Who we are
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Our vision is a Scotland where sport is a way of life, where sport is at the heart of society, making a positive impact on people and communities. We want everyone to have access to a network of quality places where they can get involved in sport.
Our role in development management
Consultation and notification
sportscotland is a statutory consultee in the planning process as defined in the The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013.
Planning authorities must consult sportscotland where development is likely to:
- result in the loss of an outdoor sports facility;
- prejudice the use of an existing outdoor sports facility for that purpose; or
- prevent the use of land, which was last used as an outdoor sports facility, from being used again for that purpose.
In this context, “outdoor sports facility” means land used as: - an outdoor playing field extending to not less than 0.2ha used for any sport played on a pitch;
- an outdoor athletics track;
- a golf course;
- an outdoor tennis court, other than those within a private dwelling, hotel or other tourist accommodation; and
- an outdoor bowling green.
The Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Scotland) Direction 2009 states that notification to Scottish Ministers is required where sportscotland has objected or has recommended conditions which the planning authority does not intend to attach to the planning permission.
Statutory consultations
Where sportscotland is a statutory consultee: we will:
- Respond within the requested timescale. If unable to respond within this timescale, will agree an amended date with the local authority planning officer.
- If we need additional information to respond, make such request within 10 working days of receipt of any consultation. Any request for additional information will be proportionate and will relate to matters regarding the impact on outdoor sports facilities that we would expect the Council will consider as part of their consideration of an application.
- Upon receipt of all necessary information; advise whether sportscotland: has no objection; has no objection subject to the use of specified planning conditions or legal agreements; or, on rare occasions, objects.
- Be clear and concise. We will aim to find solutions that will enable the proposal to be progressed. For information, the approach we take to planning applications involving outdoor sports facilities is set out in this Guidance Note
- Post-decision; provide technical assistance as requested in the clearing of any planning conditions or matters relating to requirements in legal agreements.
Non statutory consultations
Where sportscotland is not a statutory consultee, we will confirm in writing that we are not a statutory consultee, and that any comments we make are advisory only. In such instances we will only make comments which we consider may be helpful in the decision-making process, for example by supplying background information we hold about a sports facility; or design comments.
As our role in the development management process is defined in Regulations, our responses must relate to the factors above. This means we cannot support development through our planning responses.
Pre-application discussions
These can speed up the planning process and allow any issues to be addressed. sportscotland welcomes early engagement where we are a statutory consultee.
We will:
- Advise if sportscotland is a statutory consultee.
- Be clear what sportscotland’s response to any planning application is likely to be, based on the information submitted. Our response will advise of any conditions or legal agreements which sportscotland is likely to request in relation to any grant of planning permission.
- Where a proposal is contrary to policy in relation to outdoor sports facilities, advise what steps can be taken to make the proposal compliant with policy.
School and education development
We welcome pre-application consultation in relation to education proposals. Whilst not always a statutory consultee, we have published design guidance on indoor and outdoor sports facilities in schools. Engagement with us early in the process can assist in the design development and help ensure a suitable range of sports facilities are provided
Our role in spatial planning
- sportscotland seeks early engagement in relation to emerging Local Development Plans and Strategic Development Plans; and will provide written input to the process as necessary.
- We provide advice and information, in relation to emerging Regional Marine Plans.
- We input to access and outdoors groups such as the National Access Forum - seeking to protect and enhance access rights where these relate to sports participation.
Contact details
The sportscotland planning team contact details can be found here: Planning contacts.