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January 2024 Special Feature Professional Groundscare
More than 1,000 playing fields protected New figures show Sport England has protected more than 1,000 playing fields in England between April 2021 and March 2022. Sport England’s role as a statutory consultee on planning applications means work to protect playing fields, which are vital spaces for communities to get active in, is part of its mission to get the nation more active. This continued commitment to protect and enhance playing fields across the country resulted in 1,073 being protected. For the period in question, 95% of all concluded planning applications involving a playing field resulted in the protection or improvement of facilities. As part of planning processes, councils are required to refer cases to Sport England when any proposed development would
Brushcutters Showcase of new models Page 19 affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field. Sport England objects to all applications unless the developer can prove it will improve or protect community sports provision. The data shows: • 95% (1,073 out of 1,120) of concluded planning applications affecting
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playing fields resulted in improved or safeguarded sports provision. Of the 121 applications where we maintained our objection, 74 (61%) were either withdrawn by the applicants or refused planning permission. In 59% of the cases where we originally objected to an application, further
negotiations led to an overall improvement in sports provision. Head of planning, Nick Evans, said: “The figures released today once again highlight Sport England’s firm commitment to protecting and enhancing playing fields across England. “Playing fields are critical for supporting local
communities to take part in sport and physical activity, allowing them to reap the benefits of movement for their physical and mental health. “They continue to play an integral part in our work supporting government to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030.” Sport England Enquiry 1
Turfgrass prices expected to Landscape rise in 2024 Institute appoints Robert Hughes
The Turfgrass Growers Association has noted a concerning trend following a year of unpredictable and extreme weather conditions across the UK in 2023. Members of the association have reported that the changeable weather, combined with other factors, is likely to lead to an increase in turfgrass prices in 2024.
chemical legislation, have led to increased disease vulnerability and impacted turfgrass harvest yields. The Met Office has highlighted the visible effects of climate change globally, including risks to water supplies, localised flooding, altered seasonality, heat stress, and the expanding habitat range of pests – all of which are concerns for the turfgrass industry.
The past year saw a spectrum of climatic challenges, from prolonged summer droughts to heavy rainfall in autumn and winter. These conditions, exacerbated by stringent
Predictions of warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and more frequent intense weather events add further pressure to turfgrass cultivation.
Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, stated, “Our members are finding 2023 to be a particularly challenging year for turfgrass production. This trend is expected to continue, necessitating an industrywide adjustment in turfgrass pricing to offset the increasing costs of production.” In addition to weather challenges, other factors contributing to the anticipated price increase include the rising cost of fertilisers and fuel, supply chain disruptions, and the need for more sustainable growing practices. The TGA is committed to supporting its members through these challenges, advocating for industry needs, and promoting best practices in sustainable turfgrass production.
Turfgrass Growers Association Enquiry 2
The Landscape Institute (LI) is delighted to announce Robert Hughes as its new permanent Chief Executive with immediate effect. Robert brings a wealth of commercial experience with him from a career spent largely in the education and technology sectors across the last 20 years, as well as a solid reputation for building inclusive and successful management teams.
READER ENQUIRY 4
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Landscape Institute Enquiry 3
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Göhler FLI is to build a more open and inclusive organisation, focused in the coming 12 months on developing its education and public policy agendas and providing a first-class service to its membership.
As the LI enters a new chapter and continues to lead the way in connecting people, place and nature, the shared vision of both the newly appointed permanent CEO and President-Elect, Carolin
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