Walsall Council Cabinet will meet to discuss and approve the strategy for playing pitches and outdoor sport facilities in the borough.
The new Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy (PPOSS) will guide future use, investment, planning decisions, and management of playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities in Walsall.
The strategy aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of outdoor sports facilities within the community, fostering health, well-being, and community engagement.
The updated PPOSS provides a robust needs assessment for evaluating development proposals, directing investment, managing outdoor sports facilities, and seeking funding. It expands the number of covered sports from 5 to 13. The 13 now covered sports are Athletics, Bowls, Cricket, Cycling, Football (including 3G pitches), Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby union (including 3G pitches), Rugby league (including 3G pitches), Tennis, Water sports and other grass pitch sports where they occur (e.g. Gaelic football). This includes a Black Country Strategic Framework to manage cross border impact. The council leads the PPOSS development and implementation with the support of a steering group.
The new strategy identifies where the existing number of pitches meets demand across Walsall in identified sports, or where additional facilities are required to meet community demand.
“ This strategy is a major step forward in ensuring Walsall’s outdoor sports facilities are protected, improved, and developed for future generations.
“High-quality sports provision is essential for the health and well-being of our residents. This updated strategy provides a clear vision for investment and enhancement. By working with key partners and securing external funding, we can create opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport and physical activity, strengthening our communities and improving public health”.
Walsall Council leads the development and implementation of the PPOSS, supported by a dedicated steering group. The strategy was developed in partnership with Sport England, Active Black Country, and various national governing bodies of sport. It serves as the technical evidence base for planning decisions and proposals involving playing pitches, ensuring outdoor sports facilities are protected, enhanced, and strategically developed.
As part of the strategy’s development, a comprehensive review of the current and future usage has been conducted, alongside consultation with key stakeholders and user groups. Three key priorities were identified: protect existing facilities by ensuring outdoor sports facilities are safeguarded through local planning policy; to enhance facilities by improving quality and management through a tiered approach and securing necessary funding; and to provide new facilities to address quantitative shortfalls and identify opportunities for new provisions.