Young first-time buyers across the pond in the United Kingdom are experiencing a harsh reality. Too many are forced to live in neighborhoods with the fewest parks and green spaces. That’s the conclusion of a new study by Wildlife and Countryside Link, which paints a very concerning picture. Buoyed by homebuyers’ newfound preference for “nature deserts,” largely due to the cheaper housing found in those locations. As housing prices continue to soar, the availability of affordable homes has become a determining factor in where young people choose to live.
Green space has a direct impact on homebuyer preferences. For each additional square meter of green space per person, an amazing 494 first-time buyers are drawn to those locations. This correlation underscores a pressing issue: as the demand for affordable housing rises, the presence of natural surroundings seems to diminish.
New findings show that already one third of English households do not have a natural space within a 15-minute walk. This encompasses parks and other green spaces. The picture is even worse in the poorest of the poor communities. These communities are over two times as likely to experience nature deprivation. The lack of access to green spaces, public parks and walking trails has serious consequences for residents’ physical and mental wellbeing. That’s because research has found that proximity to parks and natural greenspaces lowers anxiety and depression levels by an average of 20%.
During the Covid-19 lockdowns, individuals residing more than 800 meters from green spaces reported significantly higher levels of wellbeing issues. The data reinforces an urgent call for improved access to nature. This continued loss of natural habitats in urbanized areas is often due to the displacement by housing developments.
Wildlife and Countryside Link is calling on the new government to amend their forthcoming new planning bill. Their mission is to get more people access to nature and green infrastructure. The nonprofit contends that solving the housing crisis needs to happen alongside making sure all communities—including those who’ve suffered housing injustice—have access to the outdoors.
Ingrid Samuel, a director at the National Trust, emphasized this necessity:
“The government is right to address the housing crisis, but it must also tackle the parallel crisis in access to nature. Green space isn’t a luxury – it’s a basic human need, vital for physical and mental health.”
Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, echoed this sentiment, stating:
“With the right reforms, we can turn today’s nature deserts into greener, healthier places to live. People of every age and background deserve homes they can afford without sacrificing their beneficial connection to nature. That means rethinking how we build the homes we need at the same time as delivering high-quality, greener communities that protect people’s health and creating the homes nature needs.”
During this boom era, the report’s findings highlighted major projects such as the Windsor Gate development in Berkshire. Over there, developers paved over 14 square miles of countryside that served as crucial wildlife habitats. This trend raises questions about sustainability and long-term community health amidst ongoing urban expansion.
Wildlife charities have been mobilising to try and support amendments to part three of the planning and infrastructure bill. Their aim is to ensure that every community has incoming guaranteed access to green spaces. This will create more equitable and healthier living environments for all community residents.