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<p>My Department has no specific role in relation to council-owned park land. My answer
of 29 January 2015, HL4224, outlined the broader legal framework for the disposal
of property assets by local authorities. The sale of park land is not something we
have encouraged – rather, councils should be disposing of brownfield land and redundant
buildings.</p><p> </p><p>The Localism Act 2011 has introduced a Community Right to
Bid, and parks and green spaces are good examples of sites that could be nominated
as an asset of community value.</p><p> </p><p>This Government has also introduced
a new local planning designation for local green spaces. This could be designated
by a local planning authority in its Local Plan or by a local neighbourhood through
a neighbourhood plan. This could include park land.</p><p> </p><p>Of course, local
elections provide a mechanism for decisions and policies of councils to be challenged
by local residents.</p><p> </p>
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