Safety Certificates for Sports Grounds and Regulated Stands
If you operate a sports ground that holds more than 10,000 spectators, you may be required to hold a safety certificate.
A safety certificate may be either;
- a general safety certificate issued for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity, or activities, during an indefinite period
- a special safety certificate for the use of a sports ground for a specified activity or activities on a specified occasion or occasions.
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.
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.
You must comply with any conditions attached to a certificate.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for a safety certificate, you must be likely to be in a position to prevent contravention of the terms and conditions of a certificate.
Legislation governing an application and applying for a certificate
Do I have to pay an application fee?
Please contact the Environmental Health Section on 01495 357813.
How is my Application Processed?
Applicants must provide requested information and plans to the Council within the time specified. If the applicant fails to provide the requested information within the specified time the application will be deemed to have been withdrawn.
The Council will consider if the applicant is in a position to prevent any breach of the terms and conditions of a certificate.
The Council must send a copy of an application for a safety certificate to the Chief Police Officer of the area, the Fire and Rescue Authority if they are not that 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 the Council 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.
The Council must send a copy of a transfer application to the Chief Police Officer of the area, the Fire and Rescue Authority if they are not that authority.
How long will it take to process my application and will implied consent apply?
Your application will take up to 28 days to process. Implied consent will not apply. It is in the public’s interest that the Council processes your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Council within 28 days please contact us.
Can I appeal if my application is unsuccessful?
Please contact the Environmental Health Section in the first instance regarding any returned or refused licence applications.
Any applicant who is refused a safety certificate because they are not considered to be an eligible person can appeal to the Magistrates Court.
An applicant who is refused a special safety certificate may also appeal to the Magistrates Court against a refusal of his application based on grounds other than a decision that they are not an eligible person.
Contact Information
Commercial Team
Telephone Number: 01495 357813
Address: Public Protection – Environmental Health, Commercial Team, Municipal Offices, Civic Centre, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6XB
Email Address: environmental.health@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk