Press Release - Enhancing urban green space
2 March 2006
The decline in quality of urban green space in England –
including urban squares, parks, green corridors and nature reserves
- has been halted in most areas and there are signs of recovery in
many places.
According to today’s report to Parliament by head of the
National Audit Office, Sir John Bourn, initiatives led by the ODPM
have helped to reverse the decline in the quality of green space in
many urban neighbourhoods. Greater priority for green space
investment and new sources of funds from central government and the
lottery have enabled local authorities, public bodies and over 4000
communities to bring about the refurbishment and renewal of many
green spaces. Notable examples include project to refurbish
Sheffield Botanical Gardens and King Edward Memorial Park in East
London.
In 2000, fewer than 44 per cent of green space managers believed
that quality in their local authority was improving or stable. By
2005, this had increased to 84 per cent. In 2000, more than 55 per
cent of urban local authorities considered their historic green
spaces were declining in quality. This had fallen to 16 per cent in
2005. 83% of green space managers consider that the work of ODPM
and its sponsored body, CABE Space, has raised the status of green
spaces issues, through policy, and strategic and practical
guidance.
However in a minority (16%) of places, green space continues to
decline. And surveys of residents show a wide variation in levels
of satisfaction with local green space, from a low of 54 per cent
satisfied to a high of 92 per cent. Today’s report points out that
the worst-performing local authorities in respect of green spaces
are not necessarily those in the most deprived areas.
The sustainability of improvement of many green spaces is not
guaranteed. Although much progress has been made, one third of
urban local authorities still do not have strategies for their
green space and many existing strategies are weak, particularly in
identifying costs and demonstrating efficiency. Without adopting
the strategic approach recommended by Government, there is a danger
that resources will be targeted badly – for example, by making a
good park even better at the expense of a run-down green space in a
deprived area that desperately needs improvement. Or letting a
newly refurbished urban green space go back into decline through
lack of maintenance and upkeep. The mistakes of the past such as
the restoration and subsequent decline of Liverpool Garden Festival
need to be avoided.
The voice of green space is often dissipated within local
authorities and underrepresented in important local decision-making
arenas. Central government expects and supports local green space
managers to make the case for green space expenditure against other
pressing priorities. But there needs to be continued investment in
their capacity and training otherwise there is a risk that when
budgets are tight, the case for green space will not be made
effectively, will slip down the local priority list and decline set
in again.
Sir John Bourn said:
“Good quality green space is a vital element of a
civilized urban environment. It is welcome, therefore, that
initiatives by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are in many
parts of the country contributing to a reverse of the decline in
the quality of urban green space. This improving trend must be
sustained and extended to those urban communities who still have to
put up with poor quality green space.
“The provision of urban green space is still at risk of
being treated as a Cinderella service at the local level. The case
for expenditure needs to be made more effectively and resources
targeted where they will have most effect in improving the
environment of green spaces.”
Notes for Editors:
- Urban green space includes many types of land in an urban
setting from formally designated areas such as parks to more
natural areas such as corridors along river banks. Such green areas
account for an estimated 14 per cent of urban space. The NAO
estimates that the cost of maintaining and renovating urban green
space was about £700 million in 2004-05. Local authorities have the
key strategic role in ensuring sufficient local provision of good
quality urban green space, although a number of other bodies,
particularly housing associations, may be responsible for managing
elements of green space.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office which employs some 800 staff. He
and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 16/06
All enquiries to Barry Lester, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 7937
Mobile: 07748 181692