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We need to work together to ensure green spaces work for both people and wildlife

Posted on by Dan Johnston

South Glos Greens respond to Council consultation on green spaces

South Gloucestershire Green Party has developed a collective response to the consultation by South Gloucestershire Council on green spaces, which closes on 8th November. We encourage all local party members and others to respond individually to the consultation. Below are some key points that you might want to use in your responses.

Central to our response is the recognition that effective green spaces are vital for both people and wildlife:

1.   Our green spaces are vital to the mental and physical health of people in South Gloucestershire. In 2020 we have become particularly aware of the importance of local countryside for safe, socially distanced fresh air and exercise for people of all ages. Maintaining physical and mental health reduces the strain on local resources, an important consideration as the Council considers how to best use its budget for next year. We are concerned to hear of plans to develop on some green spaces that were important for recreation during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

2.     Our green spaces are vital for protecting biodiversity and addressing the Council’s climate commitments. In addition to playgrounds, paths and football pitches, our green spaces must enable safe spaces for wildlife to move about and thrive. They must also support a diversity of plant life. Commitment to protecting nature is in line with the Government’s recently announced goal of designating 30% of land to promote biodiversity by 2030. In addition, recent evidence from Finland suggests that improving biodiversity in play areas can improve children’s health.

In line with these two underlying principles, we call on the Council to:

–          Ensure that all existing green spaces cater for both humans and wildlife.

–          Work with local community groups such as Sustainable Thornbury to ensure that wildlife corridors are part of all planning decisions.

–          Involve all parties in discussions about green spaces, recognising the wealth of local groups in South Gloucestershire that are committed to preserving natural habitat in their local areas.

–          Continue to support grassroots initiatives such as community orchards and nature walks that help people to engage with their local environment in new ways, and support new initiatives to help local people have a role in protecting their local green spaces. We note, for example, the successful community orchard in Emersons Green.

–          Refuse planning permission to any new development that does not adequately ensure green space for both humans and wildlife.

–          Ensure that developers are held to account over their commitments to provide green space that meets the needs of both humans and wildlife.

–          Explore the development of an app that would allow residents to find green spaces in their area and information about the wildlife and plants that can be found there. We note that Thornbury, for example, already has something similar in the form of QR codes around the town and surrounding area.

We recognise that the Council faces many competing pressures on resources and targets from Government around house building and infrastructure development. Taking a holistic approach to addressing these demands will help ensure that the vital needs for people and wildlife for green space will not be overlooked.

With a playground, football pitches, park run, and wild space including a pond, Pomphrey Hill is a perfect example of essential green space