by Holly Chapman | 27 May 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Construction company, Eco Green Group, calls on UK developers and local authorities to give neglected spaces a ‘green facelift’.
This comes as new research* reveals 6.3 million people have a lack of access to green spaces within a ten-minute walk from their homes.
Keith Hills, founder of Eco Green Group describes green spaces as “essential for the health of our communities,” and the cities with neglected green space need to be reimagined. He adds:
“By reimagining these spaces, we can enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and provide much-needed areas for relaxation and recreation.”
The company has worked on the largest open public roof garden in the UK, located in London atop of Millenium Bridge House to increase accessibility to green space in the urban city centre.
*The Green Space Index 2024 was designed to analyse green space in Great Britain, exploring the access to and amount of green space across the country.
by Bethany Vann | 03 Mar 25 | Nature & Biodiversity, News
Caroline Voaden MP’s Private Members’ Bill aims to establish a government office dedicated to Urban Green Spaces.
This proposed Office of Green Spaces initiative looks to recognise the role green spaces play in economic growth, health and wellbeing, environmental resilience, and climate adaptation.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reports that the environmental horticulture sector alone generates over £8bn in tax revenues, as well as providing 720,000 jobs.
The association says that a “coordinated, cross-government” approach is needed to “ensure” green spaces benefits are “fully realised”.
Caroline Voaden MP (Lib Dem, South Devon) comments:
“As the MP for South Devon, I’m really aware of how important and beneficial green spaces are. That’s why I’m bringing a Bill to the House of Commons calling for an Office of Green Spaces, which will bring together different parts of Government to help promote green spaces, particularly in urban areas.”
Jennifer Pheasey, head of public affairs at the HTA says that the HTA “strongly” supports this Bill, adding that “by establishing this dedicated government office to oversee and champion these spaces, we can secure their future and unlock their full potential for communities and businesses alike.”
The association adds that it is hopeful this new Bill will deliver “meaningful support” for green spaces and the horticulture sector.
by Bethany Vann | 20 Sep 23 | Nature & Biodiversity, News, Sustainability, Topics
The House of Common Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee has launched an Inquiry into Urban Green Spaces in response to data that shows the number of people living in urban areas in the UK is expected to increase over the next decade.
The total provision of green spaces is expected to decline as a result of infrastructure increases to meet demands of the growing population.
The Horticultural Trades Association welcomes news of the inquiry after ‘actively engaging with parliamentarians and policy-makers in calling for a greater focus’ on the value of urban green spaces.
“Urban green spaces deliver huge social, economic and environmental benefits,” says Jennifer Pheasey, HTA director of public affairs.
The HTA is seeking inputs and views to contribute to its written evidence, with the deadline for submissions being 20 October.
