§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications were(a) made, (b) granted and (c) refused, and in how many
Applications under section 77 and Schedule 22 of the school standards and framework Act 1998 to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields larger than a sports pitch1 19982 1999 2000 20013 Total Applications received 35 68 49 17 169 Applications approved4,5 9 54 43 23 129 Approved applications where there is no permanent loss of playing field larger than a sports pitch6 3 20 12 8 43 Applications rejected 0 2 0 0 2 Applications withdrawn 3 6 1 0 10 Schedule 22(1)(3) direction made7 1 0 3 0 4 1 Sports pitch' means an area of open grassed land equal to, or larger than, the Football Association's recommended area for games played by under-10s of 2,000 sq m, and which has a configuration making it suitable for use as a sports pitch 2 The School Standards and Framework Act came into force on 1 October 1998. Figures for 1998, therefore, cover applications received and applications determined between 1 October to 31 December 1998 3 This covers the period from 1 January to 22 June 2001 4 Applications may not have been approved in the same year that they were made because of the time needed to assess them. There are 28 applications not yet determined 5 In all approved cases, any proceeds were directed back into providing better sports or educational provision 6 Not all approvals result in the loss of playing fields. Some proposals involve the granting of a lease in which the playing field remains in place, or they may involve the transfer of ownership but no change of use 7 No directions made under Schedule 22(1)(3) have transferred land back to a local authority