Strategic Outcomes Planning Guidance (SOPG)
SJ SLC has successfully supported local authorities, customising the Strategic Outcomes Planning Guidance (SOPG) framework to suit their unique local needs. By tailoring our approach to the unique needs of each authority, we develop bespoke implementation programmes that align with their political and strategic priorities, ensuring that services, facilities, and partnerships effectively benefit their communities.
Strategic Planning
SJ SLC has extensive experience in crafting innovative sport, leisure and physical activity strategies that deliver measurable, impactful results. Our approach is anchored by a clear vision, data-driven insights, strong policy, robust governance, and focused priorities, all underpinned by SMART implementation plans. We tailor each strategy to the unique political landscape and specific community needs of your organisation, ensuring a bespoke solution that drives success.
Business Planning
Business planning is crucial to feasibility, and SJ SLC is highly regarded for crafting robust, realistic plans backed by decades of industry expertise and up-to-date sector insights. We create detailed and transparent 10 year business plans for UK community sports and leisure facilities, positioning each project for long-term success.
Community Engagement
SJ SLC are specialists in helping organisations engage local stakeholders and people in creating strategies, facilities and activities that meet the needs of their communities.
We meticulously design and customise community engagement plans to address each client’s unique needs. These plans are underpinned by key lines of inquiry to capture the insights that will make a meaningful project impact. We are able to leverage social media and digital tools effectively to expand outreach and boost engagement.
We lead the way in helping community organisations craft Football Foundation bids, ensuring that projects are designed and implemented in collaboration with local stakeholders and community groups. This approach enhances their likelihood of successfully driving up participation by aligning the projects with the community’s needs.
Needs Assessment
SJ SLC brings extensive experience in undertaking comprehensive assessments to determine the need for community sport and leisure facilities. Our approach integrates data from existing studies, supply and demand modelling, and leverages insights gained from community and stakeholder engagement.
We perform detailed catchment area analyses to gain a deep understanding of the community that facilities will serve. We assess and evaluating existing provision, analyse market competition through competitor facility mapping and pricing reviews, and conduct supply and demand analysis to project future demand levels.
These needs assessments form the foundation for the design and development of community sport and leisure facilities.
Feasibility Studies
SJ SLC undertakes feasibility work for a comprehensive range of community sport and leisure capital projects, including football ground, sport hall, community hall, health and fitness, artificial grass pitches, paddle courts, wellbeing venues and sports grounds.
In partnership with specialist sports and leisure architects, technical experts, and cost consultants, we employ a rigorous, insight-driven approach to design the optimal combination of active community sports and leisure spaces. Our process carefully considers the key opportunities and constraints of site options and the optimisation of operational spatial arrangements to ensure effective and sustainable outcomes.
Our work is informed by thorough consultation, ensuring each project meets the needs of the communities it serves.
Facility Development
Optimal design plays a crucial role in shaping both financial and social outcomes.
SJ SLC works closely with clients to develop design specifications that align with current and future market demands, financial viability, facility mix, operational efficiency, capital costs, and community impact.
Our approach combines extensive experience in facility development with practical operational insights, leveraging the management expertise and design innovation of our specialist partner associates.
Project Management
SJ SLC can seamlessly integrate with your team, serving as your project manager to drive and oversee the delivery of every stage of your project, from feasibility to handover.
From artificial grass pitches and community football stadiums to village halls, community centres, sports halls, swimming pools, and public recreation grounds, we have extensive experience in successfully overseeing the delivery of projects on time and within budget.
Appointing a traditional project management company to oversee the build is only one part of the equation if a project is to be successful. SJ SLC works closely with clients prior to undertake a detailed feasibility study and to establish and agree a viable business case, with consumer demand at the heart of the process.
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We then deliver value by working with clients and their partners, to:
 - Finalise the scope the project - Assess site feasibility - Develop, finesse and finalise designs - Raise external grant and capital funding - Secure planning permission - Competitively tender the project - Oversee construction - Provide fit out solutions - Co-ordinate installations - Co-ordinate marketing (launch, brand, collateral etc) - Provide operational expertise in running the new facilities inclusive of: - Staffing requirements (job descriptions, rota’s, interview support) 
 - Staff training
 - Product ordering for opening - Handover
Interim Management
SJ SLC offers Interim Management Solutions, quickly placing experienced managers with proven track records in temporary roles to address demanding short-term challenges.
Assignments can include interim coverage for vacancies, project management, turnaround and restructuring efforts, business development, and handling exceptional operational challenges.
Our hassle-free Interim Management Recruitment service minimises risk and manages the details, allowing clients to focus on their core operations.
Funding Applications
SJ SLC leverages its extensive knowledge of funding streams and expertise in crafting accurate, compelling applications to help clients successfully secure external grant funding for their projects.
We are well-positioned to guide clients through the latest funding opportunities and ensure they secure the right resources for a wide range of projects.
Development Planning and Mitigation
Sport England opposes development proposals affecting existing playing fields unless they meet at least one of the five policy exceptions outlined in its Playing Fields Policy.
SJ SLC's work provides crucial support for development proposals and lays the groundwork for future planning applications.
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SJ SLC assists developers and house-builders by: - Thoroughly reviewing the Local Planning Authority’s Playing Pitch Strategy evidence base to identify planning requirements - Conducting consultations to assess stakeholder needs - Evaluating scenario-tested mitigation options - Undertaking specifically commissioned local area sport and leisure facility need assessments, which: - Determine the mix of outdoor sport and leisure facilities that should be developed - Ensure facilities meet local needs and comply with planning policies.  - Evaluating the feasibility and realism of development plans, involving: - Current open spaces - Playing fields - Changing rooms - Community centres - Other community recreational areas - Supporting S106 negotiations for development sites - Calculating costs and determining appropriate contributions
Governance Reviews
SJ SLC assists organisations in conducting service reviews and redesigns, emphasising affordability and long-term sustainability.
By aligning local strategic priorities with an optimal service mix, we help clients rethink and innovate their approach to community sport and leisure delivery. This enables them to shape future offerings that effectively meet local needs and create lasting impact.
Get In Touch
SJ SLC, Yew Trees, Church Street, Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset. TA12 6AU
07523 067716