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The best way to save a field is to use it well and protect it before the threat of building development. Saving a field protected by charity, land or contract law is much easier than relying upon the planning system. There are other benefits of this protection as well - guaranteed public access, protection of investment, certainty of recreational use and attractiveness to other potential donors. FIT can help with this.

The protection of existing playing fields is just as important as the creation of new ones. Once land is built on, it almost always stays built on forever. Land will become more and more of a premium in the future so the cost of new fields will become disproportionately more expensive than improving existing ones. And the location of new sites may mean that they are more difficult for communities to access.

Fields do come under threat from building development and, when this happens, strong action needs to be taken. FIT's 10 Point Plan is designed to guide people through the maze.

Case study

Tesco, the country’s largest retailer, planned to build a superstore on a local playing field in Torrington, Devon. Residents and local businesses blocked the idea. Despite Tesco's proposal to reduce the store’s land take by nearly 40% and offers such as a new football ground, scout hut and tennis courts, their application was turned down just before Christmas. The vote was 13-1 against and as local resident Michael Street said, "Tesco’s turkey has been well and truly stuffed". The war with Tesco has been won by people power and common sense.

On the east side of Birmingham the end of 2006 brought a different story.  After a 10 year battle, old school playing fields at Hodge Hill have been recommended for sale to Tesco.  Residents asked the Communities and Local Government Department to intervene and turn the application down but the Department gave it the green light.

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