New and Enhanced Sports Facilities

Planning applications for new or enhanced sporting provision

Sport is subject to the same pressures to change and develop as other activities. Participation is evolving year on year generating changing demand for facilities. New activities are gaining popularity, some of which may require purpose-built specialist sports facilities, whilst others can be accommodated in flexibly designed community facilities. Some existing facilities are in need of redevelopment or refurbishment to take account of changing activities and the higher expectations of users.

Where applications propose new or enhanced sporting provision, Sport England’s planning policy objectives seek to:

‘support the development of new facilities, the enhancement of existing facilities and the provision and/or improvement of access to the natural environment which will secure opportunities to take part in sport and which can be achieved in a way which meets sustainable development objectives’.

When assessing planning applications for new or enhanced sporting provision Sport England is guided by:

• its planning policy objectives (see appendix 2 to our Development Control Guidance Note)
• the relevant government guidance (e.g. Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: ‘Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation’); and
• any robust and up-to-date evidence base for sport that is in place within the local area (e.g. PPG17 assessment or Playing Pitch and/or Sports Facility Strategy).

Sport England is also likely to take into account:

• Plans and strategies from the relevant sports national governing bodies
• Information available from Sport England’s planning tools and guidance (e.g. Facilities Planning Model and Active Places Power)
• Sport England’s design and cost guidance to ensure the new or enhanced provision is fit for purpose;

To gain Sport England’s support for a planning application, the applicant should demonstrate how the proposed development will:

• Meet an indentified sporting need (i.e. set out in a local Playing Pitch or Sports Facility Strategy)
• Support the plans and strategies of the relevant sports national governing bodies
• Ensure community use of the site/facility is maximised
• Ensure appropriate maintenance and management arrangements will be put in place to secure the long term future of the site/facility.
• Ensure a sports development plan is in place to maximise the benefit to sport of the development

The following links provide guidance and tools to assist applicants in preparing planning applications for new or enhanced sporting provision.

• Making a planning application – a practical guide for sports clubs
• Selecting the right artificial surface
• Sustainable community sports hubs toolkit