Planning Applications

Sport England has an established role providing comments, advice and guidance to local authorities, sports clubs and other parties on a range of planning applications.

As set out in Statutory Instrument 2010/2184, local planning authorities are required to consult Sport England on any planning application for development affecting playing field land. The government also recommends in Annex B of DoE Circular 9/95 (as amended) that these authorities consult Sport England on a number of other types of planning applications. These include applications which would lead to the creation or loss of major sports facilities, major residential development (e.g. 300+ dwellings) and minerals proposals where sport may be an after use.

The following links provide further information on Sport England’s engagement with, and assessment of, planning applications for development that:

• affects playing field land;
• affects other existing sporting provision;
• proposes new or enhanced sporting provision; and
• proposes major residential development.

Sport England has a network of qualified town planners who carry out this role across the country. For details of how to consult Sport England on an application click here

The information provided in the above links should help applicants and others understand Sport England’s role in commenting on relevant planning applications. It also explains the information required to enable Sport England to provide a substantive response to local planning authorities. Please take the opportunity to read this information and consult the frequently asked questions. If you still have any queries regarding Sport England’s role we would be pleased to offer pre-application advice where appropriate.

Sport England primarily assesses applications against its Planning Policy Objectives. These aim to ensure that a planned approach to the provision of facilities and opportunities for sport is taken by local planning authorities in order to meet the needs of the local community. The level of provision should be determined locally, based on local assessments of need and take account of wider than local requirements for strategic or specialist facilities.

Sport England may also look to assess applications against other relevant government guidance including Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for open space, sport and recreation (2002).

It is Sport England’s view that to ensure informed decisions can be made on the range of planning applications listed above, local authorities should have a robust and up-to-date evidence base for sport in place, including a Playing Pitch Strategy. This view is supported by Planning Policy Guidance Note 17. Therefore, when assessing the vast majority of planning applications on which it is consulted, Sport England will first consider how an application fits with the evidence base for sport in place within the local area. For guidance on developing this evidence base along with information on a number of useful tools click here.

The following links provide useful information and guidance which support Sport England’s role in assessing and commenting on planning applications:

• Development Control Guidance Note
• Planning Policy Objectives (see Appendix 2 to the Development Control Guidance Note)
• Model Conditions (currently under revision)
• Securing Community Use
• Design and Cost Guidance
• Planning Bulletins
• Sports Appeal Database