Sport England North West has published a 10-year Regional Sports Facilities Framework that maps the priorities and future investment in sporting infrastructure across the region.

Setting out the core facility development needs for sport across north west England, the framework will be used as a reference and evidence base for investors and project developers.

The framework also highlights the key facility needs and strategic objectives for many of the most popular sports in the country.

The report's recommendations include the potential for the development of two Olympic-size swimming pools, new dedicated cycling provision, including a sub-regional velodrome, and an eight-court sports hall for performance badminton and basketball use, as well as the investment in a variety of sub-regional and local developments to improve community access.

The framework was delivered by leisure consultants Strategic Leisure, in partnership with a steering group representing Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) and the North West Regional Development Agency.

Rachel Fowler, managing director of Strategic Leisure, said: “Our consultation identified many of the greatest current challenges for provision, including the quality of some existing facilities, the reduction in available capital funds, the gaps in existing provision and how the need for such facilities relates to the Sport England Strategy in terms of increasing participation in the region.”