Ministers from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have written to all English council leaders and chief executives highlighting measures which can be taken to safeguard bowling greens.
This initiative follows a recent Parliamentary debate about the issue. Now planning minister Nick Boles and communities minister Stephen Williams have reminded local authorities that they can list land or buildings as Assets of Community Value, a move which gives communities six months to prepare a bid for the assets involved.
The ministers also stressed that the National Planning Policy Framework made it clear that ‘existing open spaces, sports and recreational buildings should not be built on unless an assessment has been undertaken, which has clearly shown them to be surplus to requirements, or that the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by an equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location’.
In addition, the minister pointed out the NPPF allows for so-called Local Green Space designation. ‘This enables communities to identify green areas or open space of particular importance to them for special protection during the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans’.
Their letter concluded: ‘The Government is determined to ensure that more groups who enjoy and participate in bowls are aware of the protections introduced by the Government to help them safeguard what they value using their community rights and planning protections’.
