Apply for a sports stand safety certificate
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.
For any sports ground situated in Wandsworth we will determine whether any, and if so, which stand(s) is a regulated stand(s).
Currently there are no safety certificates issued in respect of covered stands in sports grounds in the borough of Wandsworth.
Further information about the legislation.
Eligibility criteria
You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate.
To be eligible for a general safety certificate, you must be the person responsible for the management of the ground and the activity to be viewed form the stand on that occasion..
Apply for a sports stand safety certificate
Application evaluation process
Applicants must provide requested information and plans to us within the time specified. If it is not provided within this time the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn.
We 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 we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, you can contact the Safety and Licensing Team.
What to do if your application is refused
If you are aggrieved by a decision regarding a determination under this legislation you may appeal to the:
South Western Magistrates' Court176a Lavender Hill
London
SW11 1JU
What to do if you are unhappy with an imposed condition
If you wish to appeal against a condition attached to, or the omission of anything from, your safety certificate, or against the refusal to amend or replace a safety certificate, you may appeal to the Magistrates' Court at the above address.
Contact us
If you have a query about your permit you can contact the Licensing Team.
If you have a concern about a sports stand, you can report it online.
European services directive
If you think that we have not complied with the European services directive by imposing requirements or conditions in respect of your application that are discriminatory, unfair or disproportionate, contact the UK SOLVIT Centre.
Health and safety
A sports ground that does not need a certificate, should ensure that people working at the ground (as well as spectators) are not put at risk.
Further information on health and safety.