Two thirds of people in the East Midlands, including Newark and Sherwood, want to see their local green space enhanced
More than two thirds of people in the East Midlands want to see their local green space enhanced, according to countryside charity CPRE and the HomeOwners Alliance.
Data has revealed 70% of those in the region think their local green space, or nearby countryside, could be enhanced, with the majority of those wanting more wildlife (55%) and a greater variety of plant life (54%).
The survey was commissioned by CPRE and the HomeOwners Alliance, and carried out online by YouGov when the lockdown started.
People in the East Midlands would like to see:
- More and a greater variety of trees, shrubs, hedgerows, plants and flowers (60%)
- More wildlife including birds, butterflies and bees (56%)
- Signposted walks in the countryside/green space (39%)
- Better maintenance (e.g. paths maintained, trees pruned, lawns cut) (34%)
- More facilities (e.g. café, toilets, seating) (29%)
Crispin Truman, chief executive at CPRE, said: "As lockdown eases, many people are turning to their local patch of green as a place to meet family and friends, subject of course to social distancing, as well as their daily dose of exercise and nature.
"We’ve been championing local countryside and green spaces for nearly a century, believing they are vital for our health and wellbeing — a natural health service as they’re now being called.
"But not everyone has access to green spaces and too many have been lost as the countryside next door to our largest towns and cities faces mounting pressure for development... by properly investing in our green spaces we can make these spaces easily accessible to more people and invite wildlife like birds, butterflies and bees back."
CPRE and the HomeOwners Alliance are calling for the government to go further to protect and enhance local green spaces so everyone has easy access from their doorsteps.