Lost playgrounds should be replaced, says MP
An MP is calling for a change in planning laws to ensure that any playgrounds lost to development will be replaced nearby.
Tom Hayes, Labour MP for Bournemouth East, has tabled an amendment to the government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill which has its second and third readings in the Commons this week.
He wants a "play sufficiency" duty in England to ensure no-net loss of existing play spaces due to development without equivalent provision by local council planners.
The same rules already apply in Wales and Scotland.
The MP says the subject is close to his heart: "Over the last decade, we've seen playgrounds boarded up because planning authorities are not required by law to look after playgrounds.
"My amendment to this bill will require planning authorities to properly invest in playgrounds.
"Where there is any development, there is no loss of playgrounds in a town or a city."
In January Hayes held a debate in parliament on improving public parks.
He highlighted the situation in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch after the councillor in charge of parks and gardens in the towns told the BBC the authority has been forced to close some play parks "because we haven't the money to keep maintaining them".
Parents in Boscombe said that the local playground had deteriorated so badly their children no longer want to play there.
Hayes added: "You walk through a town like Bournemouth and you see a playground boarded up, it just fills you with hopelessness.
"It looks like a blight, children can not learn or develop social skills and they can not improve their mental health through play.
"We keep telling children to get off their phones and screens, but if we're not providing outdoor play opportunities, we're not sending the right signal".
"This is a call on all councils to invest in play opportunities because we've seen over a decade or more nearly 1,000 playgrounds closed across the country."
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