Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to prohibit new buildings in open spaces managed by the Royal Parks that are not directly connected with those open spaces’ leisure purposes.

It is not Government policy to entirely prohibit new buildings in open spaces, however the National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that existing open space, which would include open space within the Royal Parks, should not be built on unless there is evidence to demonstrate that it is no longer required, or it will be replaced by equivalent or better provision at a suitable location.

The pandemic has shown how vital green spaces are for the wellbeing of our nation, from sharing our national parks together, to being able to invite loved ones over to our gardens.

That is why we have a very clear commitment to protect our environmental assets and ensure more green spaces are provided through our planning reforms.