Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to protect green spaces in the urban areas of Birmingham Perry Barr constituency.

The Government recognises the value of that parks and green spaces, especially within urban areas, provide vibrant and inclusive locations for communities to socialise, volunteer, work, and exercise. I commend Perry Bar for its impressive upkeep of Perry Barr Playing Fields, which achieved the renowned Green Flag Award in 2021 and 2022. This MHCLG-owned award scheme sets the national standard for parks and green spaces that are welcoming, safe, well-maintained and promote biodiversity and community participation.

MHCLG has established the Parks Working Group, which brings together sector experts with government officials to find innovative ways of managing parks, creating employment, hosting economic activities and encouraging inward investment. Finally, the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) allows communities to designate land as Local Green Space, in order to protect green areas that are important to them.