Local plans should be revised to place greater emphasis on quality green spaces within housing developments, according to a new report looking at biodiversity in the built environment.
“Revising local plans to place greater emphasis on the provision of green and blue infrastructure, sustainable travel, and high-quality open spaces will not be easy – particularly in built-up, high-density areas where there is a real need to create green space – but this is no reason not to try,” says Ben Kite, managing director of consultancy Ecological Planning & Research and author of the report.
Office for National Statistics figures show there is a positive relationship between green and blue space and property value. Its data shows that biodiversity can add almost £3,000 to the price of an average house – equivalent to £77.9bn across the residential market.
“The wheels have been set in motion for the creation and improvement of green space in England, with the biodiversity net gain requirements set out in the emerging Environment Bill,” says Kite.
He adds: “The Bill will mandate for residential, commercial and infrastructure developers to demonstrate that biodiversity has been enhanced through all new projects. But I believe we can do more to build more resilient, greener communities by bringing green space to the top of the agenda in every new local plan.”
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