Report to Portfolio Holder for
Partnerships
February 2015
Subject:
Down Grange - Proposals for the way forward
Status:
Routine Matter for Decision
Report Ref:
Ward(s):
All
Key Decision/Ref:
Report of Head of
Service
Head of Community Services
Contact Officer:
Mike O’Mahony, Health and Wellbeing Team Leader,
Ext 2442 or email: mike.omahony@basingstoke.gov.uk
Appendices:
1. Summary of Consultation Findings
Papers relied on to
produce this report
Report to Portfolio Holders: Improvements to Down
Grange Sports Complex - March 2011 (KD 713/CSL)
Strategic Plan for Sport and Recreation 2012
Down Grange Terms of Reference 2014
1
Executive Summary
1.1
This report seeks approval to progress a range of activity towards further
improvements to Down Grange Sports Complex through a co-ordinated approach
with the clubs on site
1.2
The report summarises the outcome of consultation and seeks the release of
capital funds to undertake studies in support of a planning application. The report
also notes that subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents, funding
applications would be submitted towards the capital costs of the improvements.
2
Recommendation
2.1
It is recommended that:
2.1.1
the favourable outcome of public consultation on the proposed enhancements to
Down Grange is noted;
2.1.2
subject to council budget approval in February 2015, up to £25,000 capital
funding is released from the 2015/16 capital programme to undertake work in
relation to preparing a planning application for the proposed improvement works
in this scheme; and
2.1.3
it is noted that, subject to obtaining planning consent, applications shall be made
to grant funding bodies for capital contributions for implementing the scheme.
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PRIORITIES, IMPACTS AND RISKS
Contribution to Council Priorities
This report accords with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework and directly
supports the Council Plan priorities of maintaining a reputation for quality arts and
leisure and supporting active, healthy and involved communities.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Term
Definition
BRFC / The rugby club
Basingstoke Rugby Football Club
BMHAC / The athletics club
Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club
BHC / The Hockey Club
Basingstoke Hockey Club
DDA
Disability Discrimination Act
NGB
National Governing Body (of sport)
The Sports Strategy
Strategic Plan for Sport and Recreation 2012-2025
LRNA
Leisure and Recreation Needs Assessment
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
3
Background
3.1
Down Grange Sports Complex is the council’s main outdoor sports facility,
comprising an athletics track, full size artificial pitch, a number of grass rugby and
football pitches, a croquet lawn, petanque terrain and rifle range, with associated
pitch changing, club accommodation and car parking. The site is also used for
community events, conservation activity and informal recreation and is highly
valued within the community.
3.2
The vision agreed by council in 2010 is:
“For Down Grange to be a high quality sub regional multi-sport and recreation
complex that encourages participation in a range of physical activity and makes a
positive contribution to the image of the Borough.”
3.3
The vision captures the council’s aspirations for the site which include:

to provide a high quality regional multi sports complex to encourage
participation and pathways to excellence in sport;

to support the voluntary sports sector by enabling improvements to club
facilities already on the site in order for the clubs to deliver high standards of
development activity and achieve competitive success;

to maximise the efficiency of pitch provision through the introduction of 4th
generation artificial pitches;

to achieve a capital funding solution for the enhancements through a range
of partnership and development opportunities;

to minimise the ongoing revenue implications for the council of managing
and maintaining the site;

to strengthen relationships between clubs and users on site, local residents
and National Governing Bodies of sport; and

to attract funding from developer contributions.
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3.4
3.5
Improvements implemented following approvals given in March 2011(Key
Decision 713 / CSL) are:

Extension and resurfacing of the athletics track from six to eight lanes with
additional enhancements to field facilities;

Re-carpeting of the astro turf pitch with a surface suitable for hockey;

Refurbishment and DDA enhancements to the Maidenwell Pavilion
(Basingstoke Hockey Club also relocated into the club house on the first
floor);

Installation of a 2km way-marked route; and

Extension of the car park on the site to improve accessibility and reduce
some of the congestion during matches at weekends completed in February
2015.
The delivery schedule for the Strategic Plan for Sport and Recreation 2012 –
2025 identified some key activity for Down Grange including:

Explore funding options for a second artificial pitch at Down Grange and
develop a business for the ongoing management of the facility;

Develop plans in consultation with local residents and stakeholders on
enhanced facilities for Basingstoke Rugby Club at Down Grange; and

Develop plans and funding strategy for a spectator stand at Down Grange
Athletics Track
4
Impact of improvements to date
4.1
Council officers and club officials have reviewed the impact of the improvements
to date and the challenges and opportunities moving forward.
4.2
The improvements to the track have achieved the objective of attracting high
profile competition and generated more members for the athletics club; while
hockey and football participants have benefitted from the replaced astroturf
surface. Additionally, all users of Down Grange are beneficiaries of the recent
parking improvements.
4.3
More specifically:
4.4

Basingstoke Rugby Club (BRFC) - Membership figures increased by 5%
during the 2013/2014 season to 1,060

Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club (BMHAC) has over 500
members with 50 junior athletes on a waiting list for coaching.

Basingstoke Hockey Club (BHC) is also experiencing increased
membership levels. Numbers increased by 14% during 2013/2014 season
and the club now has 362 members.
This success has presented a new set of challenges:
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4.5

The hockey club in particular remains constrained by the capacity of the one
pitch which is not sufficient to meet the demands of its growing membership
(Down Grange has the only artificial pitch in the borough that meets hockey
requirements).

Rugby participation also continues to thrive, to the extent that a number of
pitches formerly devoted to adult football are now used for rugby, with adult
football relocated to other council pitches.

Running is the fastest growing sport in the borough in the last two years with
three new running clubs, some of whom use the track at Down Grange.
This level of participation and success supports the need for further
enhancements at Down Grange. The clubs’ main proposals are for:

an additional artificial pitch with floodlights suitable for hockey

a spectator stand and ancillary facilities at the athletics track

replacement of the grass first team rugby pitch with an artificial surface.
4.6
Additionally, there are two other sports which take place at Down Grange –
Croquet and Disc Golf - where there are club aspirations for improving facilities in
the future. As these are only aspirations at the present time, they are not included
within the project proposals as outlined in 4.5.
4.7
Doing nothing further at Down Grange is likely to have a detrimental impact on
the three main clubs as they consider how they can accommodate and sustain
the growing interest in their sports. It was therefore decided to assess the level of
support within the community for further improvements through a programme of
consultation.
5
Consultation
5.1
The main resident clubs recognised the importance of consulting with local
stakeholders and residents on their ideas and proposals, and agreed to form a
communications group in order to plan and implement this important part of the
process. Representatives from the croquet and disc golf clubs were also involved.
5.2
A programme of activity was arranged between 17 November and 22 December
2014, including a number of roadshows at Down Grange and in Basingstoke town
centre (The Malls) and a presentation to the South Ham and Buckskin
Neighbourhood Partnership. Articles were published in Basingstoke and Deane
Today and in local newsletters encouraging completion of a survey which was
hosted on the council’s website. Residents, club members and stakeholders were
signposted to the webpage which presented background information and the
rationale for the proposals, together with a questionnaire addressing each of the
proposed facility enhancements,
5.3
There were 590 public responses to the consultation, which represents a high
number of returns for consultations of this nature. An overview of comments with
officer response is attached at Appendix 1.
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5.4
The headline results relating to the proposals for athletics, hockey and rugby
provision were:
Strongly support
Support
Neither support or oppose
Oppose
Strongly oppose
5.5
Athletics Track
Spectator Stand
56%
81.9%
25.9%
15.1%
2.5%
3%
0.5%
Second Artificial
pitch for hockey
52.2%
73.8%
21.6%
18.2%
5.2%
8%
2.8%
Artificial pitch
for rugby
47%
73.1%
26.1%
22.1%
3.2%
4.9%
1.7%
The consultation also sought to establish the level of support in principle relating
to the aspirations for facilities for croquet and disc golf. The headline results
were:
Croquet Lawn
Strongly support
Support
Neither support or oppose
Oppose
Strongly oppose
Disc Golf course
49.5%
43.6%
44.5%
45.8%
6%
10.5%
5.6
In summary, the majority of the responses to the consultation supported the
proposed enhancements for the main facilities, which has given sufficient
confidence to recommend that further work be progressed. There is slightly less
evidence of support for the croquet and disc golf aspirations and further
consideration needs to be given as to what might be an appropriate way forward.
5.7
The proposed improvements endorsed through the consultation are to sports
facilities that are likely to have a long term future at Down Grange. At the present
time, and for the foreseeable future, there is no intention to replace or replicate
these facilities in areas of future housing development in the borough.
5.8
The needs identified for the site have been factored into the refresh of the Leisure
and Recreation Needs Assessment (LRNA) currently being undertaken and will
be reflected in the facilities strategies emerging from this work in summer 2015.
5.9
Moving forward, it is important to provide some clarity regarding the next steps,
which are reflected in the proposed way forward set out in the next section.
6
Proposed way forward
6.1
The proposed improvements are based on existing evidence of need and have
received community support. The partnership approach with the clubs is also
enhancing the relationships on site and creating opportunities for mutual benefits
in relation to the facilities and management issues. However, while the club
representatives are making a significant contribution the project, it will be the
council, as landowner, which will be the applicant for planning and major funding
applications.
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6.2
It is therefore proposed to progress on the following basis:
 subject to council budget approval in February 2015, the council will
commission work through an external consultant to prepare a planning
application with all relevant designs and information for the proposed
improvement works in this scheme;
 the council will submit a planning application for the proposed works; and
 subject to planning consent, the council, with the involvement of the clubs,
will make applications to grant funding bodies for capital contributions.
6.3
The submission of a planning application during 2015 is a key element of the
project plan. Obtaining planning consent will give confidence to external funding
bodies of the deliverability of the scheme and enhance the likelihood of securing
grant funding.
6.4
Subject to planning permission, implementation of these improvements could be
phased according to the availability and timing of funding secured from a range of
sources, including fundraising by the clubs. Where possible, works will be coordinated to minimise disruption and ensure value for money.
7
Indicative Timeframes
7.1
The outline timetable going forward is as follows;
 Commission studies for planning application
(subject to budget approval)
April 2015
 Submission of planning application
Late Summer 2015
 Submit funding Bids (subject to obtaining
planning consent
Autumn 2015
onwards
 Procurement process for contractors for works
(subject to funding being in place)
2016/7
7.2
It is hoped that planning permission could be obtained in Autumn 2015.
Thereafter the project timeframe will depend on the success of securing external
funding. Projects would need to commence before the planning consent lapses (3
years).
8
Corporate Implications
8.1
Financial Implications
As set out in the 2015/16 medium term financial strategy, £25,000 is proposed to
be included in the capital programme for Down Grange. This is subject to
approval by Council in February 2015 as part of the annual budget.
8.1.1
Subject to the approval noted above, this report proposes the release of up to
£25,000 from the 2015/16 capital programme to undertake a number of different
studies to comply with planning application requirements.
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8.1.2
There is no further capital funding identified for Down Grange improvements in
the approved capital programme. The funding approach for the proposed
improvements is a collaborative approach with the respective clubs to seek
funding from different sources including Sport England and National Governing
Bodies of sport. Some S106 developer contributions have also been collected for
use at Down Grange.
8.1.3
The clubs recognise that their own fund raising efforts will be vital and already,
the Athletics club has raised over £60,000 towards the cost of a spectator stand.
The revenue implications of any works at Down Grange would need to be
investigated fully before being implemented in line with the councils vision ‘ to
minimise the ongoing revenue implications for the council managing and maintain
the site’.
8.2
Risk Issues
8.3
The key risks are identified below:
Risk


Lack of
combined
approach
Unsuccessful
Planning
Application
Effect

Process disjointed

Climate of silo based
thinking undermines
coordinated
approach



Applications
to funding
bodies are
unsuccessful
Mitigation
Clubs unable to
accommodate
growth and meet
aspirations

Stakeholder meetings taking
place with all clubs engaged.

Shared vision and aspirations

Shared processes

Initial consultation shows
widespread support

Full Pre Planning Consultation
to take place with stakeholders
and residents to identify and
address key issues to inform
planning application

Robust studies to be
commissioned to support
technical requirements

Clubs are undertaking early
dialogue with National
Governing Bodies to introduce
the scheme and obtain
feedback

Council officers are maintaining
relationships with Sport
England

Clubs are committed to raise
funds to show partnership
contributions

Council S106 funds have been
highlighted as contributions
towards improvements at the
site
Council vision for
Down Grange
unachievable

Clubs unable to
accommodate
growth and meet
aspirations

Council vision for
Down Grange
unachievable
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8.4
HR Issues
8.4.1
There are no direct HR issues arising from this report.
8.5
Equalities
8.5.1
When taking into account the Public Sector Equality Duty and the requirements of
the Equality Act 2010, this project is positive for all protected characteristic
groups.
8.5.2
Additionally, the consultation information will be analysed to consider the types of
groups that have responded and whether any particular needs have been
identified. This analysis will help inform the project proposals for the planning
application.
8.6
Legal Implications
8.6.1
There are not any legal implications at this stage of the process.
8.7
Communication and Consultation
8.7.1
Following the initial consultant as described in section 5 of this report, service
users, residents and other interested parties will be kept informed during the
process as appropriate.
8.8
Any Other Implications
8.8.1
None at present
9
Communication and Consultation
9.1
The outcome of public consultation is covered in the body of this report and at
Appendix 1.
9.2
There is ongoing engagement by the council with the clubs, stakeholders and
ward members.
9.3
The Community, Environment and Partnerships Committee has requested a
review of participation in sport and physical activity (including Down Grange)
which will be considered at their meeting in June 2015. This discussion will help
inform the planning and funding applications.
10
Conclusion
10.1
By progressing in accordance with the proposals in this report, the council aims to
facilitate a collaborative approach working towards the delivery of further
improvements.
10.2
The commitment to support the planning process provides the vehicle to pull all
parties together to work on a joint approach that would reap the best chance of
success, now and in the future.
10.3
Ultimately it is hoped that the proposed improvements would allow the existing
clubs to continue to thrive and to raise the profile of the town, contributing
towards council plan objectives to support the provision of quality sport and
recreation facilities and its contribution to local profile and economic prosperity
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10.4
The scheme would provide enhancements to a “flagship” facility thus
demonstrating the council’s commitment and reputation for quality and high levels
of customer satisfaction.
10.5
If the project does obtain planning consent and secure the necessary funds, a
further report will be presented to seek approval to release the funds to implement
the works.
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