Regulation 19 - Proposed Draft Local Plan Submission

Inclusion in the plan at this point of athletics (encompassing running, jumping throwing) as a sport which has a shortfall in facilities and has to access substandard facilities in the town of MH/district to provide what it can. This is despite sustained growth of membership in the club across all age ranges and male and female members being roughly represented equally.

A compact (or Mini Track) facility as supported by England Athletics should be included in this section as a need along with football, rugby and cricket.

England Athletics (the governing body of the sport in England) identifying in 2024 Harborough as a high priority district for the provision of a “NewGen mini track (or “compact athletics” facility).

This identification of the district as a priority was brought to the attention of HDC in 2024. In exploring the business case for such a track to be located at Robert Smyth Academy with the Academy Trust and Harborough AC EA wrote to the Trust as follows;
“Having listened to the club’s aspirations England Athletics believe that the MiniTrack facility would have a hugely positive impact not just for the school and club but also for the wider communities of Market Harborough, who currently must travel outside the local authority area to access athletics facilities. In terms of strategic context, Market Harborough has been identified by England Athletics as a priority area for the development of a NewGen facility: https://www.englandathletics.org/clubs-and-facilities/facilities/newgen-tracks and the facility aligns with Strategic Priority 3 of EAs Facility Strategy”

This letter and the supporting data have previously been shared with Harborough District Council. Harborough AC were named England Athletics "Club of the Year" in its 2024 national awards. The club has the necessary infrastructure to take advantage of such a facility and provide the necessary community focus

The school, Tudor Grange Academies Trust and Harborough AC have a long history of working together to promote athletics which would underpin the provision of such a facility.

Harborough AC (with over 300 junior and senior members of all abilities) were awarded EA’s regional and national Club of the Year 2024 and have the necessary infrastructure to support a mini track for club and community use.

A running track provides a safe running venue for those using it. The facility promotes inclusive sport as it can be used for people with a wide range of disabilities – think wheelchair athletes and visually impaired runners as examples. A mini track with the associated field event facilities will help identify and support those with exceptional talent in the area who will go on to represent their county or country and also promote running, jumping, and throwing (fundamental physical movements) that helps children develop (and perform in other sports) and older people stay strong and healthy.

The Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan Report February 2025 (part of the supporting papers to the draft Local Plan) refer to the following sports and their needs – football, cricket, rugby union, tennis, bowls, netball and rounders. Athletics is omitted and yet HAC as an EA affiliated athletics club has been operating in the town of Market Harborough for just over 40 years and is as much a part of the towns sporting infrastructure as the other sports listed.

The sports listed as having poor facilities excludes athletics which effectively has no provision in the district. The draft plan acknowledges increasing demand for sports and leisure facilities but does not include the role and contribution of athletics in this.
This is despite England Athletics (the governing body of the sport in England) identifying in 2024 Harborough as a high priority district for the provision of a “NewGen mini track (or “compact athletics” facility).