This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Correspondence and communication between Sport England and West Berkshire Council'.

From:
To:
Subject:
App Ref: 20/02402/REG3 - Faraday Road Stadium - Sport England Ref: PA/20/SE/WB/56892
Date:
Dear 
 
Thank you for consulting Sport England on the above planning application. The site is
considered to constitute playing field, or land last used as playing field, as defined in The
Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
(Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 595). As such Sport England is a statutory consultee.
 
Sport England has sought to consider the application in light of the National Planning Policy
Framework (particularly Para. 97) and against its own playing fields policy. Unfortunately
there is insufficient information to enable Sport England to adequately assess the proposal or
to make a substantive response. Please therefore could the following information be provided
as soon as possible:
  1. I am concerned that the planning statement does not give any indication of any
replacement toilet provision or who will be using the playing field.  I have a community
group write to myself on a regular basis, indicating they are/will be using it for all ages. 
If this is the case, then some for toilet provision will be required to support the playing
field, albeit temporary, as it would be inappropriate for young children to ‘go behind’ a
car, fence, tree, hedge etc. as this is a safeguarding issue.
 
Sport England's Playing Fields Policy and Guidance document, which includes the type of
information required in order for us to evaluate a planning application against our policy, can
be viewed via the following link: www.sportengland.org/playingfieldspolicy (see Annex B)
 
Sport England's interim position on this proposal is to submit a holding objection. However
we will happily review our position following the receipt of all the further information requested
above. As I am currently unable to make a substantive response, in accordance with the
Order referred to above, the 21 days for formally responding to the consultation will not
commence until I have received all the information requested above.
 
Should the local planning authority be minded to grant planning permission for the proposal,
contrary to Sport England's holding objection, then in accordance with The Town and Country
Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, the application should be referred to the
Secretary of State, via the National Planning Casework Unit.
 
I would be happy to discuss the requested information further with the applicant and/or the
local planning authority if necessary.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
 RIBA MRTPI
Principal Planning Manager - South Team
T: