Playgrounds ‘left to rot' as children stay indoors instead
A cross-party group of MPs are advocating for the protection of playgrounds across England, warning against the risk of them being "left to rot" and children becoming overly reliant on screens.
The MPs are backing plans to ensure local councils maintain play parks effectively. They also propose that housing developers be mandated to include "high quality, accessible, inclusive" play areas in new housing developments.
The amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is scheduled for consideration in the Commons on Monday.
To date, 49 MPs from Labour, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats, and independent members have expressed their support for the amendment, which seeks to introduce a "play sufficiency duty" in England.
Similar measures are already in place in Scotland and Wales, requiring councils to regularly evaluate the adequacy of playgrounds and play facilities in their respective areas.
The amendment, introduced by Labour MP Tom Hayes, would also 'require new developments to provide high-quality, accessible, inclusive play opportunities which incorporate natural features and are integrated within broader public spaces', and could see councils withhold planning permission if new estates lead to a net loss of play areas.
Mr Hayes, the MP for Bournemouth East, told the PA news agency: 'When playgrounds are left to rot, and we have the power to put things right, what message is that sending to families?
'New Clause 82 is a common-sense, no-cost way to protect the play spaces we have today and ensure developments in the future focus on children.
'England must join Scotland and Wales in providing a play sufficiency duty, and my amendment does just that.'
In January, the Labour MP led a Westminster Hall debate on playgrounds, where he emphasised the importance of play to children's development and said the Government need to be on the 'side of playing children', as well as the 'side of working people' .
The debate was the first of its kind in seven years, he said, and the longest in 17 years, when a national play strategy was introduced by the previous Labour government.
Mr Hayes added: 'Children sitting GCSEs this year weren't even alive the last time a government, a Labour government, produced a national play strategy and funded playgrounds.
'Today children end up indoors, glued to screens because they don't have safe play spaces. For families on tight budgets, paying for indoor play isn't an option.
'They're left with bare patches of tarmac where a climbing frame should be, or rusted swing frames that only remind them of what used to be.
'Children growing up in cramped flats rely on playgrounds. My amendment supports their right to play and provides inclusive play areas for children with special educational needs and disabilities, too.'
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