The pandemic and subsequent restrictions have highlighted to many the importance of green spaces for mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Research commissioned by the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) together with the HomeOwners Alliance and carried out by YouGov in the summer of 2020, found that 71 per cent of those questioned think their local green space could be enhanced.
The importance of green spaces
In 2016, the World Health Organisation recommended that everyone should have a green space of at least half a hectare within 300m of their home. Even in the UK, this is not a reality for many. While an estimated one person in eight does not have a garden, one in five people in England are deprived of the benefits of quality local green space, according to a Friends of the Earth report released in September 2020 and entitled ‘England’s green space gap.’
Numerous studies have found that the presence of greenness and visits to green spaces have the ability to reduce stress and enhance restoration of the brain, leading to improved mental health. Greening cities has been shown to increase life expectancy, reduce mental health problems, improve cognitive function and enhance mood. Other benefits include countering of the effects of air pollution, heat and noise levels as well as offering sanctuary to wildlife.
The survey results
The CPRE and HOA survey found that 52 per cent of people would like to see more wildlife (birds, butterflies and bees) and a greater variety of wild plants, to include trees, shrubs, hedgerows, plants and flowers within their local green spaces.
30 per cent favoured more rewilding and a reduction in manicured green spaces, allowing nature a free hand. 36 per cent wanted to see signposted walks and 34 per cent wanted better-maintained paths and tending of trees and lawns.
Without being asked, respondents said that litter collection and reduction in the amount of litter were also important.
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, said: “Access to quality local green spaces has hurtled up the agenda as a political issue, and for good reason. As lockdown eases, many people are turning to their local patch of green as a place to meet family and friends, subject of course to social distancing, as well as their daily dose of exercise and nature. We’ve been championing local countryside and green spaces for nearly a century, believing they are vital for our health and wellbeing – a natural health service as they’re now being called.
“But not everyone has access to green spaces and too many have been lost as the countryside next door to our largest towns and cities faces mounting pressure for development. If the government is serious about learning the lessons of the pandemic, it must use upcoming planning reforms to protect these precious spaces and recognise their value as a natural health service, as we do. But we can’t stop there – by properly investing in our green spaces we can make these spaces easily accessible to more people and back invite wildlife like birds, butterflies and bees.”
For those looking to invest in a home, the proximity of nearby green space is likely to become increasingly important as we look for a sanctuary from the stresses and busyness of modern life and a boost to mental and physical wellbeing.
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