The Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee has welcomed moves by the Government to protect playing fields in the planning system.
In its report into school and community sport, the committee called for Sport England to be retained as a statutory consultee in the planning system, preventing playing fields from being lost to development and protecting them for future generations.
The Government announced last week that it would retain Sport England as a consultee. It would also strengthen its proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework so that where recreational land is lost it would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quality and quantity.
Chair of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “I am pleased the Government has listened to the Committee’s call to retain Sport England as a statutory planning consultee. The preservation of playing fields is vital to keeping the nation active, which in turn brings a whole range of economic, social and health benefits. Sport England told us it protected more than 1000 playing fields each year. Under the revised system Sport England must maintain this strong record of protection whilst redoubling its efforts to turn applications round swiftly.
“I also welcome the Government’s change of heart on protections in the revised National Planning Policy Framework to ensure any replacement of lost recreational land results in improved space in terms of both quality and quantity. This again reflects the Committee’s recommendation that playing fields must be preserved as vital assets for future generations.”
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee published its report Game On: Community and school sport in April. It found persistent financial pressures, limited facilities and a lack of prioritisation in the school curriculum was damaging participation in sport. It called for a new focus and funding to get the nation moving more.
The Government announced its plans in its response to its consultation into reforms to the statutory consultee system.
