Urban planning setbacks threaten children’s access to safe play spaces in British cities

New research highlights how financial constraints and housing development pressures in British cities are reducing opportunities for children to access safe and engaging outdoor spaces, risking long-term health and social benefits.

Children growing up in British cities face significant barriers to accessing safe and playable outdoor spaces, as financial constraints, conflicting policies, and housing development pressures increasingly lead planners to prioritise property over parks, according to new research. A study by University College London (UCL) and the Bradford Institute for Health Research, published in the journal Cities and Health, reveals how these challenges undermine efforts to embed play into urban environments, particularly in deprived areas like Bradford and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The research, conducted as part of the Play in Urban Spaces for Health (PUSH) project, involved interviewing policymakers and practitioners—including urban planners, regeneration specialists, and public health professionals—to understand the difficulties local authorities face in providing accessible play areas. Participants consistently cited persistent financial and staffing limitations that curtail the implementation of well-meaning play policies. These constraints are compounded by intense pressures from housing developers, who frequently regard play space as a “nice to have” rather than an essential facility. This clash between the demand for more housing and the preservation of green, open, and amenity spaces often results in reduced opportunities for informal outdoor play.

Emily Ranken, associate professor at UCL’s Institute of Education and corresponding author of the study, emphasised the multifaceted benefits of well-designed play spaces. Speaking to Wired-Gov, she noted, “For children, it takes them outside, away from screens and develops their cognitive and physical skills. And for parents, it helps build community ties and vital social networks.” Yet, despite these recognised benefits, fragmented policy approaches and inconsistent prioritisation have left many plans ineffective. In Tower Hamlets, for example, the council’s ‘Play Charter’ was described by participants as “a collection of catchphrases” lacking an actionable strategy.

The PUSH researchers argue that stronger statutory regulations are necessary to ensure that developers prioritise playable spaces over merely increasing housing numbers. Such policies are already in place in Scotland and Wales but were rejected in England after amendments to the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill failed to pass a vote. Interviewees also highlighted recruitment and retention challenges within local authorities, with the combined effects of austerity, Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic depleting skilled urban planning staff. One participant lamented the impending retirement of experienced baby boomer planners without sufficient successors prepared with the necessary skills and training.

Advocating for innovative approaches, the PUSH project promotes incorporating principles from Scandinavian Forest Schools into urban regeneration efforts, especially for children aged 4 to 7. Forest School methodologies encourage outdoor play that nurtures children’s connection to nature, physical development, and well-being. Dr Amanda Seims, co-author from Bradford Institute for Health Research and Lancaster University, stressed that despite a 50% decline in outdoor playtime compared to previous generations, this trend is reversible through thoughtful, child-centred urban planning. Professor Claire Cameron of UCL’s Institute of Education added, “We know the power of play can be transformational for young lives, and the PUSH project shows how small changes can make outdoor play a normal, everyday thing to do.”

The study’s findings resonate with wider urban health research recognising how built environments shape well-being. The Bartlett’s Space Syntax Laboratory at UCL, for example, recently secured a £1.2 million grant to explore how urban design elements like walkability, air quality, and access to parks impact health and inequality, focusing on northern English communities including Bradford. Such interdisciplinary efforts highlight the critical intersection between urban planning, public health, and social equity.

Experts participating in related forums have underscored the need for cross-departmental collaboration and involving children’s voices in the planning process to design inclusive play spaces, particularly accommodating children with additional needs. Evidence-based advocacy is seen as vital for securing political and financial support, with some voices pointing to a continual struggle against economic priorities that sideline quality green spaces.

The PUSH project’s recommendations for improving urban play environments include stronger coordination and alignment across policies affecting children’s environments, statutory regulations mandating playable spaces, the development of local evidence bases tracking play provision and impact, and enhanced training for urban planners to meaningfully engage communities. With childhood obesity and social care needs disproportionately high in deprived urban areas, these interventions could yield broad social and health benefits beyond mere recreation.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, this research draws urgent attention to the consequences of sidelining play in urban development. It provides a blueprint for councils, developers, and public health leaders to prioritise play and create cities where children can thrive outdoors, supporting healthier, more connected, and resilient communities.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from University College London (UCL) and the Bradford Institute for Health Research, published on 16 September 2025. This indicates high freshness. The report has been disseminated across multiple reputable platforms, including UCL’s official website and the Urban Design Group’s news section. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found. The inclusion of updated data and recent quotes suggests a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
Direct quotes from Emily Ranken, Dr Amanda Seims, and Professor Claire Cameron are present in the narrative. These quotes appear to be original, as no earlier instances of identical wording were found in the search results. The absence of identical matches online suggests these quotes are exclusive to this report.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations: University College London (UCL) and the Bradford Institute for Health Research. UCL is a well-established institution with a strong public presence, enhancing the credibility of the report. The Bradford Institute for Health Research is also a recognised entity in the field. The report has been disseminated through multiple reputable platforms, including UCL’s official website and the Urban Design Group’s news section.

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claims made in the narrative align with existing concerns about the lack of accessible play spaces in urban areas. The emphasis on financial constraints, policy conflicts, and housing development pressures is consistent with known challenges in urban planning. The recommendations for stronger statutory regulations and innovative approaches like incorporating Scandinavian Forest Schools into urban regeneration efforts are plausible and supported by existing literature. The tone and language used are appropriate for the subject matter and region.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is fresh, originating from a recent press release by reputable institutions. The quotes appear original, and the sources are reliable. The claims made are plausible and align with existing concerns and literature on urban play spaces. No significant issues were identified, leading to a high confidence in the overall assessment.