In the UK, playgrounds are an essential element of any community. Sitting at the heart of the neighbourhood, they break down barriers, bring families together, and enable children to develop in a safe, secure environment. As a result, the relationship between play spaces and local housing is a vital one, and whether we’re collaborating with property developers, house builders, architects or local authorities, we work hard to ensure our projects fit seamlessly into the local area.
This process is governed by a number of regulations and guidelines, all of which have informed our work from one time or another. Some of the most relevant are found in Fields In Trust’s many publications on outdoor sport and play (beginning with the Six Acre Standard), one of which first originated the term LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs in the 1980s.
In the decades since, these terms have been continually referenced by play specialists, and have become central to developers’ visions of neighbourhood play spaces; many local authorities also specify their use, or utilise very similar corresponding terms, in new developments. But what exactly do these acronyms mean, how do they manifest across our work, and, most importantly, how do they impact public spaces?
LAPs - Bringing Play Close to Home
LAPs, or Local Areas for Play, describes small areas of open space which enable very young children to play close to home in a highly visible, supervised environment. Specifically, they should deliver opportunities for fun, informal play and social interaction for children aged 6 or below, and be situated around 100 metres from visitors’ homes – for this reason, they’re often considered a good option for new housing estates. Whilst no specific kind of play equipment is specified, simple and straightforward items should be prioritised to cater for the younger age group.
LAPs should also feature a minimum activity zone of 100 square metres, as well as a 5-metre buffer zone between themselves and the nearest home, and include safety fencing around their perimeter (to a minimum height of 60cm). They are expected to offer seating for adults, as well as displaying prominent signage which informs the public that the area is for children’s play, and that dogs are not permitted.
LEAPs - The Middle Ground
LEAPs, or Locally Equipped Areas for Play, promote play and social opportunities for a wide age range, but most specifically for slightly older children who are beginning to play independently. They offer more varied and stimulating play experiences than LAPs, and encourage physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative play which contributes to children’s development and well-being.
As with LAPs, the exact guidance allows room for interpretation, but the usual recommendation is for them to be located within 400 metres’ walking distance from every home, and to provide a minimum of six play experiences, which can consist of traditional playground equipment, as well as natural elements such as boulders. They are also generally expected to offer requisite space for less formal physical activity and games, meaning that the location of a LEAP is crucial in ensuring that it doesn’t disrupt the peace of nearby residents.
Other key LEAP specifications include a recommended activity zone of at least 400 square metres, whilst a 10-metre buffer zone should be provided between the LEAP and the nearest home. If fencing is used, a height of 1 metre is suggested, and an enclosed LEAP should include two self-closing gates on opposite sides. As with LAPs, a LEAP should offer appropriate seating for accompanying adults and siblings, as well as at least one litter bin, and prominent signage.
NEAPs - Destination: Play!
NEAPS, or Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play, are intended primarily for older, relatively independent children aged 8 and above, but they are also expected to include play opportunities for younger visitors. These are larger, more expansive spaces, with play provision that cannot be contained within a LAP or LEAP, and they are generally to be located within 1000 metres’ walking distance of visitors’ homes, thereby acting as more of a destination space than the previous two classifications. As a result, NEAPs are considered the best fit for well-established communities, providing an essential space for older children to develop in a safe location, whilst minimising disturbances for residents.
As well as an activity zone of 1000 square metres, they should include a buffer zone of at least 30 metres from the nearest home, and can include sporting areas such as MUGAs (Multi-Use Games Areas), skate parks and basketball courts, alongside larger, more ambitious play structures. They should contain adequate space for children to enjoy expansive, free-flowing physical games and activities, and if fencing is to be used, a height of 1 metre is suggested, whilst an enclosed NEAP should include two self-closing gates on opposite sides.
Alongside their play offerings, NEAPs serve as neighbourhood hubs, offering play, recreational opportunities and meeting places for older children and teenagers, as well as spaces for community events. For this reason, added amenities should include seating, litter bins and signage, as with LAPs and LEAPs – but these spaces may also feature more detailed amenities such as toilets or shelters for teenagers.
Of course, as a space intended primarily for older children, the NEAP’s location within the surrounding neighbourhood should be thoroughly considered, in order to mitigate the risk of social conflict or anti-social behaviour. The best way to address this is through community consultation, in order to iron out any potential points of disagreement, whilst raising awareness and fostering acceptance of the new development.
Future-Facing Fun
Whilst the LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs criteria serve only as guidelines, their thoroughness and clarity means it’s no coincidence that housebuilders, developers and play designers have chosen to adhere to them consistently for years, when planning play spaces that entire communities can enjoy together for years to come. Over the course of our own history, they’ve been used many times by our team as a starting point for a new neighbourhood design or space.
This work is especially relevant at a time when childhood obesity, a complex array of mental health challenges, and many other threats to children’s wellbeing are rife; against this backdrop, the necessity of these spaces only grows. At Sutcliffe Play, we’re confident that accessible, communal play – underpinned by well-informed guidance such as the LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs framework – is the strongest solution to these challenges, and is the very best way to ensure a healthier, more cohesive, and more prosperous future society for us all.
