Revised NPPF includes protection of formal play spaces

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has now been published and it includes a key amendment for the play sector – the protection of formal play spaces.

Published on 12 December, the NPPF sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. The latest, revised framework replaces the previous NPFF which was initially published in March 2012 and last revised in December 2023. The amendment considering play appears under Section 8: Promoting Healthy and Safe Communities, specifically in Paragraph 104. It states: “Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields and formal play spaces, should not be built on unless an assessment has been undertaken, which has clearly shown the space to be surplus to requirements (or that it will be replaced by equivalent or better provision).” The revision could mean that Sport England may take responsibility for protecting formal play spaces in their statutory consultee role – which it already does for playing fields.

Play England has welcomed the change and is calling it a big manifesto win. It said the revision underscores the Government’s growing recognition of the importance of protecting, enhancing and providing spaces to play.