Alliance statement on announcement of Government consultation on the removal of statutory planning consultees

Read the statement from Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO, Lisa Wainwright MBE.

“We are disappointed to see the Government's proposal to remove various statutory consultees – including Sport England – from planning decisions in England.

We, of course, recognise the need to build more homes and are wholly supportive of the Government’s mission to boost growth.

But the proposals as conceived risk being a case of ‘cutting off your nose to spite your face’.

The UK is already markedly less active than countries like Finland or Ireland. And low physical activity levels already cost our economy £7.4bn, with long-term sickness and childhood obesity acting as a major drag on the economy and the NHS and putting our children’s health at risk. It is therefore essential we preserve and grow places for people to participate in grassroots community sport and recreation, and safeguard that within our planning system.

Planning applications must give proper and due consideration to fostering healthier, happier, more active lives in communities across the country.

Removing Sport England and other statutory consultees might have, at best, a marginal impact on speeding up planning decisions.

But it risks having a significant detrimental effect on the UK’s long-term growth prospects, as well as the quality of neighbourhoods and the activity levels of our children.

We will be working closely with members and sector partners to engage in the Government’s formal consultation in due course.”

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