Access-to-nature crisis ‘on par with that of Victorian Britain’s filthy air’

Nearly half of all parliamentary constituencies in England have low access to nature despite a government target to ensure everyone is within a 15-minute walk from a green or blue space, new research reveals.

The analysis by the Wildlife Trusts comes as the charity presents a green paper to ministers in an attempt to speed up Labour’s manifesto promise to improve access to nature and promote biodiversity.

The research from the Wildlife Trusts and Liberal and Democrats for Nature and Climate (LDNC) has found that 238 English parliamentary constituencies (44% of the total) have 20% or more local properties situated more than 15 minutes’ walk from green or blue space (the latter an area with water, such as a river, canal, lake, pond, sea or other waterfront). Seven of the 10 most economically deprived constituencies had low access to nature.

After a spring and summer of extreme heat across England, when some cities and towns saw temperatures of 38C, the Wildlife Trusts said there was increased need for cool, shady and nature-rich spaces. It is seeking a meeting with ministers to present its green paper.

Matthew Browne, the head of public affairs at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “This research reveals stark inequalities in access to nature across England, with direct parallels between economic and nature deprivation.

“Coupled with the extreme heat we’re experiencing in urban areas, this access crisis is on a par with that of Victorian Britain, when filthy air and water led to a programme of public park-building for the benefit of all. In facing today’s challenges, we need to embrace this same level of urgency once more, utilising existing legislation so that real change can be felt quickly in local communities.”

Despite promises by ministers, the government has yet to publish its access to nature green paper. Critics say ministers need to act with more urgency.

The Wildlife Trusts is calling for the government to:

• Make it more affordable for local authorities to use compulsory purchase powers for land purchase.

• Establish a community right to buy land for nature access.

• Treat nature as essential infrastructure, and free up capital funds to pay for the ongoing maintenance of natural spaces.

• Make it mandatory for developers to create climate- and nature-friendly housing estates.

• Make access to major rivers, especially those in urban areas, a statutory right.

The River Lea near Hackney Marshes: the Wildlife Trusts is calling on the government to make access to major rivers a statutory right. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The trusts published the results of a public consultation with 5,000 people, in which they described how they sought out cool spaces in nature during the summer heatwaves.

One contributor said: “Walking in my local woods in heatwaves is cooling. The physical benefits of a brisk, daily walk are well known, and I feel them.”

Another said: “I have a long-term health condition which affects my mobility and mental health, particularly during periods of extreme heat. Access to natural spaces is incredibly important to me.”

Dom Higgins, the head of health and education at the Wildlife Trusts, said there was a mountain of research and evidence from the public that showed the impact of nature on our physical and mental health. He said in an age of climate-driven extreme weather events and the growing health implications, access to nearby healthy natural spaces should be the right of every citizen.

“Natural spaces in our cities can literally save lives, by keeping the air cooler and cleaner and reducing the strain on our hearts and lungs,” he said. “The blood pressure of pregnant women is lower when they live near an accessible park or garden, and young children who spend longer in nature-rich spaces have healthier lives.

“Yet, despite the growing body of scientific evidence, having access to the natural world in whatever form that takes – from a river walk to a pocket park in an urban neighbourhood – is still not equal across the UK.”

In the spring of last year, the Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs held workshops with experts to inform proposals to increase access to nature, in advance of a promised green paper last autumn. But a year on, the government has failed to deliver the paper.

“The Wildlife Trusts don’t want the public to have to wait any longer,” the report said. “Access to nature is not a ‘nice to have’, it is a necessity. The time is ripe for action.”

A government spokesperson said: “This government is focused on the things that matter most to the British public, including restoring nature so that we have pride in local communities and access to green spaces.

“We are increasing access to nature and the countryside, delivering nine new National River Walks, a Coast-to-Coast route in the North of England and the 2,700 mile King Charles III England Coast Path.”