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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to create additional guidance on accessible play equipment in the National Model Design Code, published on 20 July 2021.

The Government has set a clear vision to improve the everyday lives of disabled people as set out in the National Disability Strategy, to ensure that disability is not a barrier to people living full, independent lives where they can reach their full potential.

The Government’s guidance on creating well-designed places – the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code are both part of the suite of national planning practice guidance that supports the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The NPPF encourages the creation of places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being. In support of this, the National Model Design Code encourages the design of children's play areas to be inclusive and accessible. This document is intended to provide broad design principles. It is not within the scope of the document to provide expert advice on accessible play equipment.

There is independent and voluntary best practice guidance in the form of British and European standards on inclusive built environments including play areas and playgrounds, and for children’s play equipment. BS 8300-1:2018, BS EN 17210:2021 and BS EN 1176:2017. Their status is independent of government guidance. Local authorities can choose to use these voluntary best practice standards.