Outdoor sports strategy set to be approved

Published on Fri Aug 4 2023
Black and white football between orange football boots on a grass pitch

A strategy setting out the management and development of the borough’s outdoor sports facilities over the next five years is set to be approved by Burnley Council’s executive later this month.

The strategy will shape how a wide range of playing pitch and sports sites, from football and cricket to tennis, bowls and hockey and multi-use areas will serve the borough’s residents in the future.

It identifies where demand is being met and where there is room to improve and tackle any shortfalls in provision, as well as recommendations around improving pitch quality and capacity.

Local sports clubs, national governing bodies such as the Football Association, Sport England and other users were consulted as part of the work in drawing up what is known as the Burnley Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (PPOSS).

The draft strategy will be discussed by the council’s scrutiny committee before going to the executive for a final decision on 16th August.

Councillor John Harbour, executive member for housing and green spaces, said: “Thousands of local people use our outdoor sports sites every week and they are vital community assets. We need to ensure they are delivering what residents and visitors want and need, not just now but into the future.

“Having this strategy in place will also help us bring in much-needed external funding and other support to ensure our sports facilities continue to be of a high standard and well used by people of all ages.”

Post expires at 10:52am on Saturday November 4th, 2023