A local wellbeing provider is urging Isle of Wight residents to take part in a Government consultation that could impact the protection of community playing fields across the country.
WightWays, a provider of wellbeing and physical activity opportunities on the Isle of Wight, has raised concerns about proposed changes to planning rules that could remove Sport England’s role as a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields.
Sport England is currently the only organisation that must be legally consulted when developments are proposed on playing fields. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is consulting on changes that would remove this obligation.
Rachel Richards, founder of WightWays and a qualified wellbeing coach, has said:
“Although they’re defined as ‘playing fields’ in planning terms, many of these spaces are open-access community land.
“They’re used every day for walking, informal running and group activity, most especially by people who are new to exercise or returning after a break.”
She added that spaces like Seaclose Park in Newport were vital in her own journey into fitness:
“I did my own Couch to 5K on Seaclose Park in Newport. It felt safe, familiar and unintimidating and that matters enormously, particularly for women. Those kinds of spaces are often the first step into a more active, healthier life.”
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Richards said the proposed change risks overlooking the way these spaces are used by the wider community, particularly those taking their first steps into physical activity.
“Sport England are the only consultee whose sole focus is the impact on sport and physical activity. I’m not confident that other statutory consultees will represent the needs of everyday activity, especially entry-level participation and women’s wellbeing, in the same way.”
WightWays is encouraging local sports clubs, walking and running groups, and community organisations to respond to the consultation before the deadline on 13th January.
Rachel adds:
“You don’t need to write pages. Even a short response explaining how you use local playing fields, for walking, running or community activity, can help ensure these spaces are properly valued.”
The consultation, titled Reforms to the Statutory Consultee System, is open until 13th January. Residents can respond online at
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforms-to-the-statutory-consultee-system.
“WightWays is encouraging local sports clubs, walking and running groups, and community organisations to respond to the consultation before the deadline on 13th January.”
They won’t and then when it is too late, they will moan.
We need this Socialist government like a hole in the head.
Where is the bloke on the grassy knoll when you need him?
I responded – these public areas are way too important to be lost forever. They were hard won, and we need them more than ever – for leisure, health reasons and recovery, exercise and general well-being.