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:
Sport England is also likely to take into account:
Depending on the nature of the application, Sport England will
also seek specific comments from the relevant sports national
governing bodies.
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