Stars Urge UK Government Not to Scrap Sport England's Role in Protecting Playing Fields
Eighty-eight signatories, including Jill Scott, Mo Farah, Alex Yee, and Matthew Pinsent, have warned that proposed reforms could remove vital protections for England's playing fields and sports facilities. The government proposals would end Sport England's statutory right to be consulted on housing developments affecting playing fields, as part of a broader plan to build 1.5 million new homes.
The letter from these sports figures argues that playing fields serve as critical infrastructure for health, wellbeing, community sport, and children's play. The loss of such spaces would deal a severe blow to grassroots sport and physical activity.
Historically, around 10,000 playing fields were sold off during the 1980s and 1990s before protections were introduced in 1996 and further strengthened in 2001. In 2021-2022, Sport England successfully protected more than 1,000 playing fields.
Research by Fields in Trust shows that nearly half of Britons live within a 10-minute walk of a playing field, but greener spaces continue to disappear in poorer areas. Jill Scott, who is president of Fields in Trust, emphasized the need for the government to safeguard existing spaces for current and future generations.
A public consultation on the government reforms is open until 13 January 2026. The government maintains that current protections remain in place and highlights a commitment to investing £400 million into grassroots sport. Sport England has declined to comment on the matter.
