The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 74 states:
Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless:
* an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open
space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements; or
* the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by
equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable
location; or
* the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the
needs for which clearly outweigh the loss.

Unless the there was an agreeable relocation with the football club, which would include the same level of ancillary facilities or better, in a n agreeable location, Sport England would object to the proposal. This is in line with the second bullet point in the NPPF.

This is also in line with Sport England's own Planning Policy Exception E4:Playing field lost would be replaced, equivalent or better in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility


It is important that WDC do not leave the football club in limbo as it will have an impact on the club, its supporters and its position in the league. Sport England would urge that WDC should meet with the club and the FA to work out a suitable timeframe which would either result in an agreed new home for Leamington FC or the abandonment of the WDC's aspiration to use this site as Gypsy and Traveller Site. For the Football club this time period should be as short as possible, as its current identification has lead to uncertainty on the club's future.