Umpires rule on playing field sales are ruled offside
Ministers are to introduce rules to make it harder to sell playing fields to property developers.
The system, which puts out for consultation any proposed sale of a green space the size of a football field (0.4 hectares), will be extended to "half-size" pitches (0.2 hectares).
The Government's grassroots funding agency Sport England will carry out the consultation with a remit to reject proposed sales if they lead to the loss of playing space.
The move by the Department of Communities and Local Government will make it increasingly tough to sell land. It is also a victory for the Standard's campaign for a grassroots sporting legacy from the Olympics.
The Government has come under pressure over its record on playing fields in the past decade after pledging to halt sales of school fields. According to recent figures ministers have approved at least 187 plans to build on playing fields since 1998.
About 1,300 areas of 0.4 hectares or less have also been sold, although these decisions do not have to be approved by ministers.
Sport minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "We aim to offer every child five hours of quality sport a week so it is vital that they have excellent sport facilities on their doorstep. The move to protect smaller, junior pitches will ensure that is the case and help us increase sport participation in the run-up to London 2012 and beyond."
Shortage of playing fields in London is thought to have contributed to the below-average levels of sports participation in the capital. Only one in five adults in London plays sport regularly.
