Stars Urge UK Government Not to Scrap Sport England's Role in Protecting Playing Fields
A group of 88 signatories, including athletes Jill Scott, Mo Farah, Alex Yee, and Matthew Pinsent, have warned the UK government against reforms that could end Sport England's statutory right to be consulted on housing developments affecting playing fields. The letter argues that the proposed planning reforms would remove existing protections for playing fields and sports facilities, putting at risk health, wellbeing, and community sport, especially in poorer communities.
These reforms are linked to government plans to build 1.5 million homes and propose removing Sport England's formal consultee role in such developments. Historically, around 10,000 playing fields were sold during the 1980s and 1990s before protections were introduced in 1996 and 2001. Despite this, Sport England protected more than 1,000 fields in 2021–22.
Reports from Fields in Trust reveal that nearly half of Britons live more than a 10-minute walk from a playing field, with disadvantaged areas disproportionately losing green spaces due to development or closure. Jill Scott, president of Fields in Trust, has urged the government to safeguard existing green spaces, emphasizing that this is a social justice issue vital for children's development and sustaining community activity.
In response, the government stated it will maintain protections for playing fields and highlighted a £400 million investment in grassroots sport. Sport England has not commented publicly. A public consultation on the reforms will run until 13 January.
