As we anticipated back in March, the Government has announced a consultation process on its proposal to radically change the statutory consultee role of Sport England in relation to overseeing and assessing planning applications on playing fields. This could have a catastrophic impact on grassroots sport because without a pitch to play on there can be no football, cricket, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, softball and numerous other outdoor sports. That is why London Playing Fields Foundation will be actively opposing the plans and encouraging all those who believe in the power of sport to improve lives to do the same.
It is not difficult to imagine what the world would be like without the safeguard of Sport England protecting those places where much of our team sport takes place. Just think back to the sixteen-year period between 1979-1996 prior to the commencement of Sport England’s statutory role, when over 10,000 playing fields were lost to development, never to return.
In stark contrast, between 2022 and 2023 Sport England’s interventions helped save 1,007 playing fields from inappropriate development with 94% of all concluded planning applications resulting in improved or safeguarded facilities. Closer to home in the past 5 years in London there have been 398 concluded planning applications affecting playing fields with 90% resulting in improved or safeguarded provision.
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) paint Sport England as a blocker of much needed new homes and slow to respond when in fact in 70% of statutory applications Sport England do not object. In two thirds of cases where it initially objects, it ends up withdrawing the objection as it negotiates improved benefits to offset any impact; and as for being slow, in 98% cases Sport England responds within 21 days.
Rather than hiving off precious playing fields to meet their housing targets and plug revenue deficits, London Playing Fields Foundation urges local councils to first consider building on the huge stock of redundant brownfield sites many of which, according to CPRE evidence, already have planning consent.
There is a plethora of research that highlights the health, social and economic value of playing sport and being physically active on well managed playing fields so we need to cherish and preserve these places for current and future generations. The MHCLG’s shameful attempt to strip Sport England of its statutory consultee status is akin to sending off the goalkeeper for saving too many shots! Please exercise your right to comment on this proposal via the consultation process and do your best to persuade the Government to change its mind before it is too late. Once a playing field is lost, it is lost forever.
The Government’s consultation on statutory consultees opened on 17th November and closes on 13th January 2026. We will be writing to all our schools, clubs, partners and supporters to share the LPFF response and to urge them to comment in the strongest possible terms.
Alex Welsh
LPFF Chief Executive
