Appendix 1
Down Grange Improvement Proposals – Summary of Consultation (2014)

A total of 598 people responded to the consultation by completing a questionnaire

The headline results relating to the proposals for athletics, hockey and rugby provision
were:
Athletics Track
Spectator Stand
Second Artificial
pitch for hockey
Strongly support
56%
52.2%
Support
25.9%
Neither support or oppose

81.9%
15.1%
Oppose
2.5%
Strongly oppose
0.5%
73.8%
47%
26.1%
18.2%
5.2%
3%
2.8%
73.1%
22.1%
8%
3.2%
1.7%
4.9%
The headline results for the level of support in principle relating to the aspirations for
facilities for croquet and disc golf were:
Croquet Lawn
Disc Golf course
49.5%
43.6%
44.5%
45.8%
6%
10.5%
Strongly support
Support
Neither support or oppose
Oppose
Strongly oppose

21.6%
Artificial pitch for
rugby
A summary of the comments in relation to each proposal is given below:
Proposal
Athletics Track
Spectator
stand
(Championed
by
Basingstoke
and Mid Hants
Athletics Club
(BMHAC) )
Overview of consultation
comments
Many respondents noted that the
stand would provide shelter for
spectators, athletes and their kit. It
would therefore be beneficial during
training and competition.
Views varied about the additional
functions of the stand, however many
people noted the importance of toilets
being included within the design.
90 members of BMHAC (15% of
respondents) responded to the
consultation. The 4 other running
clubs within the borough also showed
good support for the proposals.
Officer response
Much support was received for this
proposal. A stand would
complement the enhancements
made to the track and field facilities
recently. It would assist BMHAC
members at least twice per week
and increase the attraction of the
venue for high profile events.
The club is currently finalising the
stand design which is likely to
include a multi-purpose area and
toilets underneath the seating.
Proposal
Overview of consultation comments
Officer response
Additional
sand dressed
artificial pitch
with floodlights
suitable for
hockey
Numerous people strongly supported
the proposal of the second pitch
because the club has grown and cannot
now host all home games and training
sessions at Down Grange. Given that
there is no other hockey specific
surface in the borough, the club’s
second home pitch is currently in
Eastleigh.
There was widespread support for
this project, given the club’s
increasing demand for more access
to a hockey-specific surface. This
has been caused by club growth and
by the fact that the pitch at Everest
School has now been converted to a
3G pitch which is not suitable for
hockey.
People highlighted the fact that an
additional pitch is likely to increase
participation in hockey and other sports
such as football.
The surface being proposed would
be used for football too and would
help to address the deficiency in
artificial pitches in the borough.
Others suggest that an additional pitch,
in addition to the excellent clubhouse
facilities (which are managed by BHC)
would make the site more attractive to
hirers.
The second pitch would be built on
current grass football and rugby
pitches, which would need to be
placed elsewhere. This option has
been factored into the Leisure and
Recreation Needs Assessment
which will inform the Playing Pitch
Strategy.
(Championed
by
Basingstoke
Hockey Club
(BHC) )
127 members of BHC (21%) responded
to the consultation in addition to
representatives from county, regional
and national Hockey organisations.
Conversion of
main rugby
pitch from
grass to an
artificial
surface
The main benefit raised of having an
artificial surface related to the fact that
weather disruption would be minimised
(there are drainage issues on current
main pitch). Many noted that
participation by club members, other
rugby clubs and schools would
increase.
(Championed
by
Basingstoke
The issues of how the scheme was to
Rugby Football be funded and recent instability within
Club (BRFC) ) the club were raised.
131 members of BRFC (22%)
responded to the consultation.
Despite the lack of detail, many
supported the proposal of changing
the surface of the main pitch. Those
involved with the sport expect many
rugby clubs to do the same in the
future.
An artificial surface would help meet
the increasing demand for junior and
youth rugby participation as well as
adult training and competitive
fixtures.
Proposal
Additional
croquet lawn
(Championed
by
Basingstoke
Croquet Club )
Overview of consultation comments
Officer response
Members of local clubs highlighted the need
for an additional lawn due to the current
facility being at capacity, and a single lawn
site not being able to host certain matches.
Croquet generally supports different
user to those who use the other
sports facilities at Down Grange.
This may therefore provide a
suitable activity for the borough’s
ageing population.
Some suggestions were made for having an
artificial surface which could be played on
all year round.
Some respondents suggested locating an
additional lawn nearer to the Maidenwell
Pavilion to use the clubhouse facilities.
Some views queried the potential support
for a minority sport rather than investing in
facilities which will serve more people.
Permanent
disc golf
course
Club members would like permanent
baskets to be installed to allow anyone to
play any time.
(Championed
by
Basingstoke
Disc golf club)
Concerns were expressed about how much
space the course would take up, how it is
bounded and how health and safety is
retained for general site users.
While there are benefits of seeking
to accommodate this emerging, lowcost activity, there are risks
associated with having a permanent
disc golf course in a large area of
well used public open space.
As above, there were mixed views about
supporting minority sports rather than
investing in facilities which will serve more
people.
General
comments
Additional consultation comments
emphasised the importance of Down
Grange as a flagship sports complex which
serves a wide area beyond the size of the
borough.
Down Grange is clearly valued as an
asset to the local community, sports
clubs and a range of users so it is
important to maintain and enhance
the site.
Improvements were described as ideal for
benefitting growing clubs, the standard of
play and supporting healthy activity.
In general there was support for
each of the proposals providing
there is a clear business case in
terms of demand and long term
Many noted that developments would attract
sustainability.
higher levels of competition and improve the
profile of the borough
The athletics, hockey and rugby
proposals would benefit a larger
Several responses referred to the
number of individuals, thus
requirement for additional parking and
improving the value for money of any
improved pedestrian and cycle access to
investment. It is however also
and across the site.
important where possible to support
People also made comments about the
the smaller clubs and minority sports
need for secure and accessible facilities.
to grow.
Many respondents noted they are in
opposition to any housing being built on
site.
The site’s transport plan will be
refreshed to consider the impact of
any developments on parking and
congestion.
No housing is proposed as part of
these improvement works.
Analysis of respondents:


The majority of respondents live in the Basingstoke town area of the borough with 46%
of those from the RG22 postcode. Down Grange is located in the RG22 postcode area
of the town. There were however also responses from other wards, which highlights the
fact that the complex serves residents from across and outside the borough.
Basingstoke Town postcodes
No. of respondents
RG21
71
RG22
172
RG23
28
RG24
100
Other borough/area postcodes
No. of respondents
RG7
3
RG20
5
RG25
23
RG26
36
RG27
29
RG28
3
RG29
3
Other
21
Not supplied
104
% of respondents
62%
% of respondents
20.6%
17.4%
The majority of respondents are members of clubs using Down Grange, but, according
to the postcode analysis, also likely to be residents of the town.
Number of respondents


% of respondents
Respondents who are members of a club
which uses Down Grange
483
80.8%
Respondents who are residents and not
members of a club which used Down Grange
115
19.2%
The breakdown of respondents from the different club is as follows:
Number of respondents
% of respondents
Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club
90
15.1%
Basingstoke Hockey Club
127
21.2%
Basingstoke Rugby Club
131
21.9%
‘Other’ club or sport’s governing body
representative
135
22.5%
Not a member of a club
115
19.2%
The vast majority of respondents are over 18 years of age.
Number of respondents
% of respondents
Under 18
33
5.5%
Over 18
552
92.3%
Prefer not to say
13
2.2%