§ Mr. GodsiffTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many requests he has received from local education authorities to(a) dispose of and (b) change the use of, school playing fields since 1 May 1997; and if he will list those playing field sites for which approval has been granted for (i) disposal and (ii) change of use. [95743]
§ Jacqui SmithUntil the implementation on 1 October 1998 of Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, local authorities in England did not need the consent of the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields.
Since 1 October 1998 there have been 147 applications from local authorities to dispose of part or, at some closed schools, the whole of a school's playing field. There have been no applications by local education authorities to change the use of playing fields that have not involved a disposal. All applications are assessed against criteria which have been published by the Department in its circular: "The Protection of School Playing Fields".
Approval has been granted in 86 cases. Of those, 33 were at closed or closing schools and a further 23 led to improved sports facilities. The remainder were for improvements to educational facilities and were approved only when it was clear that they did not affect the access of pupils to suitable playing fields.