We are currently working once again with Folkestone and Hyde District Council (formerly Shepway District Council) in southeast Kent to update their sports facilities and playing pitch strategies linked to their Local Plan.
We worked with the council in 2018 to produce both a PPS and a built facilities strategy using Sport England guidance. Our original reports covered stages A to D of the PPS process so we’ve been asked to carry our a Stage E review. Alongside this we are doing a Stage D (Application) review of the built facilties strategy.
The area includes Folkestone, Hythe and Lydd and boasts some of the highest quality landscapes in the country. These range from the English Channel coast to the North Kent Downs and the sparsh beauty of Romney Marshes.
We advised on provision of both indoor and outdoor sports facilities and improving access to those already in place. The area is expected to have significant population growth particularly in the regenerated areas of Folkestone. We made a number of recommendations for additional facilities which would be required by new residents.
Of particular interest is the fact that Folkestone and Hythe is one of the few areas we’ve worked in where adult football participation is increasing.
We had previously worked in Shepway advising the Roger de Haan charitable trust on the redevelopment of the former county ground at Folkestone Cricket Club. The facilities are now up and running under the name of the Three Hills Sports Park. We get involved in many feasibility studies which don’t get off the drawing board so it was most pleasing to see this project come to fruition.
