Do not remove Sport England as a statutory consultee for planning applications
For the Government to ensure strong safeguards for playing fields, pitches and community sports facilities by maintaining Sport England’s status as a statutory consultee for planning applications involving playing fields.
Signatures
34,281
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 34,281/100,000
- 21 FEB 2026Petition closedFinal total: 34,281 signatures
- 08 JAN 2026Government respondedMinistry of Housing, Communities & Local GovernmentGovernment reply
The government is consulting on reforms to the statutory consultee system. No decision will be made on Sport England’s role until feedback on the proposals has been fully reviewed.
Read full response - 09 DEC 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 21 AUG 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We think removing Sport England as a statutory consultee would remove vital safeguards which protect playing fields and pitches from development, reduce its' capability to advise/support local authorities, and secure adequate provision of essential community sports facilities. Research from the Sport and Recreation Alliance shows that playing fields and pitches deliver nearly £2bn in improved wellbeing every year and help nearly 4 million people to be active, of which at least 1 million are children.