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January 2019 03 Product News 03 Special Feature Professional Groundscare supplement
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Playing fields continue to be protected by Sport England Sport England safeguards England’s playing fields – helping to make sport and physical activity accessible for all. New figures show that Sport England has protected or improved sports provision in 93% of planning applications affecting playing fields. It is a statutory consultee for local councils on any planning application that would affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field Unless a developer can prove their proposal will improve or protect sports provision at the site, then Sport England objects to the plan. For the period between April 2016 and March 2017, 1,102 out of 1,187 planning applications affecting playing fields resulted in improved or protected sports provision.
The figures also showed that •
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In 41% of the cases where we originally objected to an application, further negotiations led to an overall improvement in sports provision. Of the 146 applications where we maintained our objection, 61 were either withdrawn by the applicants or refused planning permission.
Head of planning, Nick Evans, said: “Playing fields are often the place where children and young people have their first experience of sport. “I am pleased this year’s figures show that the places where people get active are being protected right across the country. “Protecting grassroots sport provision is at the heart of what we continue to do so that all
A national Save Our Parks petition now has over 16,000 signatures and, as it has reached the 10k signature mark, has received a response from the Government.
of us have access to the right sporting facilities.” As of 10 December 2018, our Active Places data shows that across England there are 22,155 playing fi ld sites, containing a total of 70,381 pitches. Sport England
Innovation set to be central theme of BTME 2019 BTME returns to Harrogate on January 22-24 and the expanded show will see an increase in available exhibition space of around 25% on 2018.
also planning to unveil groundbreaking new products and services and several are set to announce major industry initiatives during the event.
to download now through the Apple Store and Google Play. You can register online now for BTME or head to www.btme. org.uk for more information.
There will be a range of new initiatives, such as Golf Course Construction Live, a New Products Area and a Member Wellbeing Area. A large number of exhibitors are
The annual BIGGA awards will also be revealed at BTME 2019.
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The BTME smartphone app is the comprehensive guide to the exhibition and is available
A full preview of BTME 2019 can be found in our Professional Groundscare supplement this month.
BTME
However, Mark Hardy, Chair of the Association of Play Industries, says the response from Government appears to fly in the face of the evidence and deny the problem of dwindling parks, playgrounds and green spaces exists. “And yet, despite their 25 Year Environment Plan, Pocket Parks Programme and
various examples of central government investment cited in the response, research shows a marked decline in these spaces,” he continued.
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“Our own NowhereTo Play research shows that the decline in the number of playgrounds across England is going into freefall. At a time when the Government claims to be implementing measures to tackle childhood obesity and mounting mental health problems amongst young people, I fear that they are just paying lip-service to the issue and not facing the facts.”
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Funding for communities to create pocket parks Green-fingered communities across England can bid for a share of £1 million fund to help develop their own ‘pocket parks’. Pocket parks are small plots of land, often about the size of a tennis court, and mostly seen in urban spaces. They provide a green oasis which can help improve the physical and mental health of the communities using them. Existing pocket parks are used for everything from a quiet escape from busy city life to physical exercise, growing vegetables, children’s play and community events. Parks and Green Spaces Minister Rishi Sunak MP said: “Green spaces offer people a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of life to relax, keep healthy, learn about nature or spend time together with loved ones. “Not all communities enjoy access to an abundance of usable space,
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while some existing parks might need a bit of TLC to bring them back to life. The pocket parks plus fund will help local people to create and maintain small oases that they can take pride in and benefit from for years to come. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government welcomes grant applications for the creation of innovative as well as traditional pocket parks. The first PocketParks programme was launched in February 2016. Pocket parks are defined for this programme as a piece of land of up to 0.4 hectares, although many are around 0.02 hectares – the size of a tennis court. Each pocket park will be an individual space tailored to the needs of the local area by the community group which has applied for the grant.
From chainsaws to work trucks
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Machinery, Plant & Vehicles Product news and case studies
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