Norfolk mum says planners must put greater value on green spaces
61% of parents surveyed say children today are continuing to spend less time outside than they did growing up
A mum of three who lives near Norwich is calling on housing planners to put greater value on local green spaces and parks- moving forwards.
After a survey from housebuilder Redrow shows that more than five million parents in the UK- have no access to safe outdoor spaces within walking distance of their home.
"These are community assets and should be treated as such"
Anna Meneghello lives in Bowthorpe:
"It's not just children who use these green spaces, these are community assets and should be treated as such. I really worry that if they're not used they'll soon be gone and children won't get the benefits of them".
"If they do go, it will have an impact on young people's mental health because they won't have these spaces to socialise and be independent in. We know that being outside is vitally important for their development".
The research in more detail:
two thirds (65%) of grandparents and 61% of parents say children today are continuing to spend less time outside than they did growing up.
Two in five parents say their children do not play outdoors independently because there are no safe routes for them to walk or cycle,
while 52% say their worries about the general safety of society has impacted how much outdoor play and independence their child is able to have.
Instead, they are mainly watching TV (68%) and playing video games (53%).
Parents are aware of the benefits of the great outdoors, with 47% noting their children sleep better (47%), 37% that they are less reliant on screens, and 35% that they are calmer following a dose of fresh air and stint outside.
Overall, access to green spaces is becoming increasingly important for Brits, with half (50%) noting this as a key attraction to a new home vs 42% in 2023.
Parents are also concerned their children will lack a sense of adventure (40%), as well as suffer from poorer mental health (34%) and increased social anxiety (28%). Grandparents are even more concerned, with figures rising to 65%, 49% and 36% respectively.
This is leading to a growing desire for more green spaces, as a third (33%) admit they would be attracted to a new home that has these nearby or woodland to explore. Two in five (44%) admit they are envious of people who have access to green spaces near their homes.
Beyond simply moving house, almost half (48%) believe that the younger generations do not understand the basics of nature, gardening and the natural environment around them.
What's the Government said on this?
The Government say their new 'golden rules' means local decision-makers will have to prioritise building on brownfield and poor-quality green-land.