The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced that Sport England will retain its statutory consultee role on planning applications affecting playing fields and community sports spaces.
Following a national review and public consultation initiated after the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Ministry confirmed that Sport England will continue providing independent advice on key planning proposals. Under the revised framework, Sport England maintains its statutory role on high-impact cases, while the range of routine application referrals will be narrowed to support a more streamlined planning process.
The updated arrangements focus technical guidance on the highest-impact cases affecting playing fields and grassroots sports facilities across Lancashire and the wider UK.
Commenting on the national decision, Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England, stated: “We welcome the Government’s decision to retain Sport England’s role as a statutory consultee on the most significant planning applications affecting playing fields and community sport. The places where we play, move and come together shape the health of our nation. At a time when inactivity contributes to one in six deaths, and more than 20% of children leave primary school obese, protecting opportunities to be active has never been more important. Once a playing field is lost, it is rarely replaced, which is why independent expert advice on the biggest planning decisions remains vital.”
Under the amended guidance, Sport England’s involvement will focus specifically where technical advice adds the clearest value, balancing the preservation of active community spaces with housing and economic growth targets.
