New figures released today (Wednesday 3 December) show playing fields throughout the country are being protected thanks to Sport England’s role as a statutory consultee on planning applications.
1161 out of 1236 concluded planning applications affecting playing fields in 2012/13 resulted in improved or safeguarded sports provision.
Councils are required to consult Sport England on any proposed development that would affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field. Sport England objects to all applications unless the developer can prove it will improve or protect sports provision.
The figures released by Sport England show that in 2012/13:
- 94% of concluded planning applications resulted in improved or safeguarded sports provision.
- In 59% of cases where Sport England originally objects to an application, further negotiations led to an overall improvement in sports provision.
- Of the 127 applications where we sustained our objections, 51 were either withdrawn by the applicants or refused planning permission.
- Despite formal objections from Sport England, the number of applications which led to a detrimental impact on sport was 74 (6%).
Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “Playing fields are a vital part of grassroots sport as they are often the place where people have their first experience of sport. That is why our statutory role is so important. I’m pleased the latest figures show that the safeguards we have in place are working and are allowing people to continue enjoying sport.”
In addition to the safeguarding role, Sport England is also investing in protecting and improving playing fields up and down the country thanks to the Protecting Playing Fields and Flood Relief funds.
Since the launch of the Protecting Playing Fields fund in 2011, 399 projects have benefited from a total of £22 million of National Lottery investment over six rounds, with more than 1,000 pitches protected and improved. Funding is still available and the next round of funding opens on 10 December 2014. For more information, visit our funding page.
171 pitch-based sports projects have also benefitted from over £730,000 of investment as part of the Flood Relief fund. The fund was specifically created by Sport England to help to get clubs back up and running after the bad weather at the start of the year.
Charles Johnston continued: “Our Protecting Playing Fields fund is making a real difference to community sports clubs up and down the country by supporting one of the most important resources in sport while our Flood Fund has helped get clubs back on their feet after the bad weather. By protecting and improving playing fields in communities across the country, we’re ensuring people and teams have a place to get active and enjoy sport all year round.”
Notes
- These figures do not involve the sale of playing fields, school or otherwise. They relate to the use of playing fields. The data covers the 12 months to 31 March 2013.
- To see a full breakdown of the 2012/13 and regional figures, click here to download them from the documents section of the Planning Application web page.