Representation by Sport England (Sport England)
- Date submitted
- 7 January 2020
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
Sport England has a statutory duty to protect playing field which has been used or last used within the last 5 years. We also have a non-statutory responsibility to protect existing sports facilities unless exceptional circumstances apply as set out in national planning policy. Our understanding is that there is no statutory responsibility to consult Sport England in this particular case under national infrastructure planning regime. Nevertheless, we will seek to protect or mitigate against the potential loss, permanent or temporary, of sports facilities or playing field provision, or development which might prejudice their use as a result of the proposal. It is understood that the proposal is likely to affect or prejudice use of existing playing field and/or other sports facilities. Sport England would wish to work with the applicant/agent to fully understand the impact on sports and recreation provision across the length of the pipeline and consider how to minimize and mitigate this impact. Sport England would have particular concerns if the proposal is likely to affect important sites for sport and we would wish to avoid the situation where sports clubs and groups are left without facilities to fulfil training and match play requirements. Portsmouth City Council has particular challenges around meeting its needs for sport in the city given the land constraints it faces and therefore its ability to develop new facilities to meet a growing need. Understanding the impact on existing sites in Portsmouth City will need careful consideration given the pressure on suitable alternative facilities