Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A wide range of prominent athletes and sports organizations have voiced serious concerns about proposed planning reforms in England that could lead to the loss of playing fields nationwide. Among those raising the alarm are former Lioness Jill Scott and Olympic gold medalists Sir Mo Farah and Alex Yee. These sports figures, alongside the leaders of major governing bodies such as the Football Association (FA), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Rugby Football Union (RFU), and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), have collectively signed an open letter expressing their “deep concern” over the potential removal of statutory protections that currently safeguard these essential sports facilities.
The government is currently considering a plan to remove Sport England’s legal right to be consulted before any playing fields can be repurposed for building developments. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at accelerating planning decisions to meet the ambitious goal of constructing 1.5 million new homes by 2029. However, the signatories argue that playing fields are “irreplaceable” and that Sport England’s statutory consultee role remains a critical defense against the ongoing loss of such spaces. They warn that weakening these protections could hasten the disappearance of grassroots sports venues at a time when participation rates are increasing, thereby undermining public health and community wellbeing.
Sport England, which has protected over a thousand playing fields in the past year alone, has historically played a key role in safeguarding these spaces since the 1980s and 1990s, when approximately 10,000 playing fields were lost. Although Sport England has declined to comment on the new proposals, the organization’s involvement has been vital in efforts to boost physical activity. The open letter, coordinated by Fields in Trust—a charity dedicated to the preservation of parks and playing fields—features input from a wide range of sporting figures including former midfielder Jill Scott, who emphasized the personal significance of the campaign. She urged the government to protect existing sports facilities for future generations, stating, “We’re not asking for the impossible. We’re asking them to protect what already exists.”
The coalition of sports leaders calling for continued protection also includes names such as Eilish McColgan, Sir Matthew Pinsent, and Tessa Sanderson, along with heads of UK Athletics, British Cycling, and Parkrun. They propose that any reforms to planning laws must maintain meaningful measures to safeguard playing fields and sports amenities, highlighting the issue as one of social justice. They noted, “The people who need green space the most often have the least access. Without these protections, the health and wellbeing of communities will suffer.” Meanwhile, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has stated that robust protections for playing fields remain in place and emphasized a £400 million investment in grassroots sport. Although no final decision has been made, the government plans to remove several statutory consultees, including the Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust, which could reduce over 3,000 consultations annually as part of planning reform efforts
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.