We would like to see biodiversity included as one of the aims in providing open space. Creating and maintaining some areas of natural greenspace, including woodland, can help to make the areas more attractive for local people. Our Trees or Turf report (available on the Woodland Trust website at http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/search/?Query=trees+or+turf&newTemplate=true sets out the benefits of including small areas of woodland as part of urban greenspace and also finds that their ongoing management costs are much cheaper than that for intensively mown grass. Reduced management costs could increase the likelihood of these areas being well maintained, which would enhance their attractiveness to local people.

Some councils have adopted access standards to help them estimate the amount of natural greenspace or woodland that is needed in their area. For example, Natural England have developed an Access to Natural Greenspace Standard and the Woodland Trust has developed an Access to Woodland Standard. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/search/?Query=space+for+people&sortby=date&count=12