Caroline Voaden MP has stepped up her efforts to improve public access to nature in South Devon and beyond through her Green Spaces Bill.
The Private Members’ Bill, which is up for its second reading this Friday, seeks to establish a Government Office for Urban Green Spaces. Among this Office’s responsibilities are:
Collaborating with local authorities, public bodies, and other groups to support the creation, maintenance, improvement, and integration of green spaces.
Promoting policies that ensure equitable access to green spaces for all communities.
Facilitating the coordination of initiatives and policies to promote the expansion and better management of green spaces.
Along with the above, the Bill also requires the new Office to advise the Government on the preservation, enhancement, and accessibility of green spaces, which, under the Bill, include urban parks, neighbourhood areas, and significant natural landscapes.
A coordinated, cross-government approach is sorely needed today. The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Two in five UK adults spend less than an hour per day outdoors, while more than half don’t have access to a public park or common within walking distance.
Beyond health benefits, there are substantial financial incentives to set up a Government Office for Urban Green Spaces. According to the Horticultural Trade Association, green spaces contribute billions to the UK economy, with environmental horticulture alone generating £8.4bn in tax revenues and supporting over 720,000 jobs. These contributions were recently assessed as having the potential to grow by 45% over the 2020s, and, in turn, create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Caroline Voaden, MP for South Devon, said:
“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. We know that these spaces are really important for mental health, for our physical wellbeing, they're great for the environment, and they create green jobs. So, I'm really hoping that the Government will back this Bill.”
Jennifer Pheasey, Head of Public Affairs at the HTA, added:
“We strongly support this Bill, which recognises the need for policy-makers to work in a new way to maximise the opportunity of environmental horticulture and green spaces in tackling climate change, improving public health, and driving economic growth. The UK’s gardens, parks, and green corridors are not just nice-to-have amenities—they are essential infrastructure. An Office for Green Spaces, as a new cross-government body and as recommended by both the EFRA Select Committee and the House of Lords Horticulture Inquiry, would bring together planning, health, environment, and other sectors to deliver real growth in our green spaces. 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. We at the Horticultural Trades Association back this important initiative.”
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