A host of top sports stars and governing bodies have expressed fears that playing fields across England could be built on and disappear if proposed planning reforms come into force. The government is considering stripping funding agency Sport England of its right to be consulted before a playing field is built on. Sport England declined to comment, but this month said it protected more than a thousand playing fields across the country last year. The letter has been written by Fields in Trust, a charity that works with local authorities and communities to protect parks and playing fields from development. Last week, Women in Sport said: "Now is not the time to be putting our playing fields and pitches at risk.

Source: BBC December 23, 2025 02:54 UTC