3.6 To determine the number of additional 3G AGP pitches required in the City to meet current and future

demand, the steering group for the Playing Pitch Plan project has agreed to use the Football

Foundation’s Park Life Standard Demand Model.

2.3.7 The FA has developed a supply and demand model that utilises and builds upon the Sport England PPS

methodology. The model is used to inform how an AGP ‘hub’ based approach could be implemented

across a local authority landscape to help reduce the impact of local authority subsidy pressures on

football.

2.3.8 The Parklife demand model calculates the supply requirements for both AGPs and good quality grass

pitches based upon the demand from current local authority pitch hirers. The model allows for flexibility at

a local level to amend the scope to include a percentage of demand from current users of other site

providers (e.g. club leased sites etc.). This can help address local supply issues and can highlight the

potential revenue savings and capital requirements associated with delivery at the local level.

http://3g.thefa.me.uk/?countyfa=Devon


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2.3.9 For more information on the Parklife Programme and the methodology for calculating the AGP

requirements of a given area, please see the Parklife Football Hubs National Programme Prospectus.1

2.3.10 The results of the Parklife demand model when run against current demand are provided below in figure

2.4 below.

Figure 2.4 – Parklife Model Results based on current demand (2018)

2.3.11 The results of the model show that there is a requirement for two 3G pitches in the City of Plymouth.

2.3.12 It should also be noted that the Football Foundation believes that there is the greatest potential to

accommodate 5v5 demand on 3G AGP with some 7v7 demand also moving to 3G AGP.

2.3.13 The figure below shows the Parklife model re-run against projected future demand. This model runs off-of

a 5year projected demand (2024).

Figure 2.5 - Parklife Model Results based on projected demand in 5 years time (2023)

2.3.14 When the model is run against the projected demand for football in 5years time, it shows that, according

to this modelling, there is a need for a total of four 3G pitches (2024) when measured against current

supply.

2.3.15 It should be noted that the projected demand underpinning figure 2.5 is based on projected future

demand. This figure would require re-testing against figures closer to this timeframe.

2.3.16 In reference to potential locations for these new facilities (in addition to the existing facilities), the steering

group has identified the following potential options;

1 Available at: https://www.sportengland.org/media/12134/parklife-football-hub-prospectus-july-2017.pdf

https://www.sportengland.org/media/12134/parklife-football-hub-prospectus-july-2017.pdf


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• Manadon park - There are some parking or planning issues identified as part of this work) –

this project could potentially be delivered alongside Plymouth Argyle, however, this would be

subject to further discussion and negotiation.

• Marjons – The University are understood to be interested in developing another facility.

Further discussion and negotiation with the University would be required before this site could

be progressed as an option for an additional 3G.

• Marine Academy – The academy has previously been considered for a 3G provision

previously. Use of this site for such a facility would be subject to negotiating community use

agreements with the Academy. The Football Foundation report that a 9v9 pitch has also been

discussed as a potential option for this site.

• Brickfields – There is a possibility that new provision could fit into the master-planning of this

site. This would be subject to discussions with the Council regarding the future use of the site.

• University of Plymouth – The University are understood to be keen to add to their AGP

stock and could be considered a strong candidate as a site for a new pitch.

2.3.17 It has also been reported that Plymouth Albion Football Club (a professional football club) have a will to

provide a dedicated training venue with 3G for their training and academy. Whilst the level of community

use for the project is unknown, this would free up space at Plymstock (and Ivybridge) AGPs from existing

PAFC academy use.

2.4 AGPS for Hockey

2.4.1 Unlike football and rugby, hockey is played exclusively on AGP surfaces. As a result, the key issues

regarding the supply and demand of hockey facilities are principally covered in the hockey needs

assessment chapter. However, this chapter does not consider the impact of other sports demand

(especially football) on sand dressed / based AGPs. This impact will be modelled below.

2.4.2 Figure 2.1 above identifies 5 hockey appropriate AGPs in the city (sand dressed / based, full-sized

AGPs). There is also a disused, hockey-appropriate AGP located at Stone House Barracks. This is

disused as it is currently being used as a car park. This facility has been re-introduced to the pitch supply

or its loss mitigated by a replacement facility as part of the local plan. The hockey needs assessment

chapter identifies spare capacity on hockey appropriate AGPs when available supply is measured

against reported demand from hockey clubs and their associated activities (28.5 hours). However,

consultation with England Hockey officers and clubs shows that there is limited opportunity for clubs to

increase the number of hours they use these facilities as peak-time capacity is utilised for other activities,

principally football, during the mid-week period.

2.4.3 This is significant as it not only limits the formal training clubs can offer members, but also limits the non-

traditional offer (such as Walking Hockey or Back to Hockey) which are considered key areas of growth

for the sport.

MID-WEEK HOCKEY DEMAND

2.4.4 Figure 6.8, in the hockey needs assessment chapter identifies a minimum of 35.5 peak-time midweek

hours of demand from hockey clubs on hockey appropriate AGPs.

2.4.5 Consultations with hockey clubs and England Hockey has consistently cited a lack of mid-week peak-

time availability of pitches due to significant use for small-sided football and training.

2.4.6 The consultations report that when training demand for football (that cannot be met by 3G AGPs) is

applied to the sand dressed / based AGPs in the city, along with hockey training demand, then there is


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not enough supply to meet all of the available peak-time capacity of these facilities. This finding, coupled

with the understanding that there is further use of these facilities for commercial, informal or unaffiliated

demand, supports the consultation finding that there is limited spare capacity in the city for hockey clubs

to develop and grow.

2.4.7 In theory, the conclusion from the analysis above is that there is not necessarily a requirement for more

hockey pitches in Plymouth as, provided sufficient provision can be made for football, the football

demand currently occupying peak-time capacity on hockey AGPs can be redistributed to other facilities

thereby freeing-up peak-time hours for further hockey use. This in turn, should theoretically allow

Plymouth’s hockey clubs to continue to develop and thrive. However, there is concern that despite

increased capacity on 3G AGP, not all football demand currently taking place on sand AGP will be

removed. To this end, ensuring the re-instatement or replacement of Stonehouse Barracks is considered

key.

MITIGATING THE LOSS OF MOD OWNED/MANAGED SITES

2.4.8 There are two pitches owned and operated by the MoD in Plymouth; Stone House Barracks and Bull

Point Barracks.

2.4.9 The pitch located at Stonehouse Barracks was formerly used by local clubs but on an unsecured basis

but this was promptly stopped by the MoD and used for parking of military vehicles. The current policy of

the Plymouth City Council is to ensure this pitch is reinstated (in a usable condition) or its loss must be

mitigated by providing another hockey appropriate AGP elsewhere in the city. This position has been

supported by the steering group for the PPP as it is felt that the loss of this pitch represents and

unacceptable net loss of facilities and limits the ability of hockey clubs in the area to grow and increase

their activity inline with England Hockey’s aspirations.

2.4.10 The other MoD owned pitch is Bull Point Barracks. This site is also insecurely available to the community

and access could be withdrawn at any time, as it was with Stonehouse. The loss of this site would result

in a reduction to the capacity of sand AGPs to meet hockey demand (by 4hours mid-week, 4.5hours on

Saturdays and 3 hours on Sundays). Similar to Stonehouse Barracks, should Bull Point become

unavailable to the community to use the Local Plan should make provision to ensure it is replaced with a

similar facility as a high priority.

FUTURE POSITION

2.4.11 The needs assessment chapter for hockey identifies an ambition to increase demand for hockey by

100% over the next 10 years. Should these occur, there will be a need to add a further 4 hockey

appropriate AGPs within the city. However, this figure may need to be re-assessed in a future study

depending on the situation with Stonehouse Barracks and Bull Point Barracks.

2.4.12 A further consideration for the future of hockey in Plymouth is the construction of a new pitch as part of

the Sherford housing development. This development Ivybridge Hockey Club are expected to take up

residence at the Sherford pitch in the near future, therefore reducing the use of Marjons (McCormick

pitch).

HOCKEY SUMMARY

2.4.13 The section above, read in context with the football assessment, indicates that Hockey’s growth in

Plymouth is being limited by a lack of adequate supply at peak-times due to significant use at peak-times,

primarily for football. There is, therefore, a need for football demand to be encouraged to use any newly

established 3G AGP.


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2.4.14 When looking at hockey facilities alone, there is a clear need for Stonehouse Barracks either to be re-

introduced to the supply (and made fit for community use) or for a replacement facility to be provided to

mitigate its loss to the community. The same policy of protection should be put in place for the pitch at

Bull Point Barracks.

2.4.15 Demand on Marjons McCormick is expected to reduce when Ivybridge HC moves to a new pitch being

built as part of the Sherford development.

2.4.16 Regarding the future, if demand is to double by 2028, as England Hockey is aspiring toward, then a

further 4 pitches will be required (not including Stonehouse Creek), to meet demand.

AGPS for Rugby

2.4.17 AGPs are becoming recognized surfaces for both match play and training for rugby. They need to be

World Rugby22 compliant which requires the installation of a shock pad which has additional

specifications to one that would be installed on a dedicated football facility. WR22 compliant facilities can

be used by football as well and having a WR22 compliant shock-pad does not disqualify the facility from

being included on the FA pitch register (meaning they can be used for competitive football matches as

well as rugby matches). The dimensions of a ‘rugby’ 3G pitch tend to be slightly bigger than a dedicated

football AGP; however, the RFU are flexible on the pitch size. However, they can accommodate both

sports for match play and training and can also meet demand for training from American football.

PITCH SUPPLY

2.4.18 There are two WR22 compliant 3G AGPs in Plymouth:

• HMS Devonport - Keyham in the rugby needs assessment chapter – an MoD site – ‘outside

the wire’ which hosts rugby training for University of Plymouth RUFC, Devonport Services

RFC and MoD matches/training); this is only marked for rugby.

• UCP Marjon Sports (only University use of this facility has been captured in the rugby needs

assessment chapters).

2.4.19 In addition to the dedicated WR22 compliant pitches in the Borough, 2 other 3G AGPs (which are not

WR22 compliant) are used regularly by clubs for training.

• Devonport High School for Boys (used by Devonport High School Old Boys RFC)

• Brickfields small sided 3G (used by Plymouth Albion RFC and University of Plymouth RFC.

The 3G is constructed to WR22 standards, yet has not received World Rugby certification for

use).

AGP PITCH DEMAND / NEED

2.4.20 Figures 4.11, 4.12 and 4.13 of the rugby needs assessment chapter of this report detail the capacity

(supply and demand) balances for rugby facilities in the city. This figures show:

• Across all sites in Plymouth used for community rugby demand, only 3 are considered to be

operating with any spare capacity (Brickfields, Marsh Mills/St Boniface’s, Weston Mill Oak

Villa)

• There is a significant lack of midweek training supply in the city (when measured only against

demand from community rugby clubs) The two WR22 facilities in the city, HMS Devonport –

Keyham and Marjons do not take a significant amount of training demand from community

clubs but are considered to have no spare capacity as consultations reported that the facility

was only available for hire for 2 hours per during the week.


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• There is some exported demand to the WR22 compliant pitch at Ivybridge (located in South

Hams). This is a new facility and so there is limited information on the emerging pattern of use

amongst Plymouth based clubs, but it is known that Plymouth Albion Ladies and Plympton

Victoria have begun to make use of the facility for mid-week training demand.

2.4.21 The above summary of rugby pitch capacity in Plymouth shows that there is a significant deficit in training

capacity across most of the sites in the city. Furthermore, the only sites that are operating with spare

capacity on their training provision are sites/clubs that have access to AGP provision.

2.4.22 Should it prove impossible for the recommended actions regarding mid-week rugby training provision to

be implemented (see action plan), then it is considered important that a WR22 3G AGP be considered as

an option for helping to meet this demand.

2.5 Chapter Summary

2.5.1 Figure 2.6 below provides a summary of needs assessment above

Figure 2.6: Summary of Assessment of AGP findings

Sport Assessment of Need

Football 2 further full-sized 3G AGPs are required to meet modelled demand in the City.

Hockey Due to the current ‘loss’ of the Stonehouse hockey pitch the City is estimated to be running at a deficit of 1 full-sized, floodlit hockey pitch. Should Bull Point also become unavailable for community use, then this deficit will increase to 2 pitches.

Rugby Union There is a clear deficit of mid-week training supply for clubs in the city. Recommendations, identified from the Rugby needs assessment chapter, have been made in the strategy and action plan to address this. However, if not a sufficient number of these actions are achievable then a WR22 3G AGP should be considered as an alternative means of addressing this need.


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3 Cricket analysis

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 This section assesses the adequacy of pitches for cricket in Plymouth (administrative area) by presenting

the following:


• An overview of demand for cricket

• The pattern of play of cricket


understanding of activity at individual sites

• The future picture of provision for cricket across the city

• A summary of findings and key issues for the Plan to address - separate document.


Assessment. This means that where new data is available, or the situation is known to have changed the




3.2 Overview of Pitch Supply

3.2.1 There are 11 sites containing facilities for cricket in Plymouth. This figure includes all known public,

private, school and other pitches whether or not they are in secured community use. It however excludes

cricket facilities that are available solely for the use of the MoD.

3.2.2 With the exception of MoD facilities, the total pitch provision across Plymouth is summarised in Figure

3.1. The 11 venues are a mixture of club, education and local authority sites.


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Figure 3.1 – Cricket pitches in Plymouth City (based on 2014 data updated with 2018 consultation)

Name Availa-ability

Ownership Grass wickets Non-turf cricket wickets (NTPs)

Cricket Pitches

Deans Cross/Foresters Field

A1 PCC (leased to Plymstock

CC) 11 1 1

Harewood House (Plympton CC)

A2 PCC (leased) 10 1 1

Mount Wise (Plymouth CC)

A2 Private (leased) 10 1 1

Devonport High School for Boys

A3 Education (academy)

1 1

Sir. John Hunt School A3 PCC Education

1

Coombe Dean School A3 Education (academy)

1

Tor Bridge High School (Miller Way)

A3 Education (academy) 10 1 1

Plymstock Community College

A3 Education (academy)

1 1

Plymouth College (Delgany Field)

a. B Education (private) 9

1

Plymouth College B Education (private) 8 1

Notre Dame RC School C PCC - Education

1

Heles School B Education (academy) 1

Sites used by Plymouth clubs outside of the city Boundaries

Gunnislake b. A

2 Club 5 1

Buckland c. A

2 Club 6 1

Lewdown d. A

1 Parish Council 7 1 1

Yealmpton e. A


Roborough CC f. A


CLUB SITES

3.2.3 There are two club-managed sites in the City – Harewood House (Plympton CC), and Mount Wise

(Plymouth CC). The former Civil Service Sports Ground also used to host cricket facilities, but this has

now been lost as a cricket venue.

EDUCATION SITES

3.2.4 Most of the cricket venues are located on education sites and are shared with other sports. The most

significant of these is at Tor Bridge High School, which has a new grass cricket table, and an artificial

wicket. This facility was recorded as being used by Plymouth CC third team and fourth team, as well as

the school in 2014 but is now not used for community cricket. The facilities at Plymouth College were

recorded as being “unlikely to be available to any significant extent for community teams” in 2014.


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However, the site is currently used by Plymouth CC’s 3rd XI as well as by Plymouth and Marjons’

university teams.

SHARED SITES

3.2.5 In reality, very few sites are solely dedicated to cricket use. The majority are shared with other sports.

Of the facilities currently available for community use, only two sites (Plymouth CC’s ground at Mount

Wise and Plympton CC’s at Harewood Park) are largely dedicated for cricket (although even here there

would appear to be come occasional winter sport use). Plymstock CC’s outfield ground at Deans Cross is

shared with football. Certain school sites have artificial school wickets. (See site review below).

CLOSED SITES

3.2.6 In recent years, the sites at Civil Service, Peverell Park and Manadon have been lost for cricket use.

However, the JLP allocates the land at Peverell Park for cricket use and work is underway to provide

improved cricket facilities at the Manadon Sports Centre. During consultation (2018) the ECB stated that

they were interested and open to holding conversations with the leaseholders at Peverell Park to

reintroduce it for cricket at this site.

SITE SUMMARY

3.2.7 The following paragraphs summarise provision at previously identified sites.

3.2.8 Mount Wise

3.2.9 This site is managed by Plymouth CC and is on a long-term lease. The cricket table can accommodate

10 wicket strips (of which two were cut at the time of the site visit in 2014). There is also an artificial

wicket. In 2014, the facility was rated as ‘good’ in overall terms. (See below). The facility is used by

Plymouth CC, which is estimated to run 4 adult male, 6 junior, and 1 adult female teams in 2018.

3.2.10 The site was subject to significant investment due to the need to add ball stop netting in 2018. This £25-

30,000 investment enabled the site to continue to be used by the club. As future phases of the site come

forward for development, it will be important to consider whether further ball stop fencing is required, and

if necessary to secure its provision through the planning process.

3.2.11 The Plymouth CC Male 3rd team makes use of the cricket facilities across multiple sites outside of the

area (See below). In addition, the club is used by The University of Plymouth Cricket teams (of which

there are two) for their BUCS fixtures, they also use sites outside the City. It is difficult to quantify the

precise regularity and frequency by the University’s use of the Mountwise site. However, matches take

place during midweek daytime sessions, and do not therefore conflict with other community league

fixtures. These mid-week matches have been factored into calculations later in this section when

calculating to overall use of the site. Also factored into calculations are more occasional ‘casual’ matches

played by a team that plays in the Plymouth and District League- ‘Everything Everywhere’.

3.2.12 Deans Cross/Foresters Field

3.2.13 This site is used by Plymstock CC, and is leased from Plymouth City Council, which manages the facility.

The cricket table can accommodate 11 strips, two of which were cut at the time of the site visit in 2014. In

2014, the facility was rated as ‘good’ in overall terms. (See below). The site is also used by several

football teams, and the outfield is shared with these sports.

3.2.14 Plymstock CC are recorded as running 5.5 adult male (plus a more occasional team), and 6 junior teams

in 2018. There are occasional matches played by two teams in the Plymouth and District League- ‘Friary’

and ‘RM Police’.


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3.2.15 The club are investigating the possibility of taking on more land and maintenance responsibilities for

more of the site as part of their lease agreement which will require further dialogue and negotiation with

Plymouth City Council.

3.2.16 The club has also expressed a desire to install a new practice facility at this site.

3.2.17 During consultation; dog fouling was reported to be a major issue on the site. Adding more bins and

signage to the site would be expected to resolve this issue.

3.2.18 Harewood House

3.2.19 The site is used by Plympton CC. The club leases the facilities from Plymouth City Council, but the club

manages the site by itself on a lease. The cricket table can accommodate 12 strips, and there is one

artificial wicket. There are 2 x net cages, the newer one has 3 bays, protected and in good order. The

older one has 2 bays, is open and in average condition and require refurbishment.

3.2.20 Plymstock CC are recorded as running 5.5 adult male (plus a more occasional team), 6 junior, and 1

adult female team in 2018. The facility was rated as ‘good’ in overall terms in 2014. (See below).

3.2.21 Tor Bridge High School

3.2.22 A cricket table and artificial wicket was provided as part of the redeveloped campus in 2012. It is

available for school use but is not used by the community. This site received investment as a means of

supporting club cricket in the area but has been found to be unsuitable for such use due to the inability of

the club to carry out the necessary maintenance on the pitch during school hours. No other club has

taken on the site at this time.

3.2.23 It is understood that the pitch has been used occasionally by a team playing in the Plymouth and District

League- ‘The Seymour Arms’.

3.2.24 Given its relatively recent installation the facility is likely to be fairly easy to return to a ‘good’ condition.

Two rugby pitches are in the outfield, on either of the natural turf wickets. The ECB invested in this facility

and see it as an important venue. However, it is unlikely this site will see significant community use due

to the issues around access remaining unresolved.

3.2.25 The NTP on site appears to be deteriorating at present that therefore requires maintenance in-order to

remain suitable for use by the Seymour Arms.

3.2.26 Coombe Deane School

3.2.27 This school has an artificial wicket available for school use. It was not possible to undertake a site

inspection in 2014.

3.2.28 Devonport High School for Boys

3.2.29 A new junior-size artificial wicket was being installed at this school in 2014, on a re-configured playing

field campus, which has also seen the development of a new full-size 3G pitch. It is presumed that the

strip will be used primarily for school activity at this stage.

3.2.30 Heles School

3.2.31 There is an artificial wicket on this site that is used largely for school activity but is also used occasionally

by Hele’s, a team who play in the Plymouth and District League.

3.2.32 Sir John Hunt School

3.2.33 There is an artificial wicket on this school site that appears to be only for school use.


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3.2.34 Plymstock Community College

3.2.35 There is an artificial wicket on this school site. Plymstock CC has been known to use the site.

3.2.36 Plymouth College (and Delganey Field)

3.2.37 Both sites are used largely by Plymouth College who have a strong reputation for school cricket. The

Delganey field site is also used by Plymouth Marjons University teams who use the site as part of BUCS

activity. The University of Plymouth teams are also known to train here. OPMs who play occasionally in

the Plymouth and District League also uses this venue. The site is used for cricket by the school on

Saturdays but could be an opportunity for further community use at other times.

3.2.38 The main College Ground is used regularly by Plymouth CC 3rd and 4th teams when available. No major

facility improvements have been identified as part of this site.


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QUALITY SCORING OF SITES

3.2.39 The score given to the overall pitch quality and shown in Figure 3.2 overleaf is based upon Sport England’s playing pitch strategy guidance – (Appendix 3d found

at (https://www.sportengland.org/media/3522/pps-guidance-october-2013-updated.pdf). These scores have been reached through consultation with the ECB as

well as reference to the 2014 PPP study. Due to the high level of Plymouth cricket demand being exported outside of the City, selected sites being used by

Plymouth based clubs have been included.

Figure 3.2 - Cricket Pitch Quality Ratings and site capacity (based on 2014 data updated with 2018 consultation)

Site Name Ownership Access Quality Pitches Capacity

Grass Artificial Total

Harewood House (Plympton CC) Club A2 Good 1 50 60 110

Mount Wise (Plymouth CC) Club A2 Good 1 50 60 110

Plymouth College Education B Good 1 40 0 40

Plymouth College (Delganey Field) Education C Good 1 45 0 45

Deans Cross/Foresters Field LA A1 Good 1 55 60 115

SUBTOTAL: All Pitches in Plymouth 5 240 180 420

Gunnislake Club A2 Standard 1 25 0 25

Buckland Club A2 Standard 1 30 0 30

Lewdown Parish Council A1 Good 1 35 60 95

Yealmpton Parish Council A1 Standard 1 30 60 90

Roborough CC Parish Council A1 Poor 1 30 60 90

SUBTOTAL: Pitches used by Plymouth teams but located outside of Plymouth 5 150 180 330

TOTAL: All Pitches used by Plymouth based teams 10 390 360 750

3.2.40 The above is a summary of a longer technical assessment carried out in 2014. It confirms the facilities to be generally of ‘good’ quality in overall terms, although

some problems are experienced. For example, all three local cricket clubs experienced cancelled/postponed matches last season, due to weather conditions. In



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addition, Plymstock CC stated back in 2014 their dissatisfaction with the quality of changing facilities dog-fouling and damaged playing surfaces at Deans Cross

(which is a public access site).


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population that are likely to participate in cricket. More information on the Sport England Active Lives

Tool can be found here. The key messages for cricket are:

• 0.7% of adult residents in Plymouth participated in some form of cricket at least twice within

the last 28 days, representing around 1,513 people.

• Of this group :

• around 31% participated in long form (40-50 over) matches.

• around 28% participated in short form matches (such as 20:20)

• around 49% had attended a cricket net or practice session

• around 13% had participated in some other form of cricket at least twice within the last 28

days



CURRENT PARTICIPATION

3.3.2 The total number of teams being fielded by each of the existing local established clubs is as follows:

Figure 3.3 - Number of cricket teams fielded by Plymouth’s cricket clubs (based on 2014 data updated

with 2018 consultation)

Name Men’s Junior Ladies League

Plymouth CC 5 g. 6 1 The Devon Cricket League, The South Devon League, The Palladium West Devon Youth League, The Devon Women's Cricket League

Plymstock CC 5.5 h. 6 The Devon Cricket League, The South Devon League, The

Plymouth & District League, The West Devon Youth League

Plympton CC 5.5 i. 6 1 The Devon Cricket League, The South Devon League, South and West Regional Premier League, The West Devon Youth League

University of Plymouth

2

j. 1 BUCS

Marjons University 1

k. 1 BUCS

Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough CC

l. 3.5

The Devon Cricket League, The South Devon League

3.3.3 Other than the above, there are casual teams that play in the Plymouth and District League (midweek),

and these include: Friary, Lopes, RM Police, Everything Everywhere, Seymour Arms, and OPMs. (An

estimate of 6 adult male teams has been included in addition to the above count to cover this activity).

3.3.4 In addition to the above there is recorded to be a Plymouth Marjons Cricket Club. This club formed in

2012,and had formed an u11 mixed team to play in the West Devon Junior League. It is understood that

the club (part of the Plymouth Marjons University Sports Club) is no longer fielding any sides at present

other than those competing in BUCs competitions.




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3.3.5 Junior teams, in practice, can encompass variations of the match from 8v8 softball to 11v11 hardball

varieties, and it is therefore important to note that the requirement of junior teams for access to full size

pitches will generally not exist, although they will of course require some form of open space.

3.3.6 The ECB consultation shows that the All Stars cricket programme, targeted at 5-8 year olds has been

very successful in Plymouth, with 120 new players signed up during 2018 season.

SUMMARY OF CLUBS

3.3.7 Cricket in Plymouth is very club-based and the teams playing are part of well-established clubs. There

does not appear to be much casual play, although at least two of the clubs would appear to play ‘friendly’

fixtures from time-to-time.

TRENDS IN PARTICIPATION

3.3.8 The key trends since 2014 amongst the three local clubs has been an overall lack of change in the

number of teams in each age-group, albeit that the Plymouth and District League (P & D League) has

suffered - this seems to have been offset by a growth in ‘T20’ activity. The loss of the Civil Service

Sports Club teams, due to the closure and redevelopment of the ground, has also contributed to the

static nature of participation growth in cricket within Plymouth. The club has now merged with Roborough

CC, and plays outside the area, at both Roborough, and Buckfastleigh.

3.3.9 The ECB’s ‘Chance to Shine’ development programme is now operating in Devon and may in time have

some impact on the numbers of young people interested in playing the game. Chance to Shine may be

used to support the development of a new junior section in the Civil Service & Roborough Club, should

the club find a new facility within the city. Chance to Shine has already been used to support Plymouth

CC and Plympton CC for over 6 years.

3.3.10 The P & D League is still a fully functional and providing cricket for upwards of 14 teams. These teams

predominantly play on club and school pitches. They also play on pitches outside of the City boundary in

the South Hams & West Devon. Teams that enter are a mixture of club and social / nomadic

teams. There are less club teams entering due to the increased popularity of T20 competitions.

3.3.11 Amongst the well-established clubs there do not appear to be serious plans to play additional teams, with

the exception of women’s cricket, where both Plymouth and Plympton CCs have expressed a wish to

attract more lady players/teams. However, emerging evidence from similar strategies being developed in

neighbouring local authorities suggests that there are several clubs located just outside the Plymouth

conurbation whose memberships are flourishing, which suggests that some of these clubs may in part be

attracting players from Plymouth. Based on the club questionnaire survey, it would appear that the

majority of players affiliated to city-based clubs come from within Plymouth.

ORIGIN OF PLAYERS

3.3.12 The following figure is based on information provided by the club questionnaire survey.

Figure 3.4 - Where cricket players come from (2014 data)

Do the majority of your players live within the Local Authority in which

your home ground is situated?

How far do the majority of your players have to travel to play

home games?

Plymouth CC Yes 2 - 5 miles

Plympton CC Yes 2 - 5 miles

Plymstock CC Yes 2 - 5 miles


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3.3.13 The majority of club players come from within Plymouth, it would appear. This will also be the case for

the Universities’ teams as students’ accommodation will be close to the locale for play.

PATTERN OF PLAY AND CAPACITY (2014 DATA)

3.3.14 The main leagues operating in the area are:

• The Devon Cricket League (primarily Saturdays)

• The South Devon Cricket League (Sundays)

• The Devon Women’s Cricket League (Sundays)

• Ivor Dewdney’s 20-20 tournament (Midweek)

• The West Devon Junior Cricket League (Midweek)

• The Plymouth and District League (Midweek)

3.3.15 The following represents a general estimate of when teams are likely to play.

Figure 3.5 - Pattern of play of cricket teams (2014 data)

3.3.16 The mid-week fixtures are contributed to by the Universities BUCS games.

3.3.17 In practice, and presumably to avoid fixture clashes, some fixtures do not follow these overall patterns.

TRAINING NEEDS

3.3.18 The majority of clubs do train – in summer on their home ground (although not all clubs have nets). In

winter, clubs train in local school sports halls.

Figure 3.6 - Where cricket clubs train (2014 data)

Club Training on home ground Off-site training

Plymouth CC In summer Tor Bridge High

Plympton CC In summer St Cuthbert Mayne

Plymstock CC In summer Culm Valley Leisure Centre

University of St. Mark and St. John In summer Marjons

University of Plymouth In summer


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OTHER CRICKET ACTIVITY

3.3.19 As already mentioned, there appears to be little by way of casual/informal cricket match play in the City.

Other significant organized cricket activity in the City involves MoD/naval teams, taking place on MoD

facilities ‘behind the wire’ and unavailable for community use. These facilities and activity are not

therefore of relevance to this study.

3.3.20 The only other significant cricket activity in the City therefore involves the education sector. As already

mentioned, both The University of Plymouth and Marjons run their own teams (a combined total of five).

The times and venues for this play do not tend to impact on the actual availability of pitches for other

community teams at times of peak demand.

3.3.21 Plymouth College clearly have cricket as a central part of their PE curriculum, given the facilities

available at Delganey. Other state school sites have some facilities and activity, of which the most

significant and impressive is at Tor Bridge High School. As documented earlier, some other state schools

have artificial wickets which will be used for school-based activity, but which also have existing or

potential community use.

3.3.22 Demand for formal cricket pitches is much less evident from the state education sector than for football.

Whilst many primary schools play cricket and have cricket teams, this is primarily kwik cricket played

indoors or on the playground. The Chance to Shine Programme, which seeks to bring cricket back into

primary schools and to create strong links between schools and clubs has however been generally

successful in Devon and may have contributed to the small increase in junior cricket participation.

DISPLACED, UNMET AND LATENT DEMAND

3.3.23 There is little overt evidence of unmet demand within Plymouth from existing clubs. The Active People

analysis does refer to only limited latent demand. However, the loss of the Plymouth Civil Service Sports

Club, and the co-location of the Civil Service Cricket Club at Roborough Cricket Club outside the City

suggests that there is some forced migration from players living within the City to external ‘home’

venues. Both the Devon Cricket Board and the ECB are of the view that there is latent demand for

cricket within the City, but this is likely only to be released with the provision of new and improved

facilities to attract potential new players, allied to sports development campaigns, such as ‘Chance to

Shine’

CAPACITY SCORES - SITUATION AT INDIVIDUAL SITES

3.3.24 For cricket, unlike other pitch sports, the capacity of a pitch is measured on a season rather than weekly

basis and is primarily determined by the number and quality of wicket strips on a pitch ‘square’. Play is

rotated throughout the season across the wicket strips on a pitch square to reduce wear and allow for

repair. Each wicket strip can accommodate a certain amount of play per season. As a guide, the ECB

suggests a good quality strip (which should be aspired to) should able to take:

• 5 matches per season per grass strip (adults);

• 60 matches per season per non turf strip (adults); and

3.3.25 Demand is measured in terms of the number of home games (called Match Equivalent Sessions (MES))

that each team will play per season. Only one game is traditionally played on a pitch per day, particularly

for senior fixtures, due to the length of time that a game takes to finish. As well as the ability of the strip

to sustain the required amount of play.

3.3.26 Based upon the above parameters, Figure 3.7 and the accompanying commentary provide an overview

of site specific activity for the venues hosting community cricket in Plymouth.


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3.3.27 The estimates of the numbers of MES played is based on consultation with the ECB and desktop based

research into the clubs - the number of wicket strips on each club’s square is multiplied by the notional

capacity of those strips (see 3.2).

Figure 3.7 – Site capacity relative to demand (Harewood House) – 10 grass strips; 1 artificial strip (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)

Club using the Site

Spare Match Slots Carrying Capacity

Saturday Sunday Midweek Adult

Demand vs. Grass

Junior Demand vs

NTP

Total Supply

vs Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

Plympton CC

At Capacity At Capacity At Capacity -5 12 7 -53

Figure 3.8 – Site capacity relative to demand (Mount Wise) - 10 grass strips; 1 artificial strip (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)

Club(s) using the Site



Demand vs. Grass

Junior Demand vs

NTP

Total Supply

vs Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

Plymouth CC / University of Plymouth CC

At Capacity At Capacity At Capacity -20 12 -8 -68

3.3.28 Comment:

• It is estimated that the site hosts around 70 senior and 48 junior MES per season (2018).

• The square is rated as being of ‘good’ standard (2014).

• The ideal number of matches that the square (rotating all the available strips) can ideally host

is around 50 MES.

• If all the adult match play took place on the grass wicket, the level of use would push the use

of the grass wickets over capacity.

• The club report that the existing artificial wicket is used to host junior and ladies matches. The

NTP is estimated to just below its capacity.

• The site is believed to be in use at all peak time sessions. Therefore, no further teams can be

added to the site.

Figure 3.9 – Site capacity relative to demand (Deans Cross) - 11 grass strips; 1 artificial strip (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)




Demand vs. Grass

Junior Demand vs

NTP

Total Supply

vs Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

Plymstock CC At Capacity At Capacity At Capacity 10 12 38 -22

3.3.29 Comment:

• It is estimated that the site hosts around 45 senior and 48 junior MES per season (2018).


• The ideal number of matches that the wicket (rotating all the available strips) can ideally host

is around 55 MES.

• If all the match play took place on the grass wicket, the wear and tear would be unacceptable

and the site would be classed as overplayed.


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• The club report that the existing artificial wicket is used to host junior matches. The grass

wicket table is therefore probably used within its estimated carrying capacity.

• The square is thought to be operating without any spare peak-time match slots. This means

no further teams can be added to the site.

Figure 3.10 – Site capacity relative to demand (Plymouth College (Delgany Field) - 9 grass strips; 0 artificial strips (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)




Demand vs. Grass

Junior Demand vs

NTP

Total Supply

vs Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

University of St. Mark and St. John CC

At Capacity 1 NA 25 NA 25 25

3.3.30 Comment:

• It is estimated that the site hosts around 20 senior MES per season (2018).



is around 45 MES per season.

• The site is therefore considered have sufficient carrying capacity to meet existing demand.

• The site does have spare match slots and spare capacity for further use but is not thought to

be open for community use to other teams or clubs.

Figure 3.11 – Site capacity relative to demand (Plymouth College (Main Site) - 8 grass strips; 0 artificial strips) (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)




Demand vs. Grass

Junior Demand

vs NTP

Total Supply

vs Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

Plymouth College (Main Site)

At Capacity At Capacity At Capacity 30 -50 -20 -20

3.3.31 Comment:

• It is estimated that the site hosts around 60 senior MES per season (2018).



is around 40 MES per season.

• The site is therefore considered have sufficient carrying capacity to meet existing demand.

• The site does have spare match slots and spare capacity for further use but is not thought to

be open for community use to other teams or clubs.

Figure 3.12 – Site capacity relative to demand (Non-Plymouth Sites) (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)

Site Name


Plymouth Based Club(s) using the Site

Saturday Sunday Mid-week

Adult Demand

vs. Grass

Junior Demand vs NTP

Total Supply vs

Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

Gunnislake Plympton CC At Capacity - - 16 NA 16 16

Buckland Plymouth CC / Plymstock At Capacity 0.5 2 27 NA 27 27

Lewdown Plympton CC At Capacity 0.5 2 32 60 92 32


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Site Name


Plymouth Based Club(s) using the Site

Saturday Sunday Mid-week

Adult Demand

vs. Grass

Junior Demand vs NTP

Total Supply vs

Total Demand

Grass Supply vs

Total Demand

Yealmpton Plymstock CC At Capacity 0.5 4 25 60 85 25

Roborough CC Plymouth CS & Roborough CC At Capacity 0.5 2 -5 60 55 -5

3.3.32 Comment:

• The table shows that all grounds used by Plymouth based clubs are ‘At Capacity’ during

Saturday match slots. This means that any further teams produced in the city wishing to play

at this time will not only have to travel outside of the city but cannot utilise any of the pitches

listed above.

• The table also shows that there is sufficient spare carrying capacity to meet the exported

demand from Plymouth based teams with the exception of the Roborough CC site. The site is

currently being used by the newly combined Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough Cricket

Club. The ground is thought to have 5 grass strips in a ‘poor’ condition and is reported to

have demand of 30 MES placed upon it.

• It should be noted that each ground is thought to have spare peak time capacity during

midweek match slots when juniors are expected to play. Given the findings from tables 3.8 -

3.12, where all available sites are considered to be at capacity during midweek time slots, it is

expected that any additional demand will need to be met by grounds based outside of the

city, unless new grounds can be provided in the interim.

3.4 Scenario testing: the Future



• A Changes to the number of people living in the area and / or to the demographic

profile of the population;

• B Changes in participation trends and in how pitch sports are played;

• C Club specific development plans and aspirations; and,

• D Amendments to the current facility stock either through the provision of new pitches

or the loss of current pitches.


TEAM GENERATION RATES



teams playing within that area in that age band. By applying TGRs to population projections, we can

project the theoretical number of teams that would be generated from population growth and gain an

understanding of future demand.

3.4.4 Figure 3.13 overleaf summarises the current TGRs for cricket in Plymouth and uses them to assess the

potential impact of projected changes to the population profile on demand for cricket.


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Figure 3.13 - TGRs and Potential Change to Number of Cricket Teams in Plymouth: 2018–2034 (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)

Age Group

No. of teams in age group

Current popn in

age group (2018)

Future popn in

age group (2034)

Current TGR

Popn.

Change

in Age

Group

Potential Change in

Team Numbers

Total Number of Projected

Teams

Cricket Open Age Men’s (18-55yrs) 22.5 67,786 68,811 3,013 1,026 0 23

Cricket Open Age Women’s (18-55yrs) 6 65,335 63,150 10,889 -2,185 0 6

Cricket Junior (7-18yrs) 35 34,070 35,118 973 1,047 1 36


3.4.5 The above table shows that:

• Adult Cricket – in the periods 2018 - 2034 the number of adults aged between 18 and 55

(the age groups that typically play adult cricket) will increase slightly, and therefore, based on

latest population projections, future participation in adult cricket to 2034 is likely to remain in

line with current levels, with no increase in the number of teams anticipated as a result

of population change; and

• Junior Cricket – in the period 2018 - 2034 the number of young people aged between 7 and

18 (the age groups that typically play junior cricket) is projected to increase, creating

additional demand equivalent to 1 junior cricket team (0.5 match equivalents per week).




from planned new development. Strategic housing studies suggest that there may be a need to cater for

a city population of around 303,727 by 2034, based on a growing employment base, and new residents

therefore being attracted into the area. This suggests an additional 25,000 beyond those catered for in

the above calculations (Figure 3.13).

3.4.7 It is assumed that the age structure of this additional 25,000 people is similar to the present population,

then an application of the above TGRs would suggest a possible:

• 4 adult (3x male and 1x female) cricket teams (40 MES); and

• 5 junior teams (40 MES)

3.4.8 When the above are added to the changes arising from natural population change (para 5.58), the

combined effected of natural and planned population change up to 2034 is estimated to be:

• 4 adult teams (3x male and 1x female = 40 match equivalents per week); and,

• 5 junior teams (48 MES).

3.4.9 The combined effects of both natural and population change will therefore put an additional pressure on

the existing supply of cricket facilities.

CHANGES IN PARTICIPATION TRENDS AND HOW SPORT IS PLAYED

3.4.10 Changes in participation may perhaps have the most significant impact upon future demand for cricket

pitches. Analysis of recent trends in participation reveals the following;


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• The three established clubs have indicated that there has been little growth in numbers of

teams in recent years. The stabilising of cricket, and the increasing challenge of attracting

participants means that the Devon Cricket Board are focusing upon a strategy of retaining

existing players and supporting increased participation where opportunities arise. They are

seeking to address many of the issues currently facing cricket, including the ageing volunteer

base and to support clubs to become more sustainable.

• In recognition of changing lifestyle patterns and the challenges of 50 over cricket, the ECB

are now seeking to introduce alternative forms of the game, including Last Man Standing and

T20. These are similar in format to the midweek, and weekend leagues and offer people who

are unable to participate in full matches shorter forms of the game.

• The ECB therefore currently has an overall focus on player retention and is not anticipating

significant growth in club-based cricket, instead highlighting potential to grow more informal

formats of the game.

• This may result in the growth of more casual play and midweek leagues and this could

generate demand for ‘casual’ venues within Plymouth. A central, accessible venue would be

ideal. In addition to this, the ECB’s ‘Chance to Shine’ campaign may induce additional interest

amongst children. The survey of facilities has shown there are several schools with artificial

wickets as part of their campus provision. Which may form the basis of greater community

use for more casual forms of the game, with or without school-club links.

ALL STARS CRICKET

3.4.11 In 2017 the ECB launched the national All Stars Cricket programme. Targeted at 5-8 year olds, the

programme has achieved 120 sign-ups in Plymouth since its inception. The ECB has asked this PPP to

reflect how such a number of members might impact on the number of teams playing in Plymouth. This

projection is shown below in figure 3.14 and is based on 15 players being required to regularly field an

11 person team.

Figure 3.14 – Projected impact of All Stars Cricket bases on retention of 120 sign-ups (based on analysis

of 2018 data)

Age Group

Current Number of teams

Additional Teams produced based on a retention rate of:

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

80%

90%

100%

Juniors 35 0 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8

Adults 28.5 0 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8

* Optimistic Retention Rate / Moderate Retention Rate / Pessimistic Retention Rate

3.4.12 Using the mid-point of the moderate projection for retaining players into both the junior and eventually the

senior teams of clubs, figure 3.14 shows that the 120 All Stars sign-ups may produce around 4 additional

junior teams and 2 additional adult teams. None of the grounds currently used by the 3 clubs running All

Stars Cricket are considered to have spare peak-time capacity to accommodate any of these new teams.

3.4.13 It should be noted that the All Stars Cricket is still a new programme and retention rates even into junior

cricket are unknown at this stage.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND ASPIRATIONS (2014 DATA WITH 2018 UPDATES VIA CONSULTAITONS)

3.4.14 The Devon Cricket Board has produced a Strategic Plan for 2012 – 2017. With regard to facilities, the

themes of particular relevance to Plymouth are:

• a need for 5 more cricket pitches in Plymouth available for clubs and schools

• cricket provision in Plymouth is of high concern due to the uncertainty of long-term leases for

Club Marked clubs and other affiliated clubs


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• the disposal of the Plymouth Civil Service Cricket Club. This issue may be mirrored at other

Civil Service sites across Devon

• focus on ensuring cricket clubs retain and provide for people aged sixteen and above, there is

a serious need to create or rejuvenate pitches to cope with future demand.

3.4.15 The club questionnaire survey in 2014 did not shed much light on the aspirations of the three established

clubs. There did not appear to be a desire to develop additional teams. However, there were plans for

facilities that would perhaps help in coping better with existing needs:

• Plymouth CC (Mountwise) would like additional non-turf strips and nets

• Plympton CC (Harewood) would like a new clubhouse

• Plymstock CC (Deans Cross) would like an additional non-turf wicket for a potential second

pitch

3.4.16 Where possible the 2014 strategy held additional phone conversations with secretaries of local clubs, as

well as Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough CC (the club formed after the displacement of the

Plymouth Civil Service Club following the removal of Beacon Park as a Cricket facility). These have been

updated following consultation with the ECB in 2018. The following is a summary of each club drawing

together these two sources:

3.4.17 Plympton CC: The club is happy with its current size, and don’t feel they have the resources to develop

further. The club runs three regular Saturday senior teams, meaning there is a need to find a second

facility for the 3rd XI. For some time, this has been provided at the Gunnislake facility in Cornwall (which

has meant additional travel for team members). Facilities at Yealmpton and Tavistock have also been

used. However, various league regulations have made this arrangement difficult to maintain. Plymouth

College now offer the club use of their facilities, which will allow for more games to be played locally.

The club would like a longer tenancy (from the City Council) to allow it to develop facilities at Harewood

Park (a minimum of a 30-year lease to enable the club to qualify for various external grant aid schemes).

3.4.18 Plymouth Civil Service and Roborough CC: Plymouth Civil Service CC used to play at Beacon Park,

before the site was redeveloped. The club then moved to Buckfastleigh. However, the club secretary

believes that the club was removed from its player catchment- it lost many of its junior members and

continues to suffer from falling membership (even though it has now relocated to and merged with the

Roborough CC). The secretary believes the facilities and the catchment at its current venue are not

sufficient to attract new members.

A relocation back to within Plymouth is therefore viewed as its only prospect for ultimate survival, through

re-igniting interest amongst young people within a big catchment area. The proposed redevelopment of

the Manadon centre would provide a new cricket facility within the City, which would provide exclusive

use of the playing surface during much of the cricket season. If the club could be relocated to Manadon,

they have been told by the County Cricket Board that they would be invited into the ECB’s ‘Chance to

Shine’ development programme.

3.4.19 Plymouth CC: The club have four regular Saturday teams, and therefore need two venues. They used to

use Peverell Park, but this has now been enclosed into an area shared by the Goals complex, and the

cricket pitch was lost. The club then relocated its 2nd and 3rd teams to Torpoint to use a facility made

available after the team that occupied it folded. Facilities at Torpoint are considered to be poor.

The club has the use of a grass wicket table at Plymouth College (Main site). This facility has already

been used by the 3rd XI and will from next season be used by the 4th XI. The facility is also available for

use by the school, with which the club is developing strong links.

The club appears to be happy with its facilities at Mount Wise, recognizing that changes taking place in


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the wider area will make their location more prime. However, the secretary does not believe the club

wishes to expand much more than its present size.

3.4.20 Although it is difficult to put a figure on the number of teams that are likely to be generated by these

aspirations, it is considered the case that the reintroduction of the Civil Service CC back into the City

would increase the number of teams – perhaps initially 2 adult teams and a range of juniors. In addition,

the desired expansion of Plymstock to have a second ground would allow for additional adult teams to be

developed as well as a range of juniors.

3.4.21 The additional teams likely to be generated through natural and planned population change (para 5.69)

would help to justify an additional cricket facility. These increased demands, alongside the desire of

Plymstock CC to have a second ground would certainly warrant provision of an additional ground. The

relocation of the Civil Service Club back into Plymouth would also help to justify the need for a second

additional ground.

FORTHCOMING CHANGES TO THE SUPPLY


Central Park. The overall ambition is identified in the Master plan for Central Park that was adopted by

the Council in March 2013.





3.4.24 The City Council has worked with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the Master Plan for Central

Park and the Sports Plateau has been identified as the priority for sports pitch enhancements.

3.4.25 The Sports Plateau is the first in a series of proposed enhancements to sports pitches in Central Park.

As of July 2018, an improvement project is currently underway which will significantly improve the

drainage and re arrange the site to provide additional junior football pitches, 1 x senior artificial cricket

wicket and 1 x senior rugby pitch.

3.4.26 Through consultation with the ECB, the Council is confident that use of the cricket facility will develop

over time. Evidence from other urban areas shows that initially use is likely to be informal, however

through active promotion the City Council expect more formal and regular users to come forward and

make use of the opportunity in the future.

3.4.27 The facility is not expected to meet formal demand in the city but be well-used to facilitate informal

cricket.

3.4.28 Manadon Sports and Community Hub: Plymouth City Council have worked in partnership with Argyle

Community Trust to development an outdoor sports hub in the city on St Peter’s Road. Due for

completion in 2019/20 is a full redevelopment of the site which will include an FA approved 3G pitch with

floodlights, 2 new junior grass football pitches, a new artificial cricket wicket, 8 grass cricket wickets and

a two storey pavilion. Argyle Community Trust have taken on the lease under a community asset transfer

arrangement, along with responsibility for ongoing maintenance and day to day operations. Plymouth

Civil Service and Roborough CC have been identified as the primary users for this site. The site will

accommodate junior cricket in 2019 and senior cricket from 2020.

3.4.29 Peverell Park: Located in the north eastern corner of Central Park, for the purposes of this chapter, this

site will be considered separately to the Central Park developments described above.


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3.4.30 The cricket square at Peverell Park is allocated as a cricket facility in the JLP and it is hoped that this site

will available for use, subject to the necessary funding and infrastructure improvements. The ECB has

expressed a desire to enter into conversations with the leaseholder of the site to reintroduce cricket on

this site. This would represent a very useful expansion in the facility base. The site was formerly used by

Plymouth CC but has remained unused for 8 years. Plymouth CC are understood to have a strong desire

to return to the site. This would allow them to grow both their senior and junior sections. However it

should be noted that this project is still in relatively early stages of development with the ECB and PCC

yet to meet to discuss the opportunity formally.

3.4.31 Sherford: Planning application for a 8x grass wicket square plus an NTP and full changing provision. The

date of completion for this project is currently unknown but the facility is believed to be built into the

master planning of the site. It should be noted that this pitch is allocated for the residents of the new

community.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CURRENT FACILITY STOCK EITHER THROUGH THE PROVISION OF NEW PITCHES OR THE LOSS OF CURRENT PITCHES

3.4.32 Due to the high number of pitches utilised by Plymouth based clubs and teams to meet demand, the

ECB has requested the modelling of supply and demand should be undertaken to show a scenario in

which all non-Plymouth based pitches are removed from the supply.

3.4.33 Currently a number of teams use facilities outside of the city to meet demand. If this demand were to be

required to move back into the city figures 3.8 - 3.12 clearly shows that there is little peak-time availability

to accommodate them.

3.4.34 If, by some possibility these matches could be played outside of peak-times, Figure 3.15 below, shows

the difference impact of this demand being met by existing pitch supply.

Figure 3.15 – Impact of the loss of Pitches not based in Plymouth (based on analysis of 2018 updated data)

Adult Demand vs Grass Capacity

Junior Demand vs NTP Capacity

Total Supply vs Total Demand

Grass Supply vs All Demand

Capacity Balance (ALL Supply VS. ALL Demand)

145.0 240.0 385.0 5.0

ALL Demand VS. Plymouth based pitch supply ONLY

-5.0 60.0 55.0 -125.0

3.4.35 Figure 3.15 shows that, as opposed to the current situation, where there is just about sufficient

theoretical capacity to meet demand, should the non-Plymouth pitches become unavailable to Plymouth

based clubs, Plymouth sites would be significantly overplayed.

3.4.36 This is important because overplay of pitches is known to lead to a deterioration of pitch quality and

participant’s enjoyment of the game. Consequentially, overplaying pitches can have an adverse impact

on participation in a sport within a local area.

3.4.37 The findings above reinforces the need for additional cricket facilities within Plymouth to be provided.

This is with the expressed requirement of creating additional peak-time capacity within the city on

Saturday afternoons. This is necessary to enable all clubs covered in this strategy to have their 3rd and

4th teams able to play within the city and removing the need for clubs to use unsecured facilities located a

significant distance from the clubs main home ground. Specifically, supporting the development of the

square at Manadon Sports and Community Hub is absolutely essential to bringing the number of pitches

in the City back to the required level. Furthermore, Peverell Park is considered to be a good opportunity


Page 86 of 126

to add a further pitch to the City which is required to meet current and future projected demand.

Therefore, this will be referenced in the strategy as a priority for cricket in Plymouth.


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4 Rugby Union analysis

4.1.1 This section assesses the adequacy of pitches for rugby union in Plymouth by presenting the following:


• An overview of demand for rugby

• The pattern of play of rugby

• A review of the capacity and adequacy of current provision across Plymouth, including an understanding of activity at individual sites

4.1.2 A summary of findings and key issues for the Plan to address - separate document.


Assessment. This means that where new data is available or the situation is known to have changed, the

figures and commentary relating to this have been updated. Where the information is thought to have



4.2 Overview of Pitch Supply

4.2.1 There are 19 sites containing facilities for rugby in the Plymouth area. This figure includes all known

public, private, school and other pitches whether or not they are in secured community use. It includes

two sites (Plymouth Argaum, and Horsham Playing Fields) which are just outside the City boundary, but

whose users have a strong affinity with the City itself, as will be detailed. It also considers facilities owned

and managed by the MoD that have some record of community use.

4.2.2 The total pitch provision across Plymouth is summarised in Figure 4.1, and detailed in Figure 4.2. The

venues are a mixture of club, education and local authority sites (a full audit of pitches can be found in

the accompanying PPP data sheets).


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Figure 4.1 – Rugby venues in Plymouth


Page 89 of 126

Figure 4.2 – Rugby pitches in Plymouth City (2018 data)

Name Availability Ownership Pitches Adult Rugby

Brickfields A1 PCC 2 (plus a non-WR22 compliant floodlit 3G AGPs

the training pitch)

Horsham A1 PCC (leased- now

subject to an asset transfer)

3 (including 2 senior match pitches, 1 training pitch and a large grassed area on the upper

plateau which contains 3x mini pitches (u7-u12)

King George V Playing Fields A1 PCC 3

Weston Mill Oak Villa A2 PCC (leased) 1 (plus a small floodlit training area)

Parkway Sports and Social Club Optimus Park

A2 PCC (leased) 1 (partially floodlit pitch)

Plymouth Argaum A2 Private 2 (plus a floodlit training area)

Stonehouse Creek Leisure Club A2 PCC 3

Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's A3 Education (academy)

1

All Saints Academy A3 Education (academy)

1

Ridgeway School A3 Education (academy)

1

Marjons A3 Education (private)

2 (one of which is a floodlit WR22 compliant 3G AGP)

Plymstock Community College A3 Education (academy)

1

Heles School A3 Education (academy)

1

Tor Bridge High School (Miller Way) A3 Education (academy)

2

Rectory Lane B/C MoD 1

Notre Dame RC School C PCC Education 1

St. Boniface's RC College C PCC Education 1

Plymouth College (Main Site) C Education (private)

1

Plymouth College (Delganey Field B Education (private)

1

HMS Devonport – Keyham C MoD 1 (a floodlit WR22 compliant 3G AGP)

CLUB SITES

4.2.3 There are seven club-managed sites, as listed below:

• Brickfields

• Weston Mill Oak Villa

• Parkway Sports and Social Club Optimus Park

• Plymouth Argaum

• Stonehouse Creek Leisure Club

• Horsham Playing Fields (the subject of a successful asset transfer procedure between the City Council and Plymstock Albion Oaks RUFC).

4.2.4 Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's had previously been used by Plympton Victoria RFC, however the club has

been given notice and are no longer able to access the pitches in the future.

4.2.5 Most of these sites will be secured on a leasehold basis, from land owners, such as the City Council. The

former Civil Service Sports Ground also used to have rugby facilities, but this has now been lost to other

sports use. Use of Rectory Lane, HMS Devonport – Keyham and Marjons should be considered sites

with the greatest risk to security of tenure.

LOCAL AUTHORITY MANAGED SITES

4.2.6 The following sites are owned and managed largely by the city council;

• King George V Playing Fields.


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EDUCATION SITES

4.2.7 The following education sites offer rugby facilities;

• All Saints Academy

• Ridgeway School

• Marjons

• Plymstock Community College

• Heles School

• Tor Bridge High School (Miller Way)

• Notre Dame RC School

• St. Boniface's RC College

• Plymouth College (2 sites).

4.2.8 Only some of these education sites would appear to be actively promoted for community use, as will be

discussed shortly.

OTHER SITES

4.2.9 Rectory Lane and HMS Devonport - Keyham are both owned by the MoD. Devonport Services RFC

uses Rectory Lane. This club’s teams play in community leagues and have open membership. However,

HMS Devonport – Keyham is not used by the vast majority of community clubs, with the only non-MoD

use recorded as being University of Plymouth RUFC and Devonport Services for just 1 training session

per week.

SHARED SITES

4.2.10 Several sites are in fact shared with other pitch sports, especially on education sites. In theory, Council

sites will also be available for use by the wider community and will therefore entertain a significant

element of informal sports and recreational use. These include Parkway Sports and Social Club where it

is shared with football.

CLOSED SITES

4.2.11 Sites that have in recent years been lost to rugby include the Civil Service Sports Ground.

SITE SUMMARY

4.2.12 The following summarises provision, as far as is known, at identified sites

Brickfields

4.2.13 There is 2 full-sized rugby pitches on this site. There is also a half-size 3G pitch used exclusively for

training. The main pitch is floodlit, as is the 3G pitch.

4.2.14 The site is used by Plymouth Albion RUFC’s (2 adult men’s and 1 women’s team); and, the University of

Plymouth men’s and women’s teams. They also use the 3G pitch for training.

Central Park Sports Plateau

4.2.15 No demand is recorded against this site in the 2018 review.

4.2.16 There is one full size rugby pitch on the site. This is being re-provided as part of an investment

programme in pitches which also includes 2 junior football pitches and an artificial cricket wicket. This

work is currently underway at the time of writing. It is hoped that the new facilities will be available for the

19/20 season.


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Horsham

4.2.17 This is an important site for local rugby. The pitch site has 3 full-size rugby pitches and 3x Mini pitches.

There is also an ‘upper plateau’ to the site that is used by mini teams. The Plymstock Albion Oaks RUFC

have 3 adult male and 1 women’s teams. They also have 5 junior male teams, and 12 mini-rugby teams.

King George V Playing Fields

4.2.18 Another important site for local rugby. The site hosts 3 x adult rugby pitches. The site is the principle

home ground for OPM RUFC and is also used by the University of Plymouth RFC too. The former has 3

men’s, 2 youth teams and 8 mini-rugby teams using the site.


4.2.19 The site has 1 full-size rugby pitch and a floodlit training area. It is used by Old Technicians RUFC, which

has one adult male team.


4.2.20 The site has 1 x full-size rugby pitch that is used by Tamar Saracens RUFC which has (2 men’s, 1 youth

boys, 8 mini rugby teams). There is also a dedicated grass training area.

Plymouth Argaum

4.2.21 The site is used by Plymouth Argaum RUFC, and has 2 x full-size adult pitches and a small floodlit

training area. The site also hosts Plymouth Argaum RUFC, which runs 2 men’s teams, 1 youth male

team and 10 mini rugby teams

Stonehouse Creek

4.2.22 The site has 3 full-size adult rugby pitches. It hosts Devonport High School Old Boys RUFC which fields

1 adult male, 2 youth and 4 x mini-rugby teams. The site is also used by Devonport RFC as an overflow

site.

Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's

4.2.23 There is 1 x full-size rugby pitch on this site, which hosts the single adult male team of Plympton Victoria

RUFC. The site also has a grass training area also. The club has been given notice by the school and

will not be able to access the pitches in the future. It is thought this pitch will be retained but will not have

community access in the future.

All Saints Academy

4.2.24 The site has 1 full-size rugby pitch which is not used by the community.

Ridgeway School

4.2.25 There is a 1 full-size adult rugby pitch on site. The school would like to develop an AGP on site.

Marjons

4.2.26 There is 1 full size grass rugby pitch. A World Rugby 22-compliant 3G pitch has also been developed

recently, which can host rugby matches. The site is the base for the University of St. Mark and St. John’s

Rugby Club which has 2 men’s and 1 women’s team.

Plymstock Community College

4.2.27 There is 1 full-time adult rugby pitch on the site, but no apparent community use.

Heles School

4.2.28 1 full-size adult rugby pitch is marked out on this site. The school has stated its desire to provide an AGP

pitch.


Page 92 of 126

Tor Bridge High School (Miller Way)

4.2.29 There are 2 full-size adult rugby pitches on this site, along with a full-size 3G pitch.

Rectory Lane

4.2.30 This site is owned by the MoD and hosts 1 x full-size pitch in an enclosure.

4.2.31 Devonport Services RUFC field a number of teams including 3 men’s teams, 1 women’s team, 1 male

colts team, 4 youth male teams, 2 youth female teams and 12 mini rugby teams.

Notre Dame RC School

4.2.32 This site hosts 1 full-size pitch that is not used by community clubs.

St. Boniface's RC College

4.2.33 The school has 1 full-size rugby pitch, but appears to rely on other facilities, and there is no apparent

community use.

Plymouth College (includes the main campus and the Delganey Field)

4.2.34 There is 1 full-time adult rugby pitch on the main campus site (but no apparent community use of the

grass pitches). There are 3 full-size pitches on the Delganey Field. There is some external use of the

grass pitches at Delganey, such as by teams from Marjons.

QUALITY SCORING OF SITES

4.2.35 The score given to the overall pitch quality is based upon Sport England’s new playing pitch strategy

guidance – found at (https://www.sportengland.org/media/3522/pps-guidance-october-2013-updated.pdf)

4.2.36 There are two scores recorded on the assessment form: one is for pitch maintenance (frequency of

aeration and surface dressing) and the other is for the type of drainage a particular pitch has (natural,

pipe drained, pipe ‘and slit drained, unknown). Also noted but not scored on the assessment forms are

qualitative and ancillary information (length and coverage of grass, size of pitch, problem areas, condition

and safety of goal posts, and availability of changing, floodlighting and car parking).

4.2.37 The scores gathered during the 2014 assessment (where all sites were visited) were used as a starting

point for determining carrying capacity and quality of the sites. These were then up-dated using the

knowledge from the RFU officers and other steering group members.

4.2.38 Most of the facilities assessed were rated either standard or poor. The Brickfields stadium pitch was rated

as being of good quality.

4.2.39 It is recommended that these sites are re-visited as part of the next Playing Pitch Plan, which

should be implemented by 2022.

4.2.40 The pitches at Stonehouse Creek were rated as being in poor condition, at the time of the visits. The

results of the pitch rating exercise are summarized below.

Figure 4.3 - Rugby Pitch Quality Rating (2018 data)

Site Ownership / Management

Access Type Surface Quality Capacity Floodlit?

Brickfields LA A1

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Good 3.5 Yes - Fully

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 1.5 No

Training Area

Non-WR22 AGP

Poor 12* Yes - Fully



Page 93 of 126

Site Ownership / Management

Access Type Surface Quality Capacity Floodlit?

Horsham LA A1

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Good 3.5 No

Senior Training

Pitch Grass Good 3.5 Yes - Fully

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Good 3.5 No

Mini Pitch

Grass Poor 1 No

Mini Pitch

Grass Poor 1 No

Mini Pitch

Grass Poor 1 No

King George V Playing

Fields LA A1

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Standard 2 Yes -

Partially

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Standard 2 No

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Standard 2 No

Marjons Education (private)

A3

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Standard 2.5 No

Senior Match Pitch

WR22 AGP Good 12* Yes - Fully

Marsh Mills/St.

Boniface's

Education/ Sports Club

C Senior Match Pitch

Grass Standard 2.5 No

Parkway Sports and Social Club

Optimus Park

Club A2 Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 1 Partially -

50%

Plymouth Argaum

Private A2

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 1.5 No

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 1.5 No

Training Area

Grass Poor 0.5 Yes -

Partially

Rectory Lane MoD C Senior Match Pitch

Grass Good 3 Yes - Fully

Stonehouse Creek

LA A2

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 0.5 No

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 0.5 No

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Poor 0.5 No


LA A2

Senior Match Pitch

Grass Standard 2 No

Training Area

Grass Poor 1 Yes -

Partially

HMS Devonport -

Keyham MoD A3 / C

Senior Match Pitch

WR22 AGP Standard 2 Yes - Fully


for Boys Education A2

Training Area

Non-WR22 AGP

Standard 10* Yes - Fully

*It should be noted that these hours are the theoretical maximum available hours – in reality these facilities are likely to be booked for other activities at peak times.


Page 94 of 126

4.2.41 Figure 4.3 is a summary of a longer technical assessment. It confirms that several facilities in the city are

generally considered to be only ‘standard’ or ‘poor’ quality. In overall terms, the quality of pitches at

Stonehouse Creek (home of Devon Port High School Old Boys), is especially poor due to issues caused

by poor drainage.


Active Lives Data (Sport England)


population that are likely to participate in rugby. More information on the Sport England Active Lives Tool

can be found here. The key messages for rugby are:

• 1.2% of adult residents in Plymouth participated in some form of rugby at least twice within the last 28 days, representing around 2,594 people.

• Of this group: o around 0.6% participated in 15-a-side rugby matches o around 0.2% participated in training sessions

• The Sport England Local Profile resources (available here) indicate there are currently 55.7% of adult residents that would like to do more sport


4.3.2 The total number of teams being fielded by each of the existing local teams is as follows:

Figure 4.4 -– Number of teams fielded by Plymouth’s rugby clubs (2018)

Club Name Adult male

Adult female

Colts male

(18-u19)

Colts female

(18-u19)

Youth male (u13-17)

Youth female

(u13-17)

Mini rugby (u12)

Total

Plympton Victoria RFC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

OPM RUFC 2 0 0 0 2 0 8 12

Plymouth Argaum RUFC 2 0 0 0 1 0 10 13

University of Plymouth RUFC 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4

Old Technicians RUFC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Plymouth Albion RUFC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Devonport High School Old Boys RFC

1 0 1 0 2 0 4 8

University of St. Mark and St. John 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3

Tamar Saracens RFC 2 0 0 0 1 0 8 11

Plymstock Albion Oaks RUFC 3 1 0 0 5 0 12 21

Devonport Services RFC 3 1 1 1 4 2 12 24

Total 21 4 2 1 15 2 54 99

SUMMARY OF CLUBS

4.3.3 As is the picture nationally, rugby in Plymouth tends to be characterized by an ethos of club self-provision

and management, with several clubs assuming responsibility for their own facilities (providing there is

some degree of security of tenure). There are also rugby clubs in Plymouth that rely on council provision-

such as the University of Plymouth club, and teams playing at Stonehouse Creek. Certain clubs that play

their home fixtures on pitches outside the city have been included in this study, because of the strong

affinity their players will have with the City. (University of Plymouth and Plymouth Argaum are two such

clubs).

TRENDS IN PARTICIPATION

4.3.4 In the Devon-wide club questionnaire conducted as part of the joint survey covering Plymouth, South

Hams, and West Devon local authorities, only three teams from Plymouth responded in time for inclusion

in this report. However, as shown below, the response rate for the three local authority areas as a whole

suggested most respondents felt membership levels had remained largely static. Changes in




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membership does not in itself control the number of teams a club fields. Of the two Plymouth-based clubs

that did respond to this questionnaire, Plymouth Albion said it had expanded to now field a women’s

team; and, Old Technicians stated they now occasionally run a men’s third team. However, the RFU

believe that there are opportunities for growth at:

• Horsham – Plymstock Albion Oaks – U13/U15/18 Girls

• Stonehouse Creek – General numbers in junior section

• King George V – Junior Age Grades if ancillary facilities were improved

• Plymouth Argaum – across all age and gender ranges Figure 4.5 – trends in membership over the last three seasons (2014 data)

Increased Decreased Stayed the Same

Adult Male 16.67%) 16.67% 66.67%

Adult Female 25%) 0% 75%

Junior / Colts 20%) 20% 60%

Minis / Midis 20% 20% 60%

4.3.5 The University of Plymouth, and the University of St. Mark and St, John both responded independently of

the club questionnaire survey. The University of Plymouth has added an additional men’s team; and, St.

Mark and St. John’s said that there had been no change over the three years.

ORIGIN OF PLAYERS

4.3.6 As shown below, the response rate for the three local authority areas as a whole suggested most club

players tended to travel between 1 and 5 miles to reach their home venue.

Figure 4.6 – Distance travelled by club players to reach home ground (2014 data)

Percentage of members 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Less than 1 mile from your main venue 66.7% (4)

16.7% (1)

16.7% (1)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

Between 1 and 5 miles from main venue 0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

16.7% (1)

50.0% (3)

0.0% (0)

33.3% (2)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

More than 5 miles from main venue 40.0% (2)

0.0% (0)

40.0% (2)

20.0% (1)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

0.0% (0)

4.3.7 University of Plymouth and the University of St. Mark and St, John responded independently of the club

questionnaire survey, and both responses confirmed the majority pattern of travel as from less than 1

mile to 5 miles for the majority of membership- unsurprising, given the proximity of most student

accommodation to the locale of match play.


4.3.8 The main leagues operating in the area are:

• Western Counties West League

• Devon League

• Devon and Cornwall League

• Fisherman’s Cup League

• BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports)

4.3.9 The following represents a general estimate of when teams are likely to play.


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Figure 4.7 - Pattern of play of rugby teams

4.3.10 These patterns of play generally reflect those nationally. The relatively large adult/colt midweek fixtures

are due to BUCS fixtures which are typically played on Wednesday afternoons. This is covered in more

detail below in table 4.13, below.

TRAINING NEEDS

4.3.11 It is estimated that all clubs are likely to hold regular training sessions, taking place largely during the

mid-week evening periods. Generally, clubs train at their home grounds (either using pitch space, or land

specifically available for training purposes). Portable training floodlights will be available in some cases

where permanent floodlighting is not available. Other clubs and teams will use facilities off-site, such as

AGPs and/or sports halls for indoor training.

4.3.12 The following indicates the venues and facilities that local clubs are recorded as using for training

purposes. Some clubs play and train over more than one site, with the notable case being University of

Plymouth club teams (recorded as using Brickfields and Horsham for match play, but also Brickfields

facilities, Horsham and Central Park for training).

Figure 4.8 - Where rugby clubs train

Club Name Home Ground Training Ground

Plympton Victoria RFC Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's

OPM RUFC King George V Playing Fields King George V Playing Fields

Plymouth Argaum RUFC Plymouth Argaum Plymouth Argaum

University of Plymouth RUFC

King George V Playing Fields, Rectory Lane, Horsham (Ladies matches)

HMS Devonport or Brickfields 3G

Old Technicians RUFC Weston Mill Oak Villa Weston Mill Oak Villa

Plymouth Albion RUFC Brickfields Brickfields

Devonport High School Old Boys RFC

Stonehouse Creek Devonport High School For

Boys

University of St. Mark and St. John

Marjons Marjons AGP

Tamar Saracens RFC Parkway Sports and Social Club Optimus Park Parkway Sports and Social

Club Optimus Park

Plymstock Albion Oaks RUFC

Horsham Horsham

Devonport Services RFC Rectory Lane Rectory Lane


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OTHER RUGBY ACTIVITY

4.3.13 There is rugby activity played ‘behind the wire’ by MoD teams. There is also some school rugby,

evidenced by the marking out of grass pitches.

4.3.14 Both the University of Plymouth and Marjons run their own teams (as noted earlier). The times and

venues for this play do not tend to impact on the actual availability of pitches for other community teams

at times of peak demand.

DISPLACED, UNMET AND LATENT DEMAND

4.3.15 There is little evidence of unmet demand within Plymouth from existing clubs. One notable example is

that Plymouth Albion Ladies team are no longer using the non-WR22 compliant 3G AGP training area at

Brickfields for training. Instead they are now using the new full-sized WR22 3G AGP located at Ivybridge

(out of study area).

4.3.16 The Active People analysis does refer to a potentially very significant latent demand to play rugby (see

earlier in the section).

4.4 Capacity scores - situation at individual sites

4.4.1 For rugby, supply and demand is measured by considering;

• the amount of play that a site is able to sustain (based upon pitch quality and the facilities and pitches available);

• how much play takes place;

• whether there is any spare capacity at the site based upon a comparison between the capacity of the site and the actual usage; and

• any other key issues relating to the site which have arisen through provider and user consultation.

4.4.2 Both the supply of pitches and the demand for pitches is measured through the use of match equivalents

to ensure that a comparison is possible. To fully understand activity on a site, consideration is given to

both;

• the adequacy of pitch provision over the course of a week; and

• capacity of a site to meet additional demand at peak time.

4.4.3 For rugby, this analysis is based upon the following principles;

• it is assumed that a team playing home fixtures every other week would generate the equivalent of 0.5 match equivalents per week (one fixture every other week). Match equivalent values are also used to measure the use of pitches for training, as well as the impact of use by educational establishments and casual access. 90 minutes of training is 1 match equivalent.

4.4.4 The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has devised a method for estimating the number of adult games (in red)

that might be played each week in a season without undue wear and tear, based on an assessment of

maintenance and drainage regimes. This is shown in Figure 4.9 below.

Figure 4.9 – RFU capacity assessment guide

Maintenance

Poor (M0) Standard (M1) Good (M2)

Drainage

Natural Inadequate (D0) 0.5 1.5 2

Natural Adequate (D1) 1.5 2 3

Pipe Drained (D2) 1.75 2.5 3.25

Pipe and Slit Drained (D3) 2 3 3.5


Page 98 of 126

4.4.5 As youth rugby is played on a senior pitch the RFU suggests it should be categorised as equivalent to a

senior match. Youth teams tend to play on senior pitches. Where this occurs the play will have some

impact on the quality of, and therefore use some of the carrying capacity of, the senior pitches. As they

are senior pitches the youth play needs to be quantified as match equivalent sessions of a senior pitch.

If a mini/midi team plays on half a senior pitch every week for half the time of a senior match then it may

be appropriate to record the use as a quarter (0.25) of a senior match equivalent session a week against

the senior pitches on a site. This would enable the demand to be captured against the senior pitches on

a site where the play takes place while reflecting the limited impact on the quality and capacity of the

pitches compared to the senior play.

4.4.6 The above is of course the basis for only a rough assessment of ‘carrying capacity’ of rugby pitch sites,

and it must be informed by other considerations and the views of users and managers, where they are

available. This said, the above method has been applied to the site assessment information and the

estimates of teams’ match play and training needs to produce the following picture of overall site use

relative to the notional capacity. The Figure 4.10 (below) compares the estimated match equivalent

capacity of sites with the estimated level of match equivalent usage.

4.4.7 As with many rugby clubs across the country, rugby clubs in Plymouth designate different pitches and

areas for playing and training. The advantage of this is that ‘match pitches’ are kept in the best possible

condition for weekend use whilst still allowing mid-week training to continue during periods of inclement

weather. The allocation of 'match pitches’ and other pitch types (such as ‘training pitches’, ‘training

areas’, ‘Non-WR22 AGP’ and ‘WR22 AGP) is laid out in figure 4.3 (above).

Figure 4.10 – Site’s ‘match pitch’ capacity relative to match play demand (2018 data)

Site

Senior Match Pitches Mini Pitches Unmet Mini Demand

placed on Senior Match

Pitches (calculated at 25% of a

Senior Match

Equivalent):

Total 'Match-pitch'

Balance Capacity Demand

Supply VS

Demand Capacity Demand

Supply VS

Demand

Brickfields 5.0 0.5 4.5 0 0 0 0 4.5

Horsham 7 5 2 3 6 -3 0.75 1.25


6 2.5 3.5 0 4 -4 1 2.5

Marjons* 2.5 1.5 3 0 0 0 0 1

Marsh Mills/St.

Boniface's 2.5 0.5 2 0 0 0 0 2


Optimus Park

1 1.5 -0.5 0 4 -4 1 -1.5

Plymouth Argaum 3 1.5 1.5 0 5 -5 1.25 0.25

Rectory Lane 3 7 -4 0 6 -6 1.5 -5.5

Stonehouse Creek 1.5 2 -0.5 0 2 -2 0.5 -1


Page 99 of 126

Site

Senior Match Pitches Mini Pitches Unmet Mini Demand

placed on Senior Match

Pitches (calculated at 25% of a

Senior Match

Equivalent):

Total 'Match-pitch'

Balance Capacity Demand

Supply VS

Demand Capacity Demand

Supply VS

Demand

Weston Mill Oak Villa 2 0.5 1.5 0 0 0 0 1.5

HMS Devonport -

Keyham 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2


for Boys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 46 22.5 13 3 27 -24 6 71

*Discounts the capacity of the WR22 3G AGP as we grass pitch is believed to be the preferred surface for matches.

4.4.8 The following comments can be made:

• The figure shows that, for all but 3 of the sites, the combined use by adults, youths, and mini teams for ‘match pitches’ is met by the match pitch capacity on site.

• The match pitches on 3 of the sites are considered to be overplayed; Rectory Lane, Parkway Sports and Social Club Optimus Park and Stonehouse Creek. These sites represent 3 of the top 4 sites in the city in terms of meeting ‘match’ demand. This is concerning because overplay can lead to a deterioration of pitch quality and with it the quality of user’s experience when playing at the site (which is known to be linked to the likelihood of users continuing to participate in rugby).

• Of the 3 sites showing overplay, two of the sites Parkway Sports and Social Club Optimus Park and Stonehouse Creek, have only poor quality pitches on site. This indicates a need to improve pitch quality to enable these pitches to adequately meet match demand adequately.

• It is understood that the match demand produced by Plympton Victoria RUFC is to be played on King George V Playing Fields. Plympton Victoria’s demand of 0.5 match equivalent is shown at Marsh Mill’s/St Boniface’s site. However, if this demand is transferred to King George V Playing Fields then this site will be modelled to be playing ‘at capacity’. This means there is no capacity for any further match play.

MID-WEEK TRAINING CAPACITY

4.4.9 Across the country rugby clubs are associated with having a strong culture of training mid-week under

floodlights. As floodlighting can be difficult to acquire (due to planning considerations or the cost of

installation), many clubs have a limited space where they can train and may use a mixture of match or

training pitches, non-pitch training areas or AGPs. Figure 4.11 below shows the balance of demand vs.

supply of the different types of training provision used to meet mid-week demand. Where training

demand is taking place on ‘match’ pitches the ‘total match pitch balance’ (see figure 4.11) is

taken as the available floodlit capacity. These sites are highlighted in bold text.

Figure 4.11 – Floodlit Training Supply and Demand in Match Equivalents (2018 data)

Site Training Demand

1.Demand VS.

Floodlit grass

pitches ONLY

2. Demand VS. All floodlit grass

provision (grass pitches and

training areas combined)

3.Demand VS. All floodlit rugby

compliant pitches (either grass

training pitches or WR22 AGP)

4.Deman VS. All floodlit rugby

compliant surfaces (grass pitches & training areas or

WR22 AGP combined)

Brickfields* 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0


Page 100 of 126

Site Training Demand

1.Demand VS.

Floodlit grass

pitches ONLY

2. Demand VS. All floodlit grass

provision (grass pitches and

training areas combined)

3.Demand VS. All floodlit rugby

compliant pitches (either grass

training pitches or WR22 AGP)

4.Deman VS. All floodlit rugby

compliant surfaces (grass pitches & training areas or

WR22 AGP combined)

Devonport High

School For Boys*

2.5 No Supply No Supply No Supply No Supply

Horsham 6.5 -3 -3 -3 -3 King George V Playing Fields 3 -1 -1 -1 -1

Marjons 3 No Supply No Supply 9 9 Marsh Mills/St.

Boniface's* 1 No Supply No Supply No Supply No Supply


Optimus Park

1.5 -2 -2 -2 -2

Plymouth Argaum 2.5 No Supply -2 No Supply -2

Rectory Lane 6.5 -12 -12 -12 -12 Stonehouse

Creek 0 No Supply No Supply No Supply No Supply

Weston Mill Oak Villa 1 No Supply 0 No Supply 0

HMS Devonport -

Keyham 3 No Supply No Supply -1 -1

Supplied Balance 32 -18 -18 -8 -10

All demand VS Analysis Capacity -31 -27.5 -15 -13.5

* Indicates sites where training is taking place on non-WR22 compliant 3G AGPs


• For Brickfields, all training demand save 0.5 is known to be taking place on the floodlit grass

pitch. The women’s team which previously trained on the non-WR22 compliant 3G have now

moved their training sessions to Ivybridge, located outside of the study area.

• As the RFU considers non-WR22 AGPs inappropriate facilities for training to take place,

analysis 4 in the table above can be considered the column that best reflects the supply and

demand balance for training facilities in Plymouth. Under this analysis, only two sites in the

city can be considered not to be using their facilities over capacity (Brickfields and Marjons). If

these two sites were to be excluded from the analysis the city could be said to be operating

21.5 match equivalents over capacity for floodlit provision (when match demand taking place

on floodlit match pitches is applied). Furthermore, under this analysis, demand currently

taking place on Devonport High School for Boys (2.5) and Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's (1.0)

would need to be accommodated elsewhere which brings the total balance for the city to 13.5

match equivalents per week (see the ‘All demand VS Analysis Capacity’ row in figure 4.11).

• It should be noted that the demand attributed to Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's in the table above

is understood to be placed on the WR22 3G AGP located in Ivybridge (outside of the city’s

administrative or policy boundary). Naturally, it would be preferable for this demand to be

accommodated closer to the club’s geographical ‘home’.

• Non-pitch grassed training areas, although preferable to non-WR22 compliant AGPs, are also

not considered to be ideal training facilities for clubs. This view of supply and demand is


Page 101 of 126

considered in analysis 3. The analysis shows that Plymouth Argaum and Weston Mill Oak

Villa sites are using non-pitch grassed training areas to meet mid-week demand. If all training

demand in the city were to be meet by rugby compliant pitches, the city would be operating 15

match equivalents per week over capacity.

PEAK-TIME CAPACITY

4.4.11 Rugby in Plymouth is played at specific times. The table below improves the studies understanding of the

level of capacity at existing sites by assessing the amount of spare unused match slots at peak-times. A

single pitch is considered to have one match slot per peak-time period (with the exception of senior

pitches being used for mini matches). A single team is considered to utilise 0.5 of a match slot per week

(to account for playing home and away on alternate weeks). A mini team playing on a senior pitch can be

considered to utilise 0.25 of a match slot per week.

4.4.12 It is possible to have a situation where a site has available match slots but not enough theoretical

carrying capacity to meet the demand without being considered to be overplayed. In this situation, only

the number of match slots that the remaining theoretical capacity of the site can be said to meet are

displayed in the table below.

Figure 4.12 – Peak-time balance on all sites with rugby pitches (including WR22 – noted in bold) in match slots (2018 data)

Site Saturday

PM

Sunday AM - Mini Pitches

Sunday AM - Senior Match Pitches (2x mini pitches per senior match

pitch)

Sunday PM

Brickfields 0.5 No Pitch 1 1

Horsham 0.5 At Capacity 0.5 1.25


At Capacity

No Pitch At Capacity At

Capacity

Marjons* At

Capacity No Pitch 1 0.5

Marsh Mills/St. Boniface'’s

0.5 No Pitch 1 1


At Capacity

No Pitch At Capacity At

Capacity

Plymouth Argaum At

Capacity No Pitch 0.25

At Capacity

Rectory Lane At

Capacity No Pitch At Capacity

At Capacity

Stonehouse Creek At

Capacity No Pitch At Capacity

At Capacity

Weston Mill Oak Villa 0.5 No Pitch 1 1

Total 2 At Capacity 6.25 6.25

*Discounts WR22 3G AGP supply in notional balance as peak time capacity on the WR22 pitch is thought to be used for other sports.


• The figure shows that there is fairly limited spare capacity across the city on Saturday

afternoons. This means that should clubs wish to increase the number of matches taking

place at this time they will be limited by their capacity to do so by any more than one team.

• There is spare capacity at a number of sites for teams to increase their mini and junior activity

on a Sunday morning. However, Plymouth Argaum only have enough capacity to add one

mini team. Most of the clubs in the city are limited to the addition of just two junior teams

(U13s-U16s) at the peak-time.


Page 102 of 126

SITE CAPACITY BALANCES

4.4.14 A key output from a PPP assessment is providing a site-by-site view as to whether the pitches in the

study area are being overplayed, and the amount of spare capacity remaining within the pitch stock. This

is challenging in Plymouth as, due to training and matches typically, (although with notable exceptions,)

taking place on areas and spaces dedicated to that use. The figure below provides a summary of the

capacity analysis above.

Figure 4.13 – Club site-by-site capacity balances (2018 data)

Site Access Type

Capacity Balance

Site Balance

Overall Site Status Match

Pitch

Floodlit Training

(using analysis 4)

Brickfields A1 4.5 4.5 MEETS

DEMAND

Horsham A1 1.25 -3 -1.75 OVERPLAYED

King George V Playing Fields A1 -2.50 -2.5 OVERPLAYED

Marjons* A3 13 9 1** MEETS

DEMAND Marsh Mills/St. Boniface's A3/C 2 -1 (No Supply) -1 OVERPLAYED


A2 -2 -2 OVERPLAYED

Plymouth Argaum A2 0.25 -2 -1.75 OVERPLAYED

Rectory Lane C -12 -12 OVERPLAYED

Stonehouse Creek A2 -1 0 (No Supply) -1 OVERPLAYED

Weston Mill Oak Villa A2 1.5 0 1.5 MEETS

DEMAND

Grand Total -15.25 OVERPLAYED

Secured (A1&A2 sites only) Total -21 OVERPLAYED *It should be noted that this capacity is notional and most of these hours are expected to be utilised through other activity. **Site balance has been calculated using just the grass pitch spare capacity

4.4.15 The figure shows that all but three sites in the city have some element of overplay on their pitches. It

should be noted that the above analysis does not factor the demand being placed Devonport High

School for Boys or HMS Devonport Keyham. If this demand were to be incorporated into the demand for

club sites training facilities, then it is likely the city would be subject to even more overplay than it is

currently.

4.4.16 In terms of addressing the issues of overplay, solutions will need to be specific to each site:

Brickfields: The site is well used by Plymouth Albion RFC is well used by the semi-professional teams based here. The site is considered to be under capacity and has sufficient capacity to meet additional demand should the club’s activity expand.

Horsham: There is insufficient spare capacity on the two non-floodlit grass senior match pitches to meet the shortfall in training supply. Providing floodlighting on these two pitches would help to reduce the level of overplay on the one existing floodlit training pitch as well as helping to spread the issues caused by overplay. However, this solution would still see the whole site be overplayed by 1.75 match equivalents per week. To avoid the site continuing to be overplayed, some training demand may need be met off-site, potentially by using Marjon’s or Ivybridge’s WR22 AGPs.

King George V Playing Fields: The main priority for the site is to add floodlighting to at least one further pitch to spread the demand for training. The pitches at this site are only rated as standard with a carrying capacity of 2 match equivalents per pitch per week. This site needs to increase the number of quality of maintenance and drainage to at least good quality achieve a greater level of carrying


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capacity. The addition of Plympton Victoria to this site is considered to worsen the level of overplay here and therefore enhanced maintenance is required to ensure the pitches can sustain the level of play required.

Marsh Mills/St. Boniface’s: This site is to be disused following the 2019/20 season so does not meet the conditions for investment. However, if it were to remain available, adding floodlighting to its match pitches would enable a spread of training demand.

Parkway Sports and Social Club Optimus Park: The site has a poor quality, partially floodlit pitch. The pitch quality needs to be improved and the pitch made fully floodlit.

Plymouth Argaum: The site has two poor pitches and a poor quality floodlit training area. The site needs the quality of both pitches increased to a minimum of standard quality and at least one of the pitches to be floodlit to help meet training demand.

Rectory Lane: The site is significantly overplayed and is considered to be of high quality. Therefore, some of the demand placed on this site needs to be redistributed to other sites of adequate quality. The obvious option for this would the neighbouring be Stonehouse Creek, but this site is of too poor quality to consider allocating more demand to at this time.

Stonehouse Creek: The site has three pitches of the worst possible quality rating. Improving the site to good quality (with 3 match equivalents of capacity per pitch) would increase its capacity by 7.5 match equivalents per week, leaving 6.5 of spare capacity. Adding floodlighting to at least one of the pitches located at this site would allow Devonport High School Old Boys RFC to train on a rugby compliant surface and have 4.0 spare capacity to accommodate demand from Devonport Services RFC.

SCENARIO TESTING: THE FUTURE


A Changes to the number of people living in the area and / or to the demographic profile of the population; B Changes in participation trends and in how pitch sports are played; C Club specific development plans and aspirations; and D Amendments to the current facility stock either through the provision of new pitches or the loss of current pitches.


A - POPULATION CHANGE

Team Generation Rates



teams playing within that area in that age band. By applying TGRs to population projections, we can

project the theoretical number of teams that would be generated from population growth and gain an

understanding of future demand.

4.4.20 Figure 4.14 overleaf summarises the current TGRs for rugby union in Plymouth and uses them to assess

the potential impact of projected changes to the population profile on demand for rugby.


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Figure 4.14 - TGRs and Potential Change to Number of Rugby Teams in Plymouth: 2018–2034

Age Group

No. of teams in age group

Current population

in age group (2018)

Future population

in age group (2034)

Current TGR

Population Change in Age Group

Potential Change in

Team Numbers

Total Number of Projected

Teams Rugby Union Senior

Men (19-45yrs)

25.5 51,255 54,301 2,010 3,046 1.5 27.0

Rugby Union Senior

Women (19-45yrs)

4.5 47,808 47,781 1,062 -28 0.0 4.5

Rugby Union Youth

Boys (13-18yrs)

17 8,279 9,224 487 945 1.9 18.9

Rugby Union

Youth Girls (13-18yrs)

3 7,879 8,911 2,626 1,032 0.4 3.4

Rugby Union

Mini/Midi Mixed (7-

12yrs)

27 17,913 16,983 663 -929 -1.4 25.6


• Senior Rugby (Men’s and Women’s) – in the period 2018 - 2034 the number of men aged

between 19 and 45 (the age groups that typically play senior rugby) will increase slightly, and

the number of women will fall slightly. As a result of this, based on the latest population

projections, future participation in senior men’s rugby to 2034 is expected to result in 1.5

additional teams or 0.75 additional match demands for match days.

• Youth Rugby – in the period 2018 - 2034 the number of young people aged between 13 and

18 (the age groups that typically play youth rugby) is projected to increase, creating additional

demand equivalent to 1.9 junior rugby team (rounded to 2.0 match equivalents per

week).

• Mini/Midi Mixed Rugby - between 2018 and 2034 the number of young people aged

between 7 and 12 (the age groups that typically play mini/midi rugby) is projected to decrease

slightly, and therefore a reduction in demand equivalent to 1.4 mini/midi rugby teams (0.7

match equivalents per week).

A planned change in the population



from planned new development. Strategic housing studies suggest that there may be a need to cater for

a city population of around 303,727 by 2034 on a growing employment base and a subsequent increase

in new residents being attracted to the area. This suggests an additional 39,462 people into the city.

4.4.22 If it is assumed that the age structure of the additional people is similar to the present population, then an

application of the above TGRs would suggest a possible:


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• 4 adult male and 1 adult female rugby teams (2 match equivalents per week);

• 3 male youth rugby teams (1.5 match equivalents per week); and,

• 4 mini-rugby teams (2 match equivalents per week)

4.4.23 If the calculated changes in team numbers arising from natural and planned population change are

added together, it would result in an estimated:

• 4 adult male and female rugby teams (2 match equivalents per week);

• 2.4 male and female junior rugby teams (1.2 match equivalents per week); and,

• 2.6 mini-rugby teams (1.3 match equivalents per week).

4.4.24 The combined effects of both natural and population change will therefore put significant pressure on the

existing rugby pitch stock, for all age groups.

B - CHANGES IN PARTICIPATION TRENDS AND HOW SPORT IS PLAYED

4.4.25 Population growth will have some impact on demand.

4.4.26 Whilst focusing on maintaining its core market of 15v15 senior teams, the RFU is actively promoting its

variants of the game for younger players (touch and tag rugby and ‘7s’) and also looking to develop more

recreational and social rugby during the summer. This is likely to increase the numbers of junior teams

and possibly summer activity for adults, which may cascade down to increase participation during the

winter months.

4.4.27 There are also changes in the type of facilities now being used for rugby. Clubs are aspiring to use AGPs

more for training, to reduce the impact on the grass pitches, thus enabling grass pitches to accommodate

greater intensity of match play. In addition, clubs are now considering the possibilities of using World

Rugby 22 accredited AGPs for competitive fixtures. In this instance, the increased capacity offered by an

AGP would mean that current and future training needs, as well as match play could be accommodated.

4.4.28 The 2019 Rugby World Club is also likely to have had a positive effect on participation locally, although

this is difficult to quantify.

C - DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND ASPIRATIONS

4.4.29 The general club questionnaire survey did not shed much light on the aspirations of local clubs in terms

of the desire to field additional teams, given the lack of response. However, OPM RUFC suggested a

longer-term wish to develop a lady’s team/section and Plymstock Albion Oaks suggested a desire to field

vets and disabled teams. Of the two universities’ clubs neither stated a wish to field additional teams.

However, the RFU believe that there are opportunities for growth at:

• Horsham – Plymstock Albion Oaks – U13/U15/18 Girls

• Stonehouse Creek – General numbers in junior section

• King George V – Junior Age Grades if ancillary facilities were improved.

4.4.30 It is difficult to place a figure on the numbers of teams that are likely to be generated by the realisation of

these aspirations. It is noted that the aspirations are in relation to junior players. Such teams are either

likely to ‘over-play’ on adult pitches, or else on marginal playing field land. If it is assumed that the

aspirations would be realised in an additional 9 junior teams over the three clubs this would mean that,

when combined with the estimates resulting from natural and planned population change, the resultant

increase in teams would be:

• 5.5 adult male and 1 female rugby teams (3.25 match equivalents per week);

• 14.3 male and female junior rugby teams (7.15match equivalents per week); and,

• 2.6 mini-rugby teams (1.3 match equivalents per week).


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D - FORTHCOMING CHANGES TO THE SUPPLY


Central Park. The overall ambition is identified in the master plan for Central Park that was adopted by

the Council in March 2013.





4.4.33 The City Council has worked with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the Master plan for Central

Park and the Sports Plateau has been identified as the priority for sports pitch enhancements.

4.4.34 The current rugby pitch on the Sports Plateau is underused due to the drainage and waterlogging issues.

It is used throughout the summer months for informal ‘touch rugby’. Given the close proximity of Central

Park to the University, students are anticipated to be a key user group for this facility and the City Council

wishes to promote the use of this site for both informal and formal use. When the surface is enhanced,

and drainage issues resolved it can be offered to the local leagues for use as on overspill pitch and for

organised fixtures.

4.4.35 Stonehouse Creek: Stonehouse Creek playing fields are currently used by Devonport High School Old

Boys / Stonehouse Sharks RFC and Devonport Services RFC. In excess of one hundred and thirty

fixtures were scheduled on the site in the last twelve months in addition to training sessions. The pitches

are currently in very poor condition; waterlogged when it rains and hard when it’s dry. If the pitches were

restored, there is the potential for additional use at the site.

4.4.36 Funding was sought from the Sport England Flood Relief Fund, but this bid was unsuccessful. RUFC are

understood to making use of King George V Playing Fields and the WR22 3G AGP at Ivybridge (which is

outside of the city)

4.4.37 Marjons: A full-size long-pile 3G is currently being constructed that will allow for rugby match play and

training to take place on this facility.

4.4.38 Summary of findings and key issues for the Plan to address – see Plan.


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5 Rugby League analysis

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 The Rugby Football League (RFL) is the sport’s National Governing Body in the UK. It is responsible for

developing and growing Rugby League at all levels. The following section provides greater detail of the

existing strategies that are currently being delivered by the RFL.

5.1.2 Following this, the supply and demand section of this report evaluates the adequacy of facilities for rugby

league and considers:

• The supply of pitches and demand for these

• The adequacy of pitches in the City of Plymouth

• Recommendations moving forward.

5.2 Strategic Context

5.2.1 The most recent strategy formulated by the RFL is laid out in their Strategic Plan 2015-2021 with the

overarching vision to be “A growing sport, available throughout the country, that is recognised as

providing positive experience for all participants and spectators in environments that are welcoming,

inclusive, vibrant, safe and comfortable – encouraging people to return again and again.”

5.2.2 The key objectives of the vision are:

• Sold out major national and international events delivering spectacular entertainment for

supporters and viewers

• Compelling competitions which consistently grow live and TV audiences, commercial

revenues and which provide the opportunity for well-run clubs to flourish and succeed

• Financially viable and sustainable professional clubs creating stable employment

opportunities, showcasing local, national and international talent, and leading the sport’s

development and making a difference – in their own communities

• Welcoming community clubs, putting players first, offering recreational enjoyment for children

and adults alike in a safe and inclusive environment

• England being successful internationally on a consistent basis

• A central organisation that stands out for excellence, innovation, mutual respect, integrity and

inclusion that understands its role in servicing the wider sport

• A sport that lives its values in all its decision and actions.

5.2.3 The vision will be delivered through 6 Corporate Goals that are shown in Figure 5.1.

5.2.4 The RFL’s strategy also outlines their approach to delivering these goals:

• They will drive a customer-focused approach in all we do, understanding the needs of

players, fans and other stakeholders

• They will take a long-term strategic approach through to 2021

• They will implement a Whole Game vision managing the interdependencies of their goals

• They will work in partnership with organisations who have mutual objectives that grow the

sport

• They will continually seek to innovate and drive for excellence

• They will place clubs at the heart of the sport to meet the needs of our participants

• They will prioritise our investment to gain the best return against spend by evaluating

performance against spectator, viewer and participant numbers

• They will build the capacity of our workforce, both volunteer and professional


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• They will focus upon monitoring and evaluation and be accountable for our strategy.

Figure 5.1: Infographic detailing the RFL’s 6 Corporate Goals

5.2.5 Of particular relevance to the PPS is the Community Game section of the Strategic Plan which outlines

proposals for growing the sport at a grass roots level. Specifically, a number of strategic priorities have

been identified:

5.2.6 Develop a new, real time measurement for participation

5.2.7 Use customer insight to deliver playing opportunities at all levels to make it easier for more people to play

the game more often

5.2.8 Identify and support the most appropriate external partners to ensure that the best delivery solutions are

found to generate growth across the different areas of the UK

5.2.9 Develop a new community club membership scheme in which clubs can opt to become RFL members,

receiving specific support to help them grow and improve what they do, in return for agreeing to work

collectively and abide by the governing body rules

5.2.10 Significantly raise the visibility and profile of the community game

5.2.11 Develop clear strategies for increasing participation in Women’s and Girl’s, Wheelchair Rugby League

and within the Armed Forces.

5.2.12 Crucially interventions are focused on two geographic target areas, namely Core Affinity and Emerging

Affinity. Efforts are split between these two groups using an 80/20 divide.

5.2.13 Core Affinity areas incorporate roughly 80% of the rugby league players in England and generally have a

relatively large number of clubs, established talent pathways, and a high number of partnership

secondary schools. These are:

• Bradford and Huddersfield

• Cumbria

• Salford

• Rochdale, Oldham and Halifax

• Hull

• Leeds


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• St Helens

• Wakefield

• Warrington

• Widnes

• Wigan and Leigh

5.2.14 Emerging Affinity areas incorporate roughly 20% of the rugby league players in England and generally

have a growing tradition within the sport, audience development work is underway and those where 20%

of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 fixtures will be held. These are:

• Bolton and Bury

• City of Manchester

• Lancashire

• North East

• North Yorkshire

• South Yorkshire

• Liverpool

• Coventry, Oxford and Gloucester Triangle

• London

5.3 Supply

5.3.1 There are currently no pitches being used for rugby league within the City of Plymouth. The only club in

the wider area are the Saltash Essayons who previously played within Plymouth (under the name

Plymouth Titans). They hire facilities from Saltash Rugby Football Club on a rolling yearly lease.

5.4 Demand

5.4.1 The government’s Active Lives survey indicates that 0.8% of the population played rugby league within

the past year, which would suggest a potential demand of 1,880 people in Plymouth. However, as stated

in the NGB’s strategy demand for this sport is localized to certain geographies and the South West does

not have a strong rugby league tradition.

5.4.2 Table 5.1 contains a summary of a consultation with the Saltash Essayons which covers some reasons

for moving out of Plymouth and whether there are any plans to move back.

Table 5.1: Club consultation summary

Club Name Consultation

Saltash Essayons

They are now located outside of Plymouth and the move came about due to a variety of reasons: partly where the players are based, partly due to the facilities. They had some issues with their previous council owned ground in Plymouth. For example, the posts were taken down mid-season without notice and there were times when they had to play without sufficient line markings. Saltash is also more convenient for many of the playing squad to get to. They are currently hiring out a facility on a yearly basis, so have said they do look at options in Plymouth every year. However, they are unlikely to return given the rebranding of the club unless they found something exceptional.

5.4.3 As there was a team in Plymouth previously there is a possibility of some unmet demand or those

wishing to play are now having to travel outside of the city to do so. Engaging with the Saltash Essayons

to determine whether this demand is truly being exported and identifying potential facilities within

Plymouth is recommended. However, until there is a formal request for a dedicated pitch at which to

base a Rugby League club it must be considered that demand for Rugby League in Plymouth is being

met by Plymouth Essayons. This will be addressed as an action in the Strategy and Action plan section

of the report.


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6 Hockey analysis

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 This section assesses the adequacy of pitches for hockey in the Plymouth administrative area by

presenting the following:

• An overview of the supply and demand for hockey

• A picture of the adequacy of current provision across Plymouth

• An understanding of activity at individual sites in Plymouth

• The future picture of provision for hockey across Plymouth

• The key issues for the Plan to address






6.1.3 Before continuing with the core analysis, figure 6.1 below provides a reference list for the abbreviations

of club names used throughout this document.

Figure 6.1 – Club Names and abbreviations

Club Abbreviation

Plymouth Marjon Hockey Club PMHC

Plympton Grammar School Old Boys Men’s Hockey Club PGSOB

Old Plymothians & Mannamedian Men’s Hockey Club OPM

Plym Valley Ladies Hockey Club PVHC

Mannamead Ladies Hockey Club MLHC

Devonport Services Hockey Club DSHC

University of Plymouth Hockey Club Plymouth Uni

Plymouth Hockey Club PHC

Devonport Dragons Junior Hockey Club DDJHC

Lipson Lions Junior Hockey Club LLJHC

Ivybridge Junior Hockey Club IJHC

6.2 Overview of pitch supply

6.2.1 Summary for the England Hockey Artificial Grass Playing Surface Policy (June 2016):

6.2.2 Aim: To provide clear guidance of what type of Artificial Grass Pitch surface is acceptable for the

different levels of hockey.

6.2.3 This policy replaces the England Hockey ‘3G Policy’ that existed from 2009 to 2016.

6.2.4 England Hockey have recognised that in some circumstances this change will require a period of

transition for an organisation to comply with the new expectations. Largely this will apply to the few clubs

and university teams that use 3G pitches. England Hockey will provide support on a case by case basis2.

6.2.5 The following figure outlines the surface type and the recommended playing level for the surface;

2 Any questions should regarding this issues should be directed to [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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Figure 6.2 – England Hockey’s categories of surface type

Category Surface Playing Level Playing Level

England Hockey Category 1

Water surface approved within the FIH Global/National Parameters

Essential International Hockey- Training and matches.

Desirable Domestic National Premier competition Higher levels of EH Player Pathway Performance Centres and upwards


Sand dressed surfaces within the FIH National Parameter

Essential Domestic National Premier competition Higher levels of player pathway: Academy Centres and Upwards

Desirable All adult and junior League Hockey Intermediate or advanced School Hockey EH competitions for clubs and schools (excluding domestic national league)


Sand based surfaces within the FIH National Parameter

Essential All adult and junior club training and league Hockey EH competitions for clubs and schools** Intermediate or advanced schools hockey

Desirable


All long pile (3G) surfaces Essential None

Desirable Lower level hockey (Introductory level) when no category 1-3 surface is available. *

* We would recommend an appropriate ball to meet the standards of the player and the surface ** EH school competition provision is likely to change in September 2017 when this guidance may be updated. It is likely that some lower levels of competitive school hockey provision within the EH competition structure will be allowed on 3G AGPs


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6.2.6 Based upon the above criteria, there are 5 full-sized pitches with approved surfaces for hockey in

Plymouth.

Figure 6.3 – Hockey AGP provision in Plymouth (2014 data updated through consultation)

Site Name Facility

Sub Type Size (m)

Flo

od

lit?

Access Type

Ownership Type/

Management type


Brickfields Sports Centre and Recreation Ground

Sand Filled 100 x 63

Yes Pay and Play

Local Authority/ Everyone

Active

1970/ 2011 R

Bull Point Sand Filled 96 x 58 Yes Private Use MoD/Closed

access 2014 R

Lipson College Sand

Dressed 100 x 60 Yes Pay and Play

Education (Academy)

2004 / 2015 R

UCP Marjon Sport (Ansley)

Sand Dressed

100 X 60 Yes Pay and Play Education (private)

2017

UCP Marjon Sport (McCormick)

Sand Dressed

100 X 60 Yes Pay and Play Education (private)

2013

6.2.7 Of these pitches, Bull Point has some restricted community use (Plymouth HC & Mannamead HC

training only) which is not secure. Until February 2014 a pitch was in use at Stonehouse Barracks (MoD)

but this is no longer available and is now a car park for military vehicles. This AGP is cited in the Joint

Plymouth Local Plan to be reinstated. If it is not possible to reinstate the pitch here, mitigation to replace

the loss of a sand AGP should be stated as a requirement of the Local Plan. The Brickfields playing

pitch is considered to be of poor quality. All other pitches are considered to be good. Therefore, the 5

AGPs in Plymouth currently available and capable of supporting match play in hockey represents a

decline in provision from the relatively recent past, when there were seven pitches available within the

city.

6.2.8 Most pitches in the city are considered to have 33 hours of peak-time availability per week (15 midweek

evening hours / 9 hours on Saturdays / 9 hours on Sundays). However, Bull Point (owned by the MoD) is

understood to have just 11.5 hours of availability according to reports from the clubs using the site. This

is comprised of just 4 hours of midweek availability, 4.5 hours on a Saturday and 3 hours on a Sunday.

6.2.9 AGPs, due to their relative scarcity compared with grass pitches, tend to have a wider user catchment.

There are six other hockey appropriate, floodlit AGPs within a 30 minute drivetime of Plymouth (however,

in practice those in Tavistock, Totnes and Liskeard are really too far to travel).

Figure 6.4 – Sand AGPs in within a commutable distance of Plymouth city centre (2014 data updated


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through consultation)

Site Name Access & Ownership

/ Management

Travel time from Plymouth

City Centre

Type of AGP

Size Comments

Saltash Community School,

Sports Club/Community Association – Education/in house

12 mins Sand filled

101 x 63 (m)

No hockey club playing at this venue.

HMS Raleigh (MOD), Torpoint

Sports Club/Community Association – MoD

15 mins Sand filled

160 x 100 No hockey club use.

RN Bickleigh Barracks (MOD)

Sports Club/Community Association – MoD

16 mins Sand filled

100 x 60

Not largely available for community use (although evidence from football clubs suggests there may be some allowed).

Mount Kelly College, Tavistock

Sports Club/Community Association – Independent School/in house

30 mins – too far for Plymouth team/ sports development etc

Sand dressed

100 x 60 Home of Tavistock HC.

KEVICS, Totnes


30 mins – as above

Sand dressed

100 x 60 Home to Dart HC and some use by Ashmoor HC.

Lux Park, Liskeard

Pay and Play – Local Authority/Trust


Sand dressed

102 x 64

Caradon HC play and train here;– see travel comments.

Kingsbridge School and Community College



Sand dressed

100 x 60

Poor quality. Home to Kingsbridge & Salcombe HC and Dartmouth HC.

6.2.10 In addition to the facilities detailed above there is also a project to install a new hockey compliant pitch in

the Sherford area. This would be located outside of the City of Plymouth. The plans are for this pitch to

serve Ivybridge Junior Hockey Club.


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population that are likely to participate in hockey. More information on the Sport England Active Lives

Tool can be found here. The key messages for hockey are:

• 0.4% of adult residents participated in some form of Hockey at least twice within the last 28

days, representing around 865 people.




6.3.2 There is a large amount of hockey played in Plymouth and the sport is currently thriving with 11 hockey

clubs in the city. Since 2014, hockey participation in Plymouth has increased by 28%, with junior

participation (U16) growing by 36% and seniors by 22%.

6.3.3 England Hockey statistics identify 1299 players, which equates to around 0.4% of Plymouth’s total

population. There are 18 men’s,17 ladies’ and 41 junior teams, which equates to 745 senior members

(16 years +) and 554 junior players. The recorded number of adult players is therefore about 60 higher

than the Active Lives figure. There is also a men’s and a ladies’ BUCS only team playing for UCP Marjon

(in addition to the Plymouth Marjon Hockey Club which is based there).

Figure 6.5 - Number of hockey teams in Plymouth (2018 data provided by England Hockey)

Club Abbreviation Mens teams

Ladies teams

Junior Teams

Other hockey offer

Plymouth Marjon Hockey Club

PMHC 5 5 18

Back to Hockey, Summer League, Pay & Play, Junior Academies,

Primary Festivals, Holiday Coaching Camps and Vets

Plympton Grammar School Old Boys Men’s Hockey

Club PGSOB 4 - - None due to lack of pitch time

Old Plymothians & Mannamedian Men’s

Hockey Club OPM 3 2 -

Summer League, Sunday League, limited Back to Hockey

Plym Valley Ladies Hockey Club

PVHC 0 3 - Back to Hockey, Summer League

and Sunday League

Mannamead Ladies Hockey Club

MLHC 0 2 - Sunday League

Devonport Services Hockey Club

DSHC 1 1 - -

University of Plymouth Hockey Club

Plymouth Uni 4 4 - Ladies Sunday League, Intra

mural festival (one off event) & Free Taster sessions for students

Plymouth Hockey Club PHC - - 7 -

Devonport Dragons Junior Hockey Club

DDJHC - - 7 -

Lipson Lions Junior Hockey Club

LLJHC - - 4 -

Ivybridge Junior Hockey Club

IJHC - - 5 Imported demand from South

Hams

Total 17 17 41

6.3.4 Consultations with clubs state that there are different trends amongst the clubs – 4 clubs record growing

membership; 5 have declining numbers and 3 has stayed about the same. It should also be noted that




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even if the number of member’s changes, the number of teams can stay the same. The following table

records this, for the period following 2014 to 2018.

Figure 6.6 - Hockey teams and trends in club membership (2018 data provided by England Hockey)

Club Current Teams Trends over last 3 years

Plymouth Marjon 5 Ladies and 5 Men’s; 18 junior teams

Since 2014 – grown by 29%, increased one ladies team. 215 senior members; 237 U16 members.

Plympton Grammar School Old Boys Men’s HC (PGSOB’s)

4 Men’s Since 2014 – declined by 24%. 70 senior members; 15 U16 members. Numbers of senior teams has stayed the same, lost one junior team.

Old Plymothians & Mannamedian Men’s HC (OPM’s)

3 Men’s and 2 Ladies

Since 2014 – grown by 83%. 88 senior members; 7 junior. Number of teams has increased due to starting a ladies section.

Plym Valley Ladies Hockey Club 3 Ladies; no junior Since 2014 – grown by 16%. 53 senior members; 5 U16 members. Number of teams has stayed the same.

Mannamead Ladies Hockey Club

2 Ladies teams; no junior

Since 2014 – declined by 14%. 29 senior members; 14 U16 members. Lost one ladies team.

Devonport Services Men’s Hockey Club (formerly United Services HC)

1 men’s team and 1 ladies team; no junior

Since 2014 – grown by 134%. 52 senior members; 2 U16 members. Increase one ladies team.

University of Plymouth Hockey Club

4 Ladies teams and 4 Men’s; no junior

Since 2014 – grown by 3%. 201 senior members. Numbers of teams stayed the same.

Plymouth Hockey Club 8 junior teams Since 2014 – declining by 3%. 0 senior members; 100 U16 members. Number of teams stayed the same.

Devonport Dragons Junior Hockey Club

8 junior teams – feeder club to PGSOBs and Mannamead

Since 2014 – grown by 18%, juniors only. 84 members. Number of teams has stayed the same.

Lipson Lions Junior Hockey Club

6 junior teams. Feeder club to OPMs and Plym Valley

Since 2014 – declining by 25%, juniors only. 40 members. Number of teams has stayed the same.

Ivybridge Hockey Club 5 Junior teams Displaced from Ivybridge into Plymouth. Juniors only with 49 members.


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6.3.5 There are 11 hockey clubs (76 teams) having to accommodate training and matches on just 5

pitches (no teams travel outside Plymouth to play or train). Bullpoint has been discounted due to

restricted and unsecure access because it is an MoD site.

6.3.6 The loss of the Stonehouse pitch meant that Mannamead Ladies and PGSOB were without a

pitch. The table below does not reflect the difficulties some clubs have had in finding a new

venue for this season or the resultant disruption for the clubs. The result is that two clubs (OPM

and Mannamead Ladies) play and train on different pitches; a situation which is far from ideal.

There are 4 junior only clubs (Plymouth Hockey, Lipson Lions, Ivybridge HC and Devonport

Dragons) which all play in the Friday night junior league at UCP Marjon and Bullpoint).

Figure 6.7 - Location of Hockey Matches and Training (2018 data provided by England Hockey)

Abbreviation Total Hours of Demand Home Ground 1 Home Ground 2

PMHC 35 Marjon Ansley Marjons McCormick

PGSOB 5 Marjon Ansley Marjons McCormick

OPM 10 Marjon McCormick Lipson College

PVHC 4.5 Lipson College -

MLHC 4.5 Brickfields Bull Point

DSHC 5 Bull Point -

Plymouth Uni 13 Lipson College Brickfields & Marjon

PHC 3 Bull Point -

DDJHC 3 Brickfields -

LLJHC 5 Lipson College -

IJHC 2 Marjon McCormick -

Total 90

6.3.7 Clubs were asked if they had ever experienced any problems in obtaining pitches for either

matches or training and whether all their needs could be accommodated. Apart from this,

comments in Figure 7.8 reflect the inevitable problems when trying to find slots in AGPs that are

full.


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Figure 6.8 - Comments by clubs on difficulties in obtaining pitches for matches and/or training (2014 data)

MLHC We have lost the MoD pitch at Stonehouse in the last few weeks of the season.

DDJHC Every so often we've had a football competition that has taken one weekend (Brickfields).

OPM Played matches at H.M.S. Raleigh Torpoint Cornwall in the late 1990's due to the lack of pitches in the city.

PGSOB HC

See previous comments on our home pitch being turned into a car park (Stonehouse) and limited hockey friendly AGP pitches.

PVLHC

We sometimes have a problem if league fixtures mean both our 1XI and 2XI are at home on the same day, we also have a problem on occasions with home cup fixtures which we have to fit in alongside league fixtures as the pitch is always fully booked (Lipson). We cannot enter our 3rd team into the official ladies WCWHL as we cannot obtain a time slot for the pitch on a Saturday as they are all taken up. Ourselves and 3 other hockey clubs, with a combined total of 14 teams, use this pitch. One of the men's clubs have had to send their 3rd team to another pitch for home games due to lack of slots available on a Saturday (this situation may have changed since the questionnaire response, but illustrates the pressure on the pitches).

PMHC Because we share the pitch with Plymouth College, who have priority, this coming season it will be difficult to find enough slots available on a Saturday to fit all the games in (UCP Marjon).

Plymouth Uni

Require pitches on Wednesday afternoons for BUCS fixtures; great difficulties in getting AGPs on Wednesday afternoons due to majority of pitches being on school sites. Therefore, teams have to travel outside city limits or play away fixtures.

6.3.8 Other comments made by Plymouth hockey clubs and England Hockey concerning the general

availability of suitable AGPs are as follows:

• Some pitches have recently been laid with 3G surfaces and are not full size, i.e.

Plymstock School.

• MOD restrictions on certain pitches in the city.

• The amount of pitches of the right surface is currently an issue. Some teams are

having to play at unsociable times on a Saturday (e.g. 9am start times for matches

and post 5pm finishes).

• More and more 3G pitches are being installed, which hockey cannot be played on.

Increasing team numbers in Plymouth means league games on Saturdays are played

a few pitches between 9am and 5pm start times with limited times for change overs

or warm-ups.

• AGP pitches are very limited in the Plymouth area, with no new ones being built and

with 2 closing in 2013. This has put more strain on the few that are left. Some pitches

have been changed to an artificial turf surface which was not suitable for hockey.

Because of the lack of pitches available there is massive demand for those that are

suitable and without proper maintenance these will degrade very quickly, due to the

increased use by all sports not just hockey. We desperately need more pitches if we

are increase participation in hockey in accordance with the Olympic legacy.

• Although I am happy with the accessibility to our own facilities (Bull Point), we are

considered a 'forces side' so have sole use of the pitch, civilian teams cannot use it

due to security implications. One of the other MoD owned pitches has closed

meaning the 2 civilian clubs that were using it have had to find other pitches to use,

creating a shortage of pitches for hockey for the amount of teams looking to use

them.

PATTERN OF USE OF EXISTING SAND AGPS IN PLYMOUTH


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6.3.9 The expected programming for the coming season for the 5 existing sand AGPs capable of

accommodating match play for hockey is set out in more detail below under the analysis of the

capacity of all AGPs. However, a summary of the situation relating specifically to hockey is set

out below.

Figure 6.9 – Peak-time demand per site (2018 data provided by England Hockey)

Site Name

Peak-time Demand in hours

Midweek Saturday Sunday Total

Unspecified Demand (from unresponsive

clubs)

Total Demand

Lipson 7.5 9 3.5 20 5 25

Marjons Ansley 12.5 9 6.5 28 0 28

Marjons McCormick 9.5 5 6.5 21 2 23

Brickfields 2 4.5 3 9.5 3 12.5

Bull Point 4 4.5 3 11.5 0 11.5

Total 35.5 32 22.5 90 10 100

OTHER USES OF THE PITCHES

6.3.10 Educational use of AGPs takes place outside of peak hours (evenings and weekends) and

therefore there is no impact upon the availability of the facilities for community hockey (as the

artificial surface means that AGPs are not impacted upon by levels of use in the same way that

grass pitches are).

6.3.11 Exceptions to this within Plymouth are the University of Plymouth and Marjon hockey teams, who

play fixtures on Wednesday afternoons. UCP Marjon fixtures can be accommodated on their

home pitch, but as recorded in the figure 6.7 above, there can be difficulties in finding locations

for matches for University of Plymouth BUCS teams on Wednesday afternoons (Lipson is not

available as it is a school pitch). There is also a lack of availability for the University of Plymouth

to run intra-mural hockey on a weekly basis. As a result of this, it is limited to a one-off festival.

Figure 6.10 – Peak-time capacity balance by site (for hockey use only) (Based on 2018 data

provided by England Hockey)

Site Name Peak-time Spare Capacity in hours Total Including

Unspecified Demand Midweek Saturday Sunday Total

Lipson 7.5 0.0 5.5 13.0 8.0

Marjons Ansley 2.5 0.0 2.5 5.0 5.0

Marjons McCormick 5.5 4.0 2.5 12.0 10.0

Brickfields 13.0 4.5 6.0 23.5 20.5

Bull Point 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Total 28.5 8.5 16.5 53.5 43.5

6.3.12 Figure 6.10 above shows that, with the exception of Bull Point, hockey facilities are operating

with some spare peak-time capacity when only hockey is considered as part of its use. On

Saturdays, the figure shows that only 2 facilities have any spare capacity, meaning there is

limited capacity to increase participation in adult match play. It should also be noted that many


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clubs have reported having limited capacity at peak times on their preferred pitch. This means

that much of the spare capacity recorded here is being used for other activities, such as football

(see the dedicated AGP analysis chapter of this report for more information on the impact of

football use on sand-based AGPs).

6.3.13 During consultation, England Hockey have pointed out that the reason for the amount of spare

peak-time capacity at Brickfields is due to the perception that this pitch is of poor quality.

However, there is concern that this view is outdated as the pitch was subject to a £20,000 ‘deep

clean’ within the last 12months. As a result, the quality of the facility here is greatly improved but

the perception of this amongst local clubs, and consequentially their use of the pitch, has not

changed.

6.3.14 Following the loss of community access to the MOD owned pitch at Stonehouse Barracks, it is

important to note the impact of the loss of access to the other MOD owned pitch in the city, Bull

Point.

Figure 6.11 – Peak-time capacity balance by site (for hockey use only)- With Bull Point removed

from the supply (based on 2018 data provided by England Hockey)

Site Name Peak-time Spare Capacity in hours Total Including

Unspecified Demand Midweek Saturday Sunday Total

Current Total Spare Capacity in Hours Across all pitches in

Plymouth (including Bull Point)) 28.5 8.5 16.5 53.5 43.5

Current demand met by Bull Point in hours

4 4.5 3 11.5 11.5

Total 24.5 4 13.5 42.5 32

6.3.15 The figure above shows that if Bull Point were to become unavailable for use there would remain

sufficient capacity for current levels of hockey demand in Plymouth. However, it must be noted

that the above figure does not account for non-hockey demand taking place on hockey-

appropriate AGPs. When the consultation notes in Figure 6.8, which testify to the difficulty for

clubs to extend the number of hours they use their ‘home’ pitches, are considered it must be

concluded that the removal of Bull Point from community use would have a significant impact on

the capacity of the remaining supply to adequately meet demand. This is especially evident on

Saturdays where there would be just 4 hours remaining supply per week. To place this in

context, 4 hours of supply represents spare capacity for just 2 more matches across the entire

city.

6.4 Scenario testing


6.4.1 To accurately respond to the requirements for AGPs for hockey across Plymouth, it is necessary

to consider the future requirement for these facilities and the potential future demand for hockey.

This will be impacted upon by several things, including;

A Changes to the number of people living in the area and / or to the demographic

profile of the population;

B Changes in participation trends and in how pitch sports are played;

C Amendments to the current facility stock either through the provision of new

pitches or the loss of current pitches.

6.4.2 These issues are considered in turn to build a picture of future demand for playing pitches.


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A- POPULATION CHANGE

6.4.3 The numbers of people in the overall ‘active participation’ age group (5-69) in Plymouth is

projected to increase slightly in the period up to 2021 by 5,800 people (2.7%). The only age

group within the ‘active participation’ group that is projected to see a significant increase in

numbers in this period is the 5-9 group , which is likely to increase by 3,400 people or 26%

compared to existing numbers. The only age group to see a decrease in numbers is the ‘youth /

junior’ age group, which is predicted to fall by 500 people (or -1.6%) in the period to 2021. All

other ‘active participation’ age groups i.e. adult and veteran pitch sports are likely to see a small

increase over the same period.


6.4.4 The above projects the change in team numbers arising out of natural change in the population

up to 2034. There is also a need to consider any additional teams generated from population

change resulting from planned new development. Strategic housing studies suggest that there

may be a need to cater for a city population of around 303,727 by 2034, based on a growing

employment base and a subsequent increase in new residents being attracted into the area. This

suggests an additional 39,462 beyond those catered for in the above calculations.

6.4.5 If it is assumed that the age structure of this additional 39,462 people is similar to the present

population, then an application of the above TGRs would suggest a possible:

• 6.0 adult teams; 3.0 male and 3.0 female teams (3.0 match equivalents per week);

and,

• 6.0 mixed junior teams (3.0 match equivalents).

6.4.6 This projected change could put even greater, and unsustainable, pressure on the existing

hockey pitch stock. However, it should be noted that England Hockey do not consider TGRs to

be an adequate reflection of how hockey demand is currently or is projected to be. The England

Hockey method of modelling demand is shown below in section B.

LATENT DEMAND

6.4.7 Active People and Market Segmentation (earlier in this section) have indicated that there may be

a small amount of latent demand in Plymouth (384 people) who would like to play (or play more)

hockey but do not currently do so.

6.4.8 Therefore there may be opportunities to increase participation in Plymouth through sports

development initiatives targeting those in the market segments that have expressed an interest

in participating (e.g. through the ‘Back to Hockey’ and ‘Walking Hockey’ schemes, Flyerz Hockey

and Pay & Play sites). It is understood that Plymouth Marjon are looking into running Flyerz

Hockey sessions (disability sessions in the near future).

B- CHANGES IN PARTICIPATION TRENDS AND HOW SPORT IS PLAYED

6.4.9 New initiatives like ‘Back to Hockey’, ‘Walking Hockey’ or ‘Rush Hockey’ sessions targeted at

certain age groups may engage new participants and increase participation in the sport.

Plymouth Marjon HC are currently running some very successful Back to Hockey sessions with

an average of 16 participants per week. Rush hockey is being offered to the students at the

University of Plymouth and there is a possibility that Rush hockey could be offered to the local

community outside of term times. Also, Plymouth Argyle Premier League 4 Sport is investigating

the options of running Rush Hockey sessions for U16s in local communities.


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6.4.10 Since 2011, England Hockey has seen a 41% growth in the total number of club players. This is

especially noted at U16 club level where there has been an 85% increase in members. As part

of the England Hockey Strategy 'A Nation where Hockey matters' 2017 - 2021, a long-term

aspiration is to double the number of people playing hockey in clubs by 2028. In Plymouth

(where according to 2016/17 data there are currently 1,338 register hockey members playing the

sport) if this aspiration came to fruition this would equate to a possible future membership of

2,676 players.

6.4.11 It is important to note, that the projected increase above is based on participation data and not

Team Generation Rates. The increase will include league teams as well as informal hockey,

including: Back to, Pay & Play, Walking Hockey etc.

6.4.12 Figure 6.9 shows that the 1,336 current hockey membership produces 100 hours of hockey

demand per week. Should the membership double by 2028 then if can be fairly expected that if

the same ratio of membership to demand for pitch time in hours were to be applied, then the

number of hours required to be available for hockey use in Plymouth would need to be 200.

Figure 6.12 below shows the impact such a growth in hockey demand would have if the current

levels of supply were to remain unaltered by 2028.

Figure 6.12 – Impact of demand increases a projected by 2028 (based on 2018 data provided by

England Hockey)

Peak-time hours

Midweek Saturday Sunday Total

Distribution Current of Demand 39% 36% 25% 100%

Current demand in hours (with unspecified demand included) 39 36 25 100

Projected total demand (according to current demand distribution) 78 72 50 200

Current Total Peak-time Supply 64 40.5 39 143.5

Projected balance given current supply -14 -31.5 -11 -56.5

Projected balance with Bull Point removed from supply -18 -36 -14 -68

6.4.13 The figure above shows that if demand for hockey doubles (alongside the targeted membership

rates) then Plymouth will have a severe deficit of hockey pitch supply. It should be noted that the

above table is calculated with the assumption that all available peak-hours will be prioritised to

and used for hockey (which is not currently the case).

6.4.14 The typical number of peak-time hours supplied by a floodlit AGP pitch is estimated to be 33

hours. These 33 hours are broken down in the following ways:

• 15 hours during the mid-week period

• 9 hours on a Saturday

• 9 hours on a Sunday

6.4.15 The peak-period with the greatest deficit of supply is Saturday afternoons. Should supply remain

static then there is projected to be a deficit of 31.5 hours supply during this time. If Bull Point

were to become unavailable this deficit would increase to 36 hours (see Figure 6.12). Given an

expected supply of 9 hours per AGP on a Saturday, this would equate to a need for 3.5 AGPs to

be available on a Saturday to meet projected demand. If Bull Point is removed from the supply

this increases to 4.0 AGPs.


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6.4.16 The above analysis indicates that if the targeted increase in demand (of 100%) by 2028 is

achieved, then Plymouth will require a minimum of 4 additional AGP pitches to be added to the

city by 2028 and every hour of available supply on hockey appropriate AGPs would need to be

made available exclusively for hockey. Should Bull Point become unavailable, 4 AGPs would be

expected to meet demand but there would be no spare capacity for any further growth in hockey

under this scenario.

C- FORTHCOMING CHANGES TO SUPPLY

6.4.17 There is a new pitch proposed as part of the master planning for the Sherford housing

development. If this pitch comes to fruition it is expected that Ivybridge Hockey Club will utilise

this pitch as their home ground along with new residents from the Sherford community.

6.4.18 It should also be noted that UCP Marjon are looking to build a clubhouse and changing room

facility near to their double pitch site, as current changing is long way off in leisure centre.

Summary of findings and key issues for the Plan to address – see Plan

Playing Pitches Delivery Plan for the Plymouth Policy Area (PPA): Needs Assessment- PPS Sports

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7 Glossary of terms

7.1.1 In order to fully understand the PPS, 4global have created a glossary detailing key terms and phrases

mentioned throughout. The glossary is detailed below, along with appropriate definitions;

ACRONYMS

• 3G AGP: Third Generation Artificial Grass Pitch

• 4g: 4global Consulting

• AGP: Artificial Grass Pitch(es)

• APS: Active People Survey(s)

• CC: Cricket Club

• CIL: Community Infrastructure Levy

• CSP: County Sports Partnership

• ECB: England and Wales Cricket Board

• EH: England Hockey

• FA: Football Association

• FC: Football Club

• FE: Further Education

• GIS: Geographical Information Systems

• HC: Hockey Club

• HE: Higher Education

• IOG: Institute of Groundsmanship

• JFC: Junior Football Club

• LDF: Local Development Framework

• LMS: Last Man Stands

• LSOA: Lower Layer Super Output Area

• MES: Match equivalent sessions

• NPPF: National Planning Policy Framework

• PPS: Playing Pitch Strategy

• PQS: Performance Quality Standard

• RFU: Rugby Football Union

• RUFC: Rugby Union Football Club

• S106: Section 106 Agreement

• U: Under.

PHRASES

7.1.2 National Governing Body of Sport (NGB) - typically these are independent, self-appointed

organisations that govern their sports through the common consent of their sport. Sport England has a

recognition process for NGBs that aims to identify a single lead NGB structure which governs a sport at

UK, GB or home country level.

7.1.3 Unsecured Community Use - these are pitches that are currently used or available for community-use,

however there is no secure management/usage agreement in place.

7.1.4 Secured Community Use - these pitches will be managed as either; a ‘play & play’ site by the local

authority or leisure trust, by a specific sports club or Parish Council, or by an education establishment

with secure community-use agreements in place.


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7.1.5 Team Generation Rate – Provides an indication of how many people it may take to generate a team. A

TGR can be calculated by dividing the current population within an age group for a sport by the number

of teams in the area within that age group. This is then used to calculate the number of teams that will be

required in the future, to allow for future population growth or reduction.

7.1.6 Displaced demand generally relates to play by teams or other users of playing pitches from within the

Study Area (i.e. from residents of the Study Area) which takes place outside of the area. This may be

due to issues with the provision of pitches and ancillary facilities in the Study Area, just reflective of how

the sports are played (e.g. at a central venue for the wider area) or due to the most convenient site for

the respective users just falling outside of the local authority/Study Area.

7.1.7 Unmet demand is demand that is known to exist but unable to be accommodated on current supply of

pitches. This could be in the form of a team with access to a pitch for matches but nowhere to train or

vice versa. This could also be due to the poor quality and therefore limited capacity of pitches in the area

and/or a lack of provision and ancillary facilities which meet a certain standard of play/league

requirement. League secretaries may be aware of some unmet demand as they may have declined

applications from teams wishing to enter their competitions due to a lack of pitch provision which in turn

is hindering the growth of the league.

7.1.8 Latent demand is demand that evidence suggests may be generated from the current population should

they have access to more or better provision. This could include feedback from a sports club who may

feel that they could set up and run an additional team if they had access to better provision.

7.1.9 Future demand is an informed estimate made of the likely future demand for pitches in the Study Area.

This is generally based on the most appropriate current and future population projections for the relevant

age and gender groupings for each sport. Key trends, local objectives and targets and consultation also

inform this figure.

7.1.10 Casual use or other use could take place on natural grass pitches or AGPs and include:

• Regular play from non-sports club sources (e.g. companies, schools, fitness classes)

• Infrequent informal/friendly matches

• Informal training sessions

• More casual forms of a particular sport organised by sports clubs or other parties

• Significant public use and informal play, particularly where pitches are located in

parks/recreation grounds.

7.1.11 Carrying capacity is the amount of play a site can regularly accommodate (in the relevant comparable

unit) for community use without adversely affecting its quality and use. This is typically outlined by the

NGB.

7.1.12 Overplay is when a pitch is used over the amount that the carrying capacity will allow, (i.e. more than the

site can accommodate). Pitches have a limit of how much play they can accommodate over a certain

period of time before their quality, and in turn their use, is adversely affected.

7.1.13 Spare capacity is the amount of additional play that a pitch could potentially accommodate in additional

to current activity. There may be reasons why this potential to accommodate additional play should not

automatically be regarded as actual spare capacity, for example, a site may be managed to regularly

operate slightly below its carrying capacity, to ensure that it can cater for a number of friendly matches

and training activity. This needs to be investigated before the capacity is deemed actual spare capacity.


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7.1.14 Match equivalent sessions is an appropriate comparable unit for pitch usage. For football, rugby union

and rugby league, pitches should relate to a typical week within the season and one match = one match

equivalent session if it occurs every week or 0.5 match equivalent sessions if it occurs every other week

(i.e. reflecting home and away fixtures). For cricket pitches it is appropriate to look at the number of

match equivalent sessions over the course of a season and one match = one match equivalent session.


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End

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