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27/08/2004
School playing fields promised 'toughest-ever protection'
New guidelines governing the sale of playing fields by local authorities will provide "the toughest-ever protection" for leisure areas, the government has said.
In a joint partnership between the Department for Education and Skills and the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) the rules shake-up will mean that off-loading playing fields will be "an absolute last resort" and local authorities will have to demonstrate that they have exhausted all other sources of funding for the required school sports facilities.
Sale proceeds must be used to improve outdoor facilities wherever possible, so that local authorities will have to provide first-class outdoor facilities before introducing new indoor facilities, the department said. New sports facilities must also be sustainable for at least 10 years, 'locking-in' improvements and ensuring that they are available to pupils for the long-term.
The strengthened guidelines will build on legislation introduced in 1998 to stem the "previously indiscriminate sale" of playing fields by local authorities.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke said: "We have already stemmed the tide of playing field sales that took place before 1998, and I am grateful for the support of the NPFA in further strengthening our guidelines.
"This means that school playing fields will now not only be protected but also improved for the benefit of pupils and the wider community. It should also challenge the misconception that school playing fields have been sold off indiscriminately."
(gmcg)
In a joint partnership between the Department for Education and Skills and the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) the rules shake-up will mean that off-loading playing fields will be "an absolute last resort" and local authorities will have to demonstrate that they have exhausted all other sources of funding for the required school sports facilities.
Sale proceeds must be used to improve outdoor facilities wherever possible, so that local authorities will have to provide first-class outdoor facilities before introducing new indoor facilities, the department said. New sports facilities must also be sustainable for at least 10 years, 'locking-in' improvements and ensuring that they are available to pupils for the long-term.
The strengthened guidelines will build on legislation introduced in 1998 to stem the "previously indiscriminate sale" of playing fields by local authorities.
Education Secretary Charles Clarke said: "We have already stemmed the tide of playing field sales that took place before 1998, and I am grateful for the support of the NPFA in further strengthening our guidelines.
"This means that school playing fields will now not only be protected but also improved for the benefit of pupils and the wider community. It should also challenge the misconception that school playing fields have been sold off indiscriminately."
(gmcg)
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