School playing fields are being sold off across the country including in the home towns of the England squad, which could jeopardise the development of the next generation of World Cup stars.
England’s schools have lost 189 playing fields over the last decade, with some sales being for new homes, according to The i Paper‘s analysis of official data.
In 2024, the year the Labour Party came to power, there were 22 “disposals” – the highest level since 2017, the Department for Education figures show.
Shorts
Last year, ministers outlined plans to remove the requirement for local authorities to consult with Sport England before granting a planning application as part of plans to fast-track the building of new homes. But charities have warned this could fuel additional sell-offs.
