Planning Applications Affecting Other Sports Facilities

Planning applications affecting existing sporting provision (non-playing field land)

The protection of existing sports facilities and access to natural resources used for sport is vital for its continued development, the overall quality of life and protection of the environment. However, as sport is a relatively low value land use, sports facilities are often under pressure from other forms of development.

Where applications for development may result in the loss of sporting provision, Sport England’s planning policy objectives seek to:

‘prevent the loss of facilities or access to natural resources which are important in terms of sports development. Should redevelopment be unavoidable, an equivalent (or better) replacement facility should be provided in a suitable location’.

In addition, paragraph 74 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that:

Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless:

● an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements; or

● the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable ocation; or

● the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss.

When assessing planning applications affecting existing 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. National Planning Policy Framework ) ; and
• any robust and up to date evidence base for sport that is in place within the local area (e.g.  Playing Pitch and/or Sports Facility Strategy or wider open space 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)
• Sport England’s design and cost guidance in relation to any proposed replacement provision;
• Whether the site is a significant area for sport (SASP)

Depending on the nature of the application, Sport England will also seek specific comments from the relevant sports national governing bodies.