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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2022 to Question 74774 on Land Use, whether land that is classed as recreation land can be used for any other activity if it becomes derelict.

Our National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides protections to open spaces and recreation facilities. It sets out that existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless: an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements; or the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.

We recognise through the NPPF the important role that allotments can provide in enabling and supporting healthy lifestyles within our communities.