Sue the Council For Access to Green?

There is good evidence that access to nature-rich spaces boosts physical and mental wellbeing of humans, whilst reducing their mortality. One in three people in England cannot, however, access nature near their home. Predictably, the poorest communities fare worse, being twice as likely to live in a neighbourhood without nature-rich spaces. More than 60 nature, planning, health and equality organisations are now petitioning government to allow communities and NGOs to take local authorities to court, if they fail to provide healthy green space. This would especially apply when new housing developments are contemplated (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/21/uk-wildlife-campaigners-call-for-legal-right-to-access-nature-for-all). The campaigning organisations regard access to green space (supported by 80% of the UK public) as part of the 'levelling up' process. Improving access to nature-rich green spaces is certainly a good idea. This could be done by sensitively rewilding some areas and/or by improving transport links to nearby existing localities. Local councils, however, may not be the obvious target. Some can be obstructive but many have seen their budgets slashed by central government. Councils already have many services that they have to supply (e.g. child protection). Central government also appears to be about to cut back the funding for local transport, including buses (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/21/uk-government-pushed-to-come-clean-as-decision-on-bus-funding-looms). Although Councils nominally have the control over new housing developments, central government often exerts pressure in its drive to create more properties. Perhaps central government is the more obvious target? It might also legally be rather difficult to determine what is an appropriate level of provision of 'green space'. How large should it be? How diverse? Who should maintain it? Should the likely footfall by human visitors be an issue? Should people be free to bring their pets into it? The scope for 'greenwash' appears to be quite extensive.