Comment

Representation ID: 19285

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country

1h
Comment: WTBBC welcome the recognition in the policy of the importance of protecting, enhancing, and providing new green and blue infrastructure in creating an environment that protects and improves the physical, social and mental health and wellbeing of its residents, employees and visitors. It is WTBBC’s view, however, that this is of such significance that a standalone point be added that expands upon this, rather than green and blue infrastructure being combined with sports facilities, play and recreation opportunities.



Justification
5.16
Comment: WTBBC welcome the inclusion of green spaces as an important determiner of health, however, it is WTBBC’ view that this should instead read high quality natural greenspace. The value of accessible, high-quality natural greenspace to local communities is increasingly understood. For example, the Dasgupta Review 2021 states that access to green spaces can reduce socio-economic inequalities in health, and cites a longitudinal study covering over 10,000 UK residents that found that living in greener urban space was associated with greater life satisfaction (White et al. 2013).