- Urban residents are expected to gain from an effort supported by £9 million in government money.
- Parks will be built in areas that lack green space the most.
- A total expenditure of £2 million will fund tree planting in new parks.
Over 100 new and upgraded green spaces will be available to residents of towns and cities across the UK thanks to £9 million in government funding.
In urban areas, the Levelling Up Parks Fund will build new and renovated parks, fostering community interaction and outdoor recreation.
The government hopes that by launching the fund during Love Parks Week, each new or enhanced green space would be a haven for the neighbourhood, fostering creativity and good mental health while simultaneously advancing goals for net zero emissions.
In 85 of England’s neighbourhoods with the least access to green space, municipalities will receive funding to build new parks or dramatically renovate those that already exist.
Liverpool, Birmingham, Carlisle, and 16 London boroughs are among the areas that stand to gain.
For those who most need it, access to quality green space will be greatly increased by the new parks, especially for those without gardens who want to spend time outside with their loved ones.
Councils will have the option of choosing the style and location of any new or refurbished parks in their neighbourhood, ranging from community gardens to formal greens and town parks, making each green space as distinctive as the neighbourhood it serves.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Greg Clark MP said:
Parks and green spaces are at the heart of our communities, providing sanctuary from the bustling streets of our towns and cities and spaces for people to relax and come together.
Over the past few years, the importance of spending time with loved ones and getting outdoors has become even more apparent, and this latest government funding will help people living in urban areas do just that.
I look forward to seeing the new parks come to life and making a real difference to people’s daily lives for years to come.
£2 million of the overall investment will fund tree planting on the park areas, adding to the effort to make the UK a greener place to live.
This will reduce CO2 emissions and improve the quality of the air for both humans and wildlife.
Additionally, it backs up the government’s pledge to triple tree planting rates during this Parliament.
The fund distributes payments to areas backed by information from Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework mapping that the government has determined are most in need of high-quality green space as opposed to through a competitive bidding procedure.
The UK government has given the devolved administrations more than £1 million from the fund, and we are still in constant contact with them as we figure out how to effectively use the money to assist green areas in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Forestry Minister, Lord Zac Goldsmith said:
This funding will ensure that people from all backgrounds have access to nature by supporting tree planting within public green spaces in our urban communities – where tree cover is often the lowest.
It will help us meet our tree planting ambitions – as well as making our towns and cities healthier, better insulated to a changing climate, and generally more pleasant places to be.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England said:
Big or small, green areas help us to connect with nature and support the health of our communities. Our research showed that 4 in 10 people said visiting green and natural spaces had been even more important to their wellbeing since the pandemic began.
This investment will create new habitats for our precious wildlife and build beautiful places for everyone to enjoy, with our data and expertise supporting the development of green spaces in areas where communities say they are needed the most.
Further information
The eligible areas in England are chosen using data from Natural England.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation and low proximity to green spaces are taken into account when determining eligibility.
‘Tree uplift’ funding of £2 million from the government’s historic Nature for Climate Fund, announced as part of the 2020 Budget, will be provided as part of the Levelling Up Parks Fund.
Given the value of trees in urban communities, this will pay for the preparation, acquisition, planting, and ongoing maintenance of trees in any urban green space covered by Levelling Up Parks Fund projects.
They offer shade, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and promote health and well-being.
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund and the Levelling Up Parks Fund are two initiatives supported by the Nature for Climate Fund that seek to increase the number of trees in our towns and cities.
The suitable areas in England are chosen using data from Natural England.
The Indices of Multiple Deprivation and low proximity to green areas are taken into account when determining eligibility.
‘Tree uplift’ money of £2 million from the government’s historic Nature for Climate Fund, announced as part of the 2020 Budget, will be provided as part of the Levelling Up Parks Fund.
Given the value of trees in urban areas, this will pay for the preparation, acquisition, planting, and continuing upkeep of trees in any urban green space covered by Levelling Up Parks Fund initiatives.
They offer shade, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and promote health and well-being.
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund and the Levelling Up Parks Fund are two initiatives supported by the Nature for Climate Fund that seek to increase the amount of trees in our towns and cities.
The 85 areas in England to receive funding are:
| Region | Council |
|---|---|
| East Midlands | Bassetlaw, Derby, East Lindsey, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, West Lindsey |
| East of England | Basildon, Castle Point, Fenland, Great Yarmouth, Ipswich, Luton, Norwich, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Tendring |
| London | Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Brent, Camden, Croydon, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Westminster |
| North East | County Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland |
| North West | Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Carlisle, Halton, Hyndburn, Knowsley, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Pendle, Preston, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, Tameside, Wigan, Wirral |
| South East | Eastbourne, Hastings, Havant, Medway, Portsmouth, Reading, Rother, Southampton, Swale |
| West Midlands | Birmingham, Dudley, East Staffordshire, Redditch, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, City of Kingston upon Hull, Leeds, North East Lincolnshire, Sheffield |