Monday 3 December 2007
sportscotland welcomes the new planning policy published recently by Scottish Government to protect and improve playing fields and open space in Scotland.
‘Scottish Planning Policy 11: Open Space and Physical Activity’ (SPP11) has been introduced to protect existing valued open space and identify requirements for new and improved spaces. The policy requires all Scottish local authorities to prepare an open space strategy and these strategies will be used to inform decisions on development plans and planning applications.
One part of the new policy that sportscotland sees as particularly important is the lowering of the size threshold for consultation on proposals affecting playing fields. Currently, as a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields, sportscotland has to be consulted on developments involving the loss of land used, or last used as a playing field, of 0.4 hectares and above. The new policy now requires that we are consulted on land of 0.2 hectares and above, which will include small pitches, tennis courts and bowling greens. This not only reaffirms our position as a statutory consultee but also ensures the protection of all types of outdoor sports areas in Scotland.
Welcoming the new planning policy, Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland said: “We welcome the new planning policy which will strengthen sportscotland’s powers in the protection of playing fields and open spaces. Improving the quality of playing fields is a priority for sportscotland and experience has shown that our involvement in the planning system as a statutory consultee has played a key role in safeguarding Scotland’s stock of pitches. In addition we have secured significant amounts of new investment for replacement and upgraded facilities.”
“We will continue to work with local authorities to advise on implementing the new policy, as well as assisting them with the development and implementation of local playing fields strategies to ensure the continued improvement in the quality and accessibility of pitches and open space across Scotland.”
SPP11 comes into force immediately, with the consultation and notification procedures coming into force on 1 January 2008 to give planning authorities time to prepare for the new arrangements.
From 2004 to date sportscotland has invested over £4.47 million in projects involving the creation and improvement of pitches and provision of changing facilities. Some examples of these projects are listed in the notes to editors.
Example of pitches and associated facilities across Scotland which have benefited from sportscotland investment since 2004 include:
Hamilton Palace Grounds, Hamilton
Indoor training facility with pitch and changing rooms
sportscotland investment: £120,000
Point Sport & Recreation Association, Isle of Lewis
Upgraded pitch and changing accommodation
sportscotland investment: £139,000
Aulton Pavilion and Pitch Development, Aberdeen
New changing pavilion and upgrade of pitches
sportscotland investment: £450,000
Lochar Thistle Youth Football Club, Dumfries
New pavilion
sportscotland investment: £42,500