Key facts
- 44% of English parliamentary constituencies have limited access to green or blue spaces.
- Low access to nature is more prevalent in economically deprived areas.
- The Wildlife Trusts is urging the government to speed up plans to improve access to nature.
- The charity compares the current situation to Victorian Britain's air quality crisis.
- The government has yet to publish its promised green paper on access to nature.
Nearly half of all parliamentary constituencies in England have low access to nature, according to new research by the Wildlife Trusts. The analysis found that 44% of constituencies have 20% or more properties situated more than a 15-minute walk from a green or blue space. The charity highlighted that seven of the 10 most economically deprived constituencies were among those with the lowest access to nature.
The Wildlife Trusts presented its findings and a green paper to ministers, urging them to accelerate efforts to improve public access to natural environments and promote biodiversity. The organization drew parallels between the current situation and the challenges of Victorian Britain, when poor air and water quality led to the creation of public parks. Matthew Browne, head of public affairs at the Wildlife Trusts, stated that the current access crisis is "on a par with that of Victorian Britain’s filthy air and water" and called for similar urgency in addressing it.
Despite government promises, a promised green paper on access to nature has yet to be published. The Wildlife Trusts is advocating for several policy changes, including making it more affordable for local authorities to use compulsory purchase powers for land, establishing a community right to buy land for nature access, treating nature as essential infrastructure, mandating climate- and nature-friendly housing estates for developers, and making access to major rivers a statutory right.
Research from public consultations indicated that people sought out natural spaces during recent heatwaves for cooling and physical and mental health benefits. Dom Higgins, head of health and education at the Wildlife Trusts, emphasized the importance of accessible natural spaces for public health, noting their role in cooling urban areas and reducing strain on the heart and lungs. He argued that in an age of climate-driven extreme weather, access to healthy natural spaces should be a right for every citizen.