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PPG17 Assessment: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation 

The Borough Council has commissioned Consultants to produce interlinked strategies covering indoor and outdoor sports facilities, parks and greenspace, playing pitches and children's play provision. It is anticipated that together these documents will assist in guiding future provision and the management of existing resources in the Stafford Borough area in the context of National Policy and local development criteria through:

1. Analysing and assessing the current level of public, private and voluntary sport and recreational provision within the Borough with regard to quantity, quality and accessibility;
2. Identifying and evaluating strategic options for enhancing community sporting and leisure provision throughout the Borough;
3. Providing information and making clear recommendations to enable informed decisions to be made to assist in determining future development proposals in the Borough and to feed into the Local Development Framework which is currently being prepared.

In October 2008 a draft PPG17 Assessment and Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities Strategy was consulted on. To view the consultation summary document please click here. The consultation closed on 12 noon 31st December 2008. To view all comments received please click here.

Following this a final PPG17 Assessment and Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities Strategy has been produced. This can be viewed below

• Final Document (March 2009) 
• Maps (March 2009)
• Appendices A - E (March 2009)

The need to undertake a PPG17 assessment is given within the national guidance of PPG17 Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation published in 2002. The criteria guidance on how to complete the PPG17 assessment is taken from the companion guide. To view the PPG17 document and the companion Guide please click on the following links:

• PPG17: 'Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation'
• 'Assessing Needs and Opportunities: a Companion Guide to PPG17'

As part of the initial survey work, the council had invited different individuals and interest groups to complete a questionnaire regarding  open spaces within the borough. The questionnaire was given to the consultants and incorporated into the consultation document.