Protecting Playing Fields
Why are we involved?
Sport England has been a Statutory Consultee on
planning applications that affect playing fields since 1996
(Statutory
Instrument 1817, as amended by Statutory
Instrument 2009/453), due to concern over the loss
of playing fields. This means that any planning application that
affects a playing field has to be referred to Sport England for
comment by the local authority.
It is Sport England’s policy to object to any
planning application, which will result in the loss of a playing
field, unless it meets one of five exceptions as defined in
A
Sporting Future for the Playing Fields of England. Protection
of playing fields was further enhanced in 1998 with
Circular 9/98 (replaced in 2009 by
Circular 02/09) which stipulates that where a local authority
is minded to grant planning permission against Sport England’s
advice on land owned by a local authority or used for educational
purposes, then the application should be referred to the relevant
Government Office for possible ‘call in’.
The importance of Playing Pitch Strategies
Sport England believes that to ensure that informed decisions
can be made by local authorities on the future of a playing field,
that all local authorities within England should have an up to date
playing pitch strategy, either as a stand alone document or forming
part of a wider open space strategy. This is in line with guidance
contained within
PPG 17, and not only seeks to ensure that an assessment of need
is carried out, but also that a strategy is put in place in terms
of improving accessibility and quality of pitches. Sport England
has produced guidance on the undertaking of playing pitch
strategies in Towards a
level playing field and provided tools to help in the
accompanying electronic
toolkit.
Who to speak to in Sport England?
Statutory Consultations are processed by our
network of regional offices, and it is strongly recommended that if
you considering submitting a planning application that may affect a
playing field, and likely lead to a Sport England objection that
you talk to a planning officer in the relevant regional office.
The wider role of Playing Fields
Playing Fields also offer a valuable resource for informal sport
and play areas. The Use of Public Parks Survey conducted
in 2003 by Sport England, Countryside Agency, and English Heritage
showed that a third of users of parks took part in informal
sporting activity.
Even where a playing field may be seen as redundant for formal
pitch sport, in accordance with PPG 17 it should be assessed for
other sport and open space uses prior to being released for another
land use. This should be assessed through the production of an Open
Space Strategy, and guidance on undertaking these has been produced
by CABE
Space. Further guidance on aspects of play can be found via the
NPFA, who also provide
guidance on the long term safeguarding of recreational land.
Further information on the location of grass pitches to support
strategy work can be found on Active Places Power
(registered access) and the Football Foundation’s REFF
website, which provides information on football facilities
only.
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