What We Do

Planning permission for sports facilities

New external sport facilities, especially those consisting of fencing and floodlighting, must obtain planning permission before construction can begin.  The purpose of the application is to demonstrate how the proposed development will either enhance the existing facilities or create a completely new facility that is capable of accommodating the anticipated increase in future participation.

Compiling the application typically takes between 2 to 3 months, as it involves conducting thorough investigations, surveys, and designs.

Once the application is submitted, it undergoes a review process by the Local Planning Authority, which can take an additional 3 to 4 months.

How can we help you?

Blakedown Sport & Play offers comprehensive knowledge and expertise to guide you through the entire planning process. We provide a complete planning permission package to assist you during this stage, which may include the following items:

Completion of planning application, OS scale site plan, topographical survey, statutory utility and services search, geotechnical reports and soakage testing, full drainage design and report, preliminary ecological survey, tree condition survey, electrical capability survey, flood risk assessment, noise assessment, light spill assessment, and preliminary transport assessment.

Throughout the process of preparing your planning permission application, you will have a dedicated point of contact who will keep you informed and provide support as needed.

Factors to consider

Making a clear statement of objectives

Sport England and planning officers will want to see a clear vision of why the facility is being built and how it will benefit its users.

Sustainability, environmental impact and legacy

The National Planning Policy Framework stipulates that the role of sport is to develop healthy and sustainable community living. Applicants should consider the long-term impact the sports facility will have on improving the health and wellbeing of potential stakeholders.

The environmental impact of your pitch is becoming increasingly important with planning departments, and they may wish to see how you have taken this into consideration and what control measures will take place.

Blakedown will be able to talk you through the options available in the market to help reduce or remove any environmental issues.  For example: non-performance infilled surfaces known as 2G or 4G, biodegradable infills for 3G, retention measures, solar-powered LEDS, advanced lighting to reduce light spill, advanced drainage systems to handle high levels of flooding and use of recycled materials to build your new pitch.

Preparing an application

Planning permission is a legal process and comes with stipulations, conditions, and deadlines. Securing the help of an experienced contractor such as Blakedown, or a designated planning consultant, is advantageous and can save you time and money in the long run.

For further information on the construction process of your sports facility, please contact us now for a free consultation.

Design:

When designing a sports facility, several factors need to be considered:

  • Primary and secondary sports and hours of usage required;
  • Type of surface;
  • Type of sub structure required eg earthworks, drainage, subbase, shock pad;
  • Environmental and sustainability factors;
  • Geographical area, surrounding environment, and visual impacts;
  • Access, lighting, and security;
  • Financial business models and your return on investment;
  • Health and safety.

Blakedown Sport & Play has over 50 years’ experience in the design of sports pitches and outdoor sports facilities.

Contact our in-house design team today for a free consultation to get you started on designing your perfect sports facility.

Construction of your facility typically takes between 3-16 weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the project. During the design stage, we will communicate the estimated duration to you and work together to minimise any disruption to your facility or school operations.

Before commencing the construction, we will hold a prestart meeting to go through the final details and ensure your complete satisfaction with the project schedule. Throughout the construction process, you will be assigned a dedicated point of contact who will provide you with regular updates.

As an approved principal contractor by SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association), we assume full responsibility and accountability for the build stage.

We have the expertise to handle all aspects of the construction process including any additional elements such as: floodlighting, fencing, car parks, EV points, landscaping, arboricultural works, sports equipment, access control and CCTV, footpaths and roads, storage containers, seating and spectator areas, small changing rooms and toilet facilities.

We are proud to hold the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) Certified Field Builder status and have the ability to construct pitches that meet FIFA Quality, FIFA Quality Pro and World Rugby Standard pitches.

Why choose us to build your facility?

  • Customer satisfaction is at the centre of everything we do. We strive to exceed your expectations and ensure you’re completely satisfied with the final facility;
  • We prioritise health and safety throughout the construction process. Our experienced team follows industry best practice to create a secure and safe environment;
  • We are flexible and adaptable, working closely with you to tailor the construction schedule to meet your specific needs and minimise any disruptions to your facility;
  • We have an in-house team of skilled professionals who handle the majority of the construction work. This allows us to maintain a high level of quality and control over the entire process;
  • With over 50 years of experience, we are the UK’s longest established sports pitch and track contractor. Our vast experience and knowledge enable us to deliver exceptional results.

For further information on the construction process of your sports facility, please contact us now for a free consultation.

Sports Surface Maintenance

Once your sports pitch is installed, regular maintenance is essential to ensure its longevity and maximise its performance.  Following the recommended maintenance guidelines can often extend the lifespan of the surface by an additional 1-3 years.

In addition to prolonging the lifespan, a proper maintenance regime helps optimise the performance of the surface and allows early detection of any potential issues or problems.

Blakedown Sport & Play specialises in providing comprehensive maintenance services for all types of synthetic grass surfaces. Our expert team is experienced in upkeep, optimisation, and the specific requirements of maintenance.

These services include:

  • Power brushing;
  • Infill decompaction;
  • Vegetation control;
  • Rubber and sand infill top-ups;
  • Performance testing;
  • Drainage testing and site surveys;
  • Repairs;
  • Rejuvenations.

Blakedown offers flexible maintenance packages to cater to the specific needs of our clients. Whether you require regular, ongoing maintenance or a one-time tune-up to address specific issues, our services are designed to meet your requirements.

Our annual maintenance contracts are tailored to suit clients’ requirements and we can provide weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or ad-hoc maintenance schedules.

For more information on maintenance required for your sports pitch, please contact us now.

Resurfacing

All synthetic surfaces will eventually require resurfacing.

Typically, resurfacing is recommended every 8-12 years, depending on the level of usage and maintenance.

How will you know if it’s required?

There are several signs to look out for: the surface may appear worn with loose seams, the synthetic yarn may have difficulty staying upright, drainage issues may arise causing waterlogging during heavy rain, and the surface may have an excessive amount of rubber infill compared to grass.

If you notice any of these indicators, we advise contacting us immediately. We can provide you with an estimate of the remaining lifespan of your surface before it becomes unusable.

By planning and budgeting for resurfacing ahead of time, you can ensure there is minimal disruption to your usage and revenue from the pitch.

How long will it take?

Blakedown Sport & Play is committed to completing resurfacing projects efficiently and with minimal disruption to your facility’s operations.

The duration of the resurfacing process typically ranges from from 2-6 weeks depending on the size of facility and precise scope of works. However, if additional repairs to the shock pad or subbase are necessary, the timeframe may be extended by a few weeks.

To provide an accurate timeline, we recommend scheduling a free site visit. This will allow us to assess the specific requirements of your facility and provide you with a more precise estimate.

Modern surface options:

We can provide detailed information on the various options available for modern surfaces to meet your specific requirements.

For instance:

2G sand-dressed surfaces have become increasingly popular for hockey and multi-sport facilities, replacing sand-filled “Astro turf” surfaces over the past decade or two.

3G pitches continue to be the top choice for football.

There are also 4G and 5G turf specifications available on the market. These are variations of 3G artificial grass with sand infill, but without the use of performance infill (rubber).

Furthermore, we now offer biodegradable performance infill options for 3G surfaces, addressing concerns related to the migration of microplastics.

If you would like to know more about your surface options, please contact us to arrange a site visit and we will bring you a selection of samples to meet your requirements.