New figures from
Sport England reveals its role as a statutory consultee on planning
applications has protected 1,138 out of 1,200 playing fields.
In many cases, Sport
England not only secured playing fields but improved the facilities.
Councils are
required to consult the orgnaisation on any proposed development that would
affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field. Sport England objects to
all applications unless the developer can prove it will improve or protect
sports provision.
The figures show
that in 2015/16:
- 95% of concluded planning
applications resulted in improved or safeguarded sports provision
- In 46% of cases where we
originally objected to an application, our intervention and further
negotiations led to an overall improvement of the site
- Of the 120 applications where
we objected to applications, 49 were either withdrawn by the applicants or
refused planning permission
- Despite our objections during
the planning process, 62 applications (5%) were approved by local planning
authorities.
“Playing fields are
a vital part of grassroots sport as they are often the place where young people
have their first experience of sport and develop habits that will help keep
them active through life,” says Sport England's property director Charles Johnston.
“That is why our
statutory role is so important. I’m pleased the latest figures show that the
safeguards we have in place are continuing to work.”
Sport England's Active Places
data shows that across England there are 21,866 playing fields, containing a
total of 70,381 pitches used for sports such as football, rugby and cricket.
