Member

On Amendment 250, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Banner, I am grateful to him for raising this important matter both in Committee and during this debate. The amendment relates to the disposal of land by local authorities and extinguishing the trust under which the land is held for public enjoyment, whereby it is preserved for recreational use and cannot be repurposed without following statutory consultation procedures. Open and green spaces, including public parks, are an essential part of local social infrastructure. They are the lifeblood of local communities. When people are asked what they value about their local area, parks and green spaces are consistently cited as a priority, particularly for those living in urban areas.