Housing Developers

Play areas for new developments often for into three distinct categories, the Local Area of Play (LAP), the Local Equipped Area of Play (LEAP) and a Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play (NEAP).

A LAP is the smallest of these categories, and is aimed at younger children.
Key features of a LAP include:

• Being positioned on a well used pedestrian route, within 1 minute walking time of most users
• Minimum of 100 m2 activity space recommended •
• Sign installed, advising the area is intended for children’s play, and that no dogs are allowed •
• Aimed at children 6 years old and younge

A LEAP is the middle sized design of the three categories, and typical features include:

• An activity zone of at least 400 m2
• A reasonably flat surface with good drainage, and suitable safety surfacing for the existing equipment
• Introduces challenging play features, with at least 6 different aspects of play included (e.g swinging, sliding, climbing)
• Suitable space for active play around all installed playground equipment
• Adequate seating and bins should be provided

A NEAP is the largest size design of the three categories, and typical features include:

• Positioned on an easily accessible pedestrian Route
• A recommended activity one of at least 1000 m2, of which a hard surface area should account for 465 m2
• Suitable space for active play around all installed playground equipment
• A minimum of 9 different aspects of play are recommended, featuring play items suitable for younger children, as well as more challenging and stimulating activities for older children
• Adequate seating and bins should be provided