Policy 3.6 Children and young people’s play and informal recreation...

Strategic

A The Mayor and appropriate organisations should ensure that all children and young people have safe access to good quality, well-designed, secure and stimulating play and informal recreation provision, incorporating trees and greenery wherever possible.

Planning decisions

B Development proposals that include housing should make provision for play and informal recreation, based on the expected child population generated by the scheme and an assessment of future needs. The Mayor’s Supplementary Planning Guidance Providing for Children and Young People’s Play and Informal Recreation sets out guidance to assist in this process.

LDF preparation

C Boroughs should:

a undertake audits of existing play and informal recreation provision and assessments of need in their areas, considering the qualitative, quantitative and accessibility elements of play and informal recreation facilities

b produce strategies on play and informal recreation supported by LDF policies to improve access, safety and opportunity for all children and young people in their area.

3.40 In a densely urbanised city like London, safe and stimulating play facilities are essential for a child’s welfare and future development^[1], as well as preventing health problems such as obesity. However, many children still do not have adequate access to such facilities and some existing provision can be unsuitable. LDFs should address this by providing policies on play provision, including the need for high quality design. Through the development of play strategies, boroughs should ensure the integration of play provision into overall open space strategies. Particular consideration should be given to consultation with children and young people in the design of new provision to understand their changing needs. Appropriate provision should be included for different age groups, including consideration of communal space, roof gardens, indoor space for young children and youth facilities for young people. Appropriate arrangements for management and maintenance of play and communal facilities should be provided. Wherever possible, playspace should include grassed or wooded areas. School playing fields also provide an important contribution to high quality play spaces (Policy 3.18).

3.41 New development including housing should make provision for playspace. This should normally be made on-site and in accordance with LDF play policies for the area. Where development is to be phased, there should be early implementation of the play space. Off-site provision, including the creation of new facilities, improvements to existing provision and an appropriate financial contribution secured by legal agreement towards this provision may be acceptable where it can be demonstrated that it fully satisfies the needs of the development whilst continuing to meet the needs of existing residents.

^[1] CLG NPPF 2012 op cit para 50