Covering the period April 2018-March 2019, the figures show that 94 per cent (1,078 out of 1,144) of concluded planning applications affecting playing fields resulted in improved or safeguarded sports provision.

In 43 per cent of the cases where Sport England originally objected to an application, further negotiations led to an overall improvement in sports provision.

Of the 130 applications where the body maintained its objection, 64 were either withdrawn by the applicants or refused planning permission.

“The impact of the pandemic this year has reaffirmed the importance of the availability and access to playing fields when it comes to grassroots sport and physical activity,” said Nick Evans, head of planning at Sport England.

“Looking at grassroots sport in particular, the eagerness of so many to return to the sports and activities they enjoy so much shows why we, as Sport England, work so hard to maintain these spaces and why the development of more environments that help people be active will be a key focus within of our new 10-year strategy."