USERS are being invited to give their views on Bristol’s draft Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS), a key document designed to protect playing pitch spaces and improve provision for the future.
The draft focuses primarily on the four main pitch sports—football, rugby, cricket, and hockey—while also considering lesser played sports. The council says the strategy sets out an evidence-based approach to planning, protecting, and enhancing pitch provision across the city. It aims to ensure that Bristol has the right combination of pitches and facilities to meet the needs of a growing population, both now and in the years ahead.
If approved, the strategy aims to help improve access to sport, support community wellbeing, and strengthen the city’s ability to attract investment and funding.
Playing pitches are vital spaces for sport and physical activity, supporting health, inclusion, and community life. However, Bristol faces significant challenges in meeting current and future demand.
The draft strategy identifies that the city does not have a surplus of playing fields and that all existing sites should be protected wherever possible. Where protection is not feasible, any changes must comply with Sport England’s strict exceptions policy, ensuring that the loss of a pitch is only permitted under exceptional circumstances.
Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the public health and communities policy committee, said: “Playing pitches are more than just spaces for sport—they are places where communities come together, where health and wellbeing are supported, and where young people develop skills and confidence. As a city we’re renowned for our green space and the home of many vital grassroots sports clubs that play a pivotal role in supporting healthy and resilient communities. This strategy is about protecting what we have and planning for what we need, so that everyone in Bristol has access to quality facilities now and in the future. The consultation window is open for seven weeks and I encourage all to get involved and help us finalise a strategy that’s fully informed by the communities of Bristol.”
The strategy has been developed using Sport England’s nationally recognised methodology and overseen by a steering group including Sport England, national governing bodies for sport, and representatives from public health, planning, and parks services.
It provides a framework for protecting and improving facilities in the most cost-effective way, ensuring pitches are flexible spaces that can serve multiple sports and age groups. Collaboration between sports is highlighted as essential to making the best use of limited space.
Key findings from the draft strategy include:
• Cricket faces the most significant under supply and considerable action is required.
• Football and Rugby Union should prioritise the improvement of existing club pitches and facilities. In doing so, most clubs will be able to meet future demand.
• Hockey should focus on making sure pitches are well used and able to continue operating. This includes potential redistribution of play, resurfacing of ‘poor’ pitches and securing access in the longer term.
More research is needed to support less played sports clubs to have a Bristol home ground.
The strategy also sets out city-wide priorities and sport-specific recommendations, supported by a Strategic Priorities Action Plan. This plan identifies the actions likely to have the greatest impact during the first phase of implementation, with a more detailed plan to follow once the strategy is adopted.
The development of this strategy will be followed by further work in 2026 to develop a separate plan to cover most other sports.
The consultation offers residents, sports clubs, and stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the draft strategy and suggest any additional content. Feedback will help shape the final version of the strategy, which is scheduled for committee consideration in summer 2026.
The consultation will run until midnight on 26 January. To take part and view the draft, visit the council website.