"it’s vital that we do all we can to help them navigate the
planning system"
Sport England, in partnership with the Department of Communities
and Local Government, has published a new guide to planning
applications aimed at sports clubs who want to improve their
facilities.
We know that poor quality facilities are a significant barrier
to increasing participation in sport at a grassroots level. All too
often the planning system is viewed as an obstacle as opposed to a
means of securing the best possible outcome, and when approached
incorrectly can result in frustration, financial loss and damaged
relationships.
Making a planning application provides practical advice that
will help clubs across the country prepare their case and
application in order to maximise their chances of success.
Step-by-step guidance is provided on the five stages of applying
for, and securing, planning permission:
- Reviewing the options
- Preparing the application
- Submitting the application
- The decision
- Implementing the decision.
Planning Minister Iain Wright MP welcomed the guide, saying:
“Small sports clubs can find it difficult to get planning
permission for improving their facilities, from getting
floodlighting for tennis courts to changing the surface of a
football pitch. That’s why we asked Sport England to produce
guidance for sports clubs on how to improve the quality of their
planning applications.
“This practical and informative guide takes clubs through the
whole process, giving them the best chance of getting the new
facilities they need.”
The handbook has been drawn up with help from the Planning
Officers Society and a working group that included The FA, the RFU,
the ECB and British Tennis.
Andrew Scoular, the RFU’s Community Rugby Director, said:
“It’s fair to say that not everyone running a sports club would
consider themselves an expert in the complexities of planning
applications. So this user-friendly guide will make a big
difference to our clubs, many of which have exciting plans to
transform the facilities available to their players.”
Charles Johnston, Sport England’s Property Director, said:
“If community sports clubs want to attract and retain
participants, they need to be able to offer high quality facilities
to all their customers. That’s why it’s vital that we do all we can
to help them navigate the planning system.”