Fields in Trust is pleased to see that the new National Planning Policy Framework published today includes a number of recommendations made by the charity during the consultation period.

Specific reference is made to the need to assess provision of open space, sports and recreational facilities in the local area when considering applications which has long been a main stay of FIT policy. It also recommends that losses of such facilities caused by developments should not be permitted unless there is a guaranteed provision of equivalent or better replacement facilities nearby. The new NPPF acknowledges the value of recreational spaces and advises that Local Green Space designations - affording protection equivalent to Green Belt status - may be given in cases where the area is of recreational value to a local community, and that this specifically includes playing fields.

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust said

'We are all aware of the need for sustainable development and the need for this development to be managed in a way that places equal value on the importance of green spaces to this country. We're pleased the new NPPF recognises this.

At first read the policy's recommendations seem to achieve a sensible balance between support for appropriate economic development and necessary protection for playing fields and other recreational spaces.'

The article by the BBC on outdoor recreational land being sold off in London.

"Parks, playing fields and allotments equivalent to the size of 67 football pitches have been sold by London councils over the last three years."

We were asked for our comment -

"There is finite provision of outdoor recreational space in this country, particularly in cities, with London a prime example. Given these statistics, it is vital that the future of the precious remaining spaces are assured for community use. The potential quick monetary fix which a disposal might provide should be resisted because these places have a value far higher than the price they command at sale, today or any day.

Although these statistics do paint a disheartening picture for those who live and work in London, there is one sure way to buck the trend. The more landowners that can be encouraged to sign up to the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, the more outdoor recreational spaces there will be for future generations to enjoy. So far we have protected 997 acres through this wonderful project for the Diamond Jubilee in London alone.”
Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive, Fields in Trust

Sport England have released new guidance on schools opening sports facilities for use out of hours.

Seeing school sports facilities locked up and out of bounds both after hours and during the holidays has always seemed to waste a valuable resource – particularly in areas where there is a lack of community sports facilities. Historically this has been an area fraught with issues relating to liability, upkeep and access. We hope that Sport England's new guidelines will help more schools, both in the public and private sectors, to navigate this path ensuring these facilities can bring greater benefit to more people, while remaining sustainable.

comments Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust

There is much fanfare today around the first cabinet meeting of 2012 being held at the Olympic Park with one of the key items on the agenda: how the London 2012 Games can bring lasting legacy to the UK. Six of the eight major facilities now have a legacy plan to benefit local communities and elite athletes but, whilst beneficial for a few, this is a far cry from the wide ranging grassroots sporting legacy that was promised back in 2005.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, run by national charity Fields in Trust and supported by Asda, will ensure that communities across the whole UK will benefit from the 2012 Games and the Diamond Jubilee. Over 1000 playing fields, playgrounds, bicycle trails, coastal paths and parks have been nominated so far to be permanently protected from development ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor sport and play. Marked by a commemorative plaque the Queen Elizabeth II Fields will also benefit from improvement funding programmes from, amongst others, Sport England and SITA Trust and will have the opportunity to host a celebratory event on the site over the Diamond Jubilee weekend.

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said: 'The Olympic venues are truly inspirational and will allow the UK to host an Olympic Games we can all be proud of but it is vital that the impact of the Games extends well beyond the summer and autumn of 2012 and well beyond East London. Our Diamond Jubilee legacy programme will provide access to all kinds of recreational facility to communities the length and breadth of the country and, most importantly, will continue to do so for generations to come: this can truly be celebrated and enjoyed as The Legacy by people throughout the UK.

Supported by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, we've had an overwhelmingly positive response to the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge so far but it is not too late to get involved and we're urging all Local Authorities and Town and Parish Councils to nominate their recreational sites and participate in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.'

In difficult economic times playing fields are often increasingly at risk from development and so Fields in Trust welcomes the information provided by Sport England's publication of the updated figures for 2009/10 showing planning applications and decisions relating to playing fields. Sport England plays a valuable role as statutory consultee and has helped to achieve significant improvements for outdoor sport provision and, through the Protecting Playing Fields Fund, will help many more over the next 3 years.

The current figures show 94.5% of applications during this period resulted in improved or safeguarded sports facilities. This is an impressive statistic but would benefit from clarification around one of the key issues: instances where outdoor spaces have been lost to the development of indoor facilities. Maintaining a balance between these two very different kinds of facilities is vital as outdoor facilities have the ability to be accessible to people from all backgrounds, being more often free at the point of access. They also provide many benefits associated with exposure to the great outdoors that cut across many areas of people's lives.

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust said: 'Much of the information provided in these figures is very encouraging but we are facing more uncertain times. Firstly, it is too soon to see the impact of the directive issued by Department of Communities and Local Government in August 2011 encouraging local councils to review the £386 billion they hold in assets such as playing fields.

Secondly, the adoption of the National Planning Policy Statement next year omits facility replacement which has been crucial in achieving a better outdoor recreational deal through the planning process over the years.

We hope to continue to work in conjunction with Sport England to ensure playing fields are safeguarded for future generations.'

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Contact: Helen Griffiths at Fields in Trust on 07946 188371; 0207 427 2112; helen.griffiths@fieldsintrust.org

The latest sport participation numbers are out today: there are fewer young people playing sport and also fewer women taking part *. In contrast to missed activity targets, and falling participation rates, Fields in Trust's Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge has so far ensured that over 15,000 acres of accessible outdoor recreational space will forever be present in communities.

Parks and playing fields protected forever with public voter power

Friday 18th November saw the end of Save a Space for Me; a month long online campaign to support outdoor spaces nominated to be safeguarded as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. Over 20,000 people from councillors, members of the public and sports leaders showed their support for fields with over 10,000 web visits recorded on the day of launch alone.

You can find out the results by looking up the field by post code or local authority in the purple box on the Queen Elizabeth II Fields website; seven councils put forward several sites for voting, with 1 or 2 winning out for each and then being protected (eg Elmbridge put forward 5 sites; the site with the most votes will be given QEII status). The results of these votes are downloadable here.

The rest were taking part in 'votes for support'. This was where, even if a site got only a few votes (or none!) they will still always be going forward to be protected forever. But you've all been clicking away madly to show your support and affection for your local sites. The results of this are downloadable here.

Led by charity Fields in Trust and supported by Asda Save a Space for Me was the public's chance to have a say in creating a local legacy from the 2012 Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. HRH The Duke of Cambridge, Patron of the Challenge, lent his voice to the campaign urging people to support their local sites to ensure vital outdoor recreational spaces are protected for future generations.

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust said: "We're absolutely delighted that thousands of people took the time to say 'Save a Space for Me'. The passion they have shown for their local parks is exactly the community spirit that is so vital to the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. Support from our partners Asda has been important in helping us get out there and let people know about the chance to vote for their local spaces. We've had hundreds of postal votes as well, from people determined not to let lack of internet access stop them from showing their support for their local fields.”

Paul Kelly, Asda's Corporate Affairs Director said, "Asda is proud to be the principal partner of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. Green spaces provide free, safe spaces for customers, colleagues and the wider community. Everyone should have somewhere they can meet, play or relax – and we are thrilled at the response from the public to 'Save a Space For Me'.”

Jools Granville, Communications Manager at SITA Trust said: "The past month has given the public the chance to show they care for their local fields and parks. We want to help make sure these fields are as good as they can be for the local communities – so we teamed up with Fields in Trust to offer QEII fields the unique chance to apply to SITA Trust's £1 million improvement fund.”


For further information please contact:
Kathryn Cook at Fields in Trust on 07931 392 176; 0207 427 2117; kathryn.cook@fieldsintrust.org

Telford and Wrekin council are blazing a trail across the West Midlands: the first council in the region to dedicate outdoor recreational space for permanent protection as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. 150 hectares of striking parkland, providing high quality open space will be saved for future sports and play for the people of Telford.

Landowners across the country are encouraged to play their part in preserving outdoor space by Fields in Trust. With the Duke of Cambridge's patronage, Fields in Trust's Queen Elizabeth II Challenge aims to protect 2,012 open play spaces to create a tangible legacy for the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The dedication will also provide communities across the country with a way to engage with the two historic events.

"I congratulate Telford and Wrekin Council for being the first of what I hope will be many others in the West Midlands to sign up to the Fields Challenge as part of this national tribute to Her Majesty. Physical activity is of obvious importance to the health of our communities and this scheme enables people of all ages to enjoy the benefits of long-term protection for recreational spaces,” Lord-Lieutenant Algernon Heber-Percy and The Queen's representative in the County, said.

"Saving outdoor space is crucial for the health of our communities and I am delighted that Telford and Wrekin Council are leading the way. By protecting this area under the QEII Fields Challenge, the Council has shown how much they value their community and its future,” Alison Moore-Gwynn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said.

"I am extremely proud that we are the first Council in the West Midlands to be awarded this unique status. It enables us to protect the Town Park Arena for future generations,” said Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota. "Together with our partners, the council is investing more than £3m to improve the conservation and preservation of the cherished green space at Telford Town Park.”

"This will improve the visitor experience for all ages and abilities and result in the Park becoming one of the best of its kind in the area,” said Councillor Arnold England, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing. "This dedication will be a permanent reminder for the town of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.”

See the site on the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge website.

Retired greyhounds are barking loudly in support of a programme led by the Duke of Cambridge to safeguard parks, playing fields and open spaces across the UK.

The Retired Greyhound Trust has joined the campaign to save green spaces for the 4,000 dogs across the country who are homed every year and need places to enjoy walks with their new families.

The British public have just two days left to vote for the parks, playing fields and open spaces in their communities that should be safeguarded for future generations to enjoy at www.qefields.com.

The programme marks HM The Queen's Diamond Jubliee next year when celebrations will be held in parks and on playing fields across the country.

Retired Greyhound Trust Chief Executive Peter Laurie said:

"We work really hard to find homes for greyhounds at the end of their racing careers and it is crucial they have somewhere to exercise with their new families.

"We have 72 branches across the country and hundreds of volunteers who look after our greyhounds until homes can be found for them. They need green spaces to walk our dogs every day.

"Parks and green spaces are also meeting places for dog owners - the catalyst for long-lasting friendships and where people have the chance to exercise together with their dogs. It is great that dog owners and their pets can benefit from this programme and we would urge everyone to get involved.”

Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of the Fields in Trust charity which is running the scheme, said: "It is great to have the support of the Retired Greyhound Trust. For many years we have been working to protect open spaces, many of which may be the only green space where dog owners can walk with their pets.

"By supporting the campaign online or encouraging their local authority to protect important open community spaces, everyone can get involved in creating this great tribute to the Diamond Jubilee.”

To cast your vote and for more information go to www.qe2fields.com. For further information about the Retired Greyhound Trust go to www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.


ends

For further media information, photographs or interviews please contact:
Helen Barklam in the Retired Greyhound Trust communications team, tel: 01772 785392 or 07917 148900.

Notes to editors

The charity has housed more than 50,000 dogs since it was set up in 1975. Around 9,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year.

The Retired Greyhound Trust has 72 branches across the country made up of volunteers who are dedicated to finding homes for the dogs in their areas. Many have websites, showing pictures of the dogs that need homes.

Did you see us?

If you were watching the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday 12 November, you may have seen us! As we are part of the Lord Mayor's Appeal 2012, we were part of the Lord Mayor's Show.

The Appeal, Fit for the Future, had a dynamic walking float with ribbon twirlers, a big balloon, banners and large papier-mâché characters depicting Lord Mayor Wootton himself and key figures from The Royal London Trauma Unit as well as ourselves and the other charities involved in the Appeal.

We were near the start, after Bradford Grammar School's big float. Great fun was had by all!

See some pictures on our facebook page here.

Fit for the Future

Fields in Trust are one of the beneficiary charities from the 2012 Lord Mayor's Appeal.

The Lord Mayor's Appeal 2012 will help five charities, the primary being Barts and The London Charity on behalf of the Trauma Unit at The Royal London Hospital. The Rowing Foundation, London Youth Rowing, and Futures for Kids will also benefit, creating a healthier future for all.

Lord Mayor David Wootton's chosen appeal theme 'Fit for the Future' aims to promote better health opportunities for all, including those from some of the UK's most deprived areas such as Tower Hamlets where shockingly 50% of local children live in poverty and where infant mortality is double the national average.

2012 will see the Queen's Diamond Jubilee as well as the London Olympics and Paralympics so it's an ideal time to make sure that we are all 'Fit for the Future'. The money raised through the appeal will touch the lives of many by helping to improve trauma care, helping to relieve poverty and hardship and by giving young people from deprived areas new sporting opportunities.

To find out more and get involved please visit www.lordmayorsappeal.org

Tribute to Sir Jimmy Savile by Fields in Trust Chief Executive Alison Moore-Gwyn:

"We are sad to hear of the passing of Sir Jimmy Savile over the weekend. A great entertainer, he was also an active charity campaigner and Fields in Trust were lucky enough to benefit from his generosity and kind heart. Of course Sir Jimmy did it in his usual wonderful style – his donation to us (then known as the National Playing Fields Association) was from the sale of signed photos of himself with Elvis in 1960. The world has lost a great character who cared about his environment and helping others.”

Over half of the first wave of sports playing fields to earn improvement funding from Sport England's Protecting Playing Fields fund are Queen Elizabeth II Fields.

The announcement came as Sport England invited communities across the country to bring the 2012 legacy to life in their area by bidding for support for a local playing field through the second £2 million round of Protecting Playing Fields.

King George V Field Cockshaugh Playground in St Andrews won a £40,000 renovation from Robinson's Fruit Shoot. Robinsons asked parents to nominate and vote for their local playgrounds and Cockshaugh's local parents led the charge.

"It's so exciting to see parent power at work. We're delighted that a King George V Field, which is protected for ever through Fields in Trust, has received this recent boost. Any initiative to encourage people to get out and using their local outdoor recreational spaces should be welcomed”, comments Alison Moore-Gwyn, Fields in Trust Chief Executive.

You may have noticed our website is looking a bit different! People are online more and more these days, so it's important for Fields in Trust to have a website that is the best we can give you. Protecting outdoor playing space is so important that we feel its crucial for you to be able to find out our latest news and fields near you as easily as possible.

We're particularly excited about the clickable map of the UK for you to find the fields near you. They are also colour coded so you can more easily see what type of field they are.

We'll be bringing you all the Fields in Trust news and updates under the News tab, as well as pictures from our work. You can find out who works here by visiting the Who tab and easily see our twitter updates or sign up to our newsletter.

We hope you like it!

Do let us know what you think of it, and any suggestions you might have.

One of Fields in Trust's biggest projects is the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. Launched in 2010 by its patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge, its ambitious target is to get 2012 green spaces protected by the end of 2012. We're doing well: so far over 700 parks, playing fields, woodland walks, and playgrounds across the UK have been put forward by landowners for Queen Elizabeth II Field status to protect them for the future. There's something for everyone: whether you fancy a Robert-Burns celebrated Scottish woodland walk, a coastal path in Kent or the venue for the World Alternative Games in Britain's smallest town Llanwrtyd Wells. If history's your thing, there are historic playing fields in Yorkshire and the location of the source for Belfast's first piped water supply nearly 200 years ago.

On 18 October Fields in Trust launched the chance for the public to say 'Save a Space for Me', by clicking on the spaces they supported on www.qe2fields.com . This is open for a month, so if you're quick you might still be able to show your support for the parks and playing fields you love.

Local playground, Cockshaugh Playground, was awarded a £15,000 renovation bursary as part of Robinsons Fruit Shoot's national mission to protect outdoor play

After beating over 1,000 playground nominations and more than 5,000 shortlist votes from parents across the UK, Robinsons Fruit Shoot have unveiled the newly renovated Cockshaugh Playground in St Andrews, following a £15,000 bursary in its Parents for Playgrounds campaign and £25,000 investment from Fife Council.

Local mum of one, Bren Thompson, who nominated the playground and encouraged the surrounding community to vote, said: "I can't believe we are finally going to see the newly renovated playground - it's so exciting! It will be emotional to see the result of all the hard work that has gone in over the last few months. My daughter can't wait to test out the new equipment and it's great that it has been completed in time for the school holidays. Thank you Robinsons Fruit Shoot - this really is going to make such a difference to the community!”

In February, Robinsons Fruit Shoot Parents for Playgrounds campaign asked parents to nominate and vote for their local playgrounds on the website www.readyforten.com, to help promote and preserve traditional outdoor play around the country and ensure that the UK's children stay active, healthy and happy.

Cockshaugh Playground was one of 20 shortlisted by Robinsons Fruit Shoot, the expert play charity and backers of the campaign, Play England, and celebrity supporter, Patsy Kensit, because it had been a past favourite with locals, but was found to be in a desperate need of repair. Then the power was passed back to the UK's parents, as voting was opened out on Ready for Ten to encourage communities to get behind their local playground and vote for it. The other four playgrounds that received the most votes have been awarded a bursary of up to £15,000. They are; Chardstock Playground in Devon, Kings Heath Park in Birmingham, St Margaret's Park in Edinburgh and Ropsley Park in Lincolnshire.

Councillor Brian Goodall, Chair of the Housing & Communities Committee said: "We were absolutely delighted that Cockshaugh Playground received enough votes to get the £15,000 bursary from Robinsons Fruit Shoot. Fife Council contributed £25,000 towards the refurbishment work with our Parks Development Team producing the design in consultation with Bren. The renovation has gone really well and now it's finished we can really see how much it will mean to the community here, so thank you to Bren for lobbying for us and to everyone that voted. There is much excitement about seeing the new playground equipment!”

Celebrity mum of two, Patsy Kensit, who is supporting the campaign, said: "Congratulations to Cockshaugh Playground! It really has been a wonderful journey and it is heart-warming to see how much support there has been for the Parents for Playground campaign in St Andrews and around the whole of the UK. It is so encouraging to see how much parents care about their children's play areas and I'm sure the kids will make the most of them during the school holidays!”

The campaign is also backed by Play England, the national organisation which aims for all children in England to have the freedom and space to play throughout childhood. Adrian Voce, Director of Play England says; "Play should be at the heart of every child's life, every day, so it's been great to see so many parents get behind the campaign. We hope that Parents for Playgrounds has given everyone the inspiration and passion needed to develop, manage and sustain the places where children play. There's so much parents can do, even if their playground wasn't one of our winners, so please keep campaigning!”

Debbie Eddy, Brand Manager for Robinsons Fruit Shoot says: "The Parents for Playgrounds campaign was designed to help parents preserve the important tradition of outdoor play for their children, so it's great to know that parents and kids are still so passionate about their playgrounds. We are delighted to be unveiling the five renovated playgrounds, all parents and all children deserve a natural and safe place to play outside. Let's hope everyone has fun testing out the new features this summer!

Fields in Trust Cymru was proud to unveil its founding group of 'Champions' during a reception at the National Assembly for Wales on 16 November 2010. The group includes Gerald Davies CBE, Lynn Davies CBE, Anne Ellis OBE, Lewis Evans, Non Evans, Dr Dai Lloyd AM and Ceri Preece. This presitigious group will help FIT CYmru to promote the importance of outdoor spaces for sport, play and recreation and the potential benefits that these outdoor spaces can provide.