Sports and open spaces assessment

East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

WHITEHILL BORDON AND NORTH EAST AREA OPEN SPACE, PLAYING PITCH AND BUILT SPORTS FACILITIES ASSESSMENT SUMMARY DOCUMENT October 2011 FOR Part 1: Assessment of Open Space, Sport and Recreation (July 2011) (JPC Strategic Planning and Leisure)

Part 2: Playing Pitch Assessment (October 2011) (JPC Strategic Planning and Leisure)

Part 3: Built Sports Facilities Assessment (October 2011) (RQA Leisure Management Consultancy)

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to identify current levels of provision of open space, playing pitches and built sports facilities; to assess the need for additional sports infrastructure to support the potential new community at Whitehill Bordon and to identify any additional deficiencies in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility within the North East Area (Sub Area 4) of East Hampshire District, as identified in the 2008 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study, undertaken to comply with the terms of Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 “Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation” (PPG17).

This Summary Document sets out issues, options, next steps and priorities, drawn from the 2011 study. It uses base information from the 2008 PPG 17 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study with updated information and local issues identified from: -

the Whitehill Bordon Draft Masterplan Framework (June 2010); Sport England’s strategic planning tools and sports facility calculator; and Parish, town council and key stakeholder consultations.

Consultees and reference documents are included as Appendices A and B to this Summary Document. Appropriate detailed GIS mapping for the study area is included within the individual study documents for Open Space, Playing Pitches and Built Sports Facilities. Sport England’s sports facility calculator and strategic planning reports and mapping are included where appropriate as appendices to these main reports.

The Study has been undertaken with due reference to and recognition of the Council’s corporate priorities and policies linked to people, organisation, place and healthy living and are consistent with the Council’s Draft Core Strategy. This Summary Document addresses issues and opportunities linked to: 1. Open Space (page 4); 2. Playing Pitches (page 7); 3. Built Sports Facilities (page 10); 4. Issues for the wider North East Area (page 14); and 4.2 Recommended next steps (page 16).

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

The North East Area (Sub Area 4) of East Hampshire District comprises Bramshott and Liphook, Grayshott, Headley, Lindford and Whitehill with a total existing population of c. 32,000. Other sub areas in East Hampshire District are: Sub Area 1 Sub Area 2 Sub Area 3

Clanfield, Horndean, Rowlands Castle Buriton, Colemore and Priors Dean, East Meon, Froxfield, Greatham, Hawkley, Langrish, Liss, Petersfield, Steep, Stroud Alton, Beech, Bentley, Bentworth, Binsted, Chawton, East Tisted, Farringdon, Four Marks, Froyle, Kingsley, Lasham, Medstead, Newton Valence, Ropley, Selborne, Shalden, West Tisted, Wield and Worldham.

There are currently three phases considered in the evidence base studies, for the likely increase in numbers of dwellings within the area: for 1,700 by 2019, 4,000 by 2028 and 5,300 by 2036. Using data generated by Hampshire County Council Home Movers Survey (using data from 2002 and 2009 to generate average occupancy levels for different types of property, using the rates for private dwellings), the total population forecasts for Whitehill Bordon (2007 statistics base of 13,841) for the three housing development phases are: Phase 1: 17,872

Phase 2: 23,326

Phase 3: 26,408

The potential locations for the housing development post departure of the MOD are east of Budds Lane (approx. 4,000 new dwellings in a range of density bands within the former MOD land) with additional lower density housing surrounding the Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Ground (Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan, June 2010).

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

1.0

OPEN SPACE ASSESSMENT

1.1

Requirements for open space for each phase

Each development phase would be required to provide a full complement of open space in line with the East Hampshire District standards.

The exception is for natural green space, which is already well provided for. Taking account of the existing supply of open space, the assessment provides a figure for the amount of open space that is required for each development phase and any existing shortfall in provision.

It is recognised that this may be difficult to deliver from a policy perspective; however, if major development is going to take place, it should be seen as an opportunity to provide additional open space.

1.2

The need for on or off site provision of open space

There is a need for new provision of open space, which needs to be balanced with the provision of existing open spaces. If a significant development is planned for an area, the new population will obviously have a requirement for open space. However, their use of open space will not be restricted to the new provision, as they will use existing facilities. This will place additional pressure on existing facilities, therefore, consideration needs to be given to providing off site contributions for existing open space.

Off site contributions can be used to improve the quality of existing facilities, and thus increase their carrying capacity for additional users.

Contributions to existing facilities will also benefit the existing community, and not just the new population.

The quality assessment carried out as part of this study, can be used along with parish priorities for determining where off site contributions to open space can be targeted. This work could be incorporated into the neighbourhood planning process currently being proposed by the government, or delivered through a green space strategy for the sub area (see section 5.4 of the Open Space report).

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

1.3

Implications for the proposed Eco-town

The Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010) for the Eco-town proposes considerable provision of natural green space. Much of this space will be provided as ‘Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace’ (SANG). The additional provision is also proposed to relieve pressure on existing natural green space, which includes significant land designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). The provision of SANG is required in addition to the requirements for open space. As a separate study, Habitats Regulations and Land Management reports, making up the Habitats Regulations Assessments for Whitehill Bordon, were completed in July 2011.

Whilst the analysis in this report shows that there is already enough natural green space to meet existing needs and to meet future needs for each of the development options, this does not include the requirements for SANG. Whilst the provision of natural green space as part of the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010) is essential for the reasons outlined above, it must not be at the expense of providing other types of open space, which should be given equal consideration.

This study shows there is an existing shortfall of all typologies of open space (except natural green space) across the sub area and, therefore, new provision of open space should be made in line with the standards as set out in the 2008 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study. The masterplan process could consider how this provision can be provided ‘creatively’, for example by having dual function open spaces.

1.4

Recommendations •

Where the quantity of provision is sufficient for a typology, the priority will be to seek to improve the quality of existing facilities.

Where quantity is insufficient, the priority will be to provide additional facilities.

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The Whitehill Parish has an under supply of all typologies, except natural green space, so additional provision should be sought through any development in this area.

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New development provides an opportunity to meet the needs of the development and to mitigate the existing shortfall in provision of open space across the sub area. A new policy approach would be required to deliver this.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

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Poor access to allotments and children’s play spaces across all areas should be addressed.

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There are a considerable amount of facilities for sport under private ownership and management. Some of this space is accessible to the community; however, there are significant facilities owned by the MOD which are currently not accessible. These facilities have the potential to meet the identified shortfall in the quantity of parks, sport and recreation grounds. Further work is required to determine the feasibility of bringing these spaces into community use. For the Whitehill area, this is one of the factors being considered in the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010).

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Sites which have been identified as having potential for improvement in terms of quality should have site management plans and/or site improvement plans prepared. These plans should be design led, involve consultation and follow good practice.

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Further work should build on the findings of this assessment and take into account other studies that may be undertaken as part of the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010). It will be important to engage further with local communities, clubs, groups and the town and parish councils to look in more detail at the needs for open space across the area. A number of the parishes are already pro-active in looking to the future needs of open space, sport and recreation. For example, Grayshott has a sport and recreation study (2009), and there is a playing pitch strategy for Liphook and area (2001).

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It is likely that a number of management plans and/or improvement plans would be needed for key open spaces where potential improvements have been identified. It is also recommended that the information in this study is used to inform the levels of provision of open space that are delivered in any new development in the area, and that design and quality is given as important a weighting as quantitative provision.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

2.0

PLAYING PITCHES

The Playing Pitch Assessment takes the analysis carried out in the 2008 study a stage further in terms of the requirements for pitch sports in the Whitehill Bordon area. The open space study has identified the role of public and private outdoor sports facilities in providing space for pitch sports. The Assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the methodology established by PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, together with Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide to PPG17 and Towards a Level Playing Field: A Guide to Preparing Playing Pitch Assessments. The assessment was published in September 2010 and assesses playing pitches within the North East Area of East Hampshire District.

The Assessment uses the Sport England toolkit to assess the current and future demand for playing pitches for football, rugby, cricket and hockey. For each sport, it assesses the number of teams currently playing and considers potential additional teams that would be generated in the future through increases in population and sports development initiatives. The assessment then considers if the existing provision of playing pitches meets current demand, and what provision will be required in the future.

The methodology follows the detailed instructions for the 8 stages of the Sport England Playing Pitch model, specifically: Stage 1 - Identifying teams / team equivalents Stage 2 - Calculating home games per week Stage 3 - Assessing total home games per week Stage 4 - Establishing temporal demand for games Stage 5 - Defining pitches used / required on each day Stage 6 - Establishing pitches available Stage 7 - Assessing the findings Stage 8 - Identifying policy options and solutions All stages are shown in detail within the main Playing Pitch Assessment attached to this Summary document.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

2.1

Quantity - Supply and Demand - Summary

The Playing Pitch Assessment analyses the projected under and over provision to meet peak demand in Whitehill Bordon. The assessments demonstrate a mix of some excess and some shortage of provision within the North East Area of East Hampshire District when all pitches are considered. There is a surplus of provision for adult football, cricket, hockey and rugby. Overall, within Whitehill Bordon, there is a sufficient supply to accommodate the future requirements of the possible housing development phases.

• The Playing Pitch Assessment concludes that pitches at the Whitehill Club ground, at Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Club and at Daly Stadium should be retained and that pitches should be incorporated within the Community Sports Hub concept (as satellite centres) to optimise access, quality and maintenance.

2.2

Quality assessment - Summary

The detailed results of the assessment are provided in the main Playing Pitch report. 17 sites were assessed within Whitehill Bordon. Overall, it is considered that the catchment area has a suitable provision of medium to high quality playing pitches, most of which are readily available for the general public to use.

Based on consultations with leagues and clubs, the existing pitches and changing room facilities are considered by the majority of clubs to be either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. No club wishes to move or requires additional pitches. The carrying capacity of the playing pitches within the catchment area demonstrated that the majority of pitches are able to support at least 1.5 matches per week.

2.3

Summary comments

Overall, it is considered that the catchment area has a suitable provision of medium to high quality playing pitches, most of which are readily available for the general public to use. However the sites of Budds Lane, the Daly Stadium, and Bordon & Oakhanger Sports Ground play a vital role in ensuring an adequate supply. The developing Eco-town Framework Masterplan must consider the retention, or replacement, of these facilities to ensure the existing demand is accommodated.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

In the event of Mill Chase Community Technology College being relocated or enhanced, a formal dual use agreement enabling community use should be secured. The Council should, where possible, influence the pitch layout and design of sports facilities in line with existing supply and demand evidence. Securing community use at Mill Chase Community Technology College could mitigate the loss of the Daly Ground and Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Ground as the college is currently not available for community use. Should both the Daly Ground and Oakhanger Sports Ground cease to operate in the proposed Eco-town, the two cricket wickets and one football pitch could be accommodated at Mill Chase Community Technology College. Similarly, the provision at Budds Lane could be incorporated into new provision planned for the Eco Town; however, the re-provision of Budds Lane would need to be in addition to the requirements generated from the Eco-town as identified in section 7.4 for the Playing Pitch Assessment. However, while these comments relate to actual playing pitches, they are mitigated by the importance of retaining or replacing the seating and changing facilities at the Daly Stadium in order that provision is made for club senior football to progress within the FA leagues.

The accessible supply of pitches identified in Table 2, which includes three MOD sites, is sufficient to accommodate the current and future demand of the existing Whitehill Bordon population. However, any reduction in the quantity of accessible pitches would comprise the ability to appropriately accommodate existing and future demand. Any pitch provision which is currently being used by the community within the Whitehill Bordon area for formal fixtures must be retained or replaced as part of the developing Whitehill Bordon Framework Masterplan.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

3.0 3.1

BUILT SPORTS FACILITIES Review of needs and demand

In order to identify location and gaps in provision in terms of accessibility from the North East Area, maps indicating 15 minute drive time catchments for the larger multi-facility built leisure facilities and 20 minute drive time catchments (synthetic turf pitches) are included in the main report appendices. These indicate that the area is well provided in general, requiring more detailed analysis at peak times for particular sport types (sports hall activities, swimming, fitness gyms) when making local judgements.

Base information for this study was drawn from: -the 2008 PPG17 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities Study for East Hampshire District; -Sport England’s strategic planning tools and participation surveys (March 2011), providing a more detailed need and demand review, which underpins the overlay of local circumstances and issues as appropriate; and -consultations with key agencies and representatives.

It was important at an early point in the study to consider the views of local representatives of town and parish councils, the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010) Project Team representative and those representing sports organisations and clubs. This enabled consideration of the local issues relevant to individual parish and town councils and also of the wider EHDC corporate priorities and approach to People (participation, healthy and active lifestyles), Place (quality and quantity of provision, location and accessibility, green infrastructure links), and Organisation (management, communication and collaboration). The wider context also drew from discussions held with neighbouring authority leisure officers, Sport England, facility operators, Hampshire County Council (HCC), Mill Chase Community Technology College and Bohunt Community School.

3.2

Important factors which will impact upon future provision of built sports facilities •

North East Area - integrated built sports facility strategies for the four sub areas of East Hampshire District (taking account of provision within neighbouring authorities where appropriate) should be developed.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

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MOD Garrison facilities the existing Garrison swimming pool (25m x 4 lanes) and its changing facilities, subject to condition survey, would not be suitable for full time community use without significant investment in its infrastructure. Re-provision of its existing community use (approx. 90 hours per week) would be required. the existing Garrison Sports Hall, subject to condition survey, would provide a 4/5 badminton court size sports hall (currently with Granwood compound floor, cracked in places) for multi use such as badminton, basketball, volleyball, five-a-side football, gymnastics, indoor hockey, cricket nets and other activities that could take place within a divided hall. The main hall is currently converted for use as a fitness gym with a climbing wall along one end; the main hall and support changing and office facilities would require refurbishment to bring them back to an acceptable standard for community use.

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Hampshire County Council - Mill Chase Community Technology College Hampshire County Council has identified Mill Chase Community Technology College as a priority school for capital investment in view of the implications linked to the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010). The school has ageing buildings and infrastructure where replacement would be more economic than refurbishment in the long term. to accommodate the new population of the prospective Eco-town (up to 5,300 new dwellings), and to serve better the education, sporting and cultural needs of the populations of Whitehill Bordon and the North East Area of the District, relocation of Mill Chase Community Technology College becomes the better solution for both the County and District Councils.

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A campus could be developed to serve the requirements of the Eco-town and new housing development, new secondary school and wider learning, replacing the existing Mill Chase Community and Technology College. The Sports facilities could serve the school on a dual ‘priority’ use basis, as well as the community, during all opening times for both casual, club and community group activities, for indoor and outdoor sports facilities and playing pitches. A hybrid facility including more commercial facilities to offset swimming pool costs for example, could be considered. A central location of education, sports and community facilities on the same site, suitably accessible by public transport, by cycling and walking routes, as well as by car, should be a priority for the Eco-town development, as evidenced by the consultation process.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

Other factors • Existing and new sports club programmes should be positively marketed and promoted to increase local participation.

•

3.3

The quality of provision at the Mill Chase Leisure Centre for netball and at the Bohunt Centre for basketball, for example, is deemed to be inadequate for the level of sport being played, requiring improvements to facilities.

Assessment of need and demand from local standards of provision

Based upon proposed local standards of provision for built facilities for East Hampshire District (derived from Sport England’s strategic planning tools) and utilising Sport England’s Facilities Calculator Model (see Appendix C and D), and taking account of the local circumstances and judgements contained within this assessment, the requirement for specific built sports facility provision for the Whitehill Bordon area for the three housing development phases are: Table 4: Built facilities provision for Whitehill Bordon Sports Facility Per no.

Phase 1 population +1,700 dwellings (existing provision) (shortfall) Sports hall 1 per 15,000 1.19 4 x bad ct size (1 x hall) (.19)

Phase 2 +4,000 dwellings (shortfall) 1.55 (.5 )

Phase 3 +5,300 dwellings (shortfall) 1.76 (.76)

Swimming pools 25m x 6 lane

1 per 25,000 (4 x lanes)

0.71 (1 x lane)

0.93 (2 x lanes)

1.06 (2 x lanes)

Fitness Gyms

1 station per 250 (34)

Synthetic turf pitches

1 per 20,000 (1 pitch)

72 (38) 0.89 (-)

94 (60) 1.16 (.16)

106 (72) 1.32 (.32)

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

3.4

Facility need and demand summary

The above table, local factors and judgements, show that for Whitehill Bordon, for the Eco-town housing development phases and commensurate population growth, there would be a need and demand for: -

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a 25m x 6 lane swimming pool and a 6 equivalent badminton court size sports hall (for phases 2 and 3 - 4,000 to 5,300 new dwellings - up to 2026 and 2036). A 4 lane swimming pool and a 4 equivalent badminton court size sports hall would be required for 1,700 dwellings (phase 1 - up to 2019); 90-100 fitness stations (for phases 2 and 3) and some 72 fitness stations (for phase 1); there are currently 34 stations at Mill Chase Leisure Centre. (With c.100 fitness stations at the MOD Garrison currently, these are discounted as they are not available for community use). While fitness gyms may be provided within public or private sector facilities, they will potentially generate a substantial income to off-set the cost of a swimming pool, for example; a full size floodlit synthetic turf pitch for phases 2 and 3, with a half size pitch being sufficient for phase 1. The synthetic turf pitch(es) would need to be sand-filled and floodlit for all the year round multi-use. A further floodlit, sand-filled synthetic turf pitch is provided at the Bohunt School and Centre and is considered to be adequate to meet local demand.

The identified sports facility requirements for Whitehill Bordon (phases 2 and 3, up to 2028-2036) could not all be accommodated by the creation of a Community Sports Hub located adjacent to a relocated Mill Chase Community Technology College. While Budds Lane may be a suitable location, there is likely to be insufficient land available for the provision of the College, indoor sports and outdoor pitch facilities on the one site, including retention or replacement of the seating and changing facilities at the Daly Stadium, based upon the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010). The existing College site is inadequate for the identified phases of provision and an alternative site may need to be found within the Masterplan.

The Community Sports Hub (CSH) concept and possible funding sources are outlined in the main report, with reference to Sport England’s CSH model. The main sports hub should be seen as a venue for teaching and learning and as such close ‘walk to’ proximity to a relocated Mill Chase Community Technology College is essential. Similarly, proximity to sports pitches, managed and maintained by the CSH is desirable. Satellite facilities should be retained at the Whitehill Club, Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Club and the Daly Stadium (including seating and changing facilities).

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

4.0

NORTH EAST AREA - ISSUES AND NEXT STEPS

Generally, the North East Area is well served by sports facilities within 10-15 minute drive-times located in Alton (Alton Sports Centre), Petersfield (Taro Leisure Centre), Farnham (Farnham Sports Centre), Haslemere (Herons Leisure Centre, The Edge Leisure Centre). The Hindhead Tunnel also gives 20 minute access from some parts of the North East Area to Surrey Sports Centre and Guildford Spectrum.

Issues and findings from our research and consultations are listed for each parish within the main Built Sports Facilities Report and briefly outlined here: Whitehill Bordon • The Mill Chase Leisure Centre should be replaced and relocated as part of the Eco-town development as a Community Sports Hub; satellite ‘hub’ facilities should be secured for community use at existing locations known as Whitehill Club (pavilion and pitches) and Bordon and Oakhanger Sports Club (pavilion/social and pitches). The Daly Football Ground (MOD Garrison) should be retained for club and community football, with retention of the seating and changing facilities being important for club senior football to progress through FA leagues.

• The Garrison swimming pool is of insufficient size and quality to be retained, although its existing community offering should be reprovided. The Garrison Sports Hall and support facilities could be retained for community use, subject to condition survey.

Bramshott and Liphook • The parish council is undertaking consultation in 2011 on the design of new play facilities at the recreation ground in Liphook; improvements are needed for the provision of new pitches, with pavilion(s) for changing for football and cricket; the need for improved football club facilities has been identified in order for the club to progress to the next level in the league by 2012 (toilets, walkway, benches/dugouts). A project at Bohunt Manor seeks to create four hectares of outdoor sports space.

• The sports hall, fitness gym and synthetic turf pitches at the Bohunt Centre can meet assessed local demand including increased participation levels at off-peak times. It is recognised that these are of mixed age where quality and condition of the indoor sports facilities are poor.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

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Withdrawal of Hampshire County Council community funding in 2011/2012 will serve to reduce the school’s ability to improve its offer to the local community in terms of facilities and community activities. Refurbishment, improved access and promotion of the Bohunt Centre sports facilities would generate increased participation. There is a need to bring the indoor facilities up to modern day standards and expectations, then to encourage greater use through their promotion.

Grayshott • A new pavilion is needed to accommodate the requirements of cricket, football and tennis (three courts) and a multi-use hall is needed for coach education and exercise classes. Outdoor facility needs include pavilion and pitch improvements, tennis court improvements (existing, but could be relocated), and demand has been identified for a Bowls Green and Multi-Use Sports Area (MUSA). (Source Trioplus Study 2009) Lindford • There is an identified need for play equipment for older children and for the disabled. Two sites are being considered.

• Possible relocation of the Mill Chase Community Technology College as part of the Eco-town development would provide overall benefits to Lindford residents.

Headley • There is a need for a football pitch and training area, possibly on Headley Down if reclamation of landfill is not achieved.

• There is a lack of play equipment at Headley Down; the parish council is looking to lease additional land at Headley Sports Field for community use; the Headley parish plan identifies leisure and recreation as a key component of the plan. The key recommendations related to open space are as above plus identifying the importance of the countryside and water features within the parish.

4.1

Links with Green Space features

The study identifies the more environmental forms of access to built sports and leisure facilities, placing greater importance on closer catchment planning and improved links and safe access for walking and cycling. Links should be developed with open space, formal and informal parkland, sports pitches, thereby improving the integrated environmental access network. Examples are:

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

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Access to and between leisure facilities will be important for Whitehill Bordon and the North East Area. Interlinking safe walking and cycling routes between areas of housing, sports facilities, playing pitches and community halls must be developed and secured.

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Cycle and walking routes will have a more significant focus in East Hampshire District through the further development of Shipwrights Way for example. Part of the National Trails Network (cycling and walking), this will link to east-west routes such as the South Downs Way.

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A significant feature of a North East Area leisure strategy will be accessible and attractive links between and within nature parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), whilst securing the integrity of conservation.

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Examples of important ‘green space’ features in Whitehill Bordon are Shortheath Common, north of Bordon, its heathland and nine SSSIs. Within the North East Area, important features are Ludshott Common and Devil’s Punchbowl in Grayshott and surrounding areas of Liphook in the ownership of the National Trust, and many more.

4.2

Recommended next steps

The following provides a brief summary of recommended next steps and priority actions to determine an open space, playing pitch and built sports facility strategy for Whitehill Bordon and the North East Area of East Hampshire District.

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It is recommended that the findings and recommendations from these assessments, as summarised within this document, and as detailed within the three accompanying main reports, should form the basis of further consultation and strategic planning by: - each of the new sub area Community Forums; - the Whitehill Bordon Community Facilities and Amenities Specialist Group; - the Whitehill Bordon Framework Masterplan Project Team, so that community sports provision is identified and provided as a priority within the development framework configuration proposals; - Hampshire County Council, in the context of reviewing its educational capital asset programme and funding, to prioritise the integration and proximity of teaching and learning with community sports facilities provision, focusing on:

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

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-the relocation of Mill Chase Community and Technology College; -the proximity and enhancement of community sports facilities; -the refurbishment and enhancement of community sports facilities at the Bohunt Community School, integral to its new academy status; local sports clubs and community groups as appropriate; and statutory agencies and governing bodies.

Open Space and Playing Pitches • The sub area would benefit from a green space strategy which would build on the findings of this study and others reports including the Whitehill Bordon Green Infrastructure Strategy. In developing this strategy, it will be important to engage with local communities, clubs, groups and the town and parish councils to look in more detail at the needs for open space and playing pitches (as identified) across the area. A number of the parishes are already pro-active in looking to the future needs of open space, sport and recreation. For example, Grayshott has a sport and recreation study (2009), and there is a playing pitch strategy for Liphook and area (2001).

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It is likely that a number of management plans and/or improvement plans would be needed for key open spaces where potential improvements have been identified. Design and quality should be given as important a weighting as quantitative provision.

Built Sports Facilities • Consultations indicated that existing community halls provide adequately for the sports activities that are included within their programmes. Junior school halls may also provide a complementary community recreational facility in some locations. Many residents of the North East Area make use of the specialist sports facilities elsewhere within East Hampshire District, or elsewhere outside the District. Any future sports facility strategy must factor in the use of specialist sports facilities outside of the District.

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Hampshire County Council will need to determine its asset development policies and priorities for Mill Chase Community Technology College within the context of the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework (June 2010) Masterplan and for Bohunt Community School in the context of Academy status, both needing to provide community access to currently unsatisfactory sports facilities.

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East Hampshire North East Area Open Space, Playing Pitch and Built Sports Facilities Assessment - Summary Document

•

4.3

The future scope, scale and location of sport and recreation provision in Alton will have an impact upon requirements within the Whitehill Bordon area for each housing development phase.

Links with the Community Strategy 2008-2026

From a sport, recreation and community hall perspective, the Whitehill Bordon Draft Framework Masterplan (June 2010) will prioritise delivery of the key themes of: - health and well being through physical activity; - accessibility through coherent public, private and environmental transport links and cycle routes; - increased participation, also seeking to meet government and Sport England targets particularly aimed at the less active; and - developing cultural and heritage activities and opportunities.

In this way the key priority themes of People, Organisation and Place will be targeted and delivered.

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