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Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 11 December 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 December 2025. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 December 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Recreation Spaces: Planning Permission

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 3 November (HL Deb col 1768), what issues the review of the existing protections of open spaces will examine; and whether there will be a public consultation before changes are proposed to those protections.

Answer

Open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations. The review of existing protections will examine the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces, assess how these protections complement those in the planning system, and consider the lack of central records on protected land.

We intend to analyse the effectiveness and usability of existing protections, to simplify the system, ensure consistency for developers and local authorities and empower communities to protect valued spaces.

We intend to engage widely to ensure stakeholder views are considered before recommending any changes are made to these protections.

Further details about the review will be released in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL12896
Session
2024-26
Related items
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Monday, 3 November 2025
Proceeding contributions
House of Lords
Recreation Spaces: Planning Permission
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Planning permission Recreation spaces
Legislation
Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2024-26
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk