Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has he had with representatives from the sport and recreation sector on proposals to remove Sport England as a statutory planning consultee.

My Department has met with Sport England on a number of occasions to discuss the proposals set out in the consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system. Most recently, I met with Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England, on 21 January to discuss Sport England's response to the consultation and our shared aim of ensuring playing fields continue to be protected.

The consultation closed on 13 January 2026. A total of 1,605 responses were received, 1,294 of which were specific to the question on removing Sport England as a statutory consultee.

No final decisions will be taken on the role of these statutory consultees until all consultation feedback has been fully analysed and considered. A government response will be published in due course.

Regardless of consultation outcomes, these statutory consultees will continue to engage through public consultation and targeted notifications in the planning process.