Newly published research shows that younger first-time buyers in England are disproportionately being pushed into living in so-called “nature deserts”, as considerations for the welfare of wildlife are not being provided by housebuilders.
However, with simple accommodations, Manthorpe believe housebuilders can support wildlife, improve the biodiversity of their developments and support the wellbeing of residents.
What is a nature desert?
Many urban areas being developed are in areas starved of green space, due to historic under-investment in natural infrastructure, densification pressures, and planning decisions that have prioritised housing volume over access to nature.
While the term “nature desert” is a new one, the concepts of green space deprivation and green space inequality are common terms used by environmental planning professionals and in social commentary.
Data compiled by Friends of the Earth shows that urban green space provision has declined markedly between 2001 and 2016. The latest statistics from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) imply that over a third of people still likely lack adequate green space access close to their homes.
Research shows that among clusters of cheaper housing, access to nature is poorest. Experts at Manthorpe say this need not be the case, and that by making inexpensive modifications to the fabric of the home at the planning stage, wildlife can be encouraged and enjoyed by residents for decades to come.
Why nature matters for people and communities
The negative consequences of “nature deserts” are not trivial. An increasing amount of research shows clear health and social harms when green space is missing from where people live.
A major study found that people living in greener home surroundings, or with easy access to nearby green or blue spaces (such as parks, lakes, rivers, or gardens), are 20% less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than those in the least green areas.
Beyond mental health, living near or exercising in green areas also supports physical activity. Living close to local parks and open spaces encourages walking, cycling, and outdoor recreation in a way indoor gyms do not, according to a report by Buckinghamshire Council.
Urban green spaces also help address other issues impacting the built environment, including reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, supporting biodiversity and giving communities resilience against climate impacts, e.g. natural shade from trees.
The comprehensive research into this area highlights that green space should not be considered a luxury. It is an important component of healthy housing and sustainable communities.
The risk posed by changes to planning legislation
Under proposed changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, there is a real concern that green belt land could be developed into new homes without requiring the equivalent green space replacement in the same area. This risks uprooting native species from the area without supporting them as part of the wider development.
Should the reforms to UK planning laws go ahead, the trend of “nature deserts” could become a reality for many more new affordable housing developments, exacerbating environmental and health inequalities.
How Manthorpe can help prevent nature deserts from becoming a reality
Every new housing development, whether urban or rural, must accommodate wildlife and people’s access to nature, regardless of any Homes for Nature commitments by the developer.
We urge fellow developers, local authorities and planners to recognise that integrating green space is not optional or nice to have. Parks, water features, wild corners, pocket gardens and tree corridors should be considered as essential to the fabric of a neighbourhood as roads, pavements or utilities.
If these supporting elements are integrated, we can build homes that nurture the health and wellbeing of residents and preserve habitat for wildlife, from the very first brick.
There are practical steps housebuilders can take to ensure they create truly liveable, nature-friendly places:
- Incorporate green space from the design stage. Don’t treat parks, gardens, trees or wildlife corridors as afterthoughts. Embed them in at the master planning stage, even for higher-density builds.
- Commit to biodiversity. Quantify it. Measure it and improve the levels. Mixed landscaping, such as native trees, wildflower meadows, water features, hedges, supports insects, birds and small mammals. These are all important to support the entire ecosystem.
- Integrate Swift Nesting Bricks and Bat Ridge Roosts into the fabric of the house. These building products are designed specifically for the endangered red-listed birds and mammals to provide a safe nesting location within buildings. By installing these bricks and ridge roosts during construction, developers can contribute directly to species conservation. Manthorpe’s products are easy to integrate, durable, and compliant with wildlife regulations. Bat Ridge Roost and Dual Swift Brick can also be retrofitted to existing homes.
- Ensure accessibility of green space. They should be walkable and well-connected to homes. Small isolated patches don’t count if people can’t reach or don’t feel safe using them. A plan for their maintenance should also be provided.
- Use design to encourage community and activity. Incorporate paths for walking and cycling, benches, communal gardens or play areas. Green spaces should be part of everyday life, not locked away.
Developers and builders must support policy measures that guarantee green and blue space in every new development, and resist the tendency to treat nature as expendable.
Green space as the foundation of healthy housing developments
The increasing amount of research shared shows that access to nature is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. It should be considered a core requirement for socially sustainable housing.
By embedding simple accommodations for wildlife at the planning stage, we can change the current trajectory of support for nature at lower-value developments.
Manthorpe is currently working with a number of forward-thinking housebuilders to incorporate support for swifts and bats into their developments. We believe every new home should offer access to nature, and every new neighbourhood should support the health of residents and wildlife for generations to come.
To find out more about the products Manthorpe creates that can be seamlessly integrated into the walls and roofs of new homes, visit our Biodiversity page.
