Call to ban play area sales

Published on 27/06/2012 00:30

COUNCILS should be banned from selling off children’s outdoor play areas in a bid to tackle growing childhood obesity rates, according to doctors.

Doctors say making more green spaces and play areas available would encourage more youngsters to ditch computer games and play outdoors.

Speaking at the BMA’s annual conference, Dr Sue Robertson said local authorities should be banned from selling off outdoor play areas for development purposes.

Dr Robertson said: “Children are becoming less active for a number of reasons, but primarily because there are less outdoor areas where children can play and many parents are concerned about the safety of those areas.

“Cash-strapped local authorities are still looking for a quick fix to their falling finances, and selling land is their solution.”