How you can benefit from Sport England’s Active Environments Framework

Sport England’s Active Environments Framework helps places create spaces, such as streets and parks, easier for everyone to be active every day.

The framework brings together specialist consultants who understand how planning, design, transport, and community sport all connect to shape healthier, more active places.

It covers initiatives such as improving or rethinking leisure facilities, designing active-travel routes and walkable neighbourhoods, and embedding active‑design principles in new developments.

It also helps you understand local needs and opportunities, and strengthen strategies, business cases, and funding bids.

The aim is simple: to help organisations create environments where being active becomes part of everyday life.

The framework is open to a wide range of organisations, including local authorities, county councils, parish and town councils, community sports clubs, leisure operators and trusts, education establishments, housing associations, and sports centres. The full list is available here.

If you’re a local authority or a sports club, you can access the framework easily.

This framework is very useful for local authorities as it provides quick access to trusted experts; support with planning, regeneration, and facility development; evidence and insight to strengthen funding bids; consistent, high‑quality advice aligned with national priorities; and support for designing healthier, more active communities.

It reduces the time and cost of finding specialist support and ensures you’re working with consultants who understand the sector.

It is also very useful for community sports clubs.

Sports clubs play a vital role in local communities, and many are involved in facility improvements, community outreach, or partnerships with councils and schools. 

The framework can help clubs access expert advice for facility upgrades or new developments; strengthen partnership projects with local authorities; understand how their site fits into wider local plans; and improve long‑term sustainability and community reach

It provides clubs with a clear path to professional support that might otherwise be difficult or expensive to secure.

Active environments don’t happen by accident – they’re designed. This framework helps organisations of all sizes create places that make moving more natural, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone.

You can find full details on Sport England’s website: www.sportengland.org/guidance-and-support/facilities-and-planning/active-environments-framework