Sports and Leisure

We work with leading sports and leisure brands in the UK to help them gain planning permission for developments including new stadia and stands, training centres, sports villages, and other leisure and mixed-use developments.

We can provide our clients in sports and leisure with specific planning support for the following:

Sports stadia

We work with clubs throughout the football and rugby pyramid to achieve planning consent for new stadia and stands. This might be for the redevelopment of an existing ground, or a project that facilitates a move to a completely new stadium.

Often these developments might be subject to the successful outcome of another planning application, for example achieving consent for new homes on the site of the existing ground, or using other property assets to fund new stadium development. It might also include partnering with other providers to create a mixed-use development that can achieve more income streams, such as the addition of hotel, retail, or other facilities.

PWA Planning can advise you on the right planning strategy for achieving a new stadium or the redevelopment of existing assets and infrastructure.

Training centres and academies

Top sports clubs need top training facilities to be at their best and strengthen for the future. We have worked with several clubs on projects to significantly upgrade their training grounds and academies.

This might involve the acquisition of land to make training facilities larger, or the demolition and redevelopment of existing buildings and facilities.

Whether it’s outdoor pitches, an indoor training centre, or the ancillaries that go with it, such as offices, medical treatment rooms, gymnasiums, and other facilities, we can provide the right sports and leisure planning advice to get your development moving.

Community infrastructure

Sports clubs are increasingly realising the value of making stronger connections with their local communities and building the infrastructure that enables them to do this.

Whether it’s the addition of all-weather sports pitches, swimming pools, or other leisure and education facilities, our sports and leisure planning consultants can help you create sustainable, purpose-led development that can benefit the whole community.

In addition to our work with sports and leisure clubs, we can also advise local authorities and their partners on planning strategies for new leisure centres and other community leisure infrastructure, such as parks and recreation areas.

Related projects

See all of our projects

Supporting Blackpool FC with plans for modern training centre

Blackpool FC training visual

Major mixed-use sports and commercial scheme

Facilitating major training ground improvements for Huddersfield Town FC

Who we work for

“The team at PWA Planning make negotiating the planning system a much smoother experience. They always deal with matters in a professional and timely manner and are extremely proactive in negotiations with the planning authority. They have a strong reputation and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others.”

John Winstanley, Story Homes

“PWA Planning have been our ‘go to’ planning consultants for many years on varying projects. Their knowledge of the vagaries within the planning system are invaluable ensuring that any advice given can be relied upon to secure the best possible outcome.”

Simon Baxter, Primas Law

“PWA Planning have been with us from the start of our journey at AFC Fylde. They approach all our projects with professionalism, flexibility and a can-do attitude. Their knowledge of the planning system and expert advice is second to none.”

David Haythornthwaite, Mill Farm Sports Village

“I have engaged with PWA Planning on many residential development sites. Their knowledge of the planning system is exemplary, and they have an excellent track record of securing planning consents on our sites. I would recommend PWA without hesitation.”

Richard Calderbank, Applethwaite Homes

“We have worked with PWA Planning for many years and have always found them to be approachable, knowledgeable and effective, navigating difficult projects with ease and professionalism. I would highly recommend PWA to anyone who needs expert planning advice and guidance.”

Phil Wooliscroft, Eddisons

“Paul and his team offer us that rare mix of high-quality planning advice with accessibility and tenacity, to take on the challenges the modern planning system presents. We enjoy the professional and friendly service and hope PWA will long be part of our wider development team.”

Alex Kenwright, EG Group

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