New guidance on
playing fields planning applications, issued by Sport England, will help
protect the spaces where people get active.
Sport England's aim
is to help protect and enhance opportunities for people to take part in sport
and physical activity, while making it easier to develop and assess related
applications for all – including applicants and local authorities.
Local planning
authorities are required to consult with Sport England on planning applications
that affect playing field land, and the organisation's policy is to object to
applications unless they meet one of five specific exceptions, which include:
- The proposals will improve
the use of a playing field for sport
- Replacement playing field
land is to be provided
- There has been a robust
assessment that demonstrates there is an excess of playing field land.
The policy is
consistent with the protection given to playing fields by the Government’s
National Planning Policy Framework.
By providing clearer
advice, the guidance will help applicants, local planning authorities and
others understand the role it plays.
Property Director
for Sport England, Charles Johnston, said: "Where necessary we'll object
to applications, but we would much prefer to work collaboratively with
applicants from the outset to look for opportunities to protect and enhance
provision that make the process smoother, swifter and produces better results
for everyone.
"By providing
clearer and more detailed advice, the updated guidance will help applicants,
local planning authorities and other parties understand our role and how we
assess applications, along with the information we require."
