Merton Playing Pitch Strategy with Needs Assessment Appendix_v.1.0

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

• Partners: Top listed partner is identified as lead partner
• Resources: Key resource implications (time and money)
• Timescale: Short: 0–2 yrs. Medium: 2-5 yrs. Long 5-10 yrs.
• Priority: Low, Medium and High, depending on overall impact for sports

participation
• Acronyms: LBM (London Borough of Merton Council), SCFA (Surrey County

Football Association), FF (Football Foundation), ECB (England & Wales Cricket
Board), SCCB (Surrey County Cricket Board), IOG (Institute of Groundsmanship),
LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), EH (England Hockey), RFU (Rugby Football
Union), CC (cricket club), HC (hockey club), FC (football club).

5.3.5 All costs are estimated, based on 4global desktop research and consultation with industry
experts. These are not based on firm pricing or quotes from reputable contractors, unless
stated otherwise.

5.3.6 All maintenance costs represent the full cost for maintaining the pitches. They do not,
therefore, reflect any maintenance that is currently being undertaken at the site and the cost
incurred for these services. In reality, the cost for additional maintenance would be reflected
by an increase of the current maintenance cost, rather than the full price stated as part of
this action plan.

5.3.7 There is not unlimited funding to invest in sports facilities, for any of the identified partners.
As a result, actions have been prioritised on sites that are currently either not fit-for-purpose,
showing a deficit of provision, or those that represent a viable investment opportunity that will
significantly increase the quality, quantity or accessibility of sports provision in Merton.

5.3.8 Any stakeholders/ partners identified with the action plan below are included as key
organisations involved in or assisting with the delivery of the action. Having an organisation
stated as being a ‘stakeholder/ partner’ for an action does not necessarily commit them to
contributing financially toward the project. The decision of funding a project will be subject to
negotiation between the stakeholders/ partners and will be dependent on the priorities and
policies of the organisations involved.

5.3.9 To provide the council and Steering Group with a clear identification of ‘strategic’ investment
priorities across the study area, high profile strategic investment projects have been
identified overleaf in bold. These projects are likely to be limited in number due to their size
but will deliver a significant level of benefit for grass-roots sport and physical activity. These
projects are likely to cost approximately £250,000 or more and will include a number of
different stakeholders and funding partners.

Page 49 of 248

Table 5.1: Merton’s PPS Action Plan

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Abbey Recreation Colliers Cricket - Site is over Inve
Ground Wood and Enhance capacity. NTP
som
South Rugby / The site has been the f
Wimbledon Football - provisionally
Provide allocated as a Add
All England Club Raynes London Cricket pitch
Community Sports Park Tennis - Trust site for NTP the A
Ground Protect investment. site
There is a lack of facil
All England Lawn Football - winter sport pitches site
Tennis and Croquet Wimbledon Enhance in the area, acce
Club especially with the
Football - loss of Blagdons Upd
Archbishop Tenison Raynes Enhance Sports Ground from spor
Sports Ground Park Tennis - community use
Enhance Site is designated Ass
Colliers Wood Colliers as 'open space' with
which is refu
Recreation Ground Wood and inappropriate for the repl
venue and
ade
Poor quality cha
ancillary facility
with a leaking roof Add
and inadequate goal
DDA and multiple
gender changing. Res

Youth 11v11
matches taking
place on adult
pitches
The site has been
identified as having

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

estigate adding an LBM, ECB, £10,000 Short Medium
P to the site for offset SCCB
me match play from
fine turf wickets

d a winter sports AELTC, LBM, Officer time Medium Medium
h to site allocated on SCFA, RFU and between
AELTC plans for the £0-£240,000
with the necessary
lities to make the
community
essible.

date to 'international LBM, AELTC Officer Time Short Medium
rting venue'

sess the ancillary Old £100,000- Short High
h a view to Tenisonians, £250,000
urbishing or SCFA, ECB, Short Medium
lacing the facilities £3,000 Short Medium
d providing LBM £20,000
equate WC and
anging facilities. Old
Tenisonians,
d mobile youth 11v11 SCFA, LBM
l posts to the site
LBM, LTA
surface the courts

Page 50 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Commons South poor quality tennis
Extension Wimbledon courts

Cottenham Park Football - The site has Incre
Enhance inadequate parking capa
facilities nego
agre
neig
Prim
loca

Football - Lack of parking Incre
Enhance capacity on site capa

Wimbledon Football - Match cancellations Impr
Enhance due to poor on s
Raynes drainage on site
Park Football - Inve
Provide Lack of 3G opp
Football – facilities in the one
Enhance area 3G A

Cricket - Ancillary facility in Refu
Enhance need of room
refurbishment
Cricket - Poor quality Asse
Enhance ancillary facility with
without showers or refu
washing facilities the f
and inadequate prov
storage to allow show
multiple site users chan
to happily co-exist enha
Exp
The site has been of ad
provisionally site
allocated as a dem
London Cricket wick

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

ease parking LBM, SCFA Officer Time Medium Low
acity on site by
otiating an LBM, FF, the £50,000 Medium Medium
eement between the Royal Borough £70,000
ghbouring Singlegate Short Medium
mary School and of Kingston- Up to
al football clubs upon-Thames £1,850,000 Short High
LBM, FF, SCFA Up to £10,000
ease parking Short Medium
acity on site FF, LBM, £135,000
SCFA Short Medium
roved maintenance Officer Time
site FF, LBM, SCFA (£10,000 to Short Medium
add NTP)
estigate the LBM, ECB,
portunity of adding SCCB
e or two full-sized
AGPs to this site LBM, ECB,
SCCB
urbish changing
ms

ess the ancillary
h a view to
urbishing or replacing
facilities and
viding adequate WC,
wering and
nging facilities plus
ancing storage.
plore the opportunity
dding an NTP on

to help off-set
mand on the fine turf
kets

Page 51 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Trust site for NTP
investment.

Mitcham Cricket Mitcham Tennis - Poor quality Res
Green Mitcham Enhance surface and lack area
of floodlighting dam
Dundonald Wimbledon Cricket - cou
Recreation Ground Protect The land on which acce
the pavilion sits has fenc
Cricket - been purchased by con
Enhance a private entity with Prot
a view to adding a deve
Cricket & hotel to the site cent
Football - succ
Enhance The pavilion is in the c
need of shou
Cricket - refurbishment and loca
Enhance redesign which
the ECB are The
working with the con
club to do the
Ancillary facility is in and
a condition that pav
does not meet the
expectations of Refu
users facil
The site has been
provisionally Exp
allocated as a of ad
London Cricket site
Trust site for NTP dem
investment. wick

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

surface / repair LTA, LBM £300,000 Short High
as of isolated root High
mage, & floodlight LBM, ECB, Officer Time Short High
urts. Provide gate SCCB,
ess (weld mesh
cing in good Landowner
ndition)
tect the pavilion from
elopment due to its
trality to the
cessful running of
club. The pavilion
uld stay in its current
ation.

e ECB should ECB, Mitcham £500,000 - Medium
ntinue to work with CC, SCCB, £750,000
LBM
club to refurbish
d improve their
vilion

urbish ancillary ECB, SCFA, £60,000 Short Medium
lity SCCB, LBM

plore the opportunity LBM, Merton Officer Time Short Medium
dding an NTP on CC, ECB, (£10,000 to
to help off-set SCCB add NTP)

mand on the fine turf
kets

Page 52 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Farm Road Morden Cricket - Outfield is of poor Wor
Mitcham Enhance quality iden
Harris Academy Morden Tennis - impr
Merton Enhance Surface identified inter
Harris Academy as requiring Res
Morden Football - resurfacing and
Enhance acce
Football pitch is
Cricket - considered to be of Impr
Provide poor quality is re
addi
Hockey - Lack of pitches main
Enhance & across the
borough to meet Loo
Protect demand cric
inst
Hockey - AGP surface incl
Enhance & reported to be of drai
insufficient quality outf
Protect for hockey use pitc
Rep
AGP surface surfa
reported to be of Hoc
insufficient quality surfa
for hockey use secu
com
club
capa
boro
Rep
surfa
Hoc
surfa
secu
com
club

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/ Short Medium
rk with Idverde to Medium Medium
ntify and carryout ECB, SCCB, Costs
rovement IOG, LBM £20,000 Short Low
rventions £70,000
surface the courts LTA, LBM Short Medium
£10,000
provide gated LBM, SCFA Short Medium
ess £300,000
ECB, SCFA, Short High
roved pitch drainage and Tooting £150,000 -
equired at this site in and Mitcham £250,000
ition to enhanced Community
ntenance. £150,000 -
Centre £250,000
ok to progress
cket pitch EH, Harris
tallation at this site Academy Trust
luding new
inage scheme for EH, Harris
field / football Academy Trust
ches.
place the AGP
ace with another
ckey appropriate
ace and negotiate
urity of access for
mmunity hockey
bs to boost secured
acity within the
ough
place the AGP
ace with another
ckey appropriate
ace and negotiate
urity of access for
mmunity hockey
bs to boost secured

Page 53 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

capa
boro

Haydon’s Road Colliers Cricket - The site is very Add
Recreation Ground Wood and Enhance close to being help
overplayed. the f
South Cricket &
Wimbledon Tennis - The site has been Asse
Enhance provisionally with
Hillcross Primary Morden allocated as a refu
School Tennis - London Cricket the f
Enhance Trust site for NTP prov
Hollymount Primary Raynes investment. and
School Park Football -
Enhance The site's ancillary Exp
John Innes Colliers facilities are of re
Recreation Ground Wood and Football - considered to be in cour
Enhance a poor condition
South and require Add
Wimbledon Cricket - refurbishment goal
Protect
The site's tennis Rep
courts are disused surfa
surfa
Youth 11v11 Wor
matches taking prov
place on adult secu
pitches site
Poor quality 3G year
AGP surface (small
sided)

The site is used by
Merton CC for all
demand, but the
club do not have

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/
acity within the
ough Costs

d an NTP on site to ECB, LBM, £10,000 Short Low
p off-set demand on SCCB
fine turf wickets

ess the ancillary ECB, LTA, LBM Officer Time Medium Medium
h a view to (£10,000- Long Medium
urbishing or replacing 250,000
facilities and
viding adequate WC depending on
the works
changing facilities. required)

plore the opportunity LTA, LBM Officer Time
eintroducing tennis (around
rts on this site
£210,000 if
actioned)

d mobile youth 11v11 FF, Hillcross £3,000 Short Medium
l posts to the site Primary

place the AGP Hollymount £160,000 Medium Low
ace with a better Primary, LBM, High
ace Officer Time Short
SCFA
rk with the club to
vide long term LBM, Merton
urity of tenure on the CC, ECB,
for a minimum of 30 SCCB
rs

Page 54 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

any security of
tenure on site

Joseph Hood Raynes Cricket - Club report a strong Sup
Recreation Ground Park Enhance desire for improved acqu
Cricket - net facilities on s
Enhance Sup
Club has a desire to amb
Cricket - extend the bar and anci
Enhance update the inside of
the ancillary facility Add
Tennis – The site is help
Enhance overplayed for the f
cricket at present.
Cricket & Res
Bowls - The site has been gate
Enhance provisionally
allocated as a Asse
Cricket - London Cricket with
Provide Trust site for NTP refu
investment. the f
Court surface has prov
been identified as and
being in need of Exp
resurfacing of ad
turf
Ancillary facility is in on th
a condition that
does not meet the
expectations of
users

The site has
potential to help
support cricket in
the borough by

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

pport the club in LBM, Merton £70,000 Medium Medium
uiring practice nets CC, ECB,
sites SCCB £10,000 Medium Low

pport the club in its LBM, Merton
bition to improve the CC, ECB,
illary facilities SCCB

d an NTP on site to LBM, Merton £10,000 Short Medium
p off-set demand on CC, ECB,
fine turf wickets. SCCB

surface and provide LBM, LTA £100,000 Medium Medium
e access to the court

ess the ancillary LBM, ECB, FF, Officer Time Short Medium
h a view to SCCB (£10,000- Short Medium
urbishing or replacing 250,000
facilities and LBM, Merton
viding adequate WC CC, ECB, depending on
SCCB the works
changing facilities. required)

plore the opportunity Officer Time
dding an 8 pitch fine (£60,000-
square and an NTP £100,000)
his site

Page 55 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

adding a further
pitch.

Cricket - The site has been Impr
Enhance provisionally main
allocated as a betw
Football - London Cricket
Enhance Trust site for NTP Add
investment. goal
Football - Outfield overlaps
Enhance with football and is Impr
not sufficiently main
Cricket & refurbished with
Football - between seasons drain
Enhance Youth 11v11 Exp
matches taking to w
Tennis – place on adult this
Enhance pitches path
Reb
Football - Poor drainage on and
Provide football pitches both
Inve
Site is accessed via opp
a long single track one
entry AGP

Block of 2 courts
remains in poor
condition.

Lack of 3G
facilities in the
area

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

rove recovery LBM, ECB, £10,000- Short Low
ntenance works SCCB, FF, IOG 20,000
ween seasons

d mobile youth 11v11 FF, LBM £3,000 Short Medium
l posts to the site
£10,000-
rove quality of LBM, FF 20,000 Short Medium
ntenance on site
h a view to improving LBM £40,000 Short Low
nage on site
plore the opportunity Harris Academy 105,000 Medium Medium
widen entry to make (Wimbeldon),
entry a two-way LTA Up to Short High
h FF, LBM, £925,000
SCFA
build 2 court block
add gate access to

h blocks of courts

estigate the
portunity of adding
e full-sized 3G
Ps to this site

Page 56 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

King Georges Morden Football – Ancillary facility in Refu
Playing Fields Enhance need of room
Raynes Football - refurbishment
King's College Park Enhance Youth 9v9 matches Add
School Sports taking place on goal
Ground Mitcham Football & youth 11v11 pitches
Cricket - Asse
Lavender Park Enhance Ancillary facility is in with
a condition that refu
Cricket - does not meet the the f
Enhance expectations of prov
users and
Football -
Provide The site is Add
overplayed for help
Hockey – cricket at present the f
Protect Sup
The school is its p
Rugby - looking to add a on t
Protect 3G AGP on the com
site pea
even
There is a lack of wee
hockey appropriate The
AGP in the pitch
borough. prot
alloc
Site used for Wor
community rugby prov
but on an secu
unsecured basis site
year

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/
urbish changing
ms Costs

FF, LBM, SCFA Up to £10,000 Short Medium

d mobile youth 9v9 FF, LBM £3,000 Short Medium
l posts to the site Officer Time Short Medium
Short Medium
ess the ancillary LBM, ECB, FF, (£10,000- Short Medium
h a view to SCCB 250,000
urbishing or replacing depending on Short High
facilities and LBM, ECB, the works
viding adequate WC SCCB required) Short High
£10,000
changing facilities. Kings College
School, LBM, £965,000
d an NTP on site to
p off-set demand on SCFA Officer time
fine turf wickets
pport the school in Kings College Officer Time
pursuit of this pitch School,
the condition of England
mmunity access at Hockey
ak-times at
nings and LBM, Old
ekends Rutshilians
e school’s hockey RFC, RFU
h should be
tected from re-
cation as a 3G pitch
rk with the club to
vide long term
urity of tenure on the
for a minimum of 30
rs

Page 57 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

(Former) LESSA Raynes Rugby - Ancillary facility is in Asse
Sports Ground Park Enhance a condition that with
Liberty Primary does not meet the refu
School Mitcham Cricket – expectations of the f
Memorial Ground Provide users prov
Raynes Park Raynes and
Park Rugby - Lack of pitches
Messines Field Protect across the borough Inve
Raynes to meet demand poss
Mitcham Cricket Park Football - crick
Green Enhance Site used for anci
Mitcham community rugby park
Cricket - but on an Wor
Provide unsecured basis prov
secu
Cricket - Youth 9v9 matches site
Protect taking place on year
youth 11v11 pitches
Add
Lack of pitches goal
across the
borough to meet Inve
demand pos
inst
The land on which cric
the pavilion sits has site
been purchased by use
a private entity with
a view to adding a Prot
hotel to the site deve
cent
succ
the c
shou
loca

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/ Short Medium

ess the ancillary LBM, Old Costs Short Medium
h a view to Rutshilians Officer Time Short Medium
urbishing or replacing RFC, RFU Short Medium
facilities and (£10,000- Short Medium
viding adequate WC LBM, ECB, 250,000
SCCB depending on
changing facilities. the works
Old Rutshilians required)
estigate the RFC, Liberty
sibility of installing a Officer Time
ket pitch and Primary School,
illary facilities and RFU Officer Time
king at this site
rk with the club to LBM, FF £3,000
vide long term
urity of tenure on the Officer time
for a minimum of 30 (£300,000 –
rs 600,000 if

d mobile youth 9v9 realised)
l posts to the site
Officer Time
estigate the ECB, LBM, Short High
ssibility of Lycée
talling one or two Français
cket pitches at this school
e for community
e LBM, ECB,
SCCB,
tect the pavilion from
elopment due to its Landowner
trality to the
cessful running of
club. The pavilion
uld stay in its current
ation.

Page 58 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Mitcham Cricket - The pavilion is in The
Enhance need of con
Morden Cricket Morden refurbishment and the
Club Cricket - redesign which and
Protect the ECB are pav
Morden Park Morden working with the
Tennis - club to do Asse
Morden Recreation Morden Enhance with
Ground Ancillary facility is in refu
Rugby - a’ poor’ condition the f
(Former) Natwest Wimbledon Protect and does not meet prov
Sports Ground the expectations of and
Rugby - users
Enhance Exp
The site's tennis opp
Rugby - courts are disused rein
Enhance cou
Site used for Wor
Cricket – community rugby prov
Provide but on an secu
unsecured basis site
year
Ancillary facility is
in a condition that Rep
does not meet the faci
expectations of ade
users club

Pitch quality is not Incre
sufficient to meet on s
clubs demand over
dam
Lack of pitches Inve
across the pos
borough to meet inst
demand cric

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

e ECB should ECB, Mitcham £500,000 - Medium High
ntinue to work with CC, SCCB, £750,000
LBM
club to refurbish
d improve their
vilion

ess the ancillary LBM, Morden Officer Time Short Medium
h a view to CC, ECB, (£10,000-
urbishing or replacing SCCB 250,000
facilities and
viding adequate WC LBM, LTA depending on
the works
changing facilities. LBM, Merton required)
RFC, RFU
plore the £365,000 Medium Medium
portunity of LBM, Merton
ntroducing tennis RFC, RFU Officer Time Short High
urts on this site
rk with the club to LBM, Merton £240,000- Medium High
vide long term RFC, RFU £400,000
urity of tenure on the
ECB, LBM, £10,000 Short Medium
for a minimum of 30 Ruach Short Medium
rs Ministries Officer time
(£300,000 –
place the ancillary 600,000 if
ility with a facility
equate for the realised)
b's needs

ease maintenance
site to prevent
rplay and pitch
mage
estigate the
ssibility of
talling one or two
cket pitches at this

Page 59 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Nursery Road site
Playing Fields use

Raynes Football & Ancillary facility is in Asse
Park Cricket - a condition that with
Enhance does not meet the refu
expectations of the f
Football & users prov
Cricket - and
Enhance Car parking surface
is considered to be Res
poor quality

Tennis - Lack of floodlighting Asse
Enhance on tennis courts suita
flood

Oakleigh Way Mitcham Tennis - Poor quality surface Res
Recreation Ground Enhance condition
Raynes Impr
Old Blues Rugby Park Rugby - Training facility is main
Football Club Enhance overplayed with
drain

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/
e for community
e Costs

ess the ancillary LBM, FF, ECB Officer Time Short Medium
h a view to (£10,000-
urbishing or replacing 250,000
facilities and
viding adequate WC depending on
the works
changing facilities. required)

surface car park LBM £40,000 Medium Low

ess the site's LBM, LTA Officer Time Short Low
ability for (25,000
dlighting
depending on
the works
required)

surface the courts LBM, LTA £20,000 Short Medium
£10,000 Short Medium
rove quality of Old Blues RFC,
ntenance on site RFU
h a view to improving
nage on site

Page 60 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Rugby - The rugby club is Iden
Protect to be removed the
from the site by incl
the school Ray
Res
Old Emmanuel Raynes Ten
Rugby Club Park othe
(Blagdon's Sports site
Ground) Ray
Gro

Cricket – The club are Sup
Protect / understood to be iden
Enhance losing access to hom
this site as a home in M
ground

Old Rutlishians Colliers Rugby - Pitch quality is not Enh
Association Wood and Enhance sufficient to meet on th
club's demand incre
South Rugby - capa
Wimbledon Enhance Ancillary facility is
in a condition that Ass
does not meet the with
expectations of refu
users repl
and
ade
cha

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/ Short High
ntify a new site for
rugby club, RFU, LBM, Old Costs
luding the site of Emmanuel’s Officer Time
ynes Park RFC (potentially
sidents Lawn £270,000 for 2
nnis Club and any pitches plus a
er appropriate
es including further
ynes Park Sports £400,000 -
ound. £800,000 for a
new club
house on site
plus £60,000

for
appropriate
floodlighting)
Officer time

pport the club in ECB, SCCB (potentially up Short High
ntifying a new and LBM to £500,000 - Short Medium
me site for cricket £800,000 for a
Merton. cricket pitch
plus a further
hance maintenance
he club’s pitch to £400,000 -
ease carrying £800,000 for a
acity
sess the ancillary new club
h a view to house on site.
urbishing or
lacing the facilities Old Rutshilians £10,000
d providing RFC, RFU
equate WC and
anging facilities. Old Officer Time Medium High
Rutshilians (£240,000-
RFC, RFU £400,000)

Page 61 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Old Wimbledonians Raynes Rugby - The pitches are not Enh
Association Park Enhance of sufficient quality on th
to meet the club's incre
Raynes Park Sports Raynes Cricket & demand capa
Ground Park Rugby - Ass
Enhance Ancillary facility is with
in a condition that refu
Rugby - does not meet the repl
Enhance expectations of and
users ade
Football - cha
Enhance The club is believed
to be interest in Exp
Football, taking over the with
Rugby, Cricket neighbouring unde
Raynes Park Sports inten
- Enhance Ground wou

Rugby – The site is Wor
Enhance significantly (see
overplayed som
neig
The ancillary is not Run
managed by any bidd
entity at this time dete
pote
The top pitch on the the a
site has poor
drainage which Insta
requires artificial to th
drainage to be site.
installed

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/ Short Medium
hance maintenance
he club’s pitch to Old Rutshilians Costs Medium High
ease carrying RFC, RFU £20,000 -
acity £30,000 Short Medium
sess the ancillary Old
h a view to Rutshilians Officer Time Short High
urbishing or RFC & CC, (£240,000-
lacing the facilities ECB, RFU £400,000) Short High
d providing
equate WC and LBM, RFU, Officer Time
anging facilities. ECB, SCFA,
Officer Time
plore opportunities Old
h the club to Wimbledonians, Officer Time
erstand future
ntions and how this Raynes Park
uld be managed RFC

rk with local clubs LBM, SCFA
e table 3.13) to offset
me demand to LBM
ghbouring sites
n a competitive
ding programme to
ermine which
ential operator to run
ancillary building.

all artificial drainage RFU and LBM £80,000 Short High
he top-pitch of the
.

Page 62 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Raynes Park Vale Raynes Football - Ancillary facilities Ass
FC Park Enhance are causing high with
amount of latent refu
Ricards Lodge High Wimbledon Football - demand for the repl
School Enhance club. and
ade
Rutlish School Colliers Hockey - The entrance to the cha
Wood and Enhance site is a long single
track road. Wid
South Cricket - for t
Wimbledon Protect The site is easi
considered to
Sir Joseph Hood Raynes Rugby - have a very poor Loo
Memorial Playing Park Protect quality surface pos
Fields Tennis - and a lack of floo
Enhance floodlights on site and
Football - refu
Enhance The site is well used
but not secured for Wor
Cricket - community use Old
Enhance nego
The site is well used tenu
but not secured for Wor
community use Old
nego
Poor quality surface tenu
condition
Youth 9v9 &11v11 Res
matches taking
place on adult Add
pitches and
the s
The site has been
provisionally Exp
allocated as a of ad
London Cricket site
dem
wick

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/
sess the ancillary Short High
h a view to LBM, Raynes Costs
urbishing or Park Vale FC, Medium Low
lacing the facilities Officer Time
d providing SCFA (£240,000- Short Low
equate WC and £400,000)
anging facilities. LBM, Raynes Short High
Park Vale FC, £40,000
den the track to allow Short High
two cars to pass FF £250,000
ily Short High
EH, Ricards Officer Time
ok into the Lodge High
ssibility of adding Officer Time
odlights to the site School
d resurfacing / £100,000
urbishing the pitch Old Rutshilians
CC, Rutlish £10,000
rk will the school and School, ECB
Rutshilians CC Officer Time
otiate security of Old Rutshilians (£10,000 to
ure CC, Rutlish add NTP)
rk will the school and School, RFU
Rutshilians RFC
otiate security of LTA, LBM
ure

surface the courts

d mobile youth 9v9 LBM, FF Short Medium
11v11 goal posts to
site LBM, Merton Short Medium
CC, ECB,
plore the opportunity SCCB
dding an NTP on
to help off-set

mand on the fine turf
kets (this maybe a

Page 63 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

St Catherine's Raynes Football - Trust site for NTP Lond
Football Ground Park Enhance investment. NTP
St Marks Academy Und
Mitcham Football - Playing surface enha
Enhance enhancements iden
identified as being Loca
Football - required by FF Plan
Enhance
Youth 9v9 & 11v11 Add
Hockey - matches taking and
Enhance & place on adult the s
pitches
Protect Und
Playing surface enha
enhancements iden
identified as being Loca
required by FF Plan

The site has a Wor
hockey AGP which to op
is not used by the for c
community

Tamworth Road Mitcham Tennis – The courts surfaces Res
Recreation Ground Enhance are considered to gate
be of poor quality
Cricket -
The Wimbledon Wimbledon Enhance The club is short of Wor
Club practice net facilities reali
Tennis - and has plans to re- furth
Enhance orientate its existing to th
nets and to add a
further two nets. Sup
The club has plans reali
to re-orientate its an a
existing stand-alone
indoor court to

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/
don Cricket Open Short Medium
P). FF, SCFA, LBM Costs Short Medium
dertake pitch Short Medium
ancements as LBM, Westside Up to £10,000 Short Medium
ntified in the Merton Boys FC, FF dependent on
al Football Facilities the scope of
n FF, SCFA
the works
d mobile youth 9v9
11v11 goal posts to £10,000
site
Up to £10,000
dertake pitch dependent on
ancements as the scope of
ntified in the Merton
al Football Facilities the works
n

rk with the academy EH, St Marks Officer Time
pen up this facility Academy, Local
community use
hockey clubs

surface and provide LTA, LBM 100,000 Short Medium
e access

rk with the club to The Wimbledon £60,000 Short Medium
ise its plans to add a Club, ECB, NA Short Medium
her two practice nets SCCB
he site

pport the club in The Wimbledon

ising its plans to add Club, LTA,

additional court AELTC, LBM

Page 64 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

Three Kings Piece Mitcham Football - create a larger hall Impr
Enhance and add an extra on s
Tooting and Morden court over
Mitcham Wimbledon Football - dam
Community Sports Protect The pitches on site
Club do not have Wor
Wimbledon Park Football - adequate capacity esta
Provide to meet demand 30 y
Football – The site is used
Enhance exclusively by Inve
Mitcham Park FC, opp
Football - but the club has no one
Protect security of tenure AGP
on site. Refu
Water sports room
and Athletics - Lack of 3G
facilities in the Wor
Protect area iden
stre
Ancillary facility in for s
need of
refurbishment Prot
The main priority the f
for the site at the they
moment is to cond
establish a two- attra
story DDA
compliant
ancillary facility
for the AGP at the
rear of the site

These are the only
facilities of this type
in Merton.

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/

Costs

rove maintenance FF, LBM, £20,000 Short High
site to prevent Mitcham Park
rplay and pitch
mage FC

rk with the club to LBM, Mitcham Officer Time Short High
ablish a minimum of Park FC, FF
years security on site

estigate the FF, LBM, Up to Short High
portunity of adding SCFA £925,000 Short Medium
e full-sized 3G
Ps to this site FF, LBM, SCFA Up to £10,000

urbish changing
ms

rk with the club to Tooting and £240,000- Medium High
ntify funding Mitcham £400,000
eams and finance
such a project Community
Sports Club,

FF

tect these sites for LBM Officer Time Long High
future and ensure
y remain in adequate
dition to be
active to users

Page 65 of 248

Site Name Subarea Action ID/Ref Issue / opportunity Key

United Westminster Raynes Tennis – 10x poor quality Loo
Sports Ground Park Enhance courts on the site of c
can
Wimbledon Rugby Wimbledon Tennis – Lack of floodlight and
Football Club Enhance park courts in cou
Merton
Cricket - Exp
Provide Lack of pitches for f
across the mac
Rugby - borough to meet
Provide demand Inve
pos
Cricket - Site has plans to inst
Provide add a WR22 3G to cric
the site anc
this
Lack of pitches com
across the Wor
borough to meet fina
demand this
con
com
neig
Inve
pos
inst
the
this

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

y Action(s) Stakeholders Indicative Timing Priority
/Partners Resources/
ok into the covering
courts with a LTA, LBM Costs
nopy (if possible)
d resurfacing the LTA, LBM 750,000 - Short High
urts 250,000
ECB, LBM,
plore opportunities Westminster 100,000 Short High
floodlights to the 10
cadam courts School Officer time Short High
(£300,000 –
estigate the RFU,
ssibility of Wimbledon 600,000 if
talling one or two
cket pitches and RFC realised)
cillary facilities at
s site for ECB, LBM, Officer Time Medium High
mmunity use Wimbledon (£950,000)
rk with the club to RFC
ance and realise Officer time Short Medium
s facility on the (£300,000 – if
ndition of
mmunity access for realised)
ghbouring clubs
estigate the
ssibility of
talling / reinstating

cricket pitch at
s site.

Page 66 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

Section 6: Delivering the Playing Pitch Strategy

Page 67 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

6 Delivering the Playing Pitch Strategy

6.1.1 To facilitate the development of sport and physical activity across Merton, it is advised that the
Steering Group, set up as part of the PPS project, continues to work together to deliver the
recommendations defined as part of this strategy.

6.1.2 The success of a PPS will be determined by how it is used. It is recommended that the

delivery of the strategy is led by the council, with close support by the steering group that has
been developed as part of this project. Further guidance is provided in Sport England’s PPS

Guidance in the form of the Stage E commentary and associated checklist. Further detail on
how a PPS can be used is included in Technical Appendix G – Applying the PPS.

6.2 Keeping the PPS relevant and up-to-date

6.2.1 To ensure that the PPS stays relevant and continues to support stakeholders in the delivery of
sport and physical activity facility investment and development, an annual review should be
undertaken. This review, which if undertaken regularly will have a reduced scope than the full
PPS, will allow the steering group to review progress against the PPS recommendations and
action plan. The review will also identify any emerging issues and apply any lessons learnt
through recent development or investment projects.

6.2.2 Through the development of the PPS, data has been stored and analysed on the 4 global PPS
Platform, which has up to date supply and demand data for pitch sports across the borough.
This data is available to the council and it is recommended that this is used as the starting
point for future strategy refresh projects.

Figure 5.1: Merton council Playing Pitch Platform

Page 68 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

6.2.3 In the short term, it is advised that the council sets up an implementation group (which should
be a continuation of steering group set up as part of the PPS), to co-ordinate preparation of a
short-term action plan. The PPS has identified, on a site by site and sub-area level, the needs
for pitch and ancillary provision across Merton. Where the current level of supply does not
meet the current or future needs of residents for specific sports, pitch typologies and
ancillaries have been identified as requiring further capacity to meet demand.

6.2.4 In order to provide this additional capacity, guidance has been provided as to whether the
steering group and partner organisations should look to;

• Enhance existing pitches to increase their capacity and ensure adequate
maintenance to maintain the higher use, and/or

• Secure greater community access to sites and undertake necessary works to allow
for such use to occur, and/or

• Provide new playing pitches on new sites (natural or artificial grass pitches).

6.2.5 Where the third option has been recommended, further guidance is available from Sport
England and National Governing Bodies to advise on the best course of action for local
authorities and delivery organisations.

6.3 Securing additional or improved pitch provision through development

6.3.1 In addition to the specific site by site recommendations identified throughout needs
assessment, it is also key that the strategy provides a clear approach to securing playing pitch
provision in the case new development, or utilising Section 106 (S106) of Community
Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions to improve the quantity or accessibility of existing
provision.

6.3.2 It is important to note that for any contribution secured through S106, a clear and tailored
approach is required, to demonstrate how the contribution will be used to benefit residents.
Specifically, the PPS’s evidence base and action plan should be used to justify the need
arising from the specific development and how these are to be met.

6.3.3 While S106 investment should typically be used for improvement projects nearby new
development, or for developing new provision on new sites, CIL contributions are typically
more appropriate for key strategic investment projects.

6.3.4 It should be noted the LB Merton council’s Regulation 123 list (available on the council’s
website) assumes all publicly owned leisure facilities will be supported through CIL rather than
S106.

6.3.5 The graphic overleaf and associated commentary identifies the stages that should be
followed, when utilising the PPS to secure additional or improved pitch provision through
development.

Page 69 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

Figure 5.2: Securing additional or improved pitch provision through development

6.3.6 Although the population of a single development may not in itself generate the demand for a
full pitch, it will still generate additional demand which should be quantified and be met.

6.4 Using the Community Infrastructure Levy to invest in pitch sport provision

6.4.1 If a Local Authority uses CIL to invest in community projects, there are a range of resources
available to support the development of these investment cases, alongside the evidence from
this PPS.

6.4.2 Sport England continue to keep the advice note for CIL and Planning Obligations updated3,
with the latest version found on the organisation’s website. The following key points have been

updated and are particularly relevant to the outcomes of this PPS.

Top tips for using CIL
• Develop and maintain a robust and up to date evidence base for sporting provision.

3 https://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-
guidance/community-infrastructure-levy-and-planning-obligations-advice-note/

Page 70 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

6.4.3 • Use the evidence base to:
• Estimate the nature and level of needs that may be generated from new

development(s) for sporting provision;
• establish clear deliverable actions (with associated costs) that have the potential to

help meet the needs that will be generated from new development in the area.
• Based on the nature of the actions, the level of new development in an area, and

the realistic ability to secure investment into sport through CIL or planning
obligations, decide how best to use CIL and planning obligations alongside one
another to deliver sporting infrastructure and to support development.
• Where CIL is in place ensure any sporting provision to be placed on the Reg 123 list
is:
• Project specific so it does not unnecessarily restrict the use of planning obligations;
• focused on high level priority projects of a strategic nature that CIL has potential to
deliver rather than a long list of projects that CIL will never be able to fund. This will
allow the potential for other projects to be funded by planning obligations;
• backed by strong high level officer and political support within the LA so that there is
some confidence that CIL funds will be directed to the sporting provision.
• Where CIL is not in place, or where the wording of a Reg 123 list allows for the use
of planning obligations, ensure that:
• any obligations sought are based on a tailored approach to each development,
using the robust evidence base to help with clearly justifying the needs arising and
how they are to be met;
• a proactive approach is taken to planning for the use of planning obligations in the
context of the current pooling restrictions (i.e. as far as is practical matching specific
developments to identified projects). This could be through the use of a Planning
Obligations SPD which identifies potential projects from a playing pitch strategy or
sports facility strategy that could help meet the need arising from planned
developments in a Local Plan.

Further information is available as part of Sport England’s CIL and Planning Obligations
Advice Note, however it is key to note that in relation to the 1st top tip identified above, the
development and delivery of this PPS is the first stage in utilising CIL to leverage grass roots
sport investment.

6.5 Securing additional or improved pitch provision through development

6.5.1 In addition to the new or improved pitch provision that is identified in line with the process
demonstrated above, the cost for maintenance of new facilities should also be sought for both
on-site and off-site provision. For example, where 3G facilities are installed, the carpet will
require replacement (approximately every 10 years depending on level of usage and
maintenance) and costs towards a sinking fund should also be sought.

6.5.2 Where a pitch or pitches are required on-site, this may include requiring delivery through a
planning policy and a masterplan approach for the whole area. This can ensure that enough

Page 71 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

suitable land is planned from the outset and provided at no cost. This is particularly important
where there is a need for a large land-take associated with pitches.

6.5.3 Planning policy should seek to ensure that where sites are developed in phases or through
multiple applications, and where the pitch provision is required on-site, that this provision is
coordinated and delivered by the landowners/developers. In some circumstances, a single site
for pitches serving all the development or all its phases can be required.

6.5.4 The timing and delivery of the pitches and related changing and parking facilities should be
considered in relation to development phasing to achieve a balance between ensuring
provision is in place in time to meet the needs of the residents, avoiding pressure being placed
on existing facilities, and the financial viability of the development.

6.5.5 Where there are separate developments in close proximity that taken together generate a
need for a whole pitch, contributions need to be made towards new provision or improving,
existing pitches. For new pitches, the planning policy therefore also needs to identify where
that pitch and related changing and parking facilities are to be located, how sufficient land is to
be secured, and (where known) the individual developments that need to contribute to it. This
also applies to where there is a need for a larger strategic site serving a large catchment. This
may require the developers to provide the land on-site or for the local planning authority to
identify the land through the Local Plan process.

6.6 Securing appropriate land provision from new development

6.6.1 Suitable land needs to be provided by developments, in line with the guidelines below;

• Where the investment need is for a new pitch and related changing and parking
facilities to meet the demand directly generated by the population of the new
development(s), then the developer is expected to meet all these costs. These
include provision, maintenance and land costs

• Where the demand is for the majority (50% or more) of a pitch and related changing
and parking facilities, that is to be provided on site, suitable land will be provided by
the developer at no cost, as well as the population-related proportion of the cost of
the pitch

• Where the demand is for less than 50% of a pitch and related changing and parking
facilities, that is to be provided on-site, then suitable land needs to be planned into
the development, however only a proportionate amount of this land will be provided
for free and the remainder will need to be funded from other sources (e.g. from
pooled contributions from other developments, from grants or other sources)

• Where the land cannot be provided for on-site because of proven master-planning
constraints, financial viability or other relevant reasons, then the local authority may
negotiate an appropriate alternative contribution, where this is S106 compliant.

6.7 Identifying the appropriate provision for contribution

6.7.1 As identified in the policy context for this document, the council will secure developer
contributions where appropriate towards future sports infrastructure to support future

Page 72 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

development in accordance with Local Plan policies and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
Developer contributions will primarily be sought through S106 agreements, but other funding
sources may also be secured where possible. The council will continue to work with partners
and infrastructure providers in order to secure improvements to sport infrastructure to meet
the future needs of the borough.

6.8 Calculating contributions

6.8.1 To calculate the scale of a developer’s financial contributions for the provision of pitches and
related facilities, the following should be used;

• Sport England’s Playing Pitch New Development Calculator should be used to
assess pitch and related facilities arising from specific developments. This can be
supported and evidenced by Sport England’s latest facility costs for pitches and
related facilities, as well as detailed feasibility work and support from qualified cost
consultants. The more infomation and access to latest version of this calculator can
be found here: https://www.sportengland.org/facilities-and-planning/planning-for-
sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/playing-pitch-calculator/ (please note an
authorised sign-in is required for access to the actual calculator).

• The cost of maintenance and sinking funds, where justified, should be calculated
using Sport England or NGB advice and supporting documents, however local
knowledge and previous costs from similar maintenance contracts should be
considered. Maintenance and sinking costs can also be provided by Sport
England’s ‘Lifecycle Costs’ (2017) however where specific and robust knowledge is
available it is recommended that this is used

• Where a land cost is justified this cost will be based on the local market cost for the
relevant sport/leisure land use. There may also be a need to add the cost of other
local and site-specific costs (e.g. abnormal ground conditions, site access needs
etc.)

• All costs should date related and inflation needs to be considered (e.g. if a facility is
to be delivered in three years’ time the planning condition must apply an appropriate
inflation index).

6.8.2 If the PPNCD is to be used, the council should ensure that the most recent template is used,
as financial data changes regularly. Further support is available from Sport England as
required.

Page 73 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

Section 7: Glossary of Terms

Page 74 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

7 Glossary of Terms

7.1.1 In order to fully understand the PPS, 4global have created a glossary detailing key terms and
phrases mentioned throughout. The glossary is detailed below, along with appropriate
definitions;

7.2 Acronyms

• 3G AGP: Third Generation Artificial Grass Pitch
• 4g: 4global Consulting
• AGP: Artificial Grass Pitch(es)
• APS: Active People Survey(s)
• CC: Cricket Club
• CIL: Community Infrastructure Levy
• CSP: County Sports Partnership
• ECB: England and Wales Cricket Board
• EH: England Hockey
• FA: Football Association
• FC: Football Club
• FE: Further Education
• GIS: Geographical Information Systems
• HC: Hockey Club
• HE: Higher Education
• IOG: Institute of Groundsmanship
• JFC: Junior Football Club
• LDF: Local Development Framework
• LMS: Last Man Stands
• MES: Match equivalent sessions
• NGB: National Governing Body
• NPPF: National Planning Policy Framework
• PPS: Playing Pitch Strategy
• PQS: Performance Quality Standard
• TGR: Team GenerationRate
• RFU: Rugby Football Union
• RUFC: Rugby Union Football Club
• S106: Section 106 Agreement
• U: Under.
• WR22 – Word Rugby Rule #22 compliant

7.3 Phrases

7.3.1 ‘Available for community use’- the site is known to be available to the community for use.
This information is self-evident where community clubs report using sites. Where sites are

Page 75 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

unused by the community, the availability of that site for use is captured during the
consultation with the site manager(s).

7.3.2 Carrying capacity is the amount of play a site can regularly accommodate (in the relevant
comparable unit) for community use without adversely affecting its quality and use. This is
typically outlined by the NGB.

7.3.3 Casual use or other use could take place on natural grass pitches or AGPs and include:

• Regular play from non-sports club sources (e.g. companies, schools, fitness
classes)

• Infrequent informal/friendly matches
• Informal training sessions
• More casual forms of a particular sport organised by sports clubs or other

parties
• Significant public use and informal play, particularly where pitches are

located in parks/recreation grounds.

7.3.4 Displaced demand generally relates to play by teams or other users of playing pitches from
within the borough (i.e. from residents of the borough) which takes place outside of the area.
This may be due to issues with the provision of pitches and ancillary facilities in the borough,
just reflective of how the sports are played (e.g. at a central venue for the wider area) or due
to the most convenient site for the respective users just falling outside of the local
authority/borough.

7.3.5 Flat Green Lawn Bowls is a term used to differentiate the sport from crown green bowls. Flat
green bowls is geographically more common than crown green bowls, which is more common
in the Lancashire area and in the north of England. The phrase literally refers to the sport
being played on a flat green.

7.3.6 Future demand is an informed estimate made of the likely future demand for pitches in the
borough. This is generally based on the most appropriate current and future population
projections for the relevant age and gender groupings for each sport. Key trends, local
objectives and targets and consultation also inform this figure.

7.3.7 Latent demand is demand that evidence suggests may be generated from the current
population should they have access to more or better provision. This could include feedback
from a sports club who may feel that they could set up and run an additional team if they had
access to better provision.

7.3.8 Match equivalent sessions is an appropriate comparable unit for pitch usage. For football,
rugby union and rugby league, pitches should relate to a typical week within the season and
one match = one match equivalent session if it occurs every week or 0.5 match equivalent
sessions if it occurs every other week (i.e. reflecting home and away fixtures). For cricket
pitches it is appropriate to look at the number of match equivalent sessions over the course of
a season and one match = one match equivalent session.

7.3.9 National Governing Body of Sport (NGB) - typically these are independent, self-appointed
organisations that govern their sports through the common consent of their sport. Sport

Page 76 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

England has a recognition process for NGBs that aims to identify a single lead NGB structure
which governs a sport at UK, GB or home country level.

7.3.10 Overplay is when a pitch is used over the amount that the carrying capacity will allow, (i.e.
more than the site can accommodate). Pitches have a limit of how much play they can
accommodate over a certain period of time before their quality, and in turn their use, is
adversely affected.

7.3.11 ‘Secured Community Use’ – sites can be considered ‘secured’ by satisfying either one of the
following two criteria:

• A site specific legal security of tenure agreement for continued use of the site for the
life-time of the study (a minimum of three years): Typically this comes in the form of
a lease, license or other contract that obligates of the site owner or manager to
continue to allow the community to access the site for to be used for formal
community sport in some way.

• A public playing field that is owned or managed by a Local Authority (this excludes
playing fields owned by the Local Authority but not publicly accessible such as
school fields): it is the view of Sport England that it is not necessary for an individual
club to have secure access on a public playing field such as local authority owned
site for it to be considered as secured (as set out in paragraph B10 of the Sport
England’s 2013 PPS Guidance documents). This is because many council sites
have season to season arrangements with individual clubs and it is less common in
practice for clubs to have long leases or other long term secure arrangements on
council controlled sites. To clarify further, secured access relates to community
users of pitches in general terms having secured access to sites not individual
teams/clubs.

7.3.12 Spare capacity is the amount of additional play that a pitch could potentially accommodate in
additional to current activity. There may be reasons why this potential to accommodate
additional play should not automatically be regarded as actual spare capacity, for example, a
site may be managed to regularly operate slightly below its carrying capacity, to ensure that it
can cater for a number of friendly matches and training activity. This needs to be investigated
before the capacity is deemed actual spare capacity.

7.3.13 South West London Alliance – A group of cricket stakeholders (the ECB, County Board
Staff, local authorities and other entities) tasked with addressing the specific cricket needs
arising in south west London.

7.3.14 Team Generation Rate – Provides an indication of how many people it may take to generate
a team. A TGR can be calculated by dividing the current population within an age group for a
sport by the number of teams in the area within that age group. This is then used to calculate
the number of teams that will be required in the future, to allow for future population growth or
reduction.

7.3.15 Unmet demand is demand that is known to exist but unable to be accommodated on current
supply of pitches. This could be in the form of a team with access to a pitch for matches but
nowhere to train or vice versa. This could also be due to the poor quality and therefore limited
capacity of pitches in the area and/or a lack of provision and ancillary facilities which meet a

Page 77 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

certain standard of play/league requirement. League secretaries may be aware of some
unmet demand as they may have declined applications from teams wishing to enter their
competitions due to a lack of pitch provision which in turn is hindering the growth of the
league.
7.3.16 Unsecured Community Use - these are pitches that are currently used or available for
community-use, however either these sites are not directly owned and managed by the local
authority (especially relevant to school sites) or there is no legally binding secured
management/usage agreement in place.
7.3.17 WR22 AGP is an abbreviation of World Rugby rule number 22 complaint artificial grass pitch.
It essentially refers to 3G AGPs that are suitable for full-contact rugby union.

Page 78 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

Appendix A: Sport Specific Needs Assessment

Page 79 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

8 Appendix A: Sport Specific Needs Assessment
Table of Contents: Appendix A

1 Football analysis ................................................................................................81
2 Cricket analysis ................................................................................................121
3 Rugby Union analysis ......................................................................................164
4 Hockey analysis ...............................................................................................187
5 Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) analysis ..........................................................207
6 Tennis...............................................................................................................220
7 Bowls ................................................................................................................236
8 Athletics............................................................................................................241
9 Water sports .....................................................................................................246

Page 80 of 248

Doc Status: Final
Doc Ref: Merton Playing Pitch Strategy

1 Football analysis

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 This section of the report focusses on the supply and demand for grass football pitches in Merton.
For further detail on the supply and demand of football in the borough, Technical Appendix A –
Football Analysis provides a detailed analysis of supply and demand of football in Merton, including
all the required analysis as defined in the Sport England Playing Pitch Guidance. Please note this
chapter covers only grass football pitches. There is a separate chapter for the needs assessment
for AGPs.

1.2 Strategic Priorities for the Football Association (FA)

1.2.1 The National Game Strategy for the FA (2018-2021) is based on the exciting objective of inspiring a
lifelong journey in football for all.

1.2.2 2018/19 will see the FA start to implement the first year of the National Game Strategy, building on
a growth of just under 1,000 new teams during the 2017/18 season.

1.2.3 The National Game Strategy (NGS) focusses on five initial strategic pillars, with the sixth to be
added in Year 2. These pillars are aligned to 18 Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), as shown in

the figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: FA NGS Strategic Pillars and KPI’s4

4 FA National Game Strategy 2018-2021

Page 81 of 248