§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) assessment he has made of and (b) research he has commissioned into the potential impact of sport on regeneration; and if he will make a statement. [125260]
§ Yvette CooperThe potential impact of sports facilities in contributing to regeneration is recognised in the Urban White Paper "Our Towns and our Cities: the Future" published in November 2000. It covers the role of cultural, leisure and sporting activities in promoting social and economic well-being in towns and cities.
The impact of such activities on regeneration has been demonstrated by assessments carried out to select Beacon Councils for the "Regenerating through Culture, Sport and Tourism" theme in Round Two of the Beacon Council Scheme. Councils awarded Beacon Status have worked with the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) to share their best practice with councils all over the country.
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, revised in July 2002, recognises that high quality and well managed and maintained open spaces, sport and recreation facilities can support an urban renaissance and improve peoples' sense of well being in the place they live. "Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide to PPG 17" advises on how local assessments of need and audits of provision for such facilities can be carried out.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not carried out research specifically into the impact of sporting activities on regeneration. Within Government, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) takes the lead on sports policy. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is, however, working closely with other Government Departments (including DCMS), the Regional Development Agencies and the Core Cities 366W Group of local authorities to consider ways of increasing the competitiveness and prosperity of major regional cities. This has included looking at the role that large-scale sporting and cultural investments can play in creating successful cities.
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is working closely with Sport England to improve the design quality of new sports buildings and spaces by adopting best practice. Their joint report "Better Places for Sport," published in May 2003, acknowledges the role of high quality sports facilities in helping to revitalise deprived neighbourhoods.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also been involved along with other stakeholders, such as DCMS, in analysing the consultants report commissioned to assess the costs and benefits of bidding for and hosting the Olympic Games in London in 2012. This examined the potential regeneration benefits offered by the Games for regenerating the Lower Lea Valley and other proposed sites.