East Hampshire District Council has a long tradition of supporting the provision and development of open spaces, as well as sport and physical activity facilities for residents and visitors.

The council recognises that these facility types, both formal and informal, are essential components of the district’s infrastructure, that both drive and respond to growth, change and improvement for communities across East Hampshire.

The 'open space, sport and recreation needs and opportunities assessment 2018-28', consists of the following documents:

Open space strategy

This assesses the quality, quantity and accessibility of existing provision of publicly accessible open spaces.

It provides the basis of a strategy for the protection and improvement of public open spaces and will be used to develop policies within the new local plan.

Sports facilities strategy

This provides an assessment of need for built sports facilities (including swimming pools, sports halls, health and fitness, tennis, bowls and athletics facilities) to meet the requirements of national policy, identifying specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses.

Playing pitch strategy

This provides a robust assessment of need for playing pitches (for cricket, football, hockey and rugby union and other minor pitch sports played in the district), reviewing the supply and demand both now and in the future to meet the requirements of national policy.