Calderdale homes the least likely in Yorkshire to have gardens, ONS research shows

Mental health charity Mind says spending time outdoors during the coronavirus crisis can be an important way to boost our mood, help manage mental health problems, and improve our physical well-being.

But Office for National Statistics figures show that many households have been living without access to gardens during the lockdown – just one of a “whole range of housing-related inequalities” the pandemic has brought to the fore, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank.

In Calderdale, 15% of homes do not have a private garden, patio or balcony area – the highest proportion in Yorkshire and The Humber, where 10% of homes do not have access to private outside space on average.

The area in Yorkshire and The Humber where the most homes have gardens is North East Lincolnshire, where only 5% of residents have no outdoor space.

Lindsay Judge, principal research and policy analyst at think tank the Resolution Foundation, said: "The lockdown has brought to the fore a whole range of housing-related inequalities – from insecurity for those in private rented accommodation, to overcrowding and a lack of access to gardens or other nearby green spaces.

“Post-pandemic we need to ensure that housing policy focuses on quality and security, as well as quantity. That should mean homes – and housing contracts – that are fit for all types of families.”

According to the ONS, black people are four times more likely than white people to not have access to even a communal outdoor area nationally – 37% compared to 10%.

Older people and those in managerial or other white-collar occupations are also more likely to have a garden than younger people or manual workers.

While most people are now allowed outdoors for unlimited exercise, Mind says some people may find it difficult to get outside as they feel low or unmotivated, or are worried about being near other people.

“However, there are lots of ways that we can overcome these barriers,” a spokesman said.

“We can start by bringing the nature into our homes by simply sitting by an open window, taking in the sounds, smells, and views.

“Buying a plant or seeds to grow inside or in the garden can also help us become familiar with nature.”

The figures also reveal that the average Calderdale garden is 246 square metres – smaller than the national average of 332.7.