Playing Pitch Strategy for Leeds

Leeds City Council is seeking to commission a suitably experienced consultant to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) for the period aligned to the emerging Leeds Local Plan (2024–2042). The PPS will provide a robust strategic framework to guide the planning, protection, improvement and development of playing pitch and outdoor sports provision across the city.

The PPS will play a critical role in supporting the Council’s ambition to tackle poverty and reduce inequalities, particularly through improving access to physical activity and sport.

A central principle of the PPS is to address inequalities in provision and participation. The consultant will be expected to demonstrate how facility planning and investment can better serve deprived communities, ethnically diverse populations and disabled users, with a strong focus on place-based insights and engagement.

The scope will include key outdoor sports such as football, rugby league and union, cricket, hockey, tennis (including padel), athletics, netball, basketball and MUGAs. The consultant will be required to undertake a full audit of provision, assess quality and capacity, analyse current and future demand, and identify gaps and opportunities across the city.

The PPS must follow Sport England’s five-stage methodology (Stages A–D), including stakeholder engagement, data analysis, scenario testing and the development of a clear, prioritised action plan. Outputs will include a strategic report, supporting evidence base, GIS mapping and a deliverable action plan aligned to funding opportunities and planning policy requirements.

The final strategy must be practical, deliverable and aligned to wider council priorities including health improvement, inclusive growth and sustainability, enabling Leeds City Council and its partners to make informed, evidence-led decisions on future sports provision and investment.