Greater planning protections for sports buildings and green fields

Sports buildings will require planning permission before they can be demolished under new rules announced for consultation by Planning Minister Baroness Andrews today.

The new rules will apply to any demolition of a sports building, where this is not part of a wider application. This will give local planning authorities greater control to conserve sports facilities in their area.

The changes also affect land which may have been sub-divided and sold to investors on the premise that it is developable, even though there is no real prospect of this. Local authorities will be able to remove permitted development rights on sub-divided land more rapidly, and without notifying the Secretary of State, in order to protect it from the unsightly proliferation of fences and sheds which are normally permitted.

Baroness Andrews said:

'Sports buildings play a vital role in ensuring our communities are active, healthy and enjoyable places to live. That is why local authorities should have the power to prevent their demolition in certain cases to conserve these important assets.

We also want to prevent unsightly development on sub-divided land. Whilst the planning system does not control the ownership of land, these important steps can ensure that the character and beauty of areas that are not suitable for development are maintained.'

You can access the consultation document here     

Source: DCLG   

ISRM will be responding to this consultation, which we welcome and would be pleased to receive the views of members on the form of our reply. Please send your suggestions to: lynnette@isrm.co.uk

eNews issue 56