Sports stand safety certificate

Summary of requirements

If you operate a sports ground in England, Scotland or Wales which is not designated as requiring a safety certificate, you will still require a safety certificate for any covered stand that holds 500 or more spectators (known as a regulated stand).

"Stand", in relation to a sports ground, means an artificial structure (not merely temporary) which provides accommodation for spectators and is wholly or partly covered by a roof, and, in relation to the number of spectators in a stand provided with covered accommodation, "covered" means covered by the roof or other part of the structure which constitutes the stand.

A safety certificate may be either: 

• a general safety certificate which covers the use of the stand for viewing an activity, or a number of activities, specified in the certificate for an indefinite period which starts on a specified date
• a special safety certificate which covers the use of the stand for viewing a certain specified activity or activities on a certain specified occasion or occasions

One certificate may cover more than one stand.

It is the function of the local authority in which the sports grounds are situated to determine whether any, and if so, which stand is a regulated stand.

You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate. 

Currently there are no safety certificates issued in respect of covered stands in sports grounds in Wandsworth borough.  

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a general safety certificate, you must be the person responsible for the management of the ground.

To be eligible for a special safety certificate, you must be the person responsible for the activity to be viewed from the stand on that occasion.

Application evaluation process

Applicants must provide requested information and plans to this local authority within the time specified. If it is not provided within the permitted time the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn.

The council will determine if any stand in our area is a regulated stand. If it is determined that it is, a notice will be served on the person who appears would qualify to be issued with a general safety certificate. The notice will give details of our determination and the effects of the determination.

When we receive an application for a general safety certificate for a regulated stand at a sports ground we must determine if the stand is a regulated stand and if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the certificate.  If we have already determined that the stand is a regulated stand and have not revoked this decision, we must decide if the applicant is the person who qualifies for the issue of the general safety certificate.

If we receive an application for a special safety certificate for a regulated stand we must determine if the applicant qualifies for the issue of a certificate.

We must send a copy of an application for a safety certificate to the Metropolitan Police and to the fire authority. Each of these bodies must be consulted about the terms and conditions to be included in a certificate.

If an application is made to transfer a certificate we must determine if the person to whom the certificate is to be transferred, if they made an application, would qualify for the issue of a certificate. The applicant may be the current holder of the certificate or the person to whom the certificate is to be transferred.

Again, we must consult with the Metropolitan Police and the fire authority about any proposed amendment, replacement or transfer of a certificate.

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

What can I do if my application is refused?

Any applicant who is aggrieved by our decision regarding a determination under this legislation may appeal to:  

South Western Magistrates' Court
176a Lavender Hill
Battersea London
England
SW11 1JU

What if I am unhappy with a condition imposed?

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, their safety certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a safety certificate, may appeal to the Magistrates' Court (details above)

What if I have a query about my permit?  

Please contact:

Licensing Section
Environmental Services
Department of Environment & Community Services
Wandsworth Council
PO Box 47095
London SW18 9AQ

Email: licensing@wandsworth.gov.uk

European Services Directive

If you think that the council has not complied with the European Services Directive by imposing requirements or conditions in respect of your application that are discriminatory, unfair, or disproportionate, please contact:

UK SOLVIT Centre
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0ET

Email: solvit@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Health and safety

Sports grounds which don't need a certificate, should ensure that people working at the ground (as well as spectators) are not put at risk. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, protects people using these buildings as well as those working in larger certificated venues. Please see the links below for further information:  

Wandsworth Council's health and safety web pages

Health and Safety Executive web pages  

Consumer concerns about a sports stand

Please contact:  

Licensing Section
Environmental Services

Department of Environment & Community Services
Wandsworth Council
PO Box 47095
London SW18 9AQ

Email: licensing@wandsworth.gov.uk

Trade associations and other sources of information

Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA)

Scottish Sports Association (SSA)