Lap, Leap, Neap Play Area

Guidance has been produced regarding kids play with two main sources of information: Fields in Trust (FIT), formally NPFA, and Play England. Play England provides advice on the quality of the play space and the philosophy of children’s play, whilst FIT continues to provide quantitative advice on the type and number of provisions.

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New FIT guidelines were introduced in August 2008 to update ‘The Six Acre Standard’. These new guidelines are entitled Planning and Design for Outdoor Sport and Play’ (PAD). The following points are of particular relevance for residential developments:

Playground areas no longer have to provide a set number of pieces of play equipment, but rather play experiences, for example, a LEAP has to provide a minimum of six experiences and a
NEAP has to provide a minimum of nine play experiences. Therefore a scheme could theoretically be achieved without equipment.
For higher density developments, particularly ‘brownfield’ sites, the play area buffer zone may be reduced around LEAPs which could result in a reduction from 3600m2 to 1600m2 and a consequently larger developable area.
You no longer need to enclose a play area within a fence, only if the play area abuts a road, watercourse or another hazard.
Local Landscaped Area for Play is a new designation that sits between a LEAP and a NEAP. Fundamentally this is an unequipped space that is specifically laid out to encourage imaginative play for all ages.
The methodology of assessing existing play spaces has changed and is now based on a points system which will conclude if the local provision is of high quality and experience.

Local Playground Designs

Recently, research has been undertaken into how kids use play spaces and how we can improve their play areas by providing stimulating and challenging experiences. Historically, the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) provided this advice and was established to set benchmark standards to outline and protect the amount of designated open space, play and outdoor sports facilities close to where people live. More recently, Play England, part of the National Children’s Bureau, has become the forerunner in the philosophy of children’s play.

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The NPFA produced ‘The Six Acre Standard’ originally in the 1930s to ensure that everyone had access to play and sports facilities close to where they live. These standards were then adopted by Local Planning Authorities and incorporated into their planning policies and planning conditions for development sites.

The NPFA then re-branded themselves as the Fields in Trust (FIT) and produced the updated version of their guidelines, entitled: ‘Planning and Design for Outdoor Sport and Play’ (PAD). These new guidelines advise on the latest legislation and public policy and also provide advice on climate change, SUDS and sustainable communities.

PAD has similar principles to The Six Acre Standards, with a few main changes:

Play criteria of Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) and Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP)
Means of enclosing a playground area
Introduction of the newly created ‘Local Landscaped Area for Play’
Methodology of auditing existing play spaces

Specifications of LEAP and NEAP

LEAPs are to be designed and laid out specifically for children who are beginning to go out and play independently and has a minimum activity zone of 400m². The main change to the play criteria is that the area is to provide play experiences (rather than a set number of pieces of equipment).

Space is therefore to be designed to provide a stimulating and challenging play experience and PAD recommends that a minimum of six play experiences (from their list) are to be provided. The outdoor play area should also have a buffer zone of at least 20m in depth which contains varied planting, giving an overall area of 3600m². It is worthy of note that, for higher density developments, particularly Brownfield Sites, the play area buffer zone may be reduced under the new guidelines.

NEAPs are to be designed and laid out specifically for older children and have a minimum activity area of 1000m², with 465m² of the area laid out for a kick-about area. Like the LEAP, the main change to the play criteria is that the area is to provide play experiences (rather than a set number of pieces of equipment). Space is therefore to be designed to provide stimulating and challenging play experiences and PAD recommends that a minimum of nine play experiences (from their list) are to be provided, as well as bicycle parking. The play area should also have a buffer zone of at least 30m in depth, containing varied planting.

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The guidelines relating to the enclosure of the play area has also changed. PAD outlines that the site should be enclosed, but this is dependent upon location. If the play area is beside a road, then fencing and gates is the ideal solution. If the site is within a larger area of open space then fencing is not required and delineation of the play space can be achieved with planting or earth mounds.

Encouraging Children’s Play

A newly created designation of a Local Landscaped Area for Play is intended to be used as an alternative to a LEAP and is intended for use by children and young people alike. There are many benefits of activity for children which can be seen with these local playground facilities.

It is to be imaginatively landscaped to encourage play, although no play equipment has to be provided. The Local Landscaped Area for Play should have a minimum activity area of 900m² and is to provide a mix of areas for both physical activity and relative calm.

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When considering a new development and the amount of provision that is required, the new PAD guidelines are not as clearly defined as those within the old Six Acre Standard. However, Play England (in association with the London Plan) has produced guidelines for new developments. This recommends that an audit of existing provisions is to be undertaken and then using their formulae, will conclude the type of facilities and off-site contribution required.

PAD also advises that an audit of the existing provision is of benefit and the methodology of this audit has changed within the new guidelines. The assessment is now based on a points system, where points are awarded for certain features of the existing play spaces. This will not only identify the amount of existing provision but also the quality.

Types of Local Playground

The fields in Trust/National Playing Fields Association Standards have 3 categories of equipped play areas. These are local areas for play (LAP), local equipped area for play (LEAP) and neighbourhood equipped areas for play (NEAP). The main characteristics of each category are:

LAP – Local Area for Play

The LAP is a small area of open space specifically designated and primarily laid out for very young children to play close to where they live.

LEAP – Local Equipped Area for Play

The LEAP is an area of open space specifically designated and laid out with features including equipment for children who are beginning to go out and play independently close to where they live.

NEAP – Neighbourhood Equipped Area for play

The NEAP is an area of open space specifically designated, laid out and equipped mainly for older children but with play opportunities for younger children as well.

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If you would like some more information about installing these play facilities please contact us. We can provide details on pricing for LEAP and NEAP surfaces along with a variety of equipment.

Just fill in our enquiry form with the details of your project and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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