England: Disappearance of Playing Fields?
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been reported that several leading UK sportspersons and sports governing bodies have expressed fears that playing fields across England could be built on and, therefore, disappear if proposed planning reforms of the UK Government come into force.
The Government is considering removing the right of Sport England to be consulted before any playing field is built on, as part of a plan to speed up planning decisions in order to meet its target of building 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029.
No final decision will be taken until the results of a consultation, which is currently in progress and runs until mid-January, are fully considered.
The objectors have stated that:
“Playing fields are irreplaceable - and Sport England's statutory consultee role is an important line of defence.”
And have added that:
"Weakening this protection risks accelerating the loss of the very spaces that make grassroots sport and physical activity possible, at a time when participation is growing and demand has never been higher. "
The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in reply, has remarked that:
"There are already strong protections in place for playing fields which we are proposing to keep, and we are investing £400m into grassroots sport."
It will be interesting to see what is finally decided!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
