South Somerset District Council is inviting sports clubs, schools, local councils and residents to have their say on playing pitches in the district.
Consultation for the Draft South Somerset Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) has now begun and interested parties have until Monday 12 June to respond. The PPS is used to ensure that outdoor playing pitches meet the local needs of existing and future residents within South Somerset until 2028.
Lynda Pincombe, Community Health and Leisure Manager at South Somerset District Council explains more about the Playing Pitch Strategy, “We urge everyone interested to go online to view the draft version of our strategy. The PPS is based on Sport England’s ‘Playing Pitch Strategy Guidance’ and much of the content is informed by our targeted consultation with local stakeholders.
“In particular, the strategy focuses on the provision of football, rugby union, cricket and hockey pitches so we hope to have responses from as many local clubs as possible. This document can be used to support funding applications to improve the quality and quantity of accessible provision so it is important that clubs and other interested parties have their say on the future priorities for the district.
“The PPS is an important strategic document and will be used to protect existing playing pitches and playing fields as well as projecting forward demand.”
The draft strategy sets out a number of detailed actions, recommendations and options for pitches which will need to be planned for during the strategy period. All feedback will be discussed at the Playing Pitch Strategy Steering group (comprising of representatives from Sport England, the Football Association England Hockey, Rugby Football Union, English Cricket Board and council officers) and incorporated into the Strategy where appropriate.
All survey responses will be reviewed before proceeding to finalise and adopt the South Somerset Playing Pitch Strategy.
To view the draft strategy and to give feedback visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/pps