Comment

Representation ID: 19670

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Sport England

We welcome the inclusion of sport facilities in this policy however they are referred to as ‘intensive sports’ facilities. It is not clear what is meant by intensive.

Furthermore, with many traditional town centre uses, such as retail, declining (compounded by the current pandemic), this is creating vacant buildings in many town centres.

Town centres provide opportunities for sporting activities Such uses can assist in contributing to the vitality and viability of centres. Often leisure centres and sport facilities remain open beyond traditional shop opening hours bringing people into to the centres and contributing to an evening economy and contributing towards a sense of a safe community.

Sport England would suggest that the term ‘intensive’ is removed from the policy and that all sport facilities are recognised as a general acceptable town centre use.