Mixing with nature could be just 15 minutes away for everyone under new Government plan

Nobody in the UK will be more than 15 minutes from green space or water, the Government promised yesterday.

The plan will involve ensuring the health benefits of greenery and nature can be experienced by everyone.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said yesterday that lockdown highlighted the need for green space.

She added: ‘Initially, it was a tale of two cities – as families with no garden were shut out of their local park. 

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey, pictured on January 17 on Downing Street, said yesterday that lockdown highlighted the need for green space

‘That is why I am particularly pleased by our pledge in this plan to bring access to a green or blue space within 15 minutes’ walk of everyone’s homes – whether that be through parks, canals, rivers, countryside or coast.’

The measure, part of the Government’s Environment Improvement Programme, will involve creating areas of woodland, wetland, and park.

In a further part of the plan, hedgerows once ripped out in the name of progress will be restored.

After 1945, farmers were encouraged to remove hedges to create bigger farms suited to large machinery – at the expense of birds and wildlife.

An expected 30,000 miles of hedgerows will be created or restored by 2037 – and 45,000 by 2050.