The government has proposed legislation to make it harder for school playing fields to be sold to property developers.

Local authorities often sell school pitches to finance their own building projects but the new measures will require special permission for each sale from the Secretary of State for the Environment.

The pitch being redeveloped

All local planning authorities will be required to notify the government of proposals to develop playing fields if the Sports Council has objected to a lack of pitches in that area.

Chris Smith, Culture and Sport Secretary: "Developing sports stars of the future" (Dur: 1' 32")

The Culture and Sport Secretary Chris Smith said: "Playing fields provide a vital recreational resource for schools and local communities. Too many have been lost in recent years and grassroots sports have suffered as a result."

The moves were welcomed by the Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson who said it could be the foundation of a new generation of British sports stars.

"If the government can stop the sale of playing fields it is absolutely brilliant news," she said.

"Now we can begin to start looking for the champions of the future and give talented children a real outlet."

The government will be discouraging all Local Education Authorities from selling off land before the proposed measures become law.

The Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said: "All school pupils deserve access to proper sports facilities. I will ensure that those playing fields which schools and their local communities need are not sold in future."
 

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