Outdoor Sports Ground or Recreation Ground?
Discussion
Anyone know what the definition of an Outdoor Sportsground is? Courtesy of the legislation kindly linked by Breadvan in a seperate thread it appears that under Part 3a Reg 15 "15.—(1) The restricted businesses and restricted services for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule are those falling within sub-paragraph (2), (6) or (7)." then para hh "outdoor sportsgrounds and facilities, including outdoor gyms, sports courts, swimming pools, water sports, shooting and archery venues, golf courses, and driving ranges;"
So just down the road is Goldsmiths Recreation Ground run by Crowborough Town Council, and placed within it is Goldsmiths Leisure Centre operated on behalf of Wealden District Council by Freedom Leisure. The leisure centre operate the leisure centre itself. It has no role in the management of the surrounding playing fields and other facilities. One of those other facilities is a three lane 400m running track. There are no other facilities, there is a low fence around most of it to prevent dogs getting on it, but no spectator facilities etc. Google view can be found at https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B003'49.2%...
The track can be hired by groups, but in reality rarely is, and at all other times it is open to the general public to use for exercise.
Sussex Police have told the Town Council the running track has to be closed presumably on the grounds it is an Outdoor Sportsground. But is it? Or is it a recreation ground and not subject to the same rules.
So just down the road is Goldsmiths Recreation Ground run by Crowborough Town Council, and placed within it is Goldsmiths Leisure Centre operated on behalf of Wealden District Council by Freedom Leisure. The leisure centre operate the leisure centre itself. It has no role in the management of the surrounding playing fields and other facilities. One of those other facilities is a three lane 400m running track. There are no other facilities, there is a low fence around most of it to prevent dogs getting on it, but no spectator facilities etc. Google view can be found at https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B003'49.2%...
The track can be hired by groups, but in reality rarely is, and at all other times it is open to the general public to use for exercise.
Sussex Police have told the Town Council the running track has to be closed presumably on the grounds it is an Outdoor Sportsground. But is it? Or is it a recreation ground and not subject to the same rules.
TheDrownedApe said:
My interpretation would be that it is a purpose built "outdoor sports ground" as it's designed for running, ergo sports.
However it's very subjective and a grey area. I will always take plod's advice as they are the ones who enforce thelaw guidance (in the 1st instance).
FTFYHowever it's very subjective and a grey area. I will always take plod's advice as they are the ones who enforce the
TheDrownedApe said:
My interpretation would be that it is a purpose built "outdoor sports ground" as it's designed for running, ergo sports.
However it's very subjective and a grey area. I will always take plod's advice as they are the ones who enforce the law (in the 1st instance).
Under no circumstances should anybody ever take legal advice from the police! Never, never, never! Police officers are not all that well trained as to the law in general and regrettably they know **** all about the C19 rules. I am not kidding!However it's very subjective and a grey area. I will always take plod's advice as they are the ones who enforce the law (in the 1st instance).
The whole thing is completely unfathomable. Surely a sports ground is an area laid out for playing a competitive sport, eg a football pitch, a tennis court or a running track, whether there are spectators or not. But a swimming pool is normally laid out out for exercise, the sport aspect is incidental, but they are closed, presumably to avoid spreading the virus. Our local golf course has a public footpath running round the perimeter, so how does that fit in? I do have a dog in the fight, our grandson cannot go to his football training in a local school's sports hall, but it looks as if over-indulged elite* sports people could. Why one rule for the youngsters who really benefit from the exercise and acquiring the skills, and another for those who could easily WFH (home gym and outdoor exercise once a day 
)
Final conundrum, it appears that you can walk around Chasewater reservoir (mentioned in another thread) but not sail on it (watersports venues are closed) ?
)Final conundrum, it appears that you can walk around Chasewater reservoir (mentioned in another thread) but not sail on it (watersports venues are closed) ?
Breadvan72 said:
Under no circumstances should anybody ever take legal advice from the police! Never, never, never! Police officers are not all that well trained as to the law in general and regrettably they know **** all about the C19 rules. I am not kidding!
Situation: I'm running around said track when the Coppers approach me and say "excuse me Sir, that is closed due to Covid rules, please get off". What am i supposed to do? challenge them on their knowledge of the law/rules? ofc not, i will "follow their advice" and get off.Justin Case said:
The whole thing is completely unfathomable. Surely a sports ground is an area laid out for playing a competitive sport, eg a football pitch, a tennis court or a running track, whether there are spectators or not.
Are tennis courts mentioned in the regulations? Anyway I think your definition is a Recreation Ground - a piece of publicly owned land used for sports and games https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/englis... (well assuming its publicly owned.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff