The government hopes the changes will counter parents' fears that it is not safe for children to play outside by "creating public space that supports and encourages play".
The planning changes proposed in the strategy are likely to follow the example set by London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who has revised planning guidance in the capital to make new developments include more play spaces for children.
Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said the idea of altering the planning system to help children play outside was great but said it would be a slow change. "We would welcome play having an influence on planners and planning decisions, but it depends on what teeth the measures have," he said. "The ultimate test is whether the guidance affects planning decisions and actually changes the shape of the public realm. It might take years to turn things around and create child-friendly communities but we have to start to do that."
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