Parks: Under Pressure

Since 2000, London’s population has grown by over two million people.¹ With more than half of Londoners now living in flats,² public parks and green spaces are essential places for people to relax, meet, exercise, and enjoy nature. However, funding for parks has massively declined.

Recent analysis by the campaign group CPRE London shows that the amount of public green space per person (measured as within 400 metres of where they live), is far lower in parts of central London than in many suburbs, although there are ‘hot spots’ of low access in other areas.³

The growing population, and limited private gardens in new developments, means that London’s parks are under increasing pressure. This will only increase as London’s housing targets increase to 88,000 new homes a year,⁴ unless new green space is also created, or more funding is available for maintenance of existing spaces to ensure they all achieve consistent quality.

The Mayor has been urged to fund the creation of new parks in London, as well as supporting guidance to parks managers about how to adapt approaches to sustainable drainage and planting to ensure every Londoner has access to high quality green spaces, wherever they live.

The London Assembly Environment Committee has today published its report – Parks: Under pressure - following an investigation into the funding challenges for London’s parks, how they must adapt in a changing climate, and how they can become more inclusive.

Throughout the investigation the Committee heard how parks play a key role in supporting nature and reducing the impacts of climate change, particularly through tree canopy cover supporting urban cooling and absorbing rainwater to prevent flooding.

Recommendations in the report include:

• The Greater London Authority (GLA) to continue to support climate resilience by funding the creation of new parks, as well as sustainable drainage systems and planting approaches in existing ones. Work should continue with Parks for London to share good practice on adapting parks and green spaces for a changing climate.
• The new London Plan should include clear minimum standards for the provision of green space per person. It should also restate and strengthen the commitment to ensuring all Londoners have access to high quality green space within 800m (a ten-minute walk) of their home.
• The GLA should fund Parks for London to develop resources to address the strategic challenges facing London’s parks, including case studies of innovative funding for parks in London, such as habitat banks for ‘biodiversity net gain’ and ways to create stronger links between parks and NHS health provision.
• The GLA should fund Parks for London and/or other partners to develop a regular (every two years) London-wide survey of parks users and volunteers to understand more about who is involved in parks across the city, practical barriers to volunteering, and to track progress in increasing diversity of community involvement.
   

Leonie Cooper AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, said:

“Parks play a key role in supporting nature and reducing the impacts of climate change, particularly through canopy cover supporting urban cooling and absorbing rainwater to prevent flooding.

“They are also vital to the city’s environmental health, public wellbeing, and community life.

“We heard strong evidence throughout our investigation of the important role parks play, and with a growing population and changing climate, it is essential these spaces are properly funded and are designed in a way that means they will last for future generations to enjoy.

“However, funding for parks has declined in many boroughs. Local authority budgets for parks have fallen by approximately eight per cent since 2008, while the capital’s population has risen by over 15 per cent.

“We have seen the Mayor carry out work to help improve London’s parks following previous reports from the London Assembly Environment Committee, and we hope he considers our report recommendations to further enhance London’s green space offering.”

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