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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what long-term plans he has to (a) maintain and (b) expand urban green spaces.

The government is firmly committed to both maintain and expanding parks and urban green spaces, they are an essential part of local social infrastructure which supports more connected, stronger communities.

Regarding the maintenance of urban green spaces, the MHCLG-owned Green Flag Award sets the national quality standard for parks and green spaces, the scheme aims to meet the needs of the communities they serve and has helped to transform thousands of parks and green spaces across the country.

The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places and make sufficient provision for the conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including green infrastructure.

We will use our bold Pride in Place strategy which sets out how we will deliver up to £5 billion over ten years to up to 350 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation bolstering a wide range of community assets, including urban green spaces. The strategy is a significant step change in how we support urban communities and their green spaces.