It is noted that a number of existing or former sports facilities (community, school and commercial) have been put forward as potential development sites in the list in Appendix 1. It is acknowledged that no decisions have been made at this stage about whether any of these will progress to site allocations. If the Council is minded to allocate any of these sites for development at a subsequent stage of the local plan process the Council should ensure that any allocation accords with Government planning policy in paragraphs 70-74 of the NPPF especially the criteria in para 74. In accordance with this policy, sports facilities should only be allocated for development if replacement provision is made or if a local assessment of facility needs confirms that the facility is clearly surplus to requirements. It is understood that the Council is preparing an assessment of sports facility needs as part of its local plan evidence base which should inform decisions.

The Council will be aware of Sport England's role as a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields. To avoid potential objections and delays at a later date if any existing or former playing field sites are allocated for development, it is advised that discussions take place with Sport England before any site allocations are included in a future consultation document. Advice can be provided on how our concerns could be potentially addressed.

The sites in appendix 1 that these comments apply to are as follows:

008B - Woodlands School, Hutton
016B - Woodlands School, Great Warley
044 - Land at Priest Lane, Brentwood
089 - Brentwood Centre
141 - Brentwood Leisure Park
200 - East of A128/South of A127 (Golf Course)
231 - North of A127

The approach to community facilities and green infrastructure, which would include indoor and outdoor community sports facilities, in the context of new development contributing towards it to support sustainable communities is welcomed. The Council's evidence base on community sports facility provision will be essential for informing policies and allocations on the protection and provision/enhancement of sports facilities. It should also inform the additional needs generated by new development and how such development should make provision for sport in the context of CIL/planning obligations in the context of most developments not being large enough to make on-site provision.