A coalition of elite athletes and national sporting bodies has issued a stark warning to the UK government: proposed planning reforms threaten to unleash a devastating wave of development on England's playing fields.
Open Letter Warns of Irreversible Loss
In an open letter organised by the charity Fields in Trust, 88 signatories have expressed "deep concern" that changes to planning rules could remove statutory protections for green sports spaces. The signatories include Olympic legends Mo Farah, Sir Matthew Pinsent, and Alex Yee, alongside former England footballer Jill Scott.
The letter, also backed by major governing bodies like the Football Association, the Rugby Football Union, the Lawn Tennis Association, and UK Athletics, focuses on a specific proposal. The government is considering ending Sport England's statutory right to be consulted on housing developments built on playing fields. This move is part of a drive to meet a target of 1.5 million new homes.
"Playing fields are irreplaceable. Once built on, they are gone forever," the letter states. It emphasises that these spaces are "vital infrastructure for health and wellbeing, community sport, and children’s play."
Social Justice and a Historical Precedent
The athletes argue the issue is one of social justice, warning that the loss would hit the poorest communities hardest. "The people who need green space the most often have the least access," the letter adds.
Their fears are rooted in history. Before protections were introduced in 1996 and 2001, approximately 10,000 playing fields were sold off in the 1980s and 1990s. The current system has proven effective; Sport England's data shows it protected more than 1,000 playing fields in the 2021-2022 period alone.
Research by Fields in Trust reveals the scale of the existing problem: almost half of Britain's population already lives more than a 10-minute walk from a playing field, with deprived areas continuing to lose the most green space.
A Plea for Future Generations
Jill Scott, President of Fields in Trust, made a personal appeal, citing her own childhood experiences on green spaces in Sunderland. "I wouldn’t be where I am today without that green space... and every child deserves that same chance," she said.
She urged ministers to listen, stating: "We’re not asking for the impossible. We’re asking them to protect what already exists, for the generations who will come after us." The fate of the protections now rests on a public consultation, which runs until 13 January.
The government, when previously approached, stated that strong protections for playing fields remain in place under its proposals and highlighted a £400 million investment into grassroots sport. Sport England declined to comment on the ongoing consultation.
