Sport England to lose statutory planning role

The government has confirmed plans to remove Sport England from the group of statutory consultees who provide feedback and views in planning decisions. Statutory consultees are official stakeholders legally required to provide advice on planning decisions to ensure developments can consider essential environmental, transport, heritage and safety elements.

The planned move is part of the government’s reforms to overhaul the planning system which are aimed at “putting growth at the heart of the statutory consultee system”. Under the plans, organisations such as Sport England, Theatres Trust and The Gardens Trust will no longer be required to input on planning decisions. The scope of other statutory consultees will be narrowed to focus on heritage, safety and environmental protection.