§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many acres of playing fields in(a) state schools and (b) private schools have been added in each of the last five years and how many have been lost to development; how many acres of private sports grounds have been added in each of the last 10 years and how many have been lost to development.
§ Mr. MoynihanThis information is not held centrally. As far as school playing fields are concerned, local education authorities are required to meet the minimal standards prescribed by the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981. There have been some studies of private sports grounds which show that the position varies from218W area to area. While there has been a reduction in the number of grounds in industrial ownership there has been a substantial increase in both the quantity and quality of provision in the voluntary sector, for example, approximately 100 new artificial turf pitches have been provided in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis recreational need is assessed or calculated for the purposes of public inquiries.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe body or individual making the planning decision, whether a local authority, a planning officer or the Secretary of State, should consider the merits of the case having regard to all the relevant provisions of the development plan. They should also give consideration to the regional recreation strategies prepared by the regional councils for sport and recreation.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the significant regional variations in the provision per head of population of urban recreational open space.
§ Mr. MoynihanThis information is not held centrally.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what his Department recommends for the number of acres of playing fields per head of population; and what information he has on the figures recommended by (i) the National Playing Fields Association and (ii) the Sports Council.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Department makes no recommendations about the average size of playing fields to be provided per head of the population. However, circular 33/70 encourages local planning authorities to consult with the appropriate sports council (now regional council for sport and recreation) on such matters. I understand that the regional councils for sport and recreation take into account the frequency of play and the days of peak demand in offering advice. The National Playing Fields Association recommends 6 acres per 1,000 people.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many additional areas of recreational open space would be available to the community if dual use became universal.
§ Mr. MoynihanSo far as I am aware, no assessment has been made of the additional areas of recreational open space which would be available as a result of universal dual use.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department recognises and assesses increase in latent demand for sporting provision in the light of Government supported campaigns for healthy lifestyles and increased sports participation.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Sports Council have a research programme which monitors and assesses the demand for sporting provision. The results of this research underpin the council's strategies as set out in its annual corporate plan and in its longer-term strategy documents.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is provided by his Department in the form of target figures for provision of outdoor recreation land within urban district boundaries.
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§ Mr. MoynihanCircular 33/70 sets out the Government's general policy on the provision of recreational facilities. It is for local authorities to decide specific target figures in consultation with local or regional sports councils and in the light of all material considerations. Circular 33/70 encourages local authorities to identify private open spaces in their development plan.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of what are the most popular forms of physical recreation(a) indoors and (b) outdoors, and of what is the stated and latent demand for facilities for these activities and the anticipated provision in the next five years.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe table shows, by sport, the percentage of all adults participating in each activity in a four-week period immediately prior to interview. The figures are taken from the general household survey (1986). (Figures are rounded up).
1977 1980 1983 1986 Outdoor 1. Walking/rambling/hiking (2 miles or more) 17 19 19 19 2. Football 3 3 3 3 3. Golf 2 2 2 3 4. Athletics—track and field (including jogging) 1 1 2 3 5. Swimming (including public pools) 2 2 3 2 6. Cycling 1 1 2 2 7. Fishing 2 2 2 2 8. Tennis 1 2 1 1 9. Bowls 1 1 1 1 10. Camping/caravanning 1 1 1 1 11. Cricket 1 1 1 1 12. Horse riding 1 1 1 1 Indoor 1. Swimming 5 6 7 9 2. Snooker/billiards/pool 6 7 8 9 3. Darts 9 7 7 6 4. Keep fit/yoga 1 2 3 3 5. Squash 2 2 3 2 6. Badminton 2 2 2 2 7. Gymnastics/athletics — 1 1 2 8. Bowls/tenpin 1 1 1 1 9. Table tennis 2 2 1 1 Information about the demand for facilities is not held centrally.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to what percentage of urban recreation land lost to development has been replaced within the urban area; and what percentage has been replaced in the urban fringe.
§ Mr. MoynihanThis information is not held centrally. There have however been a number of local studies which suggest that, although the position varies from area to area, the overall provision of recreational land has remained fairly static.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many acres of municipally owned recreation grounds have been added in each of the last 10 years and how many have been lost to development.
§ Mr. MoynihanThis information is not held centrally.
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§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to how many planning applications for development of recreational open space have been approved by(a) local planning authorities and (b) at appeal in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. MoynihanInformation about approvals given by local authorities is not held centrally. In the case of appeals, the Department does not keep records of decisions in a form which would enable me to provide the information requested.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which participation in sport and recreation is related to availability of facilities within walking distance for(a) car-owners and (b) non-car-owners.
§ Mr. MoynihanResearch carried out by the Sports Council show that on average 20 per cent. of those people using swimming pools and indoor sports centres travel more than five miles to reach the facilities. Thirty six per cent. travel less than one mile. Cars are the most popular mode of transport to sports facilities although there a re variations from region to region. Fifty two per cent. of swimming pool users travel by car compared with 25 per cent. who walk. Studies of indoor sports centres show that 67 per cent. of users travel by car whilst only 8 per cent. walk.
Car ownership is one factor which determines the use of a facility. However other factors such as the size and management of the facility and the availability of competition are also important.