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."
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
'It's heart-breaking council can't afford playground'
New chief executive announced for council
Community council plans divide residents' opinions
Parents campaign to replace missing climbing frames
BCP Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
U.K. Government's Cuts To Cycling And Walking Budget Ruled Unlawful By Court Of Appeal
In what has been described by campaigners as a 'historic judgment' the U.K.'s Court of Appeal has today ruled that cuts to cycling and walking funding imposed by the Conservative government in 2024 and left in place by the current Labour government were unlawful. The case had been brought by campaign group Transport Action Network (TAN). According to TAN the case sets a precedent that ministers cannot disregard duties set by Parliament even if they might find them 'inconvenient.' The Infrastructure Act of 2015 gave the funding of 'active travel' the same status as railways and roads requiring regularly updated strategies and stable funding. However, in March 2023, the Treasury forced the Department for Transport to cut $270 million of dedicated funding for active travel. Though this decision was criticised by both the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee of MPs, the cuts were not reversed by the then Conservative government. TAN filed a legal challenge three months later but, the following year, the High Court accepted the Department for Transport's defense that the funding it had promised was just a 'guestimate.' In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal today ruled in TAN's favor. Giving judgment, Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing said that: 'There is nothing vague about a requirement to 'specify the resources to be made available by the Secretary of State'. The word is 'specify' not 'project', 'estimate' or 'guess'…If the Secretary of State finds it inconvenient, or 'impractical' to comply with the procedure for variation, then the Secretary of State can persuade Parliament to amend the legislation.' TAN director Chris Todd said: 'Given how good walking and cycling is for the economy, for improving access to jobs, for the NHS and health–in fact, all of Labour's missions–it has been a mystery why Labour continued defending a Conservative cut. Investing in small scale schemes, rather than glossy mega-projects like roads, means higher returns for the country and real benefits for communities.' Because the funding cut was for the period up to March 2025 and the appeal was heard after that date, the court could not order the government to return the funding. TAN is now urging the government to provide fresh funding to cover the shortfall. The government is understood to be seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'It's destroying jobs': SNP slam Labour NIC hike as businesses shed jobs
'THE Labour Party's national insurance tax hike is destroying jobs, squeezing wages and choking off economic growth," the SNP has said after figures today show the number of people on payrolls fell by 55,000 between March and April this year. The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today, forecast the number is to drop by a further 109,000 in May. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the figures showed "Scotland's labour market remains resilient despite global challenges impacting the economy", with the median monthly pay of payrolled employees in Scotland higher than the UK overall. Responding to the figures, Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS said: "Feedback from our vacancies survey suggests some firms may be holding back from recruiting new workers or replacing people when they move on'. Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK also warned: "It is likely that businesses will look to offset some of the rise in employment costs through a combination of reducing headcount and slowing hiring activity. Given this, we expect the unemployment rate to edge higher over the coming year". READ MORE: UK Government pledges 'multi-decade, multi-billion' renovation of Clyde nuclear base Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics said "most indicators show labour demand is clearly weakening." The SNP have pointed towards Rachel Reeves's UK Budget last October, where she said that employers' NICs would rise from 13.8% to 15% on a worker's earnings above £175. The changes will kick in from April 1, the same day by which the Scottish Government must have passed its Budget legislation. As the tax rises were levied on employers – in order to allow Labour to claim they had not technically raised taxes on working people – Scotland's local authorities and public service providers also face cost increases. SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart MP said: 'The Labour Party's national insurance tax hike is destroying jobs, squeezing wages and choking off economic growth - with unemployment rising to a four year high as businesses and public services grapple with the increased costs of hiring employees under Keir Starmer's government. READ MORE: 'Resign if you disagree so much', Labour tell civil servants raising Israel concerns 'The Chancellor must use the UK spending review tomorrow to scrap her damaging jobs tax hike - and implement measures that support small and medium businesses, public services and charities to create jobs and boost incomes - rather than forcing them to cut jobs and wages. 'Voters were promised things would get better but under the Labour government unemployment is rising, the cost of living is sky high, and the economy is moving in the wrong direction, with growth down, borrowing up, and public finances in a worse position than when Rachel Reeves entered Downing Street. 'The SNP repeatedly warned about the damage Labour Party's job tax would do. Scottish businesses need support not punishing tax hikes from Westminster. Unlike Keir Starmer, the SNP will always stand up for Scotland and support our small and medium businesses to grow and benefit our communities.'
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
US-China trade talks in London enter their second day
LONDON — The U.S. and China held a second day of talks Tuesday in London aimed at easing their trade dispute , after President Donald Trump said China is 'not easy' but the U.S. was 'doing well' at the negotiations. A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng met U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for several hours on Monday at Lancaster House, an ornate 200-year-old mansion near Buckingham Palace.
