Playing fields disposal

More than 200 playing fields have been disposed of with Goverrnment agreement in England in the past three years. The figures, supplied to the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), showed that the disposal of 202 playing fields was agreed under the School Standards Framework Act 1998. The NPFA accused the DfES of only revealing details of disposals relating to land suitable for sports pitches and smaller grassed areas for games. It said the 'full numbers' of applications to dispose of a playing field or part of a playing field had not been made available by the DfES, as social areas and habitat areas were excluded from the published figures. NPFA director Elsa Davies said, 'It really is not acceptable for the DfES to be keeping secret the full picture on playing fields. In schools, playing fields are used for general recreation as well as for curricular sport and games.' She called for the criteria for judging disposal applications to be strengthened to curb the loss of school playing fields. 'This country cannot sustain such a relentless onslaught on its recreation space, in schools and elsewhere,' Mrs Davies said. 'The Government's pledge to protect playing fields stands as a testament to spin, hot air and unfulfilled promises.'