Following a recent Natural England webinar, we take a closer look at the connection between nature and public health, and the vital steps needed to reconnect communities with green spaces.
The link between nature and health has never been clearer. From improving mental well-being to mitigating the effects of climate change, green spaces are crucial for creating healthier, more resilient communities. During a recent ADEPT and Natural England webinar, a panel of experts explored how towns and cities can make the most of nature’s benefits and discussed the need for systemic collaboration.
Nature’s value in improving health and well-being is profound. Studies show that access to green spaces reduces anxiety, supports recovery from illness and can even foster safer behaviours, including the surprising finding, noted by Professor Kathy Willis of Oxford University, that the scent of roses can improve driver safety. Rather than being interesting trivia, these insights highlight the scientifically backed benefits of integrating nature into everyday life.
Dr. Elaine Mulcahy of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change shared sobering data that a third of the UK population lacks access to quality green space, with urban areas often hardest hit. She emphasised that this inequity exacerbates health disparities, as communities deprived of nature suffer worse mental and physical outcomes. Addressing this requires more than just expanding access, it means ensuring these spaces are inviting and perceived as safe by all.
The panel’s insights revealed the complexities of encouraging access and Dr. William Bird of Intelligent Health recounted the psychological barriers faced by some communities. In one instance, residents avoided a local park due to lingering fear stemming from past incidents. Only sustained, community-led engagement, including involving schools to rebuild trust, transformed the space into a thriving hub of activity.
By bringing together local authorities, health professionals and environmental experts, ADEPT helps to unlock innovative ideas that integrate nature into planning. This leadership is essential to breaking down silos between sectors, which was a recurring theme during the discussion.
Dave Bell of Natural England highlighted this need for integration, pointing to his organisation’s health strategy, which promotes green social prescribing and aligning health planning with nature recovery. “It’s about moving towards a whole-system approach,” he explained, stressing the importance of partnerships to bridge gaps between nature conservation and public health. ADEPT’s role in convening these conversations ensures that leaders are equipped to translate national strategies into actionable local outcomes.
Matthew Lipton from South Gloucestershire Council provided a practical example of breaking down silos. His team developed a “decision-making wheel,” requiring all projects exceeding £100,000 to account for climate and nature impacts. Initially seen as an obstacle, the wheel has actually fostered collaborative thinking across departments. “Highways engineers now proactively ask how they can incorporate green solutions.”
Implementing systemic change also requires addressing structural barriers. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policies and Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) were identified as tools with untapped potential. While these frameworks provide statutory support for integrating nature into development, concerns remain about unintended consequences, such as biodiversity “offsetting” that may reinforce existing inequalities.
Addressing such challenges demands innovative approaches to funding and evaluation. Ansaf Azhar, Director of Health at Oxfordshire County Council shared the importance of building robust business cases for preventative measures, linking green spaces to measurable health outcomes. His team’s Health Impact Evaluation Unit is pioneering this work by quantifying savings in healthcare linked to green initiatives, e.g. reduced GP visits. However, he cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, advocating instead for tailored solutions that account for local contexts.
For communities historically excluded from green spaces, activating local networks is key. As Ansaf put it, “It’s about understanding intersectionality and addressing fears and barriers specific to each community.” This may involve collaborating with faith leaders, engaging youth groups or conducting detailed community profiles to find solutions.
Ultimately, the discussion highlighted a shared aspiration to create communities where nature is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of well-being. Achieving this requires sustained commitment from all sectors, along with a willingness to experiment and learn.
By continuing to facilitate discussions like these, ADEPT can empower local leaders to integrate nature into more aspects of community planning. Together, we can move from seeing green spaces as “nice to have” amenities to knowing that they are essential infrastructure and critical to the health of our communities.
Ann Carruthers is Director of Environment and Transport at Leicestershire County Council and President of ADEPT [Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport].
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Image: Tim Umphreys via Unsplash