Hundreds of thousands of people could lose their local green space in the coming years due to development, research has warned today.

The annual Green Space Index, published by Fields in Trust, shows 2.7 million already live more than a ten-minute walk from their local public park. It estimates this will increase by 5% in the next five years, with green space provision falling by 7.6% per person by 2040.

Fields in Trust, in partnership with the Co-op, are calling on the Government to protect parks and green spaces for community wellbeing.

Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, said: 'Our local parks and green spaces have been crucial during the crisis and they will have a significant part to play in our recovery

'Yet our research shows that over 2.7 million people don’t have a park within a short walk of home and this number is forecast to grow over the coming years. This doesn’t have to be the case and that’s why we’re calling for a national strategy to recognise their value by ensuring access to parks and green spaces is guaranteed both now and in the future in areas where they are most needed.'