New planning
guidance hopes to make it simpler and easier for local authorities and planning
bodies to provide facilities that enable people to get active.
In partnership with
David Lock Associates (DLA), Sport England has produced the Planning for Sport
Guidance that focuses on 12 principles which seek to help the planning system
provide opportunities for all to take part in sport and physical activity.
The guidance builds
on the importance the Government, and its National Planning Policy Framework,
places on the need for the planning system to enable and support healthy
lifestyles.
It's hoped the 12
planning-for-sport principles and suggested actions the guidance presents, will
assist all involved in, or looking to engage with, the planning system in
England.
This system includes
local authority officers and councillors, planning inspectors, developers and
consultants, right through to parish and town councils, neighbourhood forums,
public health leads, sports clubs organisations, community groups and individuals.
Sport England's
executive director of property, Charles Johnston, thinks the guidance will make
a big impact.
“The planning system
provides huge opportunities for communities to lead healthy and active
lifestyles, whether that’s providing access to sports facilities and spaces for
informal exercise or making it safe and convenient to walk and cycle to
everyday destinations,” he said.
“Our new guidance
has been designed to help the planning system take an increasingly proactive
role in providing such opportunities and creating ‘active environments’ so more
people can reap the benefits of improved physical and mental wellbeing.
“If you work in or
are looking to engage with the planning system I encourage you to take a look
at the guidance and help the planning system embrace the 12 planning-for-sport
principles it presents.”
The guidance,
produced with the support of DLA, benefitted from a range of parties providing
more than 380 comments on a draft version.
Consulting parties
included national governing bodies, planning and leisure consultancies and
government departments, and the guidance will continue to be updated as
necessary.
The Planning for
Sport Guidance replaces and brings together Sport England's four 2014 planning
for sport guides; Planning Aims and Objectives Guide, Forward Planning Guide,
Development Management Guide and Supporting Advice Guide.
