Increase the number of green spaces in Rugby
Local Liberal Democrat, Lee Chase, in Admirals and Cawston is campaigning for a Country Park around the ancient woodland at Cawston Spinney because green spaces add value to our lives and save money for the tax payer.
Studies over many years have put the great value on the benefits to the UK of its green spaces, the most recent by 'Fields in Trust' on 7 May 2018 puts it at £34 billion a year. Saving the NHS at least £111 million per year just from GP visits not needed. The study estimates that to achieve the same benefits each person would need to spend £974.
During the Local Plan examination, it was put forward that a small fifteen-meter buffer might be adequate protection for this precious resource. This is despite Woodland Trust advice stating 50 metres as a minimum.
Lee Chase's proposal would see an additional few hectares of land allocated as green space west of the wood, connecting it to Cawston Greenway. The addition of footpaths and trees would create an effective country park for Rugby with three-plus miles of circular routes for walkers and cyclists. The connection to Cawston Greenway, the old Leamington rail line, offers the opportunity to continue that journey almost exclusively off-road to Draycote and Leamington.
Commenting, Lee Chase, said:
"Rugby Liberal Democrats fully support Rugby's green space standards and a proposal to create a country park for Rugby. This is not just because we love a day out, but because we believe in evidence-based policy and the verdict on green spaces is they are not only nice to look at but create genuine savings for the taxpayer. Rugby's Local Plan should resist any attempt to reduce Rugby's green space standards by those that wish to build on Oakfield and elsewhere but have a grander vision."
Fields in Trust Research shows UK parks and green spaces generate over £34 billion of health and wellbeing benefits