Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner’s announcement of an overhaul of the planning system to pave the way for 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) said:

“We acknowledge the importance of addressing the housing shortage in England and the Government's drive to build 1.5 million new homes. However, we urge that this ambition be balanced with the equally crucial need to enhance urban green spaces and gardens with them, which are vital for biodiversity, urban cooling, flood resilience, and overall public wellbeing.

“Green spaces provide natural cooling and make cities more liveable during heatwaves. In 2020 alone, they prevented the loss of 49,126 lifeyears due to air pollution.

“We advocate for a bold national programme of urban greening supported by reformed planning processes and guidelines. This should set clear targets for garden size and biodiversity, ensuring at least 29.5% of space in new developments is dedicated to gardens to maintain the current proportion of Britain’s urban residential gardens.

“The fact that 29.5% of the UK’s urban areas are domestic gardens—covering around 0.54 million hectares—underscores the immense potential of these spaces. Garden areas in England are more than four and a half times larger than our National Nature Reserves, representing a colossal resource for thousands of species. This is why preserving, expanding and maintaining garden space is of national significance. 

“The Deputy Prime Minister has pledged to “increase access to green spaces, and we look forward to seeing the details and how this will be implemented. Enhancing green spaces is not just about addressing the housing crisis but also about improving the quality of our communities. Prioritising green spaces promotes renewal, raises living standards, and fosters healthier, more vibrant neighbourhoods. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure that new planning policies balance housing development with the creation of sustainable, high-quality green spaces.”