Winchester Playing Pitch Strategy
Winchester Sports Facility Assessment & Playing Pitch Strategy 2025–2040
Adopted: 20 March 2026
Winchester City Council has adopted a new Sports Facility Assessment and Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) covering the period 2025–2040. This strategy sets out how the council and its partners will plan for the future of outdoor sports pitches and key sports facilities across the district. It replaces the previous Playing Pitch Strategy from 2018 and ensures we have up‑to‑date, independently verified evidence to support investment and decision‑making.
What the Strategy Does
The PPS provides a detailed understanding of the current and future need for sports facilities across the district. It:
- Reviews the supply and condition of pitches for football, rugby, cricket and hockey, as well as key indoor facilities.
- Identifies where new or improved facilities will be needed as Winchester grows.
- Supports funding bids, investment planning and planning decisions.
- Ensures facilities are well‑located, accessible and suitable for all ages and abilities.
How It Was Developed
The strategy is based on extensive consultation, including surveys and site visits with sports clubs, parish councils, schools, facility operators, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Sport England. This engagement provided a strong, evidence‑based picture of provision and demand across Winchester.
Key Findings
- Football: There is a shortage of 3G pitches, leading to overuse of grass pitches; grass capacity meets much but not all peak‑time demand.
- Rugby: Pitches are heavily overplayed and further capacity or improvements, such as better drainage, will be required.
- Cricket: Supply largely meets demand, but pitch quality varies and two new pitches will be needed before 2040.
- Hockey: Current pitches are at capacity and lack secure community access; at least one additional pitch is required.
- Tennis: Current provision meets local demand.
- Padel: Provision is below national targets; more courts are needed, particularly near larger population areas.
- Swimming Pools: Pool capacity is more than adequate, though ensuring continued access to school and college pools is essential.
- Sports Halls: Supply generally meets demand, though some specialist clubs need more suitable dedicated spaces.
Why It Matters
An up‑to‑date PPS is essential for:
- Supporting the Local Plan, ensuring new development contributes appropriately to sports provision.
- Protecting existing playing fields and ensuring any future proposals for change are backed by strong evidence.
- Strengthening bids for external funding from Sport England and NGBs.
- Planning effectively for population growth and changing participation trends.
Delivering the Strategy
The PPS will guide decisions across the next 15 years. Delivery relies on strong partnership working between the council, parish councils, clubs, schools, NGBs and other facility providers. The strategy will be reviewed annually to keep the evidence up to date and ensure that actions progress and continue to reflect local needs.