Sport England has released figures which it says prove that its role as a planning application watchdog is working.

According to Sport England, 1,373 out of 1,460 concluded planning applications affecting playing fields in 2010-11 resulted in 'improved or safeguarded' sports provision.

Sport England acts as a statutory consultee on planning applications and councils are required to consult Sport England on any proposed development that would affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field. The grassroots sport body objects to all applications unless the developer can prove it will improve or protect sports provision.

The figures show that In 53 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 Of the 211 applications where it sustained its objection, 70 were either withdrawn by the applicants or refused planning permission.

The number of applications which led to a detrimental impact on sport was 87 (6 per cent of the 1,460).

Richard Lewis, Sport England's chair, said: "Playing fields are where many people have their first sporting experience and protecting them is vital if we are to deliver a lasting legacy throughout the country from the London 2012 Games.

"I'm pleased the latest figures again show that the safeguards we have in place are working and allowing people to continue enjoying sport."

"As well as our statutory consultee role on playing fields, we are also ensuring people will continue to have places to play sport through our Protecting Playing Fields fund.

"As part of our Olympic legacy programme, Places People Play, this fund is protecting and improving hundreds of playing fields across the country, making sure people have high-quality spaces to play sport for generations to come."

The Sport England figures were released a day after the London Assembly called on the government to better protect the capital's playing fields.

In a letter to culture secretary Hugh Robertson, the Assembly cites its concerns over "potentially serious gaps in information and strategies" that are designed to monitor and protect playing fields.