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, the government’s Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (2002) (paragraph 10) states that:

‘Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land should not be built on unless an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space or the buildings and land to be surplus to requirements. For open space, 'surplus to requirements' should include consideration of all the functions that open space can perform. Not all open space, sport and recreational land and buildings are of equal merit and some may be available for alternative uses. In the absence of a robust and up-to-date assessment by a local authority, an applicant for planning permission may seek to demonstrate through an independent assessment that the land or buildings are surplus to requirements. Developers will need to consult the local community and demonstrate that their proposals are widely supported by them’.

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. 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)
• 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.