London Play has submitted evidence to the consultation on the new London Plan, calling for play to be recognised as ‘essential infrastructure’ on par with schools, transport, and housing — and for adventure playgrounds in particular to be given special recognition in planning policies.

In its contribution to the consultation for London’s updated regional spatial strategy, London Play welcomes the Mayor’s stated ambition, announced after his re-election in 2024, to make London “the best city in the world to grow up in,” but clarifies that “free, accessible, high-quality play is central to realising this vision.”

Evidence submitted in support of play included data collected by London Play from children at adventure playgrounds, demonstrating their unique nature and role in children’s lives.

“Without recognition in the London Plan and meaningful action by planning authorities and developers, these critical spaces remain at risk. This is a striking contradiction: while London is known internationally for its adventure playgrounds, local decision-makers too often treat them as dispensable.”

It also calls for play streets and LTNs as complementary strategies to increase children’s access to safe, everyday outdoor play. The submission concludes: “Children’s play is not a luxury. It is essential to the health, happiness, and development of young Londoners — and to the diverse communities that make up the social fabric of the capital. The London Plan must treat play as core infrastructure, embed clear expectations for quality, and recognise the critical role of staffed adventure playgrounds in delivering equity, safety, and joy in the public realm.

A draft version of the updated London Plan will be published next year with a the final version expected to be adopted in 2027.

Read the London Play submission here