A revised Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Facilities Strategy, informed by visits to more than 80 sites and a public consultation that drew 18 responses, was put before Dover District Council’s Cabinet for adoption on 5 October 2026.
Dover District Council’s Cabinet considered whether to formally adopt an updated Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Facilities Strategy when it met on 5 October 2026. The strategy, prepared by officers with support from consultants, is intended to guide investment decisions and support funding bids for pitches and outdoor sports facilities across the district.
Background and preparation
The council’s previous strategy dated from 2015, with an assessment report published in 2019. A commitment to produce an updated strategy was made in response to comments from Sport England during the Local Plan Examination in Public in 2023. A delegated decision to commence work was taken in March 2025.
Officers and consultants visited more than 80 sites, including those managed by the council, town and parish councils, education establishments, and private or commercial operators. Local sports clubs and national governing bodies of sport contributed to the document, which was drafted in the format specified by Sport England.
Consultation responses
A draft strategy was presented to Cabinet in July 2026, which agreed to a public consultation running from 21 July to 17 August. Eighteen responses were received. Aylesham Parish Council welcomed the findings and supported recognition of significant proposed housing growth in Aylesham and the consequent need for adequate sporting provision. It also requested that improvement of Aylesham Skate Park — which it manages under a long-term lease — be retained as a clear priority.
Several consultees raised concerns that the strategy would need revision following local government reorganisation in Kent. Officers responded that the new unitary authority would initially work to adopted local plan documents and supporting evidence, and that decisions about harmonising planning documentation across the expanded territory would be made by the new authority.
Eastry Ravens Football Club raised concerns about the condition of the sports pavilion on The Gun Park in Eastry. Officers noted that the pavilion was already referenced multiple times in the document, including in an action to explore options to redevelop or refurbish the existing ancillary facilities, and concluded that no amendments were required on that point.
Amendments were made in other cases: Owl House Stables was added to the document following a concern that it had not been considered, and recommendations relating to bowling clubs were revised following comments from Dover Bowling Club. The document was also updated to reflect that planning permission had been granted for lighting to the rugby pitch at Aylesham.
Resource implications
Officers stated that the strategy would be used to seek external funding and inform requests for Section 106 contributions towards pitches and outdoor sports facilities across the district. Rejecting the strategy, officers warned, would require the work to be repeated at additional cost and would undermine the council’s credibility.
The council had not published the minutes of the meeting at the time of writing, so the committee’s decision is not yet on the public record.