For the Government to ensure strong safeguards for playing fields, pitches and community sports facilities by maintaining Sport England’s status as a statutory consultee for planning applications involving playing fields.

We think removing Sport England as a statutory consultee would remove vital safeguards which protect playing fields and pitches from development, reduce its' capability to advise/support local authorities, and secure adequate provision of essential community sports facilities. Research from the Sport and Recreation Alliance shows that playing fields and pitches deliver nearly £2bn in improved wellbeing every year and help nearly 4 million people to be active, of which at least 1 million are children.