NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION
Response to Consultation
Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1
Thank you for inviting the National Playing Fields Association (‘NPFA’) to respond to the above consultation.
The NPFA was formed in 1925 and is a registered charity operating throughout the UK. The NPFA’s core work is the protection and improvement of playing fields and like facilities. Our concern is with the provision and use of high quality, local facilities for outdoor sport and play which benefit the health and quality of life of all communities. One way of achieving this is through the planning system and influencing national policies.
The NPFA’s brief comments are provided below within the context of our own work.
• The NPFA is aware of the increasing recognition given by the scientific, commercial, public and political communities to the future importance of green space in the context of its cooling impact on the built environment.
• There is a need for the Government to give real priority to protecting existing green space through the planning system. There are other means which also help achieve this objective but the importance of the planning system should not be underestimated. Specicifically, the NPFA calls for brownfield sites to be used first for built development, then the urban fringe and then the green belt. There is a need for public policy which safeguards green space, including playing fields, recreation grounds, sports grounds, parks and play areas within our towns, cities and rural settlements. We recognise that others may not share this view and there is a need for planning authorities to consider factors which relate, for example, to habitat, biodiversity and amenity. These should be subject to local consultation, debate and decision.
• The NPFA urges the Government to ensure that language and terminology are correct. It is important to state clearly that we are talking here of green space, which is not the same as all forms of open space, in the context of climate change.
• The future holds a fairly certain promise of adverse health impacts. The need for green space and healthy recreational opportunity near to where people live, together with appropriate space and facilities, will become ever more important for both physical and mental health.
• PPG17 Planning Guidance on Open Space, Sport and Recreation was last republished nearly 5 years ago. The NPFA’s own research indicates that responses to recommendations for open space audits, assessments and standards has been slow and disappointing. There appears also to be a disturbing number of planning authorities which have set, or are in the process of setting, open space standards below existing levels of provision, therefore indicating potential change of use for so-designated ‘surplus’ land and facilities. Revised and more robust guidance on Open Space, Sport and Recreation is called for urgently.
• The need for water for maintaining green space will need addressing, together with appropriate investment.
We hope the Government finds this response of interest and would be willing to develop surrounding arguments with Ministers.
If there are any questions arising out of this response please contact me directly.
With kind regards
Don Earley
Deputy Chief Executive
National Playing Fields
Telephone 024 76 426620
Mobile 07957 846 552
www.npfa.org