A major consideration in the management of open spaces on new housing developments is the safety and upkeep of play areas. Meadfleet are responsible for over 140 play areas throughout England and Wales, and ensure that all are safe and fun to use.
The term ‘play area’ can cover a variety of features. Children’s play areas of a fenced playground with swings, slides and other equipment are common across our portfolio, but we also manage more varied installations such as zip lines, large multi-play equipment and outdoor gym equipment. MUGAs (Multi-Use Games Areas) are also present on many of our developments.
Such play areas serve an important purpose on housing developments, providing residents with safe, visible, contained areas where children of all ages can play and learn in the outdoors. Features such as MUGAs, outdoor gym equipment and climbing walls provide residents with easy access for exercise and recreation. It is therefore imperative that all areas and equipment are fully functioning and safe to use.
To ensure the health and safety of all users, the play areas in our care are managed in line with British Standard BS EN 1176. All of our Regional Managers are certificated by the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) to undertake Routine Inspections of all equipment, from fencing and signage to complex multi-play items. To further support our commitment to safe play areas we commission professional play inspectors to conduct routine Operational and Annual Inspections. Any issues identified during inspections are immediately made safe and repairs or replacements sought. Occasionally to ensure the safety of all potential users play areas or equipment may be closed or decommissioned whist repairs are undertaken.
As well as being subject to routine inspections to confirm the safe condition of our play areas, they are visited by our maintenance teams on either a weekly or fortnightly basis to ensure that all areas are clean and tidy, free from litter and safe to use by all. As required, works are undertaken to clean equipment and repair surfacing.
About Meadfleet
Meadfleet is a leading sustainable land-adopting management company, established in 1995. We manage over 350 developments and 40,000 residential properties across England and Wales, supported by in-house expertise and decades of experience.
Our in-house ecologists bring expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and we offer management of BNG delivery both on managed developments and offsite areas, funded through customer contributions or commuted sums. Our adoption model relieves developers of ongoing liabilities and management costs.
The Meadfleet approach removes onerous responsibilities from homeowners while encouraging resident engagement in the stewardship of their local environment. We are members of The Property Ombudsman Scheme (TPOS), providing customers with free, independent redress if required. We also welcome and support resident groups, creating a valuable two-way dialogue that strengthens community involvement.
As a land-adopting management company, we take long-term responsibility for open space, building strong community relations and implementing ongoing management and improvement plans. Our independent, holistic approach ensures open spaces are managed sustainably for the benefit of residents, biodiversity, and the wider environment.