Urban expansion plans should incorporate more green spaces to keep people happy and to help nature heal.
According to experts, as urban populations rise, rapid residential growth can cause strain on nature.
Mark Schofield from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who have nearly 100 nature reserves in the county said: “With a housing allocation must come the infrastructure to support it. What hasn’t always had attention has been the provision of green spaces and these spaces are very useful for peoples mental and physical health.”
“The argument for incorporating these spaces into our urban planning is twofold. You have the case for people being happier, healthier and thus more productive whilst it also provides a place for nature to live amongst us.”
The trust has recently been campaigning for environmental reform for planning policies and they actively respond to planning proposals to offer guidance and expertise to help keep nature integrated with the development of land. They say that the government has been pushing for the largest housebuilding drive in 70 years to cope with demand and that it is crucial now more than ever to implement these green spaces.
With estimates that the city of Lincoln will hit 100,000 residents by 2026, it could mean council planners may need to consider the benefits of giving nature a home in the city’s expansion plans before it is too late.
Mark went on to say: “Trees and green spaces of sufficient quantity are good for us both economically and ecologically. We have got to remind those in charge of planning policy just how important the green spaces between the grey really are.”