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Yesterday, the Sport and Recreation Alliance were delighted to be joined by MPs, Peers and colleagues from across the sector for a panel discussion featuring representation from the Lawn Tennis Association, Sport England, The Football Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board, who spoke on the importance of protecting community sport and recreation spaces within the planning system.
The session was chaired by APPG Co-Chair Baroness Amanda Sater, with input from several major sports, in addition to Fields in Trust and UK Active. The roundtable was organised by the Sport and Recreation Alliance in light of Government proposals to remove a number of statutory consultees in the planning system, including Sport England. This has led to significant concerns amongst the sport and recreation sector that this would remove vital safeguards which protect playing fields and sports facilities from development and ensure continued community use.
Speaking on the Panel, Alliance CEO Lisa Wainwright MBE told attendees:
“Whilst we understand the government’s ambition to build more houses, we are deeply concerned the proposed changes to Sport England’s statutory role will neither significantly increase the pace of development nor lead to better outcomes for local communities.
This is why the Sport and Recreation Alliance launched the Protect Where We Play campaign, with research from the Alliance shows that playing fields and pitches deliver at least £2bn in improved wellbeing every year and help 4 million people to be active, including 1 million children. We are urging the Government to rethink their proposals and safeguard our sports pitches and facilities by maintaining Sport England’s role within the planning process.
“Removing the protections afforded by Sport England as a statutory planning consultee is like removing the grassroots from sport. Without places to play, who knows where our next generation of Lionesses will come from. Once the concrete is poured and the bricks are laid, these vital spaces will be lost forever.”
To find out more about Protect Where We Play Campaign, visit our campaign hub here.
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