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MHCLG’s consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system

13 January 2026

Our response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation focuses on the proposed reforms to key statutory consultees namely removal of Sport England and The Gardens Trust’s Statutory Consultee Status and changes to Natural England’s remit.

Sport England
We welcome the Government’s commitment to retain Sport England as a specific plan-making consultation body for the new plan making system. However, in our opinion it is essential that they remain as Statutory Consultees and are consulted whenever anyone wants to build on a playing field.

Playing fields are vital infrastructure providing many benefits including physical health, mental wellbeing and social cohesiveness to name but a few.

The Gardens Trust
The inclusion of the Gardens Trust as Statutory Consultees in relation to development affecting any registered park or garden is vital in ensuring that precious historic parks and gardens are protected from the impact of inappropriate development.

Read full response

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