North Yorkshire Council

Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee

6^th June 2024

Sandylands Masterplan

Report of the Corporate Director (Community Development)

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 For Members to note Sandylands Masterplan.

2.0 SUMMARY

2.1 The Masterplan sets out a vision for the Sandylands sports site and provides a long-term guide to its future growth and evolution into the future.

3.0 BACKGROUND

3.1 The Skipton Sandylands sports site was established in 1947 by the Coulthurst Trust. The trust protected the land through a number of covenants to be used for the “purpose of rugby, cricket and other kindred sports”.

3.2 There are several organisations and clubs based on the site which operate independently with a mixture of landowners and leaseholders; this leads to a layer of complexity that has existing through the lifespan of the site. The nature in which the site has been developed is a result of this history and the complexity, diversity of ownership and interests has resulted in intrinsic difficulties with no mechanism to enable strategic planning for the site as a whole.

3.3 The existing facilities includes two grass cricket pitches, a main grass football pitches with further informal pitches / multi-sport pitches and three main grass rugby pitches. The site also features two indoor sports halls, a fitness centre, four squash courts, a shooting range, a floodlit all-weather pitch, five hard surface tennis courts, one padel court and various associated club houses and pavilions. North Yorkshire Council owns some of the grass pitches on the site.

3.4 The site is used by schools, local sports clubs as well as casual “pay and play” users. The site is identified as being critical to the delivery of leisure opportunities for residents of Skipton and beyond.

3.5 Funding was secured from the former Craven District Council and external consultants, STRI were commissioned May 2023 to undertake the work.

4.0 THE MASTERPLAN PROCESS

4.1 The site was assessed and the following considered:

· Pitch feasibility study

· Flood risk

· Ecology appraisal / biodiversity

· Connections and connectivity

· Landscape and green infrastructure

· Building condition

4.2 User surveys

Two questionnaires were circulated: one for club managers and operators, and one for facility users. Eight out of 21 clubs responded to the managers and operators’ questionnaire. 430 users responded to the users’ questionnaires.

4.3 A series of four stakeholder workshops were undertaken and resulted in:

· The development of a vision for the site

· Agreement on the level of intervention stakeholders felt comfortable with

· A desire to work collectively and collaboratively

4.4 The user surveys and stakeholder workshops identified three key areas for improvement:

· Access and parking

· Site wayfinding, circulation and signage

· Facilities and infrastructure

4.5 A working group has been formed from the stakeholder group to take the masterplan recommendation and interventions forward through established and agreed general principals.

4.6 The working group have established a partnership with North Yorkshire Sport, through this partnership have secured additional funding to further this work, and in particular would like to focus on access and parking.

5.0 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN AND RESPONSES

5.1 The Masterplan has been circulated, discussed and agreed at the Sandylands stakeholder meeting.

6.0 CONTRIBUTION TO COUNCIL PRIORITIES

6.1 Place

A well connected and planned place with good transport links and digital connectivity

Communities are supported and work together to improve their area.

6.2 Health and Wellbeing

People are supported to have a good quality of life and enjoy active and healthy lifestyles

7.0 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

7.1 The second stakeholders workshop included an options appraisal regarding levels of intervention. Stakeholders were comfortable with a low level of intervention.

8.0 IMPACT ON OTHER SERVICES/ORGANISATIONS

8.1 There will be a positive impact for users of the site including schools.

9.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

9.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from the recommendations of this report.

10.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

10.1 There are no direct legal implications arising from the recommendations of this report.

11.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

11.1 An initial equality impact assessment screening form has been completed. As this report is for noting and awareness the initial screening identified there are no direct equality implications arising from the recommendations.

12.0 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

12.1 An initial climate change impact assessment has been completed. As this report is for noting and awareness the initial screening identified there are no direct equality implications arising from the recommendations.

13.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

13.1 To recognise the importance of the Sandylands Masterplan for the site and to recognise the work of the stakeholder group.

14.0

RECOMMENDATION(S)

It is recommended that the Committee,

i) Notes the importance of the Sandylands Masterplan as a strategic document for the site.

APPENDICES:

Appendix A – Sandylands Masterplan

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:

None

Nic Harne

Corporate Director – Community Development

County Hall

Northallerton

22 May 2024

Report Author – Elaine Hiser, Community Sport and Active Wellbeing Officer

Presenter of Report - Elaine Hiser, Community Sport and Active Wellbeing Officer

Note: Members are invited to contact the author in advance of the meeting with any detailed queries or questions.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT IF ANY REPORTS / APPENDICES INCLUDE SIGNATURES THESE MUST BE REMOVED / DELETED PRIOR TO SENDING REPORTS / APPENDICES TO DEMOCRATIC SERVICES. Appendices should include an Equality Impact Assessment and a Climate Impact Assessment where appropriate

Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Community Development
Service area	Sport and Wellbeing
Proposal being screened	Sandylands Masterplan
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Elaine Hiser
What are you proposing to do?	Presentation of the Sandylands Masterplan to the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee for awareness.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	To ensure the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee has awareness of the Sandylands Masterplan.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your directorate representative for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				P
Disability				P
Sex				P
Race				P
Sexual orientation				P
Gender reassignment				P
Religion or belief				P
Pregnancy or maternity				P
Marriage or civil partnership				P

People in rural areas				P
People on a low income				P
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				P
Are from the Armed Forces Community				P
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		No
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		No
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The purpose of the report to the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee is to increase awareness of and note the Sandylands Masterplan As result of this report North Yorkshire Council is not making decisions that directly affects the delivery or operation of services within the area.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Nic Harne
Date		22 May 2024

The chart below contains the main environmental factors to consider in your initial assessment – choose the appropriate option from the drop-down list for each one.

Remember to think about the following;

· Travel

· Construction

· Data storage

· Use of buildings

· Change of land use

· Opportunities for recycling and reuse

Environmental factor to consider	For the council	For the county	Overall
Greenhouse gas emissions	No effect on emissions	No Effect on emissions	No effect on emissions
Waste	No effect on waste	No effect on waste	No effect on waste
Water use	No effect on water usage	No effect on water usage	No effect on water usage
Pollution (air, land, water, noise, light)	No effect on pollution	No effect on pollution	No effect on pollution
Resilience to adverse weather/climate events (flooding, drought etc)	No effect on resilience	No effect on resilience	No effect on resilience
Ecological effects (biodiversity, loss of habitat etc)	No effect on ecology	No effect on ecology	No effect on ecology
Heritage and landscape	No effect on heritage and landscape	No effect on heritage and landscape	No effect on heritage and landscape

If any of these factors are likely to result in a negative or positive environmental impact then a full climate change impact assessment will be required. It is important that we capture information about both positive and negative impacts to aid the council in calculating its carbon footprint and environmental impact.

Decision (Please tick one option)	Full CCIA not relevant or proportionate:	P	Continue to full CCIA:
Reason for decision	The purpose of the report to the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee is to increase awareness of and note the Sandylands Masterplan As result of this report North Yorkshire Council is not making decisions that directly affects the delivery or operation of services within the area.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)	Nic Harne
Date	22^nd May 2024

Title of proposal	Sandylands Masterplan
Brief description of proposal	Presentation of the Sandylands Masterplan to the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee for awareness.
Directorate	Community Development
Service area	Sport and Wellbeing
Lead officer	Matt Hewison
Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment	Elaine Hiser