The announcement by the Government on 10th March to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee on planning applications that impact on playing fields as part of its overhaul of the planning system, is a cause of great concern for the current and future physical, mental and social health of the nation.
For decades Sport England has prevented a succession of reckless governments from selling off countless vitally important playing fields. Whilst we all acknowledge that the country needs thousands of new homes, it should not come at the expense of losing these much-needed community spaces. It seems highly illogical at a time when inactivity will kill one in six of us, obesity rates are predicted to reach horrific levels, knife crime is rife and more of us than ever are suffering poor mental health, that we are in danger of losing those very places where people can be more active, young people can join sports teams rather than gangs and communities can come together to enjoy open space and clean fresh air.
Without the level of protection that Sport England affords, there is a real danger that local authorities (which constitute roughly 85% of playing fields providers), will follow the path of least resistance and sell off their most valuable sites in pursuit of a quick win. Disposing of a playing field can provide them with a triple benefit. Firstly, they receive a large capital receipt at a time when many of them are strapped for cash. Secondly, they have access to easy space to help meet their challenging house targets. Finally, they remove in one fell swoop all of the management and maintenance liabilities involved in operating playing fields.
It is ironic that at the elite level London is probably the world’s greatest sporting capital boasting some of the most iconic stadia and more professional football clubs than any other city, but at grassroots level it is in crisis. The numbers are chilling. London has 16% of the country’s population but only 8% of its playing fields. In some inner London boroughs, there are fewer than five playing fields serving huge and dense populations. So before rushing to sell off the family silver, we would urge local authorities to take a longer-term view and to consider the value that playing fields bring in terms of reducing health and social costs. Sport and physical activity can be a magic pill and research shows Londoners avoid £950 million per year in health costs due to public green space.
We believe that a short-term outlook will have drastic consequences for our children and their children’s children because once a playing field is lost, it is lost forever. And this is why Londoners should say a silent prayer of thanks to those visionary Victorians who established London Playing Fields Foundation in 1890 with the aim of protecting, providing and promoting playing fields in London. As a stark example of history repeating itself, LPFF was founded to counteract the impact of rampant urbanisation and in response to a realisation that easy and affordable access to sport and physical activity was key to improving the lives of Londoners but only if they had places to play. If the current Government has its way, by 2050 London could look more like New York. Just like our Victorian forefathers, we need to demonstrate the same vision and vigilance.
Alex Welsh
LPFF Chief Executive
