Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities Needs Assessment and Playing Pitch Strategy

1.1 Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (the Council) is inviting experienced consultants to submit bids to prepare a borough-wide Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities Needs Assessment (Assessment) and a Playing Pitch Strategy (Strategy). These documents will be used by the Council to inform the preparation of the emerging new Local Plan. The emerging Local Plan sets out the future spatial strategy for the Borough and will include site allocations, strategic policies and more detailed policies. The assessment will in particular aid the infrastructure planning process.

1.2 The purpose of the commissioned work will be to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of current and future sports facilities/playing pitch need up to 2032. Complying with national policy and guidance, this will provide the Council with a robust and up-to-date evidence on sport facility and playing pitch need. The conclusions and recommendations will inform and support the new Local Plan, help maximise the efficient use of existing resources and guide any future investment to the areas of most need.

1.3 In addition to providing the Assessment and associated Strategy, the appointed consultant will be required to act as an expert witness (if required) for the Council at the Local Plan examination in relation to indoor and outdoor sports facilities/playing pitch need. The examination is likely to be scheduled for autumn 2020.