SportEngland_AR_17_18

Local needs, local benefits
Our planning guidance and evidencebased
approach helps local authorities
to undertake accurate and defendable
assessments of the need for sports
facilities in their area. We work
with local authorities to ensure the
assessments are used to develop
and implement key recommendations
and actions to improve provision and
secure investment.
A good example of the effectiveness
of our approach is the development
of the Harperbury Hospital site in
St Albans, Hertfordshire. A planning
application to redevelop the derelict
site for housing included the loss
of a community playing field.
After our initial objection, we negotiated
for the playing field to be located
elsewhere within the development
and for substantive improvements
to be made to the remaining sports
facilities through a £250,000
contribution from the developer.
With approximately 49% of grass
pitches and 76% of sports halls
in England on school sites, it is
important, wherever possible, to
allow local groups to use school,
college or university sports facilities
outside normal school hours.
This is of particular benefit to local
communities who may not have
access to any other sports facilities
within easy walking distance.
£14M
of additional investment
into sports facilities
generated in 2016-17,
through our engagement
with the planning system
104
community use agreements
secured during 2016-17
through the planning system,
to allow local communities
improved access to
educational facilities.
ACTIVE DESIGN: BUILDING ACTIVITY
INTO EVERYDAY LIVES
Embedding physical activity into
new communities is an important
element of our work.
Our Active Design guidance and
its 10 principles, developed in
partnership with Public Health England,
demonstrate how inspired design-andbuild
concepts in our towns and cities
can promote activity, improve health
and create stronger communities.
We aim to get involved with new
housing developments at the outset
to influence the planning stage and
highlight how the effective and flexible
design of buildings and open spaces
can promote sport and active lifestyles.
Our input on a large housing
project in Purfleet, Essex is a good
example of the Active Design
principles at work, where we are
working collaboratively with the
developer, local authority and
community to help shape the
scheme prior to the submission
of the planning application.
The Active Design principles
have also been incorporated into
the revised Essex Design Guide,
which is nationally renowned for
leading the way in the planning
and development sectors for
urban design guidance.
Other new community projects we have
been involved with include Old Oak
Common, London (24,000 dwellings),
Canada Water, London (4,500 dwellings)
and Welborne, near Fareham in
Hampshire (6,000 dwellings).
Over the next year, we will continue to
test the effectiveness of Active Design’s
10 principles in a number of different
projects. We will also revise our other
planning policy and guidance documents
so they continue to effectively support
the planning system to protect, enhance
and provide opportunities for sport and
physical activity. This will ensure they
reflect the Government’s revised National
Planning Policy Framework.
THE 10 PRINCIPLES
ACTIVE BUILDINGS ACTIVITY FOR ALL ACTIVITY PROMOTION
AND LOCAL CHAMPIONS
APPROPRIATE
INFRASTRUCTURE
CO-LOCATING
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
CONNECTED WALKING
AND CYCLING ROUTES
HIGH QUALITY
STREETS AND SPACES
MANAGEMENT,
MAINTENANCE,
MONITORING AND
EVALUATION
NETWORK OF
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL
OPEN SPACES
WALKABLE
COMMUNITIES
performance analysis report 17