§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many planning applications affecting school playing fields were(a) referred to Sport England and (b) objected to by Sport England in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [82364]
§ Mr. CabornSport England in their role as statutory consultee for planning applications affecting playing fields received 314 applications in respect of playing fields within educational ownership for the year 1999—2000, 428 for the year 2000—01, and 551 for the year 2001—02. Data is not available to show Sport England's response action to planning applications for playing fields in educational ownership.
Planning applications affecting playing fields can often involve a change of use that benefits sport rather than in resulting in the outright sale of playing fields or their development It should also be noted that where planning permission is granted this does not necessarily mean that the proposed development or change of use went ahead. Data is not collected centrally on whether planning applications are actually implemented.