Sport England will retain its statutory consultee role for planning, following a government review.
The consultation, the results of which were announced on 17 August, began in November last year, following the publication of the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill earlier in 2025. The Bill proposed the removal of the sports body’s consultee role on any planning application affecting playing fields and community sport.
Following the consultation, however, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has decided that the body will retain its role, with some amendments.
These will see Sport England continue to be consulted on the most significant planning applications affecting playing fields and community sport, while the range of applications referred to it will be narrowed.
The revised arrangements are intended to focus Sport England’s involvement on the highest-impact cases, while supporting “a more efficient planning system”.
Responding to the news, Sport England Chair, Chris Boardman, said: “The places where we play, move and come together shape the health of our nation and we welcome the Government’s decision.
“Once a playing field is lost, it is rarely replaced, which is why independent expert advice on the biggest planning decisions remains vital.
“These changes ensure our expertise is focused where it can make the greatest difference, for healthy communities today and for the generations that follow.”
SAPCA took part in the government review, voicing its concerns over the plans to remove Sport England as a consultee.
Following the announcement that Sport England has retained its role, SAPCA CEO Richard Shaw said: “This is great news for the sports and play sector.
“While there is clearly a change to the scope of the function, this will retain the specialist knowledge and the safeguarding of our sports fields within the planning system which was the overriding concern of SAPCA and sectors.”