There is a range of guidance on planning that identifies the contribution of culture and sport to national planning policies and to developing strong and prosperous communities.

Planning Policy Guidance notes and Policy Statements set out Government policy on planning issues and provide guidance to local authorities and others on the operation of the planning system. They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies which have an important bearing on issues of development and land use.

Key Planning Policy Statements for culture and sport include:

• PPS3 Housing, which recognises the importance in quality housing design of providing access to open amenity and recreational space, including play space
• PPS6 Town Centres, which highlights the importance of high quality and inclusive design, improving the quality of the public realm and open spaces and protecting and enhancing the architectural and historic heritage of centres as part of town centre development.

Key Planning Policy Guidance for culture and sport include:

• PPG17 Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, which recommends that local authorities identify and plan for the existing and future needs of their communities for open space, sports and recreational facilities.
• PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment, which sets out the role played by the planning system in the identification and protection of historic buildings, conservation areas, and other elements of the historic environment.

The 2007 White Paper Heritage Protection for the 21st Century also reflects the importance of the heritage protection system in preserving our heritage for people to enjoy now and in the future. It is based around three core principles:

• developing a unified approach to the historic environment
• maximising opportunities for inclusion and involvement
• supporting sustainable communities by putting the historic environment at the heart of an effective planning system.

The former PPG21 Tourism has been replaced by the 2006 Good Practice Guide on Planning for Tourism. It aims to ensure that:

• planners understand the importance of tourism and take this fully into account when preparing development plans and taking planning decisions
• those involved in the tourism industry understand the principles of national planning policy as they apply to tourism and how these can be applied when preparing individual planning applications
• planners and the tourism industry work together effectively to facilitate, promote and deliver new tourism development in a sustainable way.

The Planning Bill, introduced in 2007, proposes a series of changes to the planning regime. This includes the introduction of ‘The Community Infrastructure Levy’ (CIL) which is expected to be implemented in 2009. Councils will have the power to set charges to help fund the infrastructure needed to support new development.

A large part of CIL is likely to be spent on transport. But CIL is also expected to support ‘social and environmental infrastructure’ - local facilities that are important to maintaining and improving quality of life, such as parks and sports facilities. CIL will not have to be spent on entirely new infrastructure. It could be used to improve existing infrastructure such as refurbishment of a community centre to provide additional sports facilities.

The Community Infrastructure Levy will operate alongside and complement Section 106 agreements

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