A strategy designed to safeguard Enfield’s sports pitches and boost public health has been approved by the council.

The Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS), which was approved at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on April 18, is aimed at protecting current facilities and securing access to funding so that improvements can be carried out.

It is centred around five key sports: football, cricket, rugby union, hockey and tennis.

For each of them, the strategy estimates demand based on current use, people who want to play the sports but are not currently doing so, and future population growth.

Priorities include the introduction of 3G pitches – a high-quality artificial turf - for rugby and other sports.

The council decided to draw up the strategy to ensure it meets the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework, which states that policies relating to sports facilities and open spaces should be based on up-to-date evidence.

It will form part of the council’s Local Plan, which identifies how land is used and determines planning permissions.

The strategy is also aimed at improving public health, helping to combat diseases such as diabetes and cancer by encouraging physical activity.

Enfield’s population is set to grow by 74,000 to more than 400,000 residents over the next 15 years, increasing demand for homes.

The mayor’s target is for an average of 798 new homes to be provided every year in the borough.

The PPS will protect pitches from development and ensure new facilities are provided to keep pace with population growth.

Councillor Krystle Fonyonga, cabinet member for community safety and public health, said: “There were quite a few reasons for developing the strategy. One of them is to increase the number of residents taking part in physical activity and generally becoming healthier. That will help to relieve pressure on the NHS.

“We also think the new strategy will help us gain a more accurate understanding of either oversupply or shortfall of sports pitches in the borough. We are keen for the key sports to have really strong provision.

“We are always keen to get people moving more. There are lots of ways to get active and lots of different initiatives. We really want to encourage residents to be fit and healthy; to live longer and healthier lives.”