Landscaping & Outside Communal Areas Feature


Landscaping & External Works


Outside spaces that work


Jack Potter from Ground Control explores how the housing sector can unlock the value of green space, and help the next generation to reap the benefits of their natural world


W


hile biodiversity recovery is oſten seen as second in priority to solving climate change, in reality, they are intrinsically linked. As the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said at COP27 in Egypt


“there is no solution to climate change without protecting and restoring nature.” With just 53% of our natural wildlife and fauna leſt from before the


industrial revolution, familiar sights like the hedgehog, dormouse or red squirrel are now rare. Te turtle dove, once a commonly found bird in England, is the fastest declining bird species in the UK and on the brink of extinction following a 98% reduction in the last 40 years. Te good news is the housing sector is in a unique position to accelerate


action. Across social, local authority, supported living, care, retirement and new build residential development, we can maximise the value of outside spaces for people and nature.


BIODIVERSITY AS AN ENABLER Until now, nature and biodiversity has been a fringe issue for housing associations and so understandably its impact has been limited. However, at a time when difficult decisions are being made, nature positive


green asset management is proving an effective enabler – providing greater social value, revenue generation and cost reduction.


SOCIAL VALUE Te Green Spaces Advisory Board (GSAB) – a cross-industry collaboration of ground control and seven leading housing associations – reports that residents are increasingly mindful of the environmental impact of their homes and communities, and are oſten keen to explore more sustainable ways of maintaining them.


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMFebruary/March 2023 | 45


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