Katie Neenan, Senior Public Affairs Executive at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), highlights the importance of access to gardens and green spaces for health, wealth and the environment
Seven per cent of UK adults do not have access to a garden or outdoor space and this will only increase if gardens are not factored into the delivery of the government’s 1.5m new homes (YouGov for HTA). The problem is exacerbated for those living in deprived areas, who are more likely to live in neighbourhoods with less access to public green space1. The government’s ambition to build 1.5m homes must therefore include 1.5m gardens.
Gardens are an extension of the home – providing space to dry the washing on a warm summer’s day; al fresco dining with friends and family; a place to feed and support local wildlife; watch seeds grow or enjoy some homegrown vegetables. They create safe spaces for children to learn through play; for pets to roam, and people to unwind.
The UK’s parks, urban forests, and other green spaces deliver vital environmental, social, economic, and health and wellbeing benefits to individuals, communities and society. 85 per cent of UK adults agree that gardens and public green spaces benefit their mental wellbeing, with 71 per cent saying they benefit their physical health. Gardens also play a significant role in preventative healthcare – the estimated economic benefits per person from reduced public service use as a result of attending a therapeutic garden project are £830–£31,520 after 1 year and £6,450–£11,980 after 10 years2.
Trees and planting also help manage and mitigate flood risk, provide cooling in urban areas, reduce air pollution, and sequester carbon. Gardens are vital habitats and provide crucial wildlife corridors, particularly in urban environments, where so many of our beloved native species, like hedgehogs, are at risk because of habitat loss.
The environmental horticulture sector is responsible for growing, manufacturing, designing and delivering for our gardens and green spaces. It is made up of over 90 per cent SMEs, supports 722,000 green jobs, contributes £38bn to GDP and delivers nearly £8.4bn in tax revenues3 every year, with the potential to grow further. However, the cost of doing business has risen significantly in recent years. That’s why environmental horticulture must be supported so that our members can continue to deliver our vital plants and trees.
This party conference season, we ask that parliamentarians:
Champion gardens and green spaces as vital to the delivery of 1.5m homes.
Call for new developments to incorporate at least 29.5 per cent space for garden density to maintain the current proportion of Britain’s urban residential gardens.
Call for a Government Office for Green Spaces, which recognises the value of green spaces and drives the growth of the environmental horticulture sector that delivers them.
Gardens and green spaces aren’t a luxury for the few, but essential in the happiness, health, and wellbeing of our people.
References
The Health Foundation, Inequalities in access to green space https://www.health.org.uk/evidence-hub/our-surroundings/green-space/inequalities-in-access-to-green-space
Trellis Scotland, Cost-Benefits Analysis of Social & Therapeutic Horticulture, http://www.trellisscotland.org.uk/content/research
HTA, Sector Insights report https://hta.org.uk/media/eyyl0tt3/environmental-horticulture-and-industry-insights-2025-digital-a0124-compressed.pdf
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