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idverde Housebuilder Services offers a holistic range of services to support the creation, maintenance, and management of residential developments and spaces throughout the UK. We have extensive experience working with housebuilder clients to deliver bespoke solutions for each project’s unique challenges.
The terms LAPs, LEAPs and NEAPs have been created to provide detailed technical guidance for a variety of sectors to allow an easy understanding of the provision made by the playground equipment. These terms are wildly used by planners of play areas. However, not everyone understands what they mean. To help our customers understand these terms, we have created an outlined definition of what each acronym means.
LAP stands for Local Area for Play, which means it requires to be within one minute of walking distance within a well-used pedestrian route. The equipment within a LAP play area is created for use by children aged 6 and below, meaning low-level equipment that distinguishes the play space. The LAP area has a minimum activity zone of 100m2 in area and has a 5m buffer between this area and any surrounding properties. If the site requires fencing, a minimum recommended height of 60cm is suggested. The area should contain seating for parents/carers and signage.
A LAP area is a great solution for a newly built housing estate with the potential to attract new and soon expecting parents, providing a safe area to play for their young children.
LEAP stands for Local Equipment Area for Play, providing a space within 5 minutes of walking distance on a well-used pedestrian route. Created for children who are beginning to go outside and play independently. Providing children with equipment that stimulates a challenging play opportunity with a minimum of 6 play experiences, consisting of at least 3 individual play items. With a minimum of 400m2 activity zone, the play area should be designed to leave space for active play such as tag within the areas boundaries. A 10m buffer should be provided between the edge of the activity zone and the boundary of the dwelling and 20m between activity zone and the habitable room facade of the dwelling. The playground should also include fencing if near a road, use landscaping for the remainder of the park if it is placed in a public open space, and include seating and litter bins for parents and carers along with signage.
A LEAP playground can provide a perfect space for children while providing a safe area for the parent’s peace of mind.
NEAP stands for Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play, which means it’s expected to be positioned within 15 minutes of walking distance on a well-used pedestrian route. The equipment used for a NEAP play area is targeted mainly at older children but should contain an area for younger users, stimulating challenging play opportunities with a minimum of 8 play experiences. This includes at least 5 individual items with varied difficulties. With a minimum space of 1000m2 divided into two sections, one for playground equipment and an area of 465m2 of hard surface which is a minimum area for 5-a-side football. The play area should leave space for active play within the boundaries. A minimum 30m buffer should be provided between the activity zone and boundary of nearest dwelling. The area must include fencing if it is placed near roads, however, it can use landscaping to define the boundaries in a public open space. The space also requires seating area with bins for the parents and carers, as well as secure bicycles parking outside of the play space and signage.
A NEAP play area is most suitable for already established communities, giving a much-required space for older children to develop and providing them with a large safe area to play.
