Access to trees and greenspaces in English cities lags behind other nations

15:40 - 07 Feb 2026

Access to trees and greenspaces is consistently low across English cities, according to a new study led by the University of Leeds. Researchers used a recognized three-part framework for measuring tree and greenspace access in urban neighborhoods in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent and Plymouth, and found that at best, only 2% of buildings in any city region met all three components of the rule.