Written question asked by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 August 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 September 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many local authorities have conducted needs assessments on sport, recreation and open space facilities as required by Policy Planning Guidance Note 17.

Answer: Jim Knight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have conducted needs assessments on sport, recreation and open space facilities as required by Planning Policy Guidance Note 17. [187383] Keith Hill: PPG17 was published in July 2002. An assessment of its implementation and effectiveness will be undertaken as part of the normal policy review process within five years of publication. The collection of regular statistics on the implementation of specific national planning policies could be attained only at disproportionate cost. However, Government offices do scrutinise statutory development plans for compliance with national policies before these plans are adopted. Under the new planning system local development frameworks must be supported by an evidence base comprising data such as that required by PPG17. Where this evidence falls short of such a requirement, inspectors could rule at public examination that the plan did not meet the test of soundness. Subsequently authorities' annual monitoring reports which will report upon policy performance, will also provide a mechanism by which Government offices can assess whether PPG 17 requirements continue to be met.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1166W;424 c1175-6W; 187383
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Leisure Facilities Local government Planning Recreation spaces Sports
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk