Support

Representation ID: 3573

Received: 22/03/2021

Respondent: NEAT

This sounds good - but appars to be undermined by both contradictory polices (above) and by practice.
To promote wellbeing, contact with green space must be preserved. Refer to the growing body of research evidence (q.v. MIND, Dr. Jo Barton of Essex University inter al.) that shows the mental health benefits of contact with nature (ecotherapy). For some Bradford people, their only regular contact with nature is what is referred to in this document as "under-utilised land"; yet if it hosts wild flowers, it will host insects; and of it hosts inscts, it will host birds; and all of these can make a powerful benefit fo anxiety, depression and low-self-esteem.
The French are proposing to introduce a law making destruction of the natural environment a crime. A great idea.