A stark warning has been issued that young people stepping onto the property ladder are being systematically forced into 'nature deserts' due to the high cost of homes near parks and wild spaces.
The Price of a Home Versus Health
A coalition of wildlife groups, including Wildlife and Countryside Link, states that the affordability crisis is creating a deep divide in health outcomes. Research using Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for 2023 reveals a powerful correlation: for every single square metre of green space lost per person, an additional 494 first-time buyers are drawn to an area, lured by lower house prices.
This trend is a direct result of a failure in government policy to ensure new developments are both green and healthy, experts argue.
A Basic Human Need, Not a Luxury
The consequences of this shift are severe for public health. Living without easy access to nature is strongly linked to poorer physical and mental wellbeing.
Richard Benwell, the chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, emphasised the need for change. He stated: "With the right reforms, we can turn today’s nature deserts into greener, healthier places to live. People of every age and background deserve homes they can afford without sacrificing their beneficial connection to nature."
Echoing this sentiment, Ingrid Samuel, a director at the National Trust, called green space a "basic human need" that is vital for mental and physical health. She urged the government to tackle the parallel crises in housing and access to nature simultaneously.
The Call for Planning Reform
The solution, according to the coalition, lies in reforming how the UK builds new homes. The National Trust is specifically urging ministers to back amendments to the planning bill that would legally guarantee green and blue spaces in every future development.
Ingrid Samuel warned: "If new homes are built without new parks, waterways, and wild spaces, the British public will have been let down."
The statistical evidence is compelling. Studies show that living close to nature can reduce anxiety and depression by approximately 20%. Conversely, people who reside more than 800 metres from a green area report significantly higher rates of stress and lower overall wellbeing.
This research highlights a critical choice for policymakers: continue with a model that deepens health inequalities or reform the system to create affordable, nature-rich communities for everyone.
