This report seeks approval for the publication of an update to Wirral Council’s Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy 2021 which has been prepared as part of the suite of Local Plan evidence documents. 

Wirral Council’s existing Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy was last published in 2016.  Sport England consider such strategies, which are prepared in line with a nationally approved methodology, to be out-of-date when the data on which they are based is more than three-years old.  The 2021 update, attached to this report as Appendices 1 and 2, has been prepared in consultation with local partners and governing bodies for sport and has been endorsed by Sport England.

That the Director of Regeneration and Place approves the publication of the updated Wirral Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy 2021.

The Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy is an important document used to inform investment decisions in playing pitches and sports facilities, for making bids for funding and in the determination of planning applications.  The existing Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy is out of date.  While the 2021 update, attached to this report, has been prepared to inform the policies of the emerging Local Plan, its publication to support these activities does not need to wait for the approval of the Submission Draft (Regulation 19) Local Plan and has been requested by Sport England.

The publication of the Strategy could be delayed until the publication of the Local Plan Submission Draft (Regulation 19), but Sports England have requested that it be made available as soon as possible to assist them in offering advice to the Council on planning applications and other matters.  Its publication is also needed to enable the Council’s partners to secure appropriate investment in sport and recreation.