Play spaces not just playgrounds
As David Thomas, CEO of Barratt Redrow explained when discussing the new commitment, “This isn’t just about playgrounds, it’s about building places where families can truly thrive, and that startsnby ensuring every child can play safely and confidently and enjoy the freedom, fun and benefits that outdoor play delivers.”
Barratt Redrow’s aim is to work with local authorities and other housebuilders to make such inclusive play areas the standard. And with Barratt Redrow being the UK’s largest housebuilder, this could see up to 100 new inclusive, accessible spaces where children and adults can play, relax, and spend quality time.
The focus is on inclusive
Yes, Barratt Redrow’s aim is to ensure play is accessible for all. They have shared a significant
amount of research which highlights how and why children are currently excluded from playing outside.
Research from Censuswide reveals children with disabilities are not able to play due to playgrounds being inaccessible to them. And children with physical disabilities are having to be taken to parks an average of 5.37 miles away to reach a suitable play space. The lack of suitable play spaces is leading to more parents, around 51% surveyed, relying on screens for their children.
Exclusion from play is an issue
In fact, following research done with more than 2,000 parents across the country, exclusion from play is a real issue. And that’s for both disabled and non-disabled children alike.
- 33% of parents have struggled to find a playground that accommodates their children’s
needs.
- 34% of parents have struggled to find a play space that’s safe for their children.
- 65% of parents say their children are playing out less than they did at the same age.
And what impact does the lack of play have on children? The parents responded that it is having a negative impact on their child’s confidence, sense of adventure and ability to make friends. Such is the issue, Mum of 3 and neurodiversity campaigner Christine McGuinness is supporting Barratt Redrow’s commitment to make inclusive play space a priority. She has said about the issue, “Outdoor play isn’t just fun, it’s essential. It helps children build confidence, develop social skills, stay active and connect with the world around them. For families like mine, having a local inclusive playground isn’t just convenient, it’s life changing.”
More about Barratt Redrow’s commitments
Barratt Redrow has made several commitments, which forms its Inclusive Play Guidance. These include:
1. Every play space being designed by Barratt Redrow will include inclusive play equipment,
accessible surfaces and be located in safe and easy to access locations for the whole community to enjoy.
2. Designs will allow for active, challenging, imaginative, sensory and quiet play for children and young people, while encouraging social interaction between neighbours and friends.
3. Play spaces will be integrated into high quality landscapes at the heart of our developments, bringing people closer to nature.
4. Wherever possible, Barratt Redrow will work with children and young people to ensure they are continually responding to the needs of the local community.
And in terms of when we can expect these commitments to start. Barratt Redrow has confirmed that their planning applications are worked on six months before submission, so these commitments will apply to all new planning applications from January 2026 onwards.
Barratt Homes developments where you can find play spaces
While the new commitments from Barratt Homes around inclusive play spaces haven’t started yet, these are some of the new Barratt Homes developments where you can currently find play spaces.
Priors Hall Park, Zone 2 in Corby
At this new community just a short drive from Corby, as well as award-winning homes from Barratt, you will find no less than 9 play areas across Zone 1. And in Zone 2, at the heart of the Barratt Homes development, you will find the new Village Green. This new green space offers a high-quality timber-based play area as well as a recreation area that incldues petanque, table tennis and ball labrynth for all to play. A selction of Barratt Homes within Zone 2 front onto the landscaped area, being as close as you can get to a safe place to play.
This is The Ellerton at Priors Hall Park from Barratt Homes. It’s a 3-bedroom semi-detached property with a south-west facing garden and solar panels. It’s been designed to be practical and comfortable for modern living, with a large open-plan kitchen diner, a spacious separate lounge, and a master bedroom with an en suite shower room. See this property and others available at Priors Hall Park, close to play spaces here.
The Hawthorns in Mansfield from Barratt Homes
Energy-efficient homes, easy access to amenities and a play area on your doorstep. Yes, families will love the new homes from Barratt Homes at The Hawthorns in Mansfield which is set in 3.6 acres of open green space. And amongst this space is a new play area, onto which some of the Barratt Homes front. The play space is easily accessible and has been designed to inspire adventure, encourage outdoor fun, and connect communities.
This is The Kingsville, a 3-bedroom semi-detached home spread out over three floors with buyer offers available upon reservation. A home that will suit busy, modern families, it includes a large open-plan kitchen diner that’s great for entertaining, a separate home office study space, a downstairs WC and a generous master bedroom to the first floor with an en suite. To the top floor is another double bedroom, a single bedroom and family bathroom. Don’t miss this home and others like it at TheHawthorns in Mansfield, see them here.
Ladden Garden Village in North Yate from Barratt Homes
This substantial development of new homes is set within 32 acres of open space, of which 4 acres has been dedicated to new play areas and sports pitches. There are also footpaths and cycle paths for families to enjoy. And the nearby Brinsham Park play area is getting a revamp to make it more accessible and inclusive for a wide range of ages and abilities. This will then link up with the play area on the Ladden Gardens development with a trail through the woods and over a stream. Connecting play areas to keep children enjoying and exploring nature!
This 3-bedroom property is The Maidstone at Ladden Garden Village in North Yate from Baratt Homes. It offers energy efficiency with its PV solar panels, a south-west facing garden to enjoy, and 2 convenient parking spaces. Within the home itself, the lounge offers space for home working, the kitchen is open plan in its design and there’s a downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs there is a master bedroom with an en suite, a double bedroom, single bedroom and family bathroom. Take a look at this property plus others available from Barratt Homes at Ladden Garden Village here.
If an inclusive play area is important to you when choosing your new build home, then watch this space for news about the new developments in 2026 from Barratt Redrow. In the meantime, to find your dream new home in the area you hope to live in, use our handy search
tool. It’s super easy to use and lists all the new homes from a huge range of housebuilders, including Barratt Homes. Start your search here.
