Among the proposals is the removal of Sport England’s statutory consultee status for planning applications that affect playing fields. 

Our position 

Whilst we recognise the Government’s intention to accelerate housebuilding and boost economic growth, removing Sport England from this process could be catastrophic for grassroots sport. 

Playing fields and pitches are the foundation of sport at every level. Weakening protections risks seriously limiting participation, particularly for children, and could have long-term consequences for the health and wellbeing of communities across the country. Once these spaces are lost to development, they rarely return. 

Research from the Sport and Recreation Alliance highlights just how significant this is: playing fields and pitches contribute over £2bn in wellbeing benefits each year and support more than 4 million people to be active, including 1 million children. 

As demand for housing grows, the need for accessible, high-quality sport and recreation facilities only increases. Growth and development should go hand-in-hand with protecting the spaces our communities rely on. 

The GMA will continue working with partners across the sector to ensure the planning system supports participation, protects essential facilities and recognises the vital role these spaces play in public health and wellbeing. 

Add your support 

The Sport and Recreation Alliance has opened an online petition calling for Sport England to retain its statutory consultee role for planning applications involving playing fields. 

You can sign the petition here and share it across your networks to help strengthen the sector’s collective voice. 

Alongside the consultation we are asking for your support in the next phase of Sport and Recreation Alliance's Protect Where We Play campaign.