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I was extremely pleased when in 2007 Sport England invited Brent to pilot their
proposed new approach to planning for sport and recreation facilities. Taking part
in a pilot gave us the opportunity to bring together the key stakeholders in Brent
who play a role in the current and future provision of sports facilities in the Borough.
By undertaking a comprehensive audit of provision, considering future trends
and identifying future needs with the use of Sport Englands planning tools, the
stakeholders have compiled this Planning for Sport and Active Recreation Facilities
Strategy 2008 2021.
I am delighted that Brent now has this strategic document that identifies priorities
for future indoor and outdoor sports provision in the Borough. This will give strategic
direction to all providers of sports facilities in Brent and help us provide better quality
and additional facilities in areas of greatest need. This in turn will encourage and
enable Brents population to become more active and live a healthier lifestyle.
I am proud that Brent was selected as a pilot by Sport England and that we were also the first pilot authority in England
to have its strategy completed and endorsed by Members. I hope you find the information contained within this
strategy interesting and useful.
In June 2006, the Audit Commissions report; Public sports and recreation services
making them fit for the future made a number of criticisms regarding the
strategic planning of facilities, resulting in poor provision in terms of location,
quality and failure to meet changing needs and customer expectations. The reports
recommendations identified a need to ensure that Local Authorities improved
their strategic planning of sport and recreation provision by assessing current and
future needs, collaborating with other sectors and working across boundaries in the
procurement, planning and delivery of services. In addition, there was a need for
Local Authorities to appraise options for facility provision in a transparent way, testing
the market to ensure that the best options were identified.
Traditional means of facility funding, such as the Lottery is diminishing. Although new
investment is occurring via Building Schools for the Future (BSF), Planning Gain and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI),
without a clear strategic vision and direction at the local level, the impact of such investment will fail to be maximised.
Sport Englands Facilities Improvement Service aims to help local authorities improve the ways in which they plan for
sport and recreation, enabling them to use key strategic planning tools such as Active Places Power which will allow
authorities to develop a robust understanding and assessment of need which will then underpin Local Authorities
planning for sport.
In order to launch the Facilities Improvement Service in London, Sport England made an approach to the London
borough of Brent and offered the opportunity to help pilot the service. Sport England is extremely grateful to Brent,
for not only taking on the Service as a pilot authority but particularly for the highly professional approach made by the
Council in its dealings with Sport England and Sport Englands selected contractor, Genesis Consulting. We are very
conscious of the pressures being placed on Local Government during these difficult times, so we congratulate Brent for
not only stepping up to this challenge, but also for producing a very comprehensive piece of work that will serve Brent
well in its future planning for sport and active recreation in the lead up to 2012 and will act as a case study for other
authorities to follow and to learn from this good practice.
Andy Sacha
Head of Investment: London Region
Contents
Executive Summary
The purpose of this strategy is to set out a plan for the development
of sports facilities in the borough and proposes local planning
standards. The scope of facilities considered includes sports and
leisure centres, swimming pools, sports halls, health and fitness,
athletics, bowls, tennis, squash, synthetic turf pitches, netball courts
and multi use games areas. All sports facility providers have been
included in this scope including those provided by the private sector,
voluntary and community sector and other public providers, as well as
facilities within neighbouring boroughs.
About Brent
The demographic profile of the borough is characterised by a rich
multi-cultural, ethnically mixed population (54% of the population are
from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Groups). Brent has a relatively
young population with over 62% of residents aged under 40 years,
and 43% of residents aged under 30, which provides a large target
group for sport and leisure providers.
1
Church End and South Kilburn, which as major regeneration areas will
need a range of additional community facilities to meet the needs of
the new populations.
Executive Summary
Focus for !
Regeneration/Growth ! The Borough has health inequalities issues with male life
!
Burnt Oak
expectancy increasing by ten years if you travel from the
/Colindale
! South East to the North West of the Borough. Nearly
Barnet
!! 20% of Brents population is estimated to be obese and
! !
Wembley !
!
! ! ! ! !
!
The 2006 Active People Survey shows that sports
!
!
Church ! !
! participation levels across the borough are some of
! End !
Camden the lowest in London with only 18% of Brents adults
!
! !
Alperton !
undertaking 3 x 30 minutes of physical activity per
! ! !
!
!
! !!
week and 56% undertaking no physical activity.
! South
Kilburn The most popular indoor sports amongst Brents
!
Brent has the fourth lowest average income levels in Despite low adult participation rates, momentous
London and 37% of households do not own a car. Brent improvements have taken place in school sport and PE
has become the 53rd most deprived Borough in England since 2003. In 2003 only 24% of Brents 5-16 year olds
(2007 Index of Multiple deprivation) with a sharp divide participated in at least two hours of high quality PE and
between the relative affluence of the northern wards out of hours school sport in a typical week, in 2007 this
and high levels of social and economic deprivation in the percentage had increased to 83% of pupils.
central and southern wards.
Brent is one of the host Boroughs for the London 2012
London Borough of Brent Participation (3x30)
Olympics and the enthusiasm and motivation that hosting
Estimates by Middle Super Output Area (MSOA)
the Olympics in Brent can make to the young and old
should be capitalised upon, such that the legacy of 2012
is achieved.
HARROW
Wealdstone
Hendon Current Levels of Sports Provision
Kenton Kingsbury BARNET
Greenhill Golders
Green The current provision of all indoor and outdoor sports
facilities within the borough are discussed within the
Harrow on
the Hill strategy in terms of quantity, quality, accessibility and
demand. Sport Englands Strategic Planning Tools
Brent
including:- Active Places Power - capacity ratios,
Wembley
CAMDEN accessibility choice and opportunity, travel time to
Willesden
facilities, personal share and the facilities planning model
were used in addition to the three commissioned reports
Harlesden to determine current levels of supply and demand.
Perivale
CITY OF
EALING HAMMERSMITH WESTMINSTER The analysis has clearly shown that there has been little
AND FULHAM KENSINGTON
investment in the Boroughs sporting infrastructure
AND CHELSEA
Legend
over the last twenty years. This means that in general
Regions 10.8% - 18.1% (low) Brent has aging, poor quality sports facilities, low levels
2
Local Autorities 18.2% - 20.7% (low-middle)
MSOA Estimates 20.8% - 23.4% (middle-high)
Quantile Classification 23.5% - 36.7% (high) Executive Summary
Location of Sports Centres
of satisfaction, low levels of provision in some
facility types which all contributes to some of the
Legend
Vale Farm
lowest levels of sports participation in London. Sports Centre Sports Centre Locations
The borough has a significant need for additional 1.6km Buffer of Sports Centres
Ward Boundaries
indoor and outdoor sports facilities plus major
improvements and refurbishment to existing
facilities to make them fit for purpose and meet
Charteris
the demands of a growing population. Sports Centre
Indoor Facilities
Sports Centres
Within the Borough of Brent there are five local
authority owned sports centres. Four of these are Brent
Council owned facilities: Bridge Park community leisure Bridge Park
centre and Charteris sports centre which are run by Brent Community
Leisure Centre
Council, plus Vale Farm and Willesden sports centres Willesden Moberly Sports
Sports Centre Centre
which are operated on behalf of the Council by a leisure
management contractor. The fifth, Moberley sports and Sports Halls
educational centre although located in Brent in Kilburn is The strategy has established that current sports hall
owned and managed by the City of Westminster. provision across the borough is sizeable. The majority of
halls however are approximately 30 years old and are of
Each centre has a key role to play in providing publicly declining quality. Whilst there is a good supply of sports
accessible sports provision and plays an important role in halls, public access to many of these is limited and this
meeting the sporting demands of residents, particularly creates problems meeting local demand. There are 9
amongst those residents who are unable to access school sites which dont allow community access and
private facilities. However most of these centres are over therefore there is an opportunity to increase capacity
twenty years old and over half were not originally built further by working with schools to allow greater public
as sports centres. A separate report was commissioned use. There is a good spread of sports halls across the
to undertake a strategic review of three of Brents borough but central east parts of the borough have the
sports centres (Bridge Park, Charteris and Vale Farm) furthest to travel to use a publicly accessible sports hall.
which proposed a range of options to provide a best-fit
solution for future provision. It is recognised that the With projected population increases there is a need
greatest number of people participating in sport will for an additional 21 badminton courts which should
be at a sports centre and that if the current level and be provided through a combination of new facilities,
quality of provision is maintained there is likely to be refurbishment of existing facilities and increased access
little opportunity to significantly increase Brents levels of to existing provision. Any new facilities on school sites
participation in sport and physical activity. where local authority or government funding has
been used should have affordable community access
arrangements enforced.
Swimming Pools
The strategy highlights that the provision for swimming
Health and Fitness
across the borough is critically low with the provision of
The current supply of health and fitness facilities is below
just two community accessible pools. Over 50% of Brent
the London and national average and there is a lack of
residents do not live within a 20 minute walk (1.6km)
both pay and play facilities and provision by the private
of any type of swimming pool provision. The strategy
sector. To bring the level of provision to meet demand
identifies that two additional 6 lane 25 metre swimming
and be similar to the rest of London there needs to be
pools are needed within the borough to meet demand
a further 827 fitness stations by 2016 according to the
and that additional swimming pool provision that serves
Fitness Industry Association.
the north and central areas of the borough will have
greatest benefit to residents.
Whilst there is a place for private sector provision in
some parts of the Borough, given the demographics
of the borough there is a need to ensure there is wide
3
provision of affordable, pay and play health and fitness
Executive Summary
Brent walking Travel Time to Nearest Publicity
Accessible Swimming Pool (Straight Line) Specialist indoor facilities
Copthall Leisure Centre Brent has an indoor athletics track, squash courts and
Harrow Laboratory Spa & Health Club bowling green all of which are located in different parts
Harrow Leisure Centre Queensbury
of the Borough. Users of such facilities are more akin
Golds Gym
Holmes Place (Hendon) to travelling further to participate in their chosen sport
(Harrow)
Kenton Fryent and current levels of usage combined with a young
Barnet
population determines that current provision meets
current and future levels of demand. There
Barnhill
Northwick
Welsh Harp are no indoor tennis, cricket, gymnastics
Park Preston Dollis Hill The Manor or climbing facilities within the Borough.
Vale farm Sports Centre !
!
Mapesbury
Holmes Place (Cricklewood)
Consideration of any new provision of
Sudbury
Dudden Hill Camden specialist indoor facilities would require
Tokyngton Esporta Health & Fitness (Swiss Cottage)
David Lloyd (Sudbury Hill) further research and analysis of provision
Wembley Central Willesden Green
Boots Wellbeing
)
Brondesbury Park by neighbouring authorities and plans of
Centre (Greenford) Willesden Sports Centre
Alperton Stonebridge
Harlesden Kilburn the national governing bodies of sport to
Queens
Kensal Green Park
identify if there is sufficient sustainable
Jubilee Sports Centre demand.
Gurnell Leisure Centre Ealing
Hammersmith Westminster
Legend
& Fulham Kensington
& Chelsea
Outdoor Facilities
Pay & Play Walking Time (mins)
Registered Membership 1 - 10
Railway 11 - 20 Football Pitches
North Circular Road 21 - 30
Borough Boundary 31 - 40
Brent football participation rates are average compared
41 - 50 to London and nationally but there are significantly low
numbers of teams playing in the borough. This may be
facilities that will ensure participation by all sections
explained by the fact that 6 out of 10 local authority
of Brents communities. The current location of health pitches are in poor or very poor condition (see table 22
and fitness facilities on the southern periphery of the pitch quality ratings). The changing facilities are generally
borough mean that a vast majority of residents in the good with a couple being of a poor standard. However,
central east and north central areas of the borough are the number of changing facilities are disproportionate to
more than a 20 minute walk from a pay and play facility. the number of pitches. Local authority pitches need to be
Any redevelopment or provision of new local authority improved and additional changing rooms provided which
swimming pools and/or sports centres should seek to in turn will increase capacity. It is highlighted that there
increase capacity of health and fitness facilities and is a significant deficit of pitches in the borough based
private sector provision should be encouraged in those on estimates of demand including latent demand and
areas where the market can sustain such provision. therefore the borough requires an additional 25 adult,
5 youth and 21 mini football pitches The current
Location of Health and Legend
supply of pitches is well spread out covering
Fitness Facilities Ward Boundaries most of the borough however there is a need
Pay & Play to access school pitches in the south east corner
Registered Membership Use
Private of Brent where there is under provision but no
Pay & Play Buffer 1.6km available space on which to create additional
Reg Member Use Buffer 1.6km
Private Buffer 1.6km
pitches.
Rugby Pitches
There are 4 rugby pitches in the borough, two
of which are local authority owned and are in
average condition. In order to meet local demand
the borough requires 3 publicly available rugby
pitches. In addition improvements to existing
rugby provision should include provision of
changing facilities, flood lighting, upgrading of
existing pitches and provision for mini-rugby.
Executive Summary
4
Cricket Pitches highlighted that the tennis court provision in schools
Cricket is a locally popular sport with participation levels facilities has limited community access meaning capacity
well above the London and national average. The quality could be increased further if community use outside of
of all the pitches is good although the local authority school hours was granted. There is greatest demand for
pitches are generally not as good as private sports club additional facilities in the south central and north central
pitches. There appears to be sufficient overall supply areas where current provision is low.
of cricket pitches to meet minimum demand estimates
however there are areas within the central and east Multi-Use games area (MUGA)/ball court
of Borough outside the 20 minute walk catchment. The audit confirmed that there are 21 MUGAs located at
Community use of the 3 pitches on school grounds is 19 sites and the quality is predominantly good. MUGAs
limited and the quality of some of the authoritys pitches are primarily used by young people and provide local, free
needs to be improved. If levels of participation increase opportunities for sport within local facilities such as parks
or access to pitches on school sites reduce an additional or attached to a youth centre or school. Facilities should
pitch will be required. therefore be prioritised in areas with greatest densities of
young people.
Gaelic Football pitches
Clubs currently operate at 6 Gaelic pitches in the Netball courts
borough. An additional pitch will be opening at The only outdoor netball facilities are on school sites.
Gladstone Park. It is believed that there is local The provision of 5 courts at Gladstone Park in 2009 will
demand for expanded facilities at Silver Jubilee Park to go some way to meeting demand, however new courts
accommodate more Gaelic sports. should be provided where possible e.g. school sites,
sports centres, preferably with floodlighting.
Synthetic Turf Pitches
The current supply of synthetic turf pitches is slightly Specialist outdoor facilities
below the London average by 0.3 pitches however the The Borough currently has one new outdoor athletics
extra demand created through the additional population track and nine bowling greens. There is spare capacity
will mean that by 2016 the borough will require one at all of these facilities and current provision should be
additional synthetic turf pitch. The quality of the pitches sufficient to meet local needs now and into the future.
is generally good and the
poorest facility is being Brent Population
Legend
Stonebridge
further four by 2016. A large 5
Kensal Green Queens Park 13
number of the local authority
courts are in poor condition
and therefore it is important
to increase capacity by
improving the condition of
current tennis provision and
plan for additional provision
within the borough. It is also
5
Executive Summary
However poor transport links from north of the borough will help inform the planning process and provide a
to the athletics track in the south of the Borough may be basis for future negotiations giving sport a bigger voice
hindering its level of use. in gaining money to go towards new facilities, the
standards take into account that Brent residents will
use facilities in neighbouring boroughs, which may be
Priorities For Future Provision closer to their home. This is particularly the case for
swimming pools and sports halls, and for these sports
Chapter seven of the strategy recommends priorities
these local standards should not be used to determine
for new and improved provision of indoor and outdoor
the level of demand generated by housing development.
sports provision within the Borough to meet the demand;
The summary of local standards for indoor and outdoor
proposing possible locations or areas which should be
provision are in chapter eight of this strategy.
served to address greatest levels of need. The number
one priority is the provision of a third swimming pool
that serves the North of the Borough. Other key priorities Delivery
are the redevelopment of Vale Farm sports centre into a
wet and dry side sports hub and the provision of a fourth The delivery of the indoor and outdoor facility
pool. All the priorities are detailed in chapter seven of the requirements identified in this strategy will need the
strategy. creation and development of partnerships and innovative
solutions in order to realise the strategys objectives and
recommendations.
Local Standards
Reductions in local authority resources require that
As well as recommending specific facility quantity
new sources of funding, particularly external to the
standards the strategy enforces that the council needs to:
Council will need to be identified and pursued, often in
partnership with other organisations in order to bring about
1. ensure facilities are adaptable and imaginative to meet
the required improvement in sports facility provision.
the requirements of the borough, its diverse ethnic and
cultural communities and its changing population.
Building Schools for the Future (BSF) offers a unique
2. encourage facilities that provide access by all sections
opportunity to develop new sport facilities in conjunction
of the community and adoption of sports equity policies.
with schools as part of this national scheme. This strategy
3. ensure that public sector facilities include resources
must inform the location of BSF facilities such that school
to ensure that the facility charges are affordable, that
provision helps to address strategic community need as
programming recognises the needs of all users and low
well as educational requirements. Ensuring the design of
and under-represented groups are specifically targeted.
school sports facilities to enable easy access plus robust,
4. ensure there is development of facilities of sufficient
affordable community management arrangements
quality and distribution to encourage increased levels of
are essential to ensure maximum benefit to all Brents
participation.
communities is achieved.
5. ensure the adoption of quality standards in design,
construction and energy efficiency.
By prioritising provision and enabling local standards,
6. ensure facilities are accessible by public transport,
this strategy will allow sport to gain a foothold into the
bicycle and foot to ensure good practice in sustainable
future planning and forms the evidence base to support
development.
planning obligations (section 106 planning gain) and
7.ensure planning conditions require new sports
justify contributions to sports facilities relative to other
facilities on school sites to provide accessible, affordable
priority pressures.
community access through agreed facility management
arrangements.
8. only fund / contribute to improvements in school Monitoring And Review
sports facilities where clear management plans and design
practice maximises sporting use outside of school hours. The strategy will be reviewed on an annual basis with
the findings of this review being reported to the Brent
The strategy identifies a range of local standards which CSPAN. Each review will compare achievements against
will act as a mechanism for assessing local provision. priorities, taking account of changes in circumstances and
It will help the authority achieve its Planning Policy potential new opportunities. An annual review will allow
Guidelines (PPG17) - Planning for Open Space, Sport any slippage to be recognised and priorities re-timetabled
and Recreation requirements to set standards locally accordingly. The review will also provide an updated
for open space, including indoor and outdoor sport facility audit of indoor and outdoor facilities and this
and recreational activities. Whilst these local standards information will be fed into the Active Places database.
Executive Summary
6
The need for a strategy
In 2006, Sport Englands national Active People Survey identified that
the London Borough of Brent had one of the lowest participation and
volunteering rates for sport and physical activity in the country. This
was despite Brent being a host borough for the 2012 Olympics and
Wembley being recognised as the home of national and international
football.
Strategy Vision
The overall vision for the Planning for Sport and Active Recreation
Facilities Strategy 2008 2021 is:
Objectives
Strategic provision -
To ensure there is a planned approach to the provision of a local and
strategic mix of facilities that considers cross boundary issues and
takes account of priorities set out in regional and local sports related
strategies
7
Meets need of future populations
To provide an innovative approach to the provision of facilities that
can meet the future needs of a growing population.
Chapter One Introduction
Delivers on sustainability principles Developing the Strategy
To ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of all The strategy has been informed by a strategic review of
sports and recreation provision particularly in relation all sports facilities across the borough. A range of Sport
to design, construction, use of natural resources England tools have also been used to identify supply
and sustainable transport to assure respect for the and demand and this is explained further in chapter five
environment. of this strategy. An audit of outdoor sports pitches was
undertaken which has informed the outdoor facilities
Provides access for all element of this report and a strategic review of sports
To ensure that sport and recreation facility providers centres was also undertaken which has helped inform the
commit to extensive, well managed, affordable priorities of indoor sports provision within this report.
community access for all.
The vision and objectives set out what this strategy The draft strategy was widely circulated for comment
in part, hopes to achieve, and is the starting point to partners, local authorities, sporting organisations,
for identifying current levels of provision and impacts governing bodies of sport, Councillors, senior council
of future demand. Brent people should have equal officers and Brent Community Sport and Physical
opportunities and access to sport and physical activities Activity Network members, housing associations, Sport
and it is hoped this report will go some way in helping to England and developers, as well as being available on
achieve this. the Councils website. The responses arising from this
consultation have informed the final version of this
strategy.
Strategy Scope
The purpose of this strategy is to set out a plan for the The Brent Community Sport and Physical Activity
development of sports facilities in the borough. The Network (Brent CSPAN), a group of key stakeholders
scope of facilities considered includes sports and leisure from the voluntary sports sector, school sports, health
centres, swimming pools, sports halls, synthetic turf authority, youth service, facility providers, community
pitches, grass pitches, sports pavilions, outdoor courts sector and Council departments were consulted on
(tennis, netball and basketball), indoor courts (tennis, the draft document and endorsed the final strategy in
squash), 5-a-side facilities (including MUGAs), athletic September 2008. A report summarising the key findings
tracks, bowling greens, health and fitness provision, and recommendations arising from this strategy was
cycling and watersports. All sports facility providers have approved by the Councils Executive Committee in
been included in this scope including those provided by November 2008 and therefore this strategys priorities
the private sector, voluntary common community sector and recommendations can be fed into other strategic
and other public providers, as well as facilities within documents and business planning processes as well
neighbouring boroughs. as being incorporated into the Local Development
Framework Planning Document and acknowledged by
Brents Local Strategic Partnership.
9
Chapter Two One
Chapter A profile of Brent
Introduction
Brent Wards
Queensbury
Legend
Fryent Borough Boundary
Kenton Ward Boundary
Barnhill Welsh
Northwick Harp
Dollis Hill
Park Preston
Mapesbury
Sudbury Tokyngton
Dudden Hill
Wembley
Central Willesden
Green
Brondesbury
Alperton Park
Stonebridge
Kensal Queens
Green Park
Within the West London sub-region Brent has the highest levels
of diversity and multiple deprivation and is also the most densely
populated borough. Brent shares its boundaries with 7 other
boroughs (Barnet, Harrow, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham,
Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Camden) and many Brent
residents will use sports facilities across the border, in neighbouring
authorities.
11
borough and is predominantly the result of an increase in the number
of young adults, often with pre-school or young children. This has
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
resulted in a significant 8% increase in the birth rate in Map 3: Key regeneration areas within Brent
the past eighteen months. Brent has the second highest
number of new National Insurance registrations
in the country at 15,600 in 2007. Nearly 8% of
Brents population is classified as refugees or asylum Focus for !
seekers. The ONS 2006 mid-year estimates place Focus for
Regeneration/Growth ! !
Regeneration/Growth !
Brent with a slightly higher male population at
!
Burnt Oak
/Colindale Burnt Oak !
Regeneration/Growth !
Population by Ward
/Colindale
Harrow ! ! !
!
Barnet
!! ! !
! ! !
!
Queensbury
! Wembley
!
!
!
! !
13179 !
! ! ! Wembley !
!
! !
!! ! !
!
!
! Church ! !
! !
11881 11888 Fryent
! !
! !
Harrow
!
!
End Church !! !
!
Kenton Camden
!
! End ! !
!
Camd
! Alperton
!
! ! !
! ! !
!
!
13164 ! ! !
Wembley Alperton !
! !
! !
12168 ! !
!
12831 Barnhill
12440
Dollis
! ! ! !
! !
! South
!
!
!! !
! !
Preston Church
!
!
!
park Harp Kilbu
12075 ! Ealing End !
CamdenKensington
Westminster
12296
!
Ealing Park Royal ! ! & Chelsea Kensington
Tokyngton
Mapesbury Alperton ! Park Hammersmith
Royal & Chelsea W
Sudbury
Dudden Hill ! ! & Fulham ! Hammersmith
!
White
Wembley +
13362 13220
!
!
! ! & Fulham City White
Central 11825 Legend ! South City
Willesden Green !
Opportunity Areas
Legend Kilburn
10978
12721 Brondesbury Park
!
15927 Opportunity
Town Cenre / Mixed Use Areas Other Rail Stations
Ealing Kensington
Harlesden 11668 Business/Industry Use / Mixed Major rail proposal
Westminster
Alperton Kilburn Park Royal Town Cenre & Use
Chelsea Other Rail Stations
12221 Kensal Housing Growth Areas
Hammersmith
Business/Industry UseFuture Public Transport
Major improvements
rail proposal
12346 Stonebridge Key Town Centres
& Fulham
Housing Growth AreasMajor roads
Green Queens Park 14183 White Future Public Transport improvements
10677 12401 Metropolitan
KeyCentres
Town Centres London City Borough of Brent
Major roads
Legend Key Rail Stations
Metropolitan Centres Railway Lines
London Borough of Brent
Opportunity Areas Key Rail Stations Railway Lines
Town Cenre / Mixed Use Other Rail Stations
Legend Business/Industry Use Major rail proposal
Ward 12076 - 12831 Housing Growth Areas Future Public Transport improvements
12832 - 14183 Key Town Centres Major roads
Total Population
14184 - 15927 Metropolitan Centres London Borough of Brent
10677 - 10978 Key Rail Stations Railway Lines
10979 - 12075 Ward Boundaries
The GLA projections estimate Brents population to grow Currently the wards with the highest population figures
to over 291,000 by 2016, an increase of nearly 12,000. are Stonebridge, Kilburn, Mapesbury, Queensbury and
However, this figure does not incorporate the impact Dudden Hill. Stonebridge and Kilburn wards both have
of additional housing in the borough and the London the highest population according to GLA estimates with
Plan identifies that Brent will accommodate 11,200 new just over 17,000 and 15,000 respectively.
homes by 2017 with the population therefore expected
to grow to over 305,000. These new homes will be Black and Minority Ethnic Groups
focused in five housing growth areas; Wembley, Alperton, 54.4% of Brent residents are from black and minority
Burnt Oak/Colindale, Church End and South Kilburn ethnic communities, this compares to approximately
with at least half of the projected growth occurring in 40% of Londons population and 12% of the population
Wembley, Alperton, Burnt Oak/Colindale and South of England and Wales. These groups comprise of
Kilburn are expected to gain 1,000 - 1,500 additional established Indian, Black Caribbean, Black African
households (2,500 - 3,750 people) and Church End is and Irish communities as well as emerging Eastern
expected to gain 500 750 additional households. European, Somali, Turkish and Hispanic communities.
Brent residents speak over 130 different languages
but ethnicity varies by ward. The Asian population
tends to be located towards the west of the borough,
1991 2001
Ethnicity Population Percentage Population Percentage Percentage of
Changes
Asian 56482 21.6 73062 27.7 29.4
Black 39388 15.1 52337 19.9 32.9
Mixed N/A N/A 9802 3.7 N/A
White 132729 50.7 119278 45.3 -10.1
Other 9987 3.8 8985 3.4 -10
Total
Graph 1: Ethnic distribution by age group 2006 and 2016 Age Structure
Brent has a relatively young population, a quarter of
residents are aged 19 years or under. The South of
100%
the borough has the highest concentrations of young
90% people and in Brents five most deprived wards, a third
80% of residents are aged under 16 years. 62% of people in
Brent are under the age of 40 years (Nationally 52% of
70% the population is aged under 40) and only 14% of the
60% population are of pensionable age.
50%
The largest numbers of children live in Wembley (28%)
40% and the least in Kilburn (16%).Whilst many live in
30% moderate posterity, many however are still living in low
income households in deprived areas. Harlesden has
20% the highest percentage of children living in deprived
10% households, (59% of all children in the area).
0%
0-14 15-44 44-64 65+ 0-14 15-44 44-64 65+ The population pyramid on the next page shows the
structure of Brents population compared to that of the
2006 2016
UK (shown by the blue line). This pyramid emphasises
Brents young population.
Other Asian
Black White
13
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
Deprivation experienced within the borough is
Graph 2: Population Pyramid characterised by relatively high levels of long-term
90 and over unemployment (24% of unemployed people are classified
MEN 85 - 89 WOMEN as long-term unemployed compared to a London average
80 - 84 of 15%), low household incomes and dependence on
75 - 79 benefits and social housing. Across Brent 65.5% of
UK Average
70 - 74 residents aged 16-74 were registered as economically
65 - 69 active which is slightly down on the London average of
60 - 64 67.6%. Of those registered economically inactive, 5%
55 - 59 were unemployed according to the Census data in 2001.
50 - 54 In addition, qualifications and skills levels in Brent are
45 - 49 low and Brent ranks 6th from bottom within London on
40 - 44 overall residence-based skills and qualifications score.
35 - 39
30 - 34 Children and young people are particularly affected by
25 - 29 deprivation with a third of Brents children living in low
20 - 24 income households, a quarter in social housing and a
15 - 19 fifth in single-adult households.
10 - 14
5-9
Income
0-4
According to the methodology PayCheck, Brent has
12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%
the 4th lowest average mean income levels in London
(Waltham Forest, Newham, and Barking & Dagenham
Deprivation
are lower). PayCheck is a measure of household income
The 2007 Index of Multiple deprivation identified Brent
from all sources including benefits (i.e. not just earnings).
as the 53rd most deprived area out of 354 boroughs;
The mean or average unequivalised household annual
previously the borough had been ranked 81st (1 = Most
income for Brent is 35,607 from 2007 dataset (Greater
Deprived, 354 = Least Deprived). This ranking now places
London is 38,781). There is a 13,000 difference
Brent within the 15% most deprived areas of the country.
in mean annual income between the wealthiest and
While the main locations of multiple deprivation are in
poorest neighbourhoods within Brent. Mapesbury is
the South of the borough, particularly in Stonebridge,
the wealthiest ward with an average annual income of
Harlesden, parts of Kensal Green, Willesden Green and
41,053. In comparison Stonebridge has average annual
Kilburn wards there are new pockets emerging in the
income of 28,052. Stonebridge, Harlesden and Kilburn
North and West in parts of Barnhill, Welsh Harp and
wards are the most income deprived areas in the Borough
Wembley Central wards.
and the majority of the remaining wards fall within the
20% most income deprived areas in England.
Map 4: Deprivation levels within individual wards
Tokyngton
Sudbury
Wembley Dudden Hill
Central Mapesbury
Willesden
Green
Brondesbury
Alperton Harlesden Park Kilburn
Stonebridge
Queens
Kensal Green
Park
Health
Legend 2001 - 2005
Male Life Expectancy
There are significant health Ward Boundaries by Ward (Years)
Borough Boundary Queensbury
inequalities in the borough, Bakerloo Tube Line 80 to 81
linked to location, gender, level Bakerloo Line Stations
79 to 80
15
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
A high proportion of people rate their health as not Map 7: Main bus and rail routes within Brent
good, and diabetes and tuberculosis are higher than the
England average with diabetes affecting 1 in 20 people.
The rate of teenage pregnancy in Brent is higher Vale Farm Sports Centre
influence on improving the health of the borough which Charteris Sports Centre
Accessibility
Brent has a very low vehicle ownership; 37.3% of
Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTAL) provides a
households do not have access to a vehicle and therefore
more detailed picture of how accessible different parts
public transport plays a key role in transporting people
of the borough are to the public transport network. The
around the Borough.
higher PTAL scores (4-6b, yellow to red) indicate areas
which are within a short walking distance of one or more
The Borough has a complex public transport network
forms of public transport interchange. Map 8 on the next
with 48 daytime bus services and 13 night bus services
page shows that the areas with the highest PTAL scores
which are utilised by 30 million people a year, a figure
are Kilburn, parts of Mapesbury, Kensal Green, Harlesden,
that is growing at more than 5% per annum. Some 26
stations provide access to one or more of the Bakerloo, Sudbury, Wembley Central and Tokyngton.
Jubilee, Metropolitan and Piccadilly London Underground
lines and national rail services operated by Chiltern
Railways, Silverlink Trains and South Central.
17
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
Brents Sports Participation Profile levels with local sports provision.
It is important to establish participation figures for sport According to APS (2006) only 18% of Brent adults
and physical activities as it has implications on facility participate in 3 x 30 minutes of physical activity per
demand and may help identify any shortfalls in provision. week. This is a low participation rate with only Barking
It is also essential to analyse participation levels to provide & Dagenham and Newham having lower participation
further information on issues and factors that may rates in London. The 3 x 30 minutes London average is
be affecting participation and ways of addressing any 21.3% and the national average is 21%. Nationally Brent
problems identified. were placed 34th out of 354 authorities with 1 being the
lowest rates of 3 x 30 participation.
Active People Survey
The Active People Survey (2006) conducted by Sport Because Brent has such low participation rates the
England provides information on adult participation levels data resulting from more detailed analysis is classified
in sport and physical activity within the Borough. It is a as statistically unreliable but it gives a broad indication
nationwide survey based on a telephone interview with of more detailed participation rates. It is important to
1000 people per authority taken over the period of one note however that Willesden Sports Centre was closed
year. The survey therefore allows the Council to compare for redevelopment during the year that the survey was
itself with other authorities across the country. undertaken and this may have affected participation
levels. The APS survey will be repeated annually so
The Active People Survey (APS) also provides useful changes in participation can be monitored, with the next
data on the types of sports/physical activities people are available results in 2009.
participating in as well as levels of volunteering in sport,
club membership, levels of sport tuition, and satisfaction Table 2: Brents 2006 Active People survey results
Greenhill Golders
Green
Harrow on
the Hill
Brent
CAMDEN
Wembley
Sport England have calculated small area estimates for 3 x 30 minutes participation. The following mapWillesden
illustrates areas
of higher and lower participation across the Borough.
Harlesden
Map 10: Brents 2006 Active People survey results by middle super output
Perivalearea
CITY OF
EALING HAMMERSMITH WESTMINSTER
London Borough of Brent Participation (3x30) Estimates by Middle Super Output Area (MSOA)
AND FULHAM KENSINGTON
AND CHELSEA
Legend
Regions 10.8% - 18.1% (low)
Local Autorities 18.2% - 20.7% (low-middle)
HARROW MSOA Estimates 20.8% - 23.4% (middle-high)
Quantile Classification 23.5% - 36.7% (high)
Wealdstone
Hendon
Kenton Kingsbury BARNET
Greenhill Golders
Green
Harrow on
the Hill
19
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
A demographic breakdown of participation levels highlights the particular groups which are participating less than
others. Female non-participation is particularly high at 61% (London average is 54%), as is non participation by social
class B (NS-SEC 3) at 63% (London average is 54%). Zero participation is higher amongst BME groups (61%) than
it is amongst white groups (52%) and those in Brent with a limiting disability are considerably more likely to do zero
participation (77%) than those without a limiting disability, although this percentage for people with a limiting disability
is very similar to the London and National score. The survey also shows that people aged 55+ in Brent have a lower
participation rate compared to the national and London average.
The APS also recorded data relating to a broad range of associated sport and leisure related indicators. Brents resulting
scores are shown in the table below:
Table 5: 2006 Active People survey - Sports provision satisfaction levels results
Satisfaction with local sports provision (all adults) Brent (LA) London National
All 52.7% 66.1% 69.5%
Male 55.8% 65.2% 69.2%
Female 49.6% 67.0% 69.9%
16 to 34 53.8% 64.1% 65.8%
35 to 54 49.0% 64.6% 68.5%
55 and over 57.5% 72.5% 74.8%
White 50.7% 66.2% 70.0%
Non white 54.4% 65.6% 64.8%
Limiting disability 45.7% 63.4% 66.0%
No limiting disability 53.4% 66.4% 70.1%
NS-SEC 1, 1.1, 1.2, 2 (A) 46.0% 64.0% 68.9%
NS-SEC 3 (B) 49.3% 66.4% 69.6%
NS-SEC 4 (C1) 57.0% 69.0% 70.8%
NS-SEC 5,6,7,8 (C2DE) 59.0% 68.8% 70.2%
The 2006 Active People survey allows an analysis of Brents geographical and statistical neighbours and also those with
similar scores on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation table.
Brents participation rate is lower than those of the neighbouring local authorities. The table below shows that
only Harrow has similarly low levels of participation whilst Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and
Westminster score considerably higher.
21
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
The Office of National Statistics identifies four London authorities which it calls our regional statistical neighbours and
these are Lambeth, Newham and Tower Hamlets and we can therefore compare our participation results with these
similar authorities.
Table 7: 2006 Active People survey results, Brents regional statistical neighbours
Participation rates for Brent and its statistical neighbours
Comparing Brent to similar statistical neighbours in London satisfaction scores are lower than elsewhere, but as can be
seen from Newhams scores, high levels of satisfaction doesnt necessarily equate to high levels of 3 x 30 participation.
However as a general rule satisfaction levels increase with adult participation rates.
Londons parks and open spaces play host to a diverse range of formal and informal activities. Merit therefore lies in
analysing the correlation between green space and participation levels to determine future priorities for LB Brent.
Table 8: 2006 Active People survey results, green space and participation rates
As the table above demonstrates, there is a considerable amount of green and open space across Brent. In relation to
the boroughs statistical neighbours Brent is the largest borough by area and 12% of the borough is covered by parks
and open space. Only Newham has a higher area of parks and open space per person.
Continuing the review of factors with potential influence over participation levels, there is value in reviewing cycling
levels within Brent, against the regional statistical neighbours.
Table 10: 2006 Active People survey results, indoor sports participation rates
At a borough wide level Brent is on the whole below average in terms of participation in key indoor sports. Basketball
has the highest participation levels and is above the national and London average as is dance studio based activities.
Gym based activities are lower than the national and London average as is swimming although this is not surprising
as there was only one public pool open in the Borough during the survey period. Indoor football, bowls and squash
have slightly lower participation rates than the London and national average but badminton has significantly lower
participation rates and this will need to be considered when analysing the current supply of facilities.
23
Chapter Two A profile of Brent
Outdoor Sports Participation
The outdoor participation rates are mixed, with quality of overall provision of PE in Brent. In 2003 only
participation in activities such as cricket and athletics 24% of Brents primary and secondary school pupils were
being higher than the national and regional averages. receiving two hours quality PE. In 2007, 83% of pupils
Other sports, such as outdoor bowls and rugby have aged 5-16 years participated in at least two hours of
lower participation rates than the national and regional high quality PE and out of hours school sport in a typical
averages and the rest of the sports including tennis and week. The target for 2008 is for 85% of Brent pupils to
football follow the trends of the national rather than receive 2 hours quality PE and this target has recently
regional benchmarks. been set for all schools to a higher standard of 5 hours of
PE and sports activity.
Sports Clubs
There are a variety of different sports clubs in Brent Aside from school sports days, 59% of pupils in Brent
offering opportunities for adults and juniors in activities schools were involved in intra-school sports activities. The
as varied as athletics to volleyball. The Sports Service average number of sports provided by each Brent school
website includes a free Sports Club Directory which during 2006/07 was 15, and the most widely available
currently has over 90 clubs registered. However it is sports were football, dance, gymnastics, athletics,
recognised that the number of sports clubs in Brent is cricket, basketball and rounders. The biggest increases in
lower than other London Boroughs. This correlates with availability of sports have been for multi-skill clubs, golf,
the Active people survey where only 20% of Brent adults tennis, gymnastics, basketball and fitness. On average
are members of a club compared to over 26% across each Brent school has links to 7 different sports clubs
London. and 10% of pupils in Years 1 13 have been involved in
sports volunteering and leadership during the 2006/07
Young peoples Sports Participation academic year.
The Active People survey only surveyed adults over the
age of 16 and therefore misses a significant percentage
of Brents residents from the survey. Furthermore it is
recognised that developing a healthy habit of physical
activity at a young age is more likely for that person to
remain physically active into adulthood and older age.
National Context
Game Plan
Published in December 2002, this document was produced
jointly by the Governments Strategy Unit and the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It is a strategy for delivering the
Governments sport and physical activity objectives and specifically
addresses two interlinked areas. Firstly, it aims for a significant
increase in adult participation in sport and physical activity - 70%
of the population to be active by 2020 (participating 3 x 30mins
per week). Secondly, it aims to achieve a sustainable increase in the
level of success at international competition. Support is given to any
reform required to achieve these targets.
The subtext of Game Plan is that through sport and physical activity
the quality of life of marginalised groups in society can be improved.
It is hoped that a wider population can become healthier, better
educated, gain employment, and can be diverted from anti-social
behaviour.
Sport England
Sport Englands Strategy: Grow, Sustain, Excel (2008-2011) provides
a shift change for Sport England from promoting physical activity
which is covered by a vast array of different departments to focusing
exclusively on sport and creating a vibrant sporting culture in
England. The London 2012 Olympics have been a major influence on
the strategy to enable England to be a world leader in the community
sports system.
25
4. The English passion for volunteering will be maximised working
with NGBs, and broader voluntary sector to remove burdens and
Chapter Three Strategic Context
attract an additional 8000 volunteers. (March 2005) aimed to identify and promote a variety
of physical activities for all to achieve health benefits.
5. A modern network of sports clubs will be the The paper is supportive of the need to increase levels of
centrepiece of peoples sporting experience: working with physical activity among all people but, like Game Plan,
NGBs and partners such as the Football Foundation to pays particular attention to under-represented groups.
develop multi-sports clubs.
Participation and Crime Reduction
6. Creating opportunity for all A common link can often be made between young
people and crime, disengagement and boredom. National
7. A simplified way of working that will reduce research demonstrates that involvement in sport can
bureaucracy and release more funding into frontline engage people in a positive way, occupying time in a
delivery: developing centres of excellence constructive manner and reducing the likelihood of
re-offending. The most important element in engaging
Clear set of measurable achievements to pursue and young people in this way is the provision of facilities
deliver, including: and activities in which they are keen to participate from
1 million people doing more sport by 2012 -13 an early age. This concept is noted within Teaming Up
Joint working between sport and neighbourhood
A reduction in post 16 drop-off in at least five sports by renewal practitioners (OPDM Neighbourhood Renewal
25% by 2012-13 Unit 2004):
Promoting more sustainable development by The over-riding strategic priorities of the Pro-Active West
ensuring that open spaces, sports and recreational London Partnership apply directly to key objectives that
facilities (particularly in urban areas) are easily accessible underpin the need to review sports facility provision in
by walking and cycling and that more heavily used or Brent, they are:
intensive sports and recreational facilities are planned To increase overall participation by adults in sport and
for locations well served by public transport. This theme physical activity
(the need for facility provision to be locally and easily
accessible), in conjunction with the indicators of the To increase participation by all under-represented
CPA assessment, underpins much of the subsequent groups
analysis of existing facility provision alongside current
and future areas of demand. To provide the structures for individuals to realise their
sporting potential
Audit Commission Comprehensive
Performance Assessment (CPA) 2005 The West London Alliance (WLA)
Every year the Audit Commission assesses the overall This comprises the boroughs of Brent, Ealing,
performance of each Local Authority on the basis of Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and
how well the Council is run, how its main services are Hounslow. The key aims of the WLA are:
performing and how it uses resources.
To lobby for the interests of the sub-region
Previously, there had been little performance information
on sport and active recreation included within CPA To develop collaborative strategies and initiatives on key
assessments. Performance indicators for sport and issues such as transport and economic development
physical activity (as part of the culture block) have To improve provision of public services in West London
now been developed in line with the DCMS national through sharing knowledge, expertise and resources,
participation public service agreement (PSA) targets undertaking joint ventures, and securing additional
that are also reflected in the Framework for Sport and resources
Regional Plans. Data for the following indicators is now
available through the National Benchmarking Service, Improving sports facilities across the sub-region is a key
Active Places and the Active People survey: priority shared by both the WLA and Pro-active West
27
Chapter Three Strategic Context
London. Particular focus is placed upon ensuring that To enable residents to lead more active lives and
maximum benefit for local residents and businesses providing services that are sensitive to our diverse
can be secured from the lead up to, and legacy of, the communitys needs.
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Key objectives
include, amongst others, an increase in participation and Improve the health and fitness of Brents residents in
achievement in sport among West Londons residents, order to secure a more active and independent future
developing community sports events, building links with for everyone.
schools and improving skills and developing training,
employment and volunteer opportunities. The Corporate Strategy 2006 - 20010
This sets out the Councils administrations vision, priorities
Improving sports facilities in West London is a strategic and ambitions for Brent up until 2010.
priority of the region in the run-up to London 2012
and undoubtedly an opportune moment for LB Brent The vision for Brent is that it will be:
to address the quality of its own provision in this area. A Great Place
Support should be sought from the WLA and Pro- (A safe place, a clean place, a green place, a lively place)
active West London with any developments under
consideration. A Borough of Opportunity
(Local employment and enterprise, health and well being,
help when you need it)
Local Context
One Community
At a local level, the potential for sport to achieve some
(settled homes, early excellence, civic leadership,
of the boroughs most important social and economic
community engagement, building our capacity)
objectives is emphasised heavily within the key policy
documents.
Through a range of actions the Council is focused on
enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives or
Brents Community Strategy 2006-2010
works in Brent. During the period 2006 to 2010 the
Brents Community Strategy produced by Brents Local
Councils main priorities include a number of priorities
Strategic Partnership, sets out how the council and its
that specifically refer to sport and physical activity:
partners will meet the needs and aspirations of Brents
residents. The strategy has three cross-cutting ambitions
A great place
and sport has an identified role in prioritising efforts to
achieve each of these: Creating a borough that is a great place to live, which
is safe, clean and green with an accessible range of
leisure and recreational facilities.
A Great Place
Committed to promoting leisure.
A clean place
We will raise the standards of provision for playground
Improve the quality and accessibility of local parks, play
and youth facilities in local parks and improve access to
areas and open spaces, encouraging greater use by all.
pocket parks and open spaces across the borough.
Facilitate opportunities for physical exercise and sport
A lively place
by reducing barriers to participation and promoting
Access to high quality, affordable sports facilities is
healthy living
critical to maintaining health and well-being.
A Borough of Opportunity
Working with our health partners, we will encourage
Reducing health inequalities and promoting well being
more adults to take part in physical exercise and
continue to improve the quality of our sports centres.
Tackle smoking and obesity, reducing the prevalence
and achieving better outcomes for coronary heart
Through our sports strategy we will be working with
disease, diabetes and cancer.
schools and clubs to increase the range of sporting
activities available in the borough with a particular
An Inclusive Community
focus on under-represented sports and groups.
Provide services that are fully inclusive, accessible and
sensitive to the unique cultural diversity of our young
28
population
Priorities and actions detailed within the strategy revolve The scope of the Parks Strategy includes public parks,
around six key themes: public open spaces, childrens play areas and allotments.
The four key themes with associated objectives that have
1. Promoting the health benefits of an active lifestyle emerged are provision of parks, maintenance, funding
2. Increasing awareness of sports opportunities and participation.
3. Ensuring sports facilities are fit for purpose
4. Reducing barriers to participation and ensuring equity Brent Playing Pitch Strategy
in sport Guidance on planning and providing for playing fields for
5. Supporting and developing local sports clubs team sports within Brent up until 2008 is provided within
6. Increasing sports opportunities for young people the Brent Playing Pitch Strategy 2003 - 2008. Projections
for future demand have been made using sports
Priority target groups were identified within the strategy development targets and a 10% growth in the current
to focus work to increase levels of participation and Team Generation Rates and should be considered in the
these are: young people, older people, black and ethnic context of borough-wide need. The document made key
minority groups, people with disabilities, and women recommendations including
and girls. Eight priority sports were also chosen with protecting playing pitch land
whom steering groups have been established and sports
specific development plans written. These sports are: provide pitches in East, West and South of Brent;
athletics, basketball, cricket, football, martial arts, netball, upgrade facilities
swimming and tennis.
prioritises upgrading of existing ancillary sports facilities
This strategy is currently being reviewed and consultation
undertaken such that a new strategy will be written and improve school access to pitches
implemented in 2009.
convert underused senior pitches into junior and mini
soccer pitches
29
Chapter Three Strategic Context
improve school pitches increase sports pitches in the East and South Brent
develop partnership opportunities to secure future Improve or provide indoor sports facilities across the
investment borough
seek further 106 funding opportunities These priorities will be very important when accessing the
sports facilities and identifying if they match up to what
work with clubs and governing bodies to create more facilities the borough currently have. A new Cultural
funding opportunities Strategy will be produced in 2009 and will need to reflect
the findings of this document.
modernise booking systems to increase accessibility for
users Health and Well Being Strategy 2008-2018
This outlines priorities and ambitions to improve the
review sports pitch charges health and wellbeing of Brents population over the next
ten years and to remove inequalities to ensure everyone
Brent Councils Unitary Development within the borough has the best possible chance to live
Plan 2004 - 2009 a long, fulfilling and healthy life. The strategy has 6
The plan has 10 key objectives, one of which is protecting strategic targets:
open space and promoting sport. The key policies related
to sports facilities are: 1) Reduce gap in life expectancy at birth between the top
5 and bottom 5 neighbourhoods in Brent
STR 34 - Development which leads to a loss of
sports facilities will be refused, apart 2) Reduce rate of coronary heart disease in
from circumstances where appropriate compensatory neighbourhoods with rates above the Brent average
provision is secured.
3) Reduce rates of smoking in neighbourhoods with rates
STR 35 - Improvements to the Boroughs public open above the Brent average
spaces and sports facilities will be promoted, especially
in those areas with a deficiency of quality facilities. 4) Increase number of people participating in physical
activity
The Local Development Framework is in the process
of being developed. This will replace the Unitary 5) Increase the average income in Brent
Development Plan having key strategies linked to sports
both formal and informal. This facility improvement 6) Reduce unemployment rate in Brent
strategy will be important to form the direction of the
strategies linked to sport, within the Local Development 7) Reduce the level of Brents housing needs
Framework.
As part of the consultation for the Health and Wellbeing
The Cultural Strategy for Brent 2006-2009 Strategy 176 responses were received to questions
This strategy has given strategic priorities for sport in regarding health and wellbeing. In response to the
Brent and they include: question what was their highest priority in relation to
promote health benefits of an active lifestyle health behaviours, the highest scores were 27.5 %
- encourage physical activity and 20.5% - encourage
increase awareness of sports opportunities healthy eating. When respondents were asked what ONE
thing could be done to improve their health or that of
ensure sports facilities are fit for purpose their family, the majority of responses were around two
key themes - encouraging healthy eating and providing
reduce barriers to participation cheap and accessible opportunities for physical exercise
or recreation activities.
support and develop sports clubs
Wembley Masterplan
increase opportunities for young people In 2004 a Wembley Masterplan was written which
identified the following objectives:
increase participation of underrepresented groups
31
Chapter Three Strategic Context
Brent as well as access to different types of physical Satisfaction with sports and leisure facilities has
activities such as dancing. significantly improved since 2005 in our priority
neighbourhoods. The number of respondents very
They have put together a petition calling for more satisfied increased by 10% and the number of
swimming pools in Brent respondents satisfied increased by 29%. greatly reducing
the number of people either dissatisfied or neither.
Priority Neighbourhoods Survey Brentfields / St Raphaels is the area with the lowest
This survey was undertaken in Brents two neighbourhood percentage of respondents satisfied.
renewal areas: Stonebridge and Brentfields / St Raphaels.
The survey was conducted in 2007 and enabled results to Annual Parks survey
be compared to results from a similar survey in 2005. The An annual survey is undertaken by the Parks service
key results in relation to sport and physical activity were: and in 2008 it included questions in relation to sport
Minimal change has occurred regarding how often and physical activity. Approximately 700 responses were
respondents take part in physical exercise or sport in received and the key findings are detailed below:
our priority neighbourhoods.
52% of Park users said they exercised 3 or more times
Stonebridge has the largest percentage of people which a week and 47% of non parks users said 3 or more
has never participated in exercise (54%). times a week.
The most common activity through which residents take 26% of park users wanted to see marked walks in their
part in exercise is walking and numbers participating parks whilst 16% wanted to see jogging routes. All
have increased by 10% in 2007. results are shown in the pie chart below.
Graph 3: Parks survey respondents preferences for facilities that would encourage residents to take part in more
physical exercise
Other ideas Marked walls
Tennis courts 10% 26%
14%
Jogging routes
Outdoor gym 16%
14%
27% of respondents wanted to see all weather surfaces within the parks and 17% wanted somewhere where they
could make suggestions to improve their parks sports provision.
Somewhere to
make suggestions
17%
All weather
Changing facilties surfaces 27%
32
16%
Chapter Three - Strategic Context
There are two marketing tools that Brent has access to that analyse
the local population and identifies types or groups of people within
the borough. This useful information can make recommendations
on what sports provision different groups prefer and can be used to
identify need, based on the type of people who live there.
Mosaic
The first tool, Mosaic, analyses the profile of the borough and
classifies all United Kingdom households and postcodes into 61
distinct types. Mosaic was developed under the principle that there
are various types of neighbourhoods with similar characteristics
for example tenure, income, age and employment, and if a
neighbourhood has similar characteristics then their needs for sports
facilities may also be similar.
There are four main population types identified in Brent. These are:
33
Chapter Four Market Segmentation
Map 11: Location of mosaic type D27 in Brent Mosaic Type E28 Neighbourhoods with transient
singles living in multiple occupied large old houses
Brent Mosaic Type D27 Type E28 are the third most frequently occurring group in
Close-knit Inner City Queensbury
& Manufacturing
the borough. There are 17,169 households of this type,
which is 16.1% of all households. They predominantly
Legend live in the south of the borough in Kilburn, Mapesbury,
Kenton Fryent Willsden Green, Brondesbury, Kensal Green, Queens Park,
Ward Boundaries
Borough Boundary
and Harlesden. They are classified as young professionals,
Barnhill well educated, some good jobs but lower incomes.
Welsh Harp
They have the awareness of a healthy lifestyle and many
Northwick
Park
Preston Dollis Hill belong to local health and fitness facilities. They are active
but not overly active. They are more likely to participate
Mapesbury in activities such as badminton, aerobic classes, football,
Sudbury Tokyngton
Dudden Hill cricket, gym, tennis and athletics. This group has some
Wembley
Central Willesden characteristics as a mix of Chloe and Jamie in
Green
Brondesbury Park Sport Englands market segmentation tool and
Harlesden will need health and fitness facilities, sports
Alperton Stonebridge Kilburn
halls, dance studios and outdoor sports pitches
Kensal Green Queens Park located in these areas to encourage them to do
more physical activity and sport.
Mosaic Type C20 Suburbs sought after by the Map 13: Location of mosaic type E28 in Brent
more successful members of the Asian community.
Type C20 are the second largest Mosaic type in
Brent with 22,313 (20.9%) households. They are Brent Mosaic Type
predominantly to the north of the borough in wards E28 Educated Young Queensbury
and live in suburban areas. They have a mixed diet and Barnhill
smoking and alcohol consumption is low compared
Welsh Harp
to the national average. However, they lead relatively Northwick \ Preston Dollis Hill
inactive lifestyles with little formal physical activity. Park
34
Alperton Stonebridge
Kilburn
Kensal Green
Queens Park
Market Segmentation
incomes. They tend to suffer from health problems Sport Englands Market Segmentation Tool
related to heavy smoking, not eating well and leading The second tool is produced by Sport England which
very inactive lifestyles. This is the most deprived group. gives an insight into sporting behaviours and the barriers
The activities they are more likely to be interested in are and the motivations for taking part in sport. SE worked
football, cricket, weight lifting, and aerobic classes. with Experian to analyse data on the English population
(18+) and produced 19 market segments with distinct
Map 14: Location of mosaic type F36 sporting behaviours and attitudes. The information
Brent Mosaic Type provided includes specific sports people tend to take
F36 People Living in Queensbury
part in, motivation for taking part in sport, barriers to
Social Housing taking part in sport, media influences, consumption,
communication channels, social channels, health
Legend
Fryent
indicators and engagement in sport, (the data provided
Kenton Ward Boundaries
Borough Boundary by Sport England doesnt take into consideration people
under the age of 18 within the 19 different segments).
Barnhill
Brondesbury Park
Harlesden
Alperton
Stonebridge Kilburn
Kensal Green Queens Park
Map 15: Dominant market segmentation map for
Brent within the lower super output areas.
Three Enfield
Rivers
Harrow
Barnet
Wealdstone
Haringey
Waltham
Forest
South Bucks
Hillingdon
Brent
Camden
Hackney Hendon
Islington
City of
Westminster
Tower Kenton Kingsbury
Ealing Hammersmith
and Fulham
City
Hamlets
Harrow Golders Green
Kensington Southwark
Slough and Chelsea
Hounslow Richmond
upon Thames Wandsworth
Lewisham
Greenhill
Barnet
Brent
Wembley Camden
Willesden
Ealing
Harlesden
City of
Perivale Westminster
Hammersmith Kensington
and Fulham and Chelsea
35
Chapter Four Market Segmentation
Jamie Jamie is likely to take part in are football, badminton,
The dominant groups in the borough are illustrated basketball, boxing, weight training and martial arts
clearly on map 15 with large areas being coloured in a sports. They are very likely to be members of sports
light pink which shows the area is dominated by Jamie clubs and less likely to be members of health and fitness
who are classed as Sports Team Drinkers. These are facilities. Their motivation for participation is to be with
mainly located in Tokyngton, Alperton, Queensbury, friends and improving performance. They are more likely
Dudden Hill, Dollis Hill, Willesden Green and other to do 30 minutes of physical exercise at least 1-2 times
smaller pockets in other areas. Sport England classifies a week. Better sports facilities in areas close to Jamie
Jamie as young men (approximately 20 years of age) would increase their participation rates in sports.
who enjoy football, drinking and pool. The sports which
Three Enfield
Rivers
Harrow
Barnet
Wealdstone
Haringey
Waltham
Forest
South Bucks
Hillingdon
Brent
Camden
Hackney Hendon
Islington
City of
Westminster
Tower
Hamlets Kenton Kingsbury
Ealing Hammersmith
and Fulham
City
Harrow Golders Green
Kensington Southwark
Slough and Chelsea
Hounslow Richmond Lewisham
upon Thames Wandsworth Greenhill
Barnet
Brent
Wembley Camden
Willesden
Ealing
Harlesden
City of
Perivale Westminster
Hammersmith Kensington
and Fulham and Chelsea
Three Enfield
Rivers
Harrow
Barnet
Wealdstone
Haringey
Waltham
Forest
South Bucks
Hillingdon
Brent
Camden
Hackney Hendon
Islington
City of
Westminster
Tower
Hamlets
Kenton Kingsbury
Ealing Hammersmith
and Fulham
City
Harrow Golders Green
Kensington Southwark
Slough and Chelsea
Hounslow Richmond
upon Thames Wandsworth
Lewisham
Greenhill
Barnet
Brent
Wembley Camden
Willesden
Ealing
Harlesden
City of
Perivale Westminster
Hammersmith Kensington
and Fulham and Chelsea
37
Chapter Four Market Segmentation
Tim and skiing. They are likely to have a health and fitness
Other dominant groups within the borough include Tim; membership and they take part in sports to improve
settling down males, 26-35 years of age. They are located performance, to keep fit and meet friends. They are more
north of the borough in Barnhill, Northwick Park and likely to do 30 minutes of physical activity at least 1-2
central areas close to Wembley Central and Tokyngton. times a week and if they had more time they would do
They are also located south of the borough in Queens more. The facilities Tims are more likely to use include
Park, Brondesbury Park and Willesden Green. This group health and fitness centres, sports halls, football pitches,
are very active and like high intensity sports such as cricket pitches, and squash facilities.
cricket, squash, football, cycling, golfing, watersports
Three Enfield
Rivers
Harrow
Barnet
Wealdstone
Haringey
Waltham
Forest
South Bucks
Hillingdon
Brent
Camden
Hackney Hendon
Islington
City of
Westminster
Tower
Hamlets
Kenton Kingsbury
Ealing Hammersmith
and Fulham
City Harrow Golders Green
Kensington Southwark
Slough and Chelsea
Hounslow Richmond
upon Thames Wandsworth
Lewisham
Greenhill
Barnet
Brent
Wembley Camden
Willesden
Ealing
Harlesden
City of
Perivale Westminster
Hammersmith Kensington
and Fulham and Chelsea
Three Enfield
Rivers
Harrow
Barnet
Wealdstone
Haringey
Waltham
Forest
South Bucks
Brent
Camden
Hackney Hendon
Hillingdon Islington
City of Tower Kenton Kingsbury
Ealing Hammersmith
and Fulham
Westminster
City
Hamlets
Harrow Golders Green
Kensington Southwark
Slough and Chelsea
Richmond
Hounslow
upon Thames Wandsworth
Lewisham
Greenhill
Barnet
Brent
Wembley Camden
Willesden
Ealing
Harlesden
City of
Perivale Westminster
Hammersmith Kensington
and Fulham and Chelsea
39
Chapter Four Market Segmentation
Leanne in physical activity a week. However if the activities were
The last dominant group within the borough according cheaper, open for longer and had childcare facilities they
to the map are Leanne who are young (18-25) busy would do more activities. Activities that they are more
mums with college friends. They have smaller pockets likely to participate in are swimming, gym, aerobics,
throughout the borough located in Queensbury, Fryent, dance and walking. The facilities that they would more
Tokyngton, Wembley, Dollis Hill, Willesden Green and likely require are swimming pools, health and fitness
Kensal Green. They are one of the least active groups facilities, and dance studios, all with creche facilities.
due to their busy schedules, juggling childcare, college
and work. They are more likely to do zero participation
Three Enfield
Rivers
Harrow
Barnet
Wealdstone
Haringey
Waltham
Forest
South Bucks
Brent
Camden
Hackney Hendon
Hillingdon Islington
City of Tower Kenton Kingsbury
Ealing Hammersmith
and Fulham
Westminster
City
Hamlets
Harrow Golders Green
Kensington Southwark
Slough and Chelsea
Hounslow Richmond
upon Thames Wandsworth
Lewisham
Greenhill
Barnet
Brent
Wembley Camden
Willesden
Ealing
Harlesden
City of
Perivale Westminster
Hammersmith Kensington
and Fulham and Chelsea
Using market segmentation information also give an insight into the type of marketing stream
The two tools described above offer a valuable insight that each target group is likely to respond to and this
into the profile of the borough and particularly useful will be able to help with targeted marketing to increase
in analysing what sports certain groups are likely to participation levels.
participate in and what the potential barriers are stopping
people from leading healthy, active lifestyles. The profiles
41
those areas which are not. For more specialised sports facilities it is
recognised that people will travel considerably further.
Chapter Five Planning Tools
Below is an example of a catchment area map that Travel Time to Facilities
is used within chapter five. This map draws 1.6km The Active Places Power website strategic tool travel time
catchment circles around each Brent facility with different to facilities shows personal access to the nearest facility
facility types shaded by a different colour e.g. pay and of a chosen facility type. The outputs show the minimum,
play are shown in beige. maximum and average distances/time by walking, car
or public transport to the chosen facility type. The tool
Map 21: Example of Brent facility catchment area map produces a map with different coloured triangles to
Location of Health and Legend
represents how far people have to travel to their nearest
Fitness Facilities Ward Boundaries facility. This tool includes facilities by all access types
Pay & Play including facilities which are private, it also includes
Registered Membership Use
Private
facilities which are outside of the borough.
Pay & Play Buffer 1.6km
Reg Member Use Buffer 1.6km
Private Buffer 1.6km
Travel Time
Symbol
(minutes walking)
0.42 - 4.632
4.633 - 8.844
8.845 - 13.056
13.057 - 17.268
17.269 - 21.48
The FPM estimates demand for a sport at the centroid Pay and Play: The main means of public access to the
of enumeration districts (EDS) based on participation facility is on payment of a charge, although the facility
rates and frequency per week in each of the 5/6 age may also have a membership scheme, and it may be
bands for both males and females, scaled down to the possible to block book the facility for a specific activity or
proportion of demand in the peak period. This produces for lessons.
a figure for demand at each EDS expressed in visits per
week in the peak period. For swimming pools there are Sports Club/Community Association: The main
six age bands and five for sports halls for both males means of public access to the facility is via sports clubs or
and females. These are considered with frequency and community associations, which book it for use by their
duration of visit rates together with catchment (access by members. Membership of the club or association is based
either car, foot or public transport) and a distance decay
on a particular sport or community group and is not
factor which is all applied to the population.
based on performance criteria or on a particular facility.
The FPM defines unmet demand as the demand which
Registered Membership: The main public access to
is located outside the catchment area of a facility or is
unmet because the facilities are full, and there simply isnt the facility is by membership and members usually pay a
enough sports halls or swimming pools in the borough joining fee as well as a monthly or annual subscription.
compared to how many people require them.
Publicly accessible facilities: This is the joint term for
Personal Share facilities that are available through Pay and Play, Sports
This tool shows the personal share a resident has of their Club/Community Association usage and Registered
nearest sports facility. Using distance and capacity, it Membership.
will show whether local residents potentially have good
access to facilities. For example, in an urban area, with Private use: The facility cannot be used by the
lots of facilities and a medium population, the personal public, either through pay and play basis, sports club /
share could be good. However if there was a larger community association or an open registered membership
population and fewer facilities, then personal share scheme, except when the facility may be used for
would be poor due to reduced capacity and increased competition and such groups are playing against the
demand. This tool doesnt take account of ward owner of the site.
boundaries, just the nearest facility.
43
Chapter Five Planning Tools
Quantity
Within the Borough of Brent there are five local authority owned
sports centres. Four of these are owned by Brent and one by the City
of Westminster. The four Brent Council owned facilities are Bridge
Park Community Leisure Centre and Charteris Sports Centre which
are run by Brent Council, plus Vale Farm Sports Centre and Willesden
Sports Centre which are operated on behalf of the Council by a
leisure management contractor. Moberley sports centre, although
located in Brent (Kilburn) is owned and managed by the City of
Westminster.
45
Charteris Sports Centre is a small centre that incorporates a
3 court sports hall, health and fitness facility and a separate free
weights room.
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Vale Farm Sports Centre is a large leisure complex. Map 23: Location of Brents sports centres
The centre includes a floodlit synthetic turf pitch, five
court sports hall, 25m swimming pool and teaching
pool, squash courts, dance studio space, martial
arts dojo, modern health and fitness facilities
Location of Sports Centres
and a disused cinder athletics track. The centre
borders Vale Farm Recreation Ground which Legend
Vale Farm
contains multiple grass pitches and tennis Sports Centre Sports Centre Locations
1.6km Buffer of Sports Centres
courts, several of which are leased to Ward Boundaries
local clubs.
Accessibility Quality
Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre is located in the Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre was opened in
South of the borough, within the ward of Stonebridge, 1985 as a conversion of a former bus garage; the layout
and is in close proximity to the North Circular. It has of the sports and fitness facilities is not typical in terms of
excellent public transport links being located on one size and shape. Changing provision and the core space
of the major bus routes within Brent and is close to occupied by sports facility provision is minimal in relation
Stonebridge over / underground station. Charteris Sports to the site footprint. The facility has been relatively well
Centre is located in a residential area in Kilburn to the maintained internally and the mix of sporting and non-
South East of the borough within walking distance of 3 sporting facilities proves popular with many sectors of
underground stations. Vale Farm sports centre is located the local community. However, the layout of the building
in North Wembley in Sudbury Ward access by train/ results in a reduction in the quality of the sporting
underground is poor. Willesden Sports Centre is located experience and the potential for income generation and
in Willesden Green ward but close to the boundaries of the operational efficiency, in comparison to the design
Kensal Green and Brondesbury Park Ward. Access by train and function of a typical modern centre is limited.
/ underground is poor. Moberly sports centre is located
south of the borough in Kensal Rise in Queens Park ward. Charteris Sports Centre is approximately 24 years old
and a conversion of a former factory. Recent investment
The map above shows the location of Brents local into the health and fitness studio has ensured that
authority owned sports centres, all of which offer pay this element of the centre is modern and good quality.
and play opportunities for all their facilities. The map However, the site constraints, design and layout inhibit
above visually shows that the facilities are all located on the function of the centre considerably. Layout and
the south periphery of the borough and a lack of local circulation is poor with narrow corridors and no natural
authority owned sports centres can be identified in the light internally. The reception area is insufficient for the
north and central areas of the borough. The detailed operation of the facility and changing facilities are too
analysis of the specific facilities within the centres e.g. small to serve their purpose. In addition, the activities
sports halls, swimming halls, health and fitness facilities (and standards) accommodated within the sports hall are
have been included within those specific sections of this adversely affected by the design and low roof trusses.
report.
47
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Capacity ratios Quality
Compared to the individual boroughs in London, Brent The age of the facilities have been included in table 12 as
has the lowest amount of facilities per 1000 people The this will have an affect on the capacity of the swimming
current provision of 9 pools across the borough equates pool. With age, a swimming pool wont be able to cope
to 1652m of water space in total (private and public) with the same demands as a new pool. The average age
generating a capacity ratio of around 6.27 m per 1000 of the swimming pool facilities is 20 years old which
population. To match the London average of 16.16m, means that their capacity is reduced and they are less
the borough currently requires an additional 2927m. This attractive to use than new facilities.
could rise to almost 3,656m2 by 2016 if no additional
provision is made and population growth occurs as Accessibility
Brent has very poor accessibility to swimming pools, 50%
projected. When including only the publicly accessible
of residents live more than 20 minutes walk from a pool.
pools in the calculations, the capacity ratio falls to just
This is particularly poor accessibility when compared to
3.26m per 1000 population.
neighbouring boroughs as shown in graph 5 on the next
page. Whilst there are a number of publicly accessible
pools located in neighbouring boroughs, these are
Table 13: Capacity ratios swimming pools not accessible to residents living in the central band
running north to south (Kenton, Barnhill, Tokynton and
Stonebridge wards) who have to walk up to 50 minutes
to the nearest pool.
CAPACITY RATIO ( Facility type per 1000 population) - DEFICIENCY / + SURPLUS
(In comparison with
London average)
Facility Current TOTAL 2001 2001 2016 London England Current Mid Future
Type Provision (m) (263507) (293900) (305400) average average (2001) (2011) (2016)
(2001) (2001) (m) (m) (m)
All 9 1,652 6.27 5.62 5.41 16.16 18.44 -2927 -3456 -3656
Pools
Pay and 2 860 3.26 2.92 2.81 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Play
Public 5 1,224 4.65 4.16 4.01 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Access
Brent
Map 24:walking
WalkingTravel Time
time to to Nearest
nearest publiclyPublicity
Accessible Swimming Pool (Straight Line)
accessible swimming pool
Copthall Leisure Centre
Golds Gym
Holmes Place (Hendon)
(Harrow)
Kenton Fryent
Barnet
Legend
Pay & Play Walking Time (mins)
Barnhill Registered Membership 1 - 10
Welsh Harp Railway 11 - 20
Northwick
Park Preston Dollis Hill North Circular Road 21 - 30
The Manor
Vale farm Sports Centre Borough Boundary 31 - 40
Holmes Place (Cricklewood)
Mapesbury 41 - 50
Sudbury
Dudden Hill Camden
David Lloyd (Sudbury Hill) Tokyngton Esporta Health & Fitness (Swiss Cottage)
)
Wembley Central Willesden Green
Boots Wellbeing Brondesbury Park
Centre (Greenford) Stonebridge Willesden Sports Centre
Alperton Harlesden Kilburn
Queens
Kensal Green Park
Jubilee Sports Centre
Gurnell Leisure Centre Ealing
Hammersmith Westminster
& Fulham Kensington
48
& Chelsea
Key
Pool Site
with 1 mile
walking catchment
49
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Given the geographical location of the pools, just under 50% of Brents population do not live within a 1.6km
catchment of any pool site as can be seen from the graph 5 below.
100% 2+ Pools
90% 2 Pools
80% 1 Pool
70% No Pools
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
TA
L t et n ng am w ea r
O Br
en
ar
n de li llh ro he
ls ste
T B am Ea Fu ar C in
EA C H & tm
AR
& es
ith on W
sm gt
er in
ns
m
m Ke
Ha
The map below identifies travel time by walking to the nearest swimming pool (all types of use) within and beyond
the borough. The areas shown by red triangle denotes those who have to travel the furthest (over 29 minutes) to get to
a swimming pool (Kenton, Barnhill, Stonebridge wards) and this doesnt exclude the private pools.
35000 Capacity
30000
Utilised Cap
27500
25000 Demand
22500 Satisfied
20000 Demand
17500 Unmet
Demand
15000
12500
10000
7500
5000
2500
0
t et n g ith w on r
Br
en ar
n de ali
n r sm rro gt ste
B am E e Ha is n sea in
C m am n l tm
51
m
Ha Full
h Ke Che es
& W
&
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Swimming pools Run 2 Projected population and The only significant differences from FPM run 1 to 2 is
provision (2016) that there is an increase in export demand due to the
The second scenario demonstrates the impact on satisfied proposed development in Ealing and a decrease in export
demand through an increase in pool provision by a going to Harrow. This has an effect on the utilisation
further 3 pools planned for development across the study of the swimming pools as the boroughs utilisation has
area (all outside of Brent). The findings show that within decreased from 67% in 2007 to 61% in 2016 as our
the study area an increase in capacity of visits is greater swimming pool stock ages further and the new facilities
than the projected increase in demand. However, as planned in Ealing will then draw people away from the
the increase in capacity is to occur outside the borough boroughs facilities.
boundary, unmet demand in Brent is predicted to be
virtually the same in 2016 as in 2007. The FPM identified that an increase in pool water
The projected population growth of 6.9% (19,000 of 287m is needed across the study area, which is
people) will contribute to an increase in demand of equivalent to a 25m 4 lane swimming pool (215m). It
5.36% (and therefore unmet demand) for swimming. was also noted that the location of the current swimming
pools mean that a large majority of the boroughs
The map below identifies those key areas of unmet residents dont have access to a swimming pool and
demand as Tokyngton, Stonebridge, Welsh Harp, Barnhill, the capacity could be increased if the pool space was
Mapesbury, and Alperton (dark red, dark pink and black provided in other areas. The 2016 run indicated that
colour squares) with the wards in the north all showing despite the additional water space in other boroughs,
high levels of unmet demand (light green colours). Brent would still require the two additional 25 metre
However the FPM report highlights that, there are large 4 lane pools as suggested in the 2007 run as demand
areas of the borough, especially and virtually the whole is met elsewhere. However, again, in order to reduce
of the middle and northern end of the borough which export demand two 6 lane 25 metre swimming pools are
are outside the catchment area of any swimming pool. required as Brent residents get additional benefits when
using the boroughs own facilities.
Map 29: Unmet demand in 2016 - swimming pools
Sports Halls
%
Sports halls are extremely important in the borough
as they provide a multipurpose space for a variety of
sports such as badminton, indoor football, netball,
basketball, gymnastics as well as providing a space that
can accommodate keep fit activities and martial arts.
They can also be used for events/functions and are a vital
#
community asset where localised activities can take place.
Quantity
Using the strategic planning tools, a sports hall is defined
as an indoor multi-sports hall where a range of sport and
recreational activities are carried out and where two or
more of the sport and recreational activities must be from
the Active Places list of activities, one or more of which
must be on at least a weekly basis. One hall per site must
be at least 10m x 18m, the size of one badminton court.
Legend
Pay & Play
Private Use
Sports Club Association
1.6km Buffer of Pay & Play
1.6km Buffer of Private Use
1.6km Buffer of Sports Club Association
Ward Boundaries
53
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Table 14: Sports Halls in Brent
55
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Capacity Ratios Hill and Harlesden wards have a capacity ratio of 0 as
Table 15 sets out the current supply of sports hall space there are no sports halls and that the highest capacity
across the borough, firstly including all facilities and ratios (greatest square metreage per 1000 population) are
secondly just publicly accessible facilities (i.e. those in the wards of Barnhill, Wembley Central and Willesden
facilities that are accessible to the public on a pay and Green.
play basis and/or to clubs / groups)
57
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Graph 7: % population within 20 mins walking time of sports halls
100% 2+ Halls
90% 2 Halls
80% 1 Hall
70% No Halls
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
TA
L t et n ng ith w lsea te
r
en n de li ro he s
T O Br ar m Ea s m ar in
EA B Ca er H &
C tm
AR m
m am n es
Ha Full
h
gto W
& n sin
Ke
Map 33 provides a visual representation of the distribution of unmet demand the light blue shades in the map
towards the south east of the borough show areas where there is high unmet demand and where there is a need for
at least 2 badminton courts and the green blocks show where there is need for 1-2 badminton courts to remove the
unmet demand. It should be noted that the FPM analysis is only inclusive of publicly accessible sports hall space.
2 to 2 (6)
1 to 2 (25)
>0 to 1 (101)
Assuming the existing sports halls remain open, the projected increase in sports hall capacity by 2016 would be an
increase of 48.2% with more than 12,900 visits compared to only 8,700 visits in 2007. Over the same time frame, the
projected demand increase is an additional 3.7% due to the anticipated population increase.
There were an additional 4 sports halls added to the data for 2016 that were over 459 m2 in size, meaning that 66
badminton courts were included in total for run 2.
By 2016 there is a decrease in the percent of people that have no access to a sports hall within the borough by 5%
compared to 2007. However, there is still 14% of the borough that have no access within a 20 minute walk to a sports
hall. However, the FPM confirms that with the location of the proposed facilities and the increase in capacity, will do
very little to eradicate the unmet demand that the previous run identified. This may be down to the poor positioning
of the new facilities in areas already provided for in terms of sports hall space. This, along with an increase in demand,
means that an additional 2 to 3 badminton courts are needed borough-wide by 2016, making it 21 badminton courts
needed in total by 2016. However, it is unrealistic to expect all the unmet demand to be met by provision inside Brent.
Work will need to be done with neighbouring boroughs to increase their supply of community accessible sports halls.
It will also be unrealistic to provide all 21 badminton courts with new sports hall provision, meaning that it is vital
that any sports halls in areas of unmet demand are refurbished to create additional capacity and any sports halls that
dont have community access are opened up to the general public. It is also vital that any new sports halls allow for
community access.
Quantity
There are 20 health and fitness venues providing a total of 1258 health and fitness stations across the borough. Of
these, six are available on a pay and play basis, nine are for registered membership use only and five are for private use
only and are located on school sites.
59
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Table 16: Health and fitness facilities in Brent
Site Name Postcode Ward Stations Ownership Facility Age Refurbished Access
Bridge Park NW10 0RG Stonebridge 40 Local Authority 1985 2006 Pay and Play
Community
Leisure Centre
Charteris NW6 7ET Kilburn 30 Local Authority 1983 2006 Pay and Play
Sports Centre
Vale Farm HA0 3HG Sudbury 63 Local Authority 1979 2007 Pay and Play
Sports Centre
Willesden NW10 Willesden 110 Local Authority 2006 Pay and Play
Sports Centre 3QX Green
Moberly Sports W10 4AH Queens Park 32 Local Authority 1997 2006 Pay and Play
and Education
Centre
University of HA1 3TP Northwick 24 Higher 1970 2006 Pay and Play
Westminster Park Education
(Harrow Site) Institution
Fitness First HA0 4LW Alperton 126 Commercial 2000 2004 Registered
Health Club Membership
(Alperton) Use
Fitness First NW9 9HN Queensbury 110 Commercial 1998 2007 Registered
Health Club Membership
(Kingsbury) Use
Fitness First NW6 6RG Queens Park 126 Commercial 1998 2007 Registered
Health Club Membership
(Kilburn) Use
Livingwell HA9 8DS Tokyngton 21 Commercial 1994 2007 Registered
Health Club Membership
Use
Cannons NW2 5JY Brondesbury 70 Commercial 2002 2005 Registered
Health Club Membership
Use
Manor Health NW2 6PG Mapesbury 270 Commercial 2001 2004 Registered
and Leisure Membership
Club Use
(Cricklewood)
Genesis Gym HA0 1EF Alperton 60 Commercial 1996 2004 Registered
and Fitness Membership
Studio Use
Energie Fitness HA9 6DE Tokyngton 77 Commercial 2004 Registered
Club Membership
Use
Uniq Health HA1 3TZ Northwick 50 Commercial 2006 Registered
and Fitness Park Membership
Use
Kingsbury NW9 9JR Queensbury 8 Foundation 1991 Private
High School School
(uppersite)
Capacity Ratios
Based on 1258 fitness stations, a calculation of all Brents health and fitness capacity ratio shows there are 4.77 fitness
stations per 1000 population which compares to a London average of 6.19 fitness stations per 1000 population. There
are only 299 (23%) fitness stations available on a pay and play basis. To bring the current level of provision in health
and fitness facilities in line with the London average, Brent would require an additional 455 fitness stations across the
borough now, and by 2016 the shortfall could increase to 727, as shown in the table below. The capacity ratios need to
be used with caution as they work on the basis that the London averages are adequate when they may not be.
61
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Quality Map 35 shows how long it would take people to walk
The health and fitness sites in Brent are relatively new or to the nearest health and fitness facility (all providers).
recently refurbished as customers expect to see modern This shows that residents living in parts of Preston, Welsh
equipment in gyms. The average age of the facilities is Harp Barnhill, Dollis Hill and Dudden Hill wards have to
5 years old and this will mean that capacity will not be walk between 23 and 29 minutes to the nearest health
affected as much in these facilities. The 4 local authority and fitness facility. This map doesnt take into account
sports centres health and fitness facilities have all had which facilities are private, registered membership and
extensions and / or new equipment installed in the last which ones are publicly accessible. The majority of fitness
two years. members as stated by the Fitness Industry Association
(FIA) report into fitness memberships (2007) are willing to
Accessibility travel up to 2 miles for a local authority health and fitness
Map 34 indicates that the publicly accessible health facility, however for private health and fitness facilities
and fitness centres are located close to the Southern people are willing to travel up to 3 miles.
Borough boundary and in Northwick Park and Sudbury
wards. There are areas within Welsh Harp and Dollis Hill Map 35: Travel time map health and fitness
wards where residents are outside the recommended
1.6km walking catchment area of any health and fitness
provision. Registered membership and private facilities
are the only provision in the Queensbury, Barnhill,
Alperton and Mapesbury wards and no facilities
are actually located in Welsh Harp, Dollis
Hill, Dudden Hill, Kenton, Preston Wembley
Central and Fryent wards.
Travel Time
Symbol
(minutes walking)
#
0.42 - 6.196
6.197 - 11.972
11.973 - 17.748
17.749 - 23.524
23.525 - 29.3
Legend
Ward Boundaries
Pay & Play
Registered Membership Use
Private
Pay & Play Buffer 1.6km
Reg Member Use Buffer 1.6km
Private Buffer 1.6km
63
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
increase the demand for more health and fitness facilities Supply and Demand
and by 2016 an additional 14,543 memberships are The one indoor facility within the Borough would cover
expected with population growth. This would require an demand according to the UK Athletics target of one
additional 827 fitness stations. These calculations should indoor training centre per 500,000 people living within
take precedence over the capacity ratios as they assess 30 minutes drive.
local capacity against local demand, therefore giving
more accurate future requirements. Quality
Willesden sports centre where the indoor track is
located, was opened in November 2006 and is therefore
Indoor Athletics in excellent condition. In addition to the indoor track,
the facility also provides an outdoor six lane, synthetic,
Quantity floodlit, athletics track with full track and field event
There is currently 1 indoor athletics facility in the facilities, changing accommodation.
borough, located in the south of the borough at the local
authority owned Willesden Sports Centre. The facility
offers an 80 metre indoor 8 lane straight running track Indoor Bowls
with indoor facilities for some field events.
Quantity
The indoor track provides flexible space allowing it to be The borough hosts one private indoor bowls centre
used for a variety of different activities such as fitness providing 6 rinks for bowls. The Bowls club is located in
classes, mini tennis, judo and childrens activities. Preston ward North West of the borough and is open to
people who join the club. It is not available on a pay and
Accessibility play basis.
The indoor athletics facility at Willesden is illustrated
on map 36 with a 1.6km catchment. Although most of The capacity ratio table shows that Brent is slightly above
the borough is not within a 20 minute walk time of this the London average in terms of capacity ratio, with 0.023
facility, users of specialist facilities are willing to travel rinks in Brent per 1000 population compared to a London
further and there are two other indoor tracks in North average of 0.02 rinks per 1000, meaning there is 0.7 of a
and West London at Brunel University (Uxbridge) and Lea rink more in Brent compared to the London average.
Valley (Enfield)
Indoor Athletics
Legend
Pay & Play Indoor Athletics
1.6km Buffer of Pay & Play Athletics
Ward Boundaries
Brent Borough Boundary
Indoor Bowls
Travel Time
Symbol
(minutes walking)
2.1 - 16.39
16.4 - 30.68
30.69 - 44.97
44.98 - 59.26
59.27 - 73.55
Legend
Brent Borough Boundary
Private Indoor Bowls within a 1.6km Walk Time
Indoor Bowls - Registered Membership Use
Ward Boundaries
65
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Supply and Demand Supply and Demand
Active Places Power local supply and demand balance Vale Farm Sports Centre receives over 8,000 squash visits
tool identifies that 46.11% of the demand for indoor per year which relates to just over 20 visits per day which,
bowls within Brent is met through this one facility. spread over 5 courts, equals only 2 matches per court
If Brent were to meet the demand in the borough per day suggesting the demand isnt there to cover the
another 6 rink indoor bowls facilities would have to current provision.
be accommodated, but this tool does not take into
account facilities provided in neighbouring boroughs in However, squash courts can provide multi use spaces for
Westminster and north in Harrow. However, demand for a variety of activities and still provide for squash when
bowls is falling and a further rink would therefore not be required.
required by 2016.
Quality
The facilities at Vale Farm have recently be refurbished
Indoor Squash Courts
which will increase capacity further and may attract more
usage.
Squash was most popular in the 1970s. However,
demand has decreased in recent years and many squash
courts have been developed to provide alternative Indoor Tennis
facilities such as childrens play areas or gyms.
Quantity
Quantity The borough has no specialist indoor tennis courts
The borough hosts 7 squash courts in two locations. although sports halls are used for this, particularly for
Two courts are located at Wembley and Sudbury tennis, junior tennis provision.
squash and social club and 5 courts at Vale Farm sports
centre. The capacity ratio for indoor courts in London produces
a score of 0.03 tennis courts per 1000 of the population
Accessibility meaning that Brent would need an 8 court indoor
Both squash sites are located in Sudbury ward within tennis centre to meet the average in London. However,
close proximity to one another. This means that the this doesnt take into consideration the fact that all
majority of the boroughs population is not within a 20 neighbouring Boroughs have indoor tennis facilities
minute walk time to any squash facilities. which may cover Brents demand for indoor tennis courts.
Location of
Squash Courts
Legend
Pay & Play Squash Courts
Registered Membership Use
Squash Courts
66
Squash Courts
Ward Boundaries
Chapter Six - Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Table 20: Capacity Ratios indoor tennis
Travel Time
Symbol
(minutes walking)
12.85 - 29.254
29.255 - 45.658
45.659 - 62.062
62.063 - 78.466
78.467 - 94.87
67
Chapter Six Indoor Sports Facility Provision
Pitch Type No. of LA Pitches No. of Education Pitches No. of Private Pitches
Football 36 26 + 2 decommissioned 8
Cricket 6 3 4
Gaelic Football 3 0 0
Rugby 2 1 1
Total 46 30 13
Floodlighting
There are currently no floodlit grass pitches in the borough, other than ones on private pitch sites. There are
decommissioned floodlights at Alperton Sports Ground and the former London Wasps rugby training ground at Vale
Farm, Sudbury Avenue.
Only some of Brents playing pitches have changing room facilities. The changing rooms that are available were also
assessed in accordance with the Sport England VQA. The results are shown in the table below.
A total of 11 local authority changing facilities were assessed, equating to one third of Brent sports pitches having
changing rooms available for public use. Just over half are in good or excellent condition with Gladstone Park,
Willesden Sports Ground and GEC Sports Ground rated the highest. Two were rated as poor; Silver Jubilee Park and
Tokyngton Recreation Ground.
Seven of the 22 education facilities have changing facilities, most of which are in good condition. Two (Claremont
High School and JFS) were rated as being in excellent condition,
More than three quarters of the private playing pitches have changing room facilities available, which are mainly of
average condition. Three of the facilities, at the Pavilion Stonebridge, Goals at Alperton Sports Ground and Wembley
Cricket Club were rated as excellent.
71
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Football Pitches
Across the borough there are a total of 18 senior football pitches, 47 junior pitches and 5 mini soccer pitches. These
are broken down by ownership in the following table. The definition of junior and senior pitches is loosely defined
and for the purposes of this study, pitches of 100m or less in length have been assessed as being junior pitches, even if
senior teams primarily use them.
The total area of football pitches in the Borough is 66.7ha, in which the table below shows this by football pitch type
and ownership. The number of pitches is based on the pitches in active use and not pitches that were not marked out
e.g. pitches at Gladstone Park and King Edward VII Recreation Ground, Willesden which are being improved and not
currently marked out, so were not assessed and are not included in this audit.
Much of the borough is within a 20 minute walking distance (1.6km) to a football pitch. In the South East of the
borough there are only football pitches on school sites.
69
61 28
72 21
35 66
15 41
20
34
63 50
6 27
73
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Rugby Pitches
The audit surveyed 4 rugby pitches in Brent covering an area of 4.8ha (including safety margins). These include two
local authority sites, 1 education site (junior pitch) and 1 privately owned site. The provision of pitches is focused along
the north, north west periphery and south east of the borough.
A survey of sports clubs in 2003 found 2 rugby union clubs operating in the borough. They have a total of 7 teams
between them. A new rugby pitch is to be provided as part of the improvements to Gladstone Park, together with
a floodlit training area. These new facilities will become the new home for one of Brents rugby clubs who will leave
Tiverton playing fields. Tiverton playing fields will continue to provide valuable pitches for nearby schools in an area
with limited open space provision. This provision is therefore expected to meet demand for rugby pitch facilities unless
levels of participation increase significantly.
60. Sudbury Court Sports Club 29b. Kingsbury High upper site 61. Sudbury Hill Playing Fields (2
(46%) (2 additional pitches not (2 pitches 72% & 61%) pitches 75% & 80%)
marked out at time of audit) Artificial pitches
27. King Edward VII Park, Willesden 29a. Kingsbury High lower site 71. Wembley Cricket Club (77%)
(77%) Artificial pitch (moderate)
47. Preston Park (not marked out at 35. Maybank Open Space (not
time of audit) marked out at the time of the audit)
Cricket Locations
Legend
75
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Quality Gaelic Football Pitches
The overall quality score for cricket pitches in the borough
is 73%, however the local authority pitches average at Quantity
67%. Improvements are currently taking place on pitches At the time of the audit there were 3 Gaelic football
at Sudbury Court (Vale Farm) and King Edwards VII in pitches with an area of 4.8ha including safety margins.
Willesden. New cricket pitches will be available at John All three are within the ownership of Brent Council; 2 in
Billam and Gladstone Recreation Ground. Northwick Park and 1 at Church Lane Recreation Ground.
During the summer months, the football pitches at John
Supply and Demand Billam Sports Ground are laid out for gaelic football.
Cricket is a locally popular sport with participation Three pitches were not laid out at the time of audit (Silver
levels well above the national average. 1.5% of Brent Jubilee, GEC Pellat Road and Vale Farm). An additional
population play cricket which is equivalent to 4,188 pitch at Gladstone Park was under construction at the
people playing cricket in any 4 week period (this figure time of the audit.
does not include junior players). Cricket is one of 8
priority sports in the borough. Table 29: Gaelic football pitches and pitch quality
There are currently 10 cricket clubs affiliated to the MCB Pitch Quality score
playing within Brent. A review of pitch bookings in 2005 39. Northwick Park 2 pitches (84% & 70%)
of Brent Parks Service reveals there are an additional 4 11. Church Lane 55%
clubs using facilities within Brent that are not affiliated. Recreation Ground
25. John Billam Sports 2 pitches in summer
A survey of cricket clubs conducted in 2003 for the Brent
Ground (not assessed)
Playing Pitch Strategy found a total of 31 adult teams
and 9 junior teams. The average number of players in 19. GEC Pellat Road Not laid out at time of audit
an adult team is 16 players and 23 players in a junior 53. Silver Jubilee Not laid out at time of audit
team. Based on this survey of clubs, the conversion rate 69. Vale Farm Not laid out at time of audit
(percentage of population playing cricket based on club 21. Gladstone Park Pitch under construction
membership numbers) is just 0.2% which is very low
and suggests there may be potentially a large number of
Brent cricket players playing outside the borough or that
people are playing cricket in clubs that did not respond to Map 44: Catchment map Gaelic football pitches
the survey.
25
and local demand is expected to be considerably higher.
39
19
Whilst there appears to sufficient overall supply of
cricket pitches to meet minimum demand estimates, 69
21
community use of the 4 pitches on school grounds will
be limited and is therefore given a 0.5 weighting. This
gives a total community use provision of 10 pitches. By
2016 there will be shortage of one public cricket pitch
to meet minimum demand estimates. There is also the
need to provide outdoor cricket nets to help with the
development of the sport for training purposes. There
is no cricket provision in central and south east areas
of the borough and the north of the borough only has
cricket pitches on school sites.
77
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Four STPs are available on a pay and play basis and three Brents capacity ratio in 2001 was slightly below the
other sites are available through sports clubs / community London average, whilst this was a marginal deficit this
organisation bookings. Two of the STPs are 3rd will increase to the equivalent deficiency of 1 pitch by
Generation and not suitable for competitive hockey and 2016 if no further STPs are provided with population
two further small sized STPs are suitable for football only. growth.
Map 45 Catchment maps Synthetic Turf Pitches Map 46: Travel time map STPs
Legend
Pay & Play
Location of Synthetic Sports Club / Community
Turf Pitches Association
Private
1.6km Buffer Pay & Play
1.6km Buffer Sports Club /
Community Association
24
1.6km Buffer Private
Ward Boundaries
Borough Boundary
73
68
63
6
22
36
!
78
pitches pitches pitches
Chapter Six - Outdoor Sports Facilities
their pitches are not full sized and are not included in the Map 47: Catchment maps tennis courts
analysis.
demand. 45
74
28 21
70
Tennis Courts
54
79
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Of the local authority tennis courts, these vary in quality. A central band running north-south through the borough
Of highest quality are King Edward VII Park, which and extending to Alperton, is more than 20 minutes
were refurbished in 2006 and Preston Park. The courts walking distance from tennis provision. The catchment
at Woodcock Park are in poor condition. There are a area of private courts (which includes school facilities)
number of local authority tennis courts which are no does not greatly increase the area of the borough already
longer usable; these are the courts at Alperton and Eton covered by public facilities. The only public provision in
Grove and 4 additional courts at Chelmsford Square. the North of the borough is the courts at Woodcock Park
These courts suffer from uneven or broken surfacing, which are in poor condition.
dilapidated or absent fencing and nets and are in need of
refurbishing. Some of the courts at Gladstone Park are Supply and Demand
also in need of resurfacing. Tiverton Rd had tennis courts There are a total of 74 tennis courts in the borough,
available in the past, however these are now dilapidated which is the equivalent of 0.27 courts per 1,000
and not included in this assessment. population. There are no benchmark capacity ratios to
compare this figure with.
Only four secondary schools in the borough have tennis Brent tennis participation rate is 2.1%, which is
courts. This is low considering these accounts for just equivalent to 5,863 people playing tennis in a 4 week
over a quarter of Brent secondary schools. However the period. Tennis participation rates in Brent are lower than
quality of existing education tennis courts is generally the London rate of 3% and participation in neighbouring
good with an average quality rating of 70.1%. The boroughs is 3% or above.
courts at Convent of Jesus & Mary Language College can
be used for either tennis or netball.
Local Authority Sites Total % Education Sites Total % Score Alternate Total % Score
Score provider site
51. Roe Green 87.5 57. St Marys C of 100 63. The Pavilion 94.6
(double court) E Primary School
52. Roundwood Park 84.4 38. Newfield 100 50. Queens Anticipated
(double court) Primary School Park School Spring 09
59. St Raphaels Community 67.6 58. St Mary R.C 100
Centre Primary School
8. Chalkhill Sports Ground 65.6 24. JFS 86.5
64. The Shrine 62.2 73. Wembley 84
High Technical
College
42. One Tree Hill 29.7 6. Capital City 77.8
Academy
23. Grove Park Open Oct 08 26. John Kelly 60
Girls School
60. Sudbury Court, Open April 08 33. Longstone 35.1
Vale Farm Avenue
62. Tenterden Anticipated 9. Chalkhill Youth 18.9
Recreation Ground construction Centre
Spring 09
21. Gladstone Park Anticipated 78. Sudbury Open 04/08
(double court) construction Primary School private use only
Spring 09
81
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Map 48: Catchment map MUGAs / ball courts in Brent Stonebridge, Harlesden and Dollis Hill. Willesden Green
with an 800m catchment area has the highest number of young adults (16-24). New
MUGA provision should be focused in areas of greatest
potential demand.
23
51
Map 49 below shows existing locations of MUGAs and
areas of greatest population density of young people
24
and locations of some of Brents larger parks, recreation
grounds and open spaces. The current distribution of
62
MUGAs appears to correspond fairly well with areas of
highest child population density, although there is no
26
provision in Preston, Fryent and Welsh Harp wards. Brent
73
8
9
parks which serve areas of high youth population density
and currently have no MUGA provision include; Eton
69
78 60
21
Kenton 6
last year at three different primary 1
Population Density
Very Low
schools, and new MUGAs were also 22
29
14
Low
Barnhill
built at The Pavilion in Stonebridge and 23
Northwick
18
Welsh
Medium t.
High
at Sudbury Court, Vale Farm. Four Park Preston Harp 9
Dollis Hill Very High
additional MUGAs are planned in
17
24
the next year at Gladstone Park (2) 0
28
Tenterden Recreation Ground (1)
15
Tokyngton 12
Mapesbury
Sudbury 10 Dudden Hill
and Queens Park School (1). 7 19
Wembley 26
4
Central Willesden Green
Supply and Demand 16
Harlesden 25
Brondesbury
Park
Brent has 18 good quality Alperton 27 11
Kilburn
MUGAs, four planned within the Stonebridge
Kensal Green Queens Park
5
next six months and 3 in poor or 13
82
proportion of under 16 year olds are
Chapter Six - Outdoor Sports Facilities
Netball Courts is higher than both the London level (0.2%) and the
national level (0.1%).
Quantity
There are no local authority netball courts in the borough. Map 50: Travel time map athletics tracks
Of the schools surveyed, only Capital City Academy and
JFS had netball courts in use, however it appears that
not all schools were included in the audit and additional
schools have netball court facilities which are available
for public use e.g. Kingsbury High schools. The
MUGA at the Pavilion in Stonebridge is used by
a local netball team.
Athletic Tracks and Facilities The map above shows that people living in Alperton,
Wembley Central, Tokyngton, Barnhill and parts of
Quantity and Quality Kenton are over a 50 minute walk away from any
There is one outdoor floodlit athletics track with high outdoor athletic track facilities.
jump, long jump, and pole vault pits plus a hammer and
shot put cage at Willesden Sports Centre. This facility is However usage at the Willesden Sports Centre track is
in very good condition, having been resurfaced as part low with additional capacity available for more users and
of the sports centre redevelopment and reopened in there are several athletics tracks close to the borough
November 2006. There is a disused cinder track at the boundaries at Perivale (Ealing) Barnet Copthall (Barnet),
rear of Vale farm sports centre. Harrow School (Harrow) and Linford Christie Stadium
(Hammersmith & Fulham). Therefore there does not
Supply and demand appear to be demand for the additional lanes suggested
The six lane athletics track at Willesden Sports Centre by London-wide provision rates.
equates to a capacity ratio of 0.021 lanes per 1,000
population in 2007. This is below the London average
of 0.04. To match the London average, the borough
would require a further 5 lanes now and 6.2 lanes by
2016. Active People Survey showed Brents participation
in athletics track and field activity to be 0.3%, which
83
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
Bowling Greens Of the local authority sites, all but Alperton Sports
Ground and Gladstone Park have a club associated with
Quantity them and are in relatively good condition. Alperton
There are 9 outdoor bowling greens in the borough, 7 Sports Ground is no longer in use and, although
maintained by the local authority and 2 privately owned. Gladstone Park was refurbished in 2006 with Heritage
The provision of bowling greens is concentrated in the Lottery Funding, it was only brought up to a casual
North and South East of the borough. standard of play, in the event that demand for bowls
may increase in future and subsequently brought up to
Map 51: catchment map Bowling greens club standard. Roundwood Park green is the most well
used and in the best condition. However, the pavilion
associated with it is in one of the worst conditions.
Location of
Bowling Greens Of the private bowling greens, both are known to have
17
been in financial difficulty. Century Bowling Club has
redeveloped its site replacing two lawn greens with
one artificial green which has enabled them to make
76 improvements to their pavilion and indoor bowling green.
47
7
21
28
4 Legend
Pay & Play Bowling Greens
52 Registered Membership Use
1.6km Buffer Bowling Greens
Ward Boundaries
3 1.6km Buffer Bowling Greens
Quality
Site Name & Site Reference Number Total Score % Pavilion Score %
3. Alperton Sports Ground 29.6 Derelict
4. Brondesbury Bowling Club (Private) 66.7 54
7. Century Bowling Club (Private) under construction under construction
17. Eton Grove Open Space 64.8 52
21. Gladstone Park 33.3 No pavilion
28. King Edward VII Park 72.2 86
47. Preston Park 66.7 78
52. Roundwood Park 83.3 54
76. Woodcock Park 81.5 64
Cycling
Cycling is not just a form of transport but an increasingly
popular sport due to the British successful cycling team at
the Beijing Olympics 2008. But it is also a leisure pursuit
and fitness activity, which engages people of all ages to
take up the activity.
85
Chapter six Outdoor Sports Facilities
The chapter goes on to identify priorities for future provision and sets
local standards which the Borough should be striving to achieve in
order to ensure that levels of demand are met.
Indoor swimming and going to the gym are the activities most
Brent residents participate in but this is significantly below the
87
London average
Chapter Seven Priorities for Future Provision
Football and jogging are the activities most participated Key facts - Sports Facilities
in outdoors but these are below the London average There has been very little investment in the Boroughs
sporting infrastructure over the last twenty years. This
Cricket, dance studio based activities and basketball are now means that in general Brent has aging, poor quality
more popular in Brent than across London as a whole sports facilities, low levels of satisfaction, low levels of
provision in some facility types and some of the lowest
87% of Brent pupils are receiving two hours quality PE levels of participation in London.
There are a low number of sports clubs and low sports Over 50% of Brent residents live more than 20 minutes
club membership in Brent. walk from any swimming pool
Key facts strategic context The current location of Brents sports centres meets
Wembley is a host venue of the London 2012 Olympics local demand but four of the five sports centres in Brent
and paralympics are old and increasingly expensive to maintain
Sport England is aiming for 1 million people doing more Sports hall provision is almost adequate but the
sport by 2012. majority of facilities are old and located within schools
Sport and leisure can play a role in achieving many of There is significant under provision of health and fitness
the Councils corporate objectives and priorities facilities, both public and private
The Boroughs health and well being strategy recognises The quality of existing local authority pitches and courts
the need to increase the number of people participating needs to be improved
in physical activity
There is a need for changing accommodation on more
Local regeneration masterplans recognise the need for pitch locations
community infrastructure provisions
MUGA provision should be focused in areas with higher
Implications of key demographic and participation densities of young people
issues on future sports provision:
Sports facilities will need to cater for Brents diverse Community access to sports facilities on school sites
multi cultural population to ensure all communities are should be increased
able to participate.
Provision of specialist indoor sports provision should
Provision of public facilities in areas of greatest health consider provision within neighbouring Boroughs and
inequalities and social deprivation is more likely to result local participation rates
in these communities participating in physical activity
than if they had to travel a long way to a facility Future Facility Needs
As a result of the extensive research, facility audits and
A need for affordable pay and play activities in areas consultation, this strategy has reviewed and analysed
of greatest social need future sports provision needs to satisfy current and future
demand.
Facilities need to be located in areas with very good
public transport access and safe walking and cycling The following facility needs have been identified:
routes
Facilities targeting particular age groups should be
focused in areas of greatest densities Sports Centres Wet and Dry
Sports facility provision needs to be backed up by Using Sport Englands many strategic planning tools the
significant sports development resources to target and audits highlight the importance of Brents existing sports
enable Brents residents to lead more active lifestyles centres, at or very near to their current locations, in
providing much needed publicly accessible facilities and
Better quality facilities will increase satisfaction levels meeting the sporting demands of Brent residents. The
and participation rates lack of swimming pool provision in Brent is a major issue
89
Chapter Seven Priorities for Future Provision
The quality of existing pitches needs to be improved Synthetic Turf pitches
and additional changing accommodation should be STP provision falls slightly below FA recommended levels
provided. Existing changing rooms should be at least of and the London average. Residents in some parts of
good standard and capable of use by both genders and the Borough have to travel more than 20 minutes to an
different age groups at the same time. Floodlit pitches STP and any new provision should focus on those areas
should be reinstalled. currently at greatest distance from existing facilities.
Where there is no open space to provide new pitches e.g. Other specialist outdoor facilities
South East of the Borough, schools should be encouraged There is no additional demand for outdoor bowling
to offer use of their pitches to the community greens or athletics tracks.
91
Chapter Seven Priorities for Future Provision
Facility Type Brent Current Demand (2008) Surplus +/ Demand (2016) Additional
Provision (2008) Deficit - provision
required by
2016 based
on current
provision
MUGAs 21 35 -14 38 17
Bowling Greens 9 9 0 9 Current provision
is expected to
meet existing
demand and into
the future
Netball courts 10 (within 39 -29 44 34
schools, figure
may be higher)
93
Chapter Seven Priorities for Future Provision
Sports Facility Location Reason / Comments Priority
H/M/L
Pitch Improvements GEC Pellat Road Recreation Drainage improvements will allow High
Ground for new football, Gaelic, cricket
pitches to meet unmet demand
King Edward VII Park, Lay out football pitches to meet High
Willesden unmet demand.
John Billam Recreation Drainage improvements & cricket High
Ground wicket to allow for more intensive
use.
Vale Farm Improve cricket wickets High
Northwick Park Drainage improvements & cricket Medium
wicket to allow for more intensive
use.
Silver Jubilee Recreation Pitch and pavilion improvements to Medium
Ground allow for more intensive use.
Alperton Sports Ground Upgrade floodlights to increase Low
floodlit training facilities in the
borough.
Tiverton Green and Poor pitch quality, drainage Medium
Tenterden Sports Ground improvements required to improve
rugby provision in the borough.
King Edward VII, Wembley Install pitches for football & cricket High
to meet existing unmet demand
in an area of expected population
growth which is under provided
for in both football & cricket.
Refurbish pavilion.
New Pitch Facilities Roe Green Park Install pitches and changing High
facilities for football & cricket to
meet unmet demand in an area
where provision is currently focused
on schools
Vale Farm Bring grass floodlit training ground High
on former Wasps site back into use
as there are no other floodlit grass
training facilities in the borough.
Gibbons Recreation Ground Provision of changing High
accommodation that will enable
pitches to come into full use
Eton Grove Install pitches and changing Medium
facilities for football & cricket to
meet existing unmet demand in
an area of expected population
growth and where existing
provision is currently focused on
schools.
Grove Park Install football pitches (junior/mini) Medium
to meet unmet demand in an area
of expected population growth
Gladstone Park
Roe Green
4 Additional Tennis Areas which fall outside Demand calculations indicate Medium
courts of catchment of existing there is a total deficit of 17 courts
provision - School site in the borough. 13 courts can be
refurbished, leaving need for 4
new courts. Additional provision
required to increase informal sport
with free access to children to use
the courts and help to develop the
sport in the borough.
MUGA upgrade One Tree Hill Open Space MUGAs in parks and youth centres Medium
which are in poor or dilapidated
Chalkhill Youth Centre condition, which serve areas of
high young person population
density. Resident survey indicates
need for greater provision for
young people.
Additional MUGAs Gibbons Recreation Ground Lack of publicly accessible High
or nearby location facilities in the areas of high youth
population density.
King Edward VII Park,
Wembley
95
Chapter Seven Priorities for Future Provision
Sports Facility Location Reason / Comments Priority
H/M/L
Additional MUGAs Church Lane Recreation Lack of publicly accessible Medium
Ground / Youth Centre facilities in the areas of high youth
population density.
Woodcock Park
Eton Grove
Neasden Recreation
Ground
Additional MUGAs South Kilburn Open Space Lack of publicly accessible Low
facilities in the areas of high youth
Alperton Sports Ground population density.
Preston Park
Sherrans Farm
ensure there is development of facilities of sufficient A third of demand is currently met outside Brent, to
quality and distribution to encourage increased levels reduce the level of exported demand it is proposed that
of participation and help address socio economic issues the two additional pools have 6-lanes. This raises the
such as reducing crime, improving poor health and total water space requirement to 1,700 sqm.
offering employment opportunities
Projected future demand
ensure the adoption of quality standards in design, The 2016 FPM models show that despite the expected
construction and energy efficiency. increase in population and demand, the amount of
unmet demand appears not to change significantly as
ensure facilities are accessible by public transport, existing and new pools (located outside the borough)
bicycle and foot to ensure good practice in sustainable absorb the additional demand. However, the location of
development. new pools in neighbouring boroughs does not improve
accessibility for Brent residents. 50% of residents remain
further than 20 minutes from a pool. Significantly, around
Projected Sports Hall Demand Local Standard (courts per 1,000 Local Standard
population) (sqm per 1,000 population)
Large sports hall: 1 court per 3,500 residents 0.29 courts per 1,000 population
Total of 87 courts in the form of 3+ (preference for 4-court halls) 44 sqm
court halls
Small sports hall: Within 15 mins walking distance
minimum 1 badminton sized court
99
Chapter Eight Local Standards
Health and Fitness proportion of gym members to neighbouring boroughs.
Therefore, to allow for this latent demand, national
participation rates can be used to estimate demand now
There are 20 health and fitness suites in the borough and into the future. Based on national conversion rates
and these provide a total of 1,258 health and fitness there is currently demand in the borough for a total of
stations. This is the equivalent of 4.77 stations per 1,860 health and fitness stations.
1,000 population which is below the London average
of 6.5. However, there are only 1209 stations accessible Growth in the population up to 2016 is expected to
to the public through either pay and play or registered equate to 36,650 health and fitness memberships which
membership. is equivalent to 2,036 stations. The level of provision
to meet projected demand is 6.7 stations per 1,000
Projected Future Demand population or 1 station per 150 population which
According to the Active People Survey 9% of residents equates to the need for an additional 827 publicly
go to the gym. This is below London rates (13.5%) but accessible fitness stations.
on a similar level to the national average. Brents health
and fitness facilities have a total of 22,105 members To ensure affordable provision, pay and play facilities will
which is an 8% conversion rate (ratio of population that be sought in areas of multiple deprivation.
have memberships). This is below the national conversion
rate of 12% and suggests Brent is currently exporting a Table 41: Health and fitness local standard
101
school hours.
Chapter Eight Local Standards
NETBALL COURTS
Netball is a priority sport for the borough and for participation to increase there needs to be a higher level of sports
facility provision than current levels. At present there are no private or public outdoor courts in the borough other
than on school sites. 5 public courts will be available at Gladstone Park from summer 2009. It is recommended
that all secondary schools should have two netball courts (these can also be used for tennis) and where schools are
providing new MUGA facilities these should be large enough to allow for netball. As netball is typically a winter sport,
floodlighting should be provided to allow greater use by the public outside of school hours. To raise the profile of the
sport, netball courts should also be provided as part of the redevelopment of Vale Farm and Bridge Park sports centres.
The recommended total provision is 39 netball courts in the borough, the equivalent of 1 court per 7,500 population
and 0.13 courts/ 130sqm per 1,000 population.
ATHLETICS TRACKS
Although the current provision rates for athletics tracks is below that of the London average there does not appear to
be demand for additional provision, it is therefore considered that the current provision standard should apply, and be
reviewed at a later date.
BOWLING GREENS
As bowling is a sport that is in decline in Brent and in London, it is anticipated that current provision levels will be
sufficient in the future. There are 9 greens currently, which is equivalent to 1 green per 33,300 population for expected
population growth and 0.03 rinks/ 0.009ha per 1000 population.
Outdoor Sports Standard per 1000 Local Standard Quality Standard Access
Facility population
Synthetic Turf Pitches 0.02 pitches or 0.02 1 per 50,000 Full size, floodlit STP Publicly accessible
ha/200sqm of good or excellent within 1.6km or 20
quality minutes walk
Athletics Tracks 0.02 lanes 1 lane per 50,000 Good or excellent Retain existing
quality provision and
accessibility
Football Pitches 0.4 ha 1 ha of grass pitch Good or excellent Publicly accessible
per 2,500 population quality within 1.6km or 20
minutes walk
Gaelic football Pitches 0.03 pitches or 0.06 1 pitch per 34,000 Good or excellent Located to maximise
ha/600sqm quality club development
Tennis Courts 0.32 courts or 0.028 1 court per 3,000 Good or excellent Publicly accessible
ha/280sqm quality within 1.6km or 20
minutes walk
MUGAs 0.13 MUGA or 1 MUGA per 8,000 Good or excellent Publicly accessible
150 sqm population quality within 800m or 10
minutes walk in areas
of high young person
population density
Bowling Greens 0.03 rinks or 90sqm 1 bowling green per Good or excellent Retain existing
33,300 quality provision and
accessibility
Rugby Pitches New facilities at 1 pitch per 279,000 Good or excellent Retain new provision
Gladstone Park quality, floodlit at Gladstone Park
expected to meet
demand
Cricket Pitches 0.04 pitches or 1 pitch per 27,500 Good or excellent Publicly accessible
0.08ha/800 sqm quality within 1.6km or 20
minutes walk
Netball Courts 0.13 court or 130 1 per 7,500 Good or excellent Provision linked to
sqm quality, floodlit. schools and sports
centres.
Changing Rooms All outdoor sports All outdoor sports Of good or Publicly accessible
facilities with 2 or facilities with 2 or excellent quality. adjacent to sports
more grass pitches. more grass pitches. Accommodate use pitches (2 or more
at the same time pitches).
by different age &
genders. Provide
toilet facilities.
Larger pitch sites to
provide enhanced
facilities in the form
of a pavilion.
103
Chapter Eight Local Standards
Sport England
Regional Agencies
Health Service
Commercial Enterprises
Local Community
Resources
Increasing demands through increasing populations and government
regulations has added pressure on public services. This has meant
that money towards facility improvements has been spread across
the services and large sums of money available for projects have
been restricted. It is important to identify new sources of funding
105
and partnerships in order to bring about improvements to the sports
facilities. This may mean that the council has to join up approaches to
get the desired goals.
Chapter Nine Delivery
London Borough of Brent Capital Funds Building Schools for the Future (BSF). It is anticipated
that any new build schools will be funded using the PFI
Prudential Borrowing process, with refurbishment funded by traditional capital
funding mechanisms. This programme has a major part
Capital receipts from sale of land to play in building new sports facilities. With less funding
being available through the lottery and Sport England,
Site development (in the case of Bridge Park it has been the Building Schools for the Future programme may
identified that this could be funded through housing contain the only substantial source of investment that is
development on the site.) needed to improve and provide new sports facilities.
External funding (such as the lottery) It is vital that this strategy takes into account the BSF
programme and it helps to dictate what sports facilities
Section 106 (increasing amount of money generated are factored into the building of a new or renewed
for sport) school. It is important that sport has an input into the BSF
process from the outset to allow for the correct facilities
Joint Ventures between London Boroughs to be strategically placed into areas of need that will serve
the whole community not just the school. Community
Commercial Enterprise use is a key component to the BSF programme and this
needs to be maximised. This means that decisions on the
Sponsorship design of the building need to be considered carefully.
Local Community Funds The BSF programme is limited to providing sports facilities
such as sports halls, dance/gymnastics studios, health
2012 legacy, this may bring about new funding streams and fitness, synthetic turf pitches, MUGAs, tennis courts,
previously not available netball courts, basketball courts, all weather cricket
wickets, nets and pitches, grass football pitches, rugby
Sports Clubs who may have access to more external pitches, and athletics facilities. The BSF programme is
funding reluctant to provide facilities such as swimming pools as
they are costly to maintain and manage. However there
Revenue Support from the council to help with are opportunities for the Local Authority to add capital
management of facilities to the programme in order to get additional facilities
such as swimming pools, separate area for changing,
Sports National Governing Bodies and reception areas to enable the facilities to be open to
the public at the same time the school is in use. It is also
Building Schools for the Future (strategic need not just important to consider running costs and schools may
school needs) need support with running costs if they are to provide
community use to less mainstream provision. Dual use
Regeneration/Enterprise Fund facilities are growing in popularity, however the emphasis
needs to be placed on design to ensure the facilities are
Public/Private Partnerships functional for the school and provide community access.
Secondary Schools in
Borough of Brent Kingsbury
High school
Claremont High
School
JFS
St Gregorys R.C
High School Legend
Borough Boundary
Secondary
Preston Manor
High School John Kelly Technical sde.CORPDATA.Major_Roads
Wembley High
Technical College College (Girls)
Queens Park School is located in an area where the Claremont High School, JFS and St Gregorys R.C High
greatest demand is for publicly accessible sports hall school are all located close to the north border of the
provision and south of the borough is under-supplied borough. JFS and Claremont High School already have
with public accessible grass football pitches. a range of sports provisions however to increase the
capacity of these facilities there needs to be public access.
The map identifies that there is lack of schools located in There is also a need for more health and fitness provision
the central, east and north east of the borough which in this area as well as swimming pool provision.
as previously stated are the two areas in greatest need
for indoor sports provision such as swimming pool, Preston Manor High school is also located in an area
sports halls and health and fitness facilities. The schools of demand for both health and fitness facilities and a
107
Chapter Nine Delivery
swimming pool. It is also in the vicinity of need for a provide students and local communities with facilities
synthetic turf pitch, but with Wembley High school and in which to progress in sport and help them to lead an
Vale Farm having facilities not too far away, it wouldnt active healthy lifestyle.
be an ideal location for this type of facility.
Planning obligations
Wembley High School, located towards the north west of The strategy has identified standards and areas for
the borough, is in an ideal location to join up with Vale improvement and it is vital that the strategy helps form
Farm to provide a community hub for a range of facilities part of the planning process. This will allow sport to gain
such as tennis, football, sports hall provision, MUGA, and an essential foothold into future planning, and forms the
other community provision. evidence base needed for developers to provide these
facilities through development and planning obligations.
South of the borough which would include schools such
as Cardinal Hinsley R.C High School, Convent of Jesus Planning obligations otherwise known as Section 106
and Mary R.C High School and Capital City Academy, (S106) planning gain, is a useful tool to help aid the
would benefit the most from improved community access delivery of sports improvement programmes across
to sports halls, outdoor football pitches, and extra tennis the borough. All new developments that are likely to
court facilities which were open to the community. increase pressure on existing infrastructure, including
school places, transport, health, open space and sport
If any new schools are planned for or old schools are to facilities may be required to provide for these on-site, or
be located in different positions, it is important that this if not practicable to make financial contributions towards
strategy has an influence over the location of the new the cost of providing for these facilities elsewhere in the
schools, otherwise the sports facilities will not be utilised locality.
to their potential and will not have the desired impact on
the local community. Through the adoption of Brents s106 Planning
Obligation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Oct
All the schools and their current facilities should be 2007, a standard charge applies to all new residential
taken into consideration as well as the improvements developments and commercial developments greater
that need to be made to these in order to create better than 500m. This is an agreed amount that the council
provision and provide better community access. It is also considers reasonable to mitigate the pressures from
important to take into consideration the needs of the new development without jeopardising the financial
local community, and the sports facilities they would like viability of schemes. This charge provides the option for
to have in particular locations. combined education, transport, open space and sport
contributions which can be applied more flexibly to
There are opportunities for the schools to join together enable bulk funding for large infrastructure costs. For
with sports national governing bodies to provide facilities, example, instead of individual negotiations for different
such as local development centres for indoor tennis. services, a total cost is agreed towards the provision and/
Sport Development has an important part to play in or the improvement of education and/or transportation
making sure the facilities will be utilised to their potential and/or open space and sport infrastructure in the local
and working with the governing bodies will help to make area. In theory this example could mean the full amount
sure the facilities have there desired effect. is spent on open space and sport infrastructure from one
scheme.
The BSF programme is about being innovative in the
design and make up of the building and working in In addition to the standard charge, monies can also
partnership to create the best environment for the be negotiated towards the cost of new or improved
needs of the local community. For example, the basic infrastructure which is over and above the usual impacts
4 court sports hall may cater for the school, however it of development that have already been calculated
may not be right for the community. Spaces need to be within the standard charge. Historically the council has
interchangeable to meet the needs of the community. approved a number of housing schemes on private sports
grounds which have been compensated for through s106
With the BSF programme there is an unique opportunity agreements. This has provided a large funding stream
to enhance the current stock of sports facilities and make for many improvement programmes of existing public
sure the facilities meet 21st century expectations. It will open spaces and sports facilities in the borough. As the
allow the borough to plan for future sporting needs and majority of the private sports grounds have now been
locate facilities in areas of greatest demand and hopefully developed, and more robust policies exist to protect
105
and developers. When development proposals do come
forward, this forms the evidence base in which monies
can be prioritised towards improving sports participation
109
Chapter Ten Review and Monitoring
This strategy has been produced so that the development
of sports facilities within the Borough can be provided for
in a planned and co-ordinated way that meets the needs
of Brents whole population and satisfies areas of greatest
demand.
111
and Tables within the strategy
113
and Tables within the strategy