Wildlife Trusts Report England's Nature Access Crisis
A Wildlife Trusts study finds 44% of English constituencies have poor access to green or blue space, linking nature deprivation to economic deprivation and
Nearly half of all parliamentary constituencies in England have low access to nature, according to new research from the Wildlife Trusts. The analysis reveals 238 constituencies, or 44% of the total, have 20% or more local properties situated more than a 15-minute walk from a green or blue space.
The research, conducted with Liberal and Democrats for Nature and Climate, comes as the charity presents a green paper to ministers. It aims to speed up the government's manifesto promise to improve public access to nature and promote biodiversity. Seven of the ten most economically deprived constituencies in the country were found to have low access to nature.
Stark Inequalities Revealed
Matthew Browne, head of public affairs at the Wildlife Trusts, said the research reveals stark inequalities. "This research reveals stark inequalities in access to nature across England, with direct parallels between economic and nature deprivation," he stated. Following a spring and summer of extreme heat where some areas saw temperatures of 38C, the Trusts argue there is an increased need for cool, shady, and nature-rich spaces in urban areas.
Browne drew a historical parallel. "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," he said. The Trusts are seeking a meeting with ministers to present their green paper and urge action.
Policy Demands for Change
The Wildlife Trusts' report calls for several specific government actions to address the crisis. It demands making it more affordable for local authorities to use compulsory purchase powers for land acquisition. The charity also advocates for establishing a community right to buy land specifically for nature access.
Other key demands include treating nature as essential infrastructure, with dedicated capital funds for maintaining natural spaces. The Trusts want mandatory requirements for developers to create climate- and nature-friendly housing estates. A final call is to make access to major rivers, especially in urban areas, a statutory right.
Public Voices and Health Evidence
The Trusts also published results from a public consultation involving 5,000 people, who described seeking out cool natural spaces during summer heatwaves. One contributor said walking in local woods during heatwaves provided cooling relief and physical benefits. Another person with a long-term health condition highlighted the incredible importance of accessible natural spaces for their mobility and mental health, particularly during extreme heat.
Dom Higgins, head of health and education at the Wildlife Trusts, cited a mountain of evidence showing nature's impact on physical and mental health. He stated that in an age of climate-driven extreme weather, access to nearby healthy natural spaces should be a right for 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," Higgins said. He noted specific benefits, including lower blood pressure in pregnant women living near accessible parks and healthier lives for young children who spend more time in nature-rich spaces. Despite this evidence, he emphasized that access to the natural world remains unequal across the UK.
Government Delays and Response
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs held workshops with experts last spring to inform proposals for increasing nature access. This was in advance of a promised green paper last autumn, but a year on, the government has failed to publish it. The Wildlife Trusts report states the public should not have to wait any longer, asserting that access to nature is a necessity, not a 'nice to have'.
A government spokesperson responded by stating the government is focused on restoring nature and increasing access to green spaces. They pointed to specific initiatives, including 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.
