How gardens became our private ‘green belts’ – The Yorkshire Post says

Indeed, it validates the predisposition of many in the suburbs to treat their garden as an extra reception room, with a set of chairs and a barbecue instead of a TV set in the corner, rather than as a place for creative horticulture.

Nevertheless, passive gardeners such as these are still more likely to seek out nature elsewhere on a regular basis, say the researchers. This is good for their health and good too for the rural economy.

It does, however, put at a disadvantage those in inner cities whose flats and terraces do not afford them the luxury of their own, private green belt.

This cannot continue. The outdoors are for everyone, and the provision of gardens in residential developments must in future be regarded as an integral feature, not an optional extra.

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James Mitchinson

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