The announcement follows a consultation undertaken by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which reviewed the role of statutory consultees within the planning process. While proposed reforms had raised concerns about the potential removal of Sport England's role in advising on planning applications affecting playing fields and community sport, the Government has confirmed that Sport England will continue to be consulted on the most significant developments impacting these vital spaces. 

The GMA represented the grounds management sector throughout the consultation process, working alongside leading organisations from across sport, recreation and physical activity. As part of this coordinated sector response, the Association joined more than 80 national sporting organisations and prominent figures in signing an open letter led by Fields in Trust, calling on Government to retain Sport England's statutory consultee role and the protections it provides for playing fields and community sports facilities. The GMA also participated in a series of strategic discussions and consultation meetings involving many of the UK's leading sports bodies, ensuring the perspectives of grounds professionals were reflected in the sector's collective response and reinforcing the importance of safeguarding the nation's sporting infrastructure. 

As the UK’s leading membership association dedicated to support grounds staff, the GMA has long championed the value of high-quality sports turf facilities and the essential role they play in supporting participation, health, and wellbeing. The Government's decision recognises the importance of informed, expert advice in planning decisions that could impact opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity, helping to protect the spaces that are fundamental to thriving communities of expert input when planning decisions could affect opportunities for people to be active. 

Sport England's continued involvement will help ensure that the most significant planning applications affecting playing fields and community sport receive specialist scrutiny, while allowing its expertise to be focused where it can add the greatest value. The revised arrangements are also intended to support a more efficient planning system alongside the Government's ambitions for housing growth and economic development. 

Reflecting on the outcome, Geoff Webb, CEO at the Grounds Management Association, said: "We warmly welcome the Government's decision to retain Sport England's statutory consultee role. Playing fields and community sports facilities are fundamental assets that support participation, health, and community wellbeing across the country. 

"As a proud partner of Sport England, the GMA was pleased to represent the grounds management sector and play our part in the consultation process. Sport England's expertise provides an important safeguard for the places where people play sport and stay active, helping to ensure these valuable facilities are protected for future generations. 

"This outcome reinforces the importance of collaborative working across the sport and physical activity sector, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Sport England in support of thriving, sustainable sports facilities." 

The GMA remains committed to working alongside Sport England and partners across the sector to advocate for the protection, improvement and long-term sustainability of sports grounds and playing fields nationwide.