Sixth form students and college students attended the House of Commons to give their views on balancing the housing, nature and climate crises as the Government looks to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years.
Students attended from: Carmel College, St Helens; Laurus Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle Hulme; Paulet High School, Burton-on-Trent; St Thomas More School, Nuneaton; and Stansted Airport College, Stansted.
The visit contributes to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry, ‘Environmental sustainability and housing growth’. The inquiry is seeking to explore how much needed housing can be delivered without being detrimental to UK nature.
During the morning event, students discussed amongst themselves the importance they place on housing and the environment, what the Government should be thinking about, and designed their own towns with the infrastructure that would be needed to support new homes and nature. Following their discussions, they presented their findings to members of the Environmental Audit Committee.
Some of the points the students raised included:
- The importance of community spaces such as green areas and leisure centres to build community and offer access to outdoor space.
- The role of joined up cycle paths and reliable bus services to reduce the need for cars. Encouraging cycling and walking can have both mental and physical health benefits.
- More solar panels and access to electric vehicle charging would be beneficial for homes, as would using low-carbon building materials. Some of the students spoke of the opportunities for ‘living’ green roofs and walls.
- The importance of both manmade and natural flood defences when designing new towns.
Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said: “Our young people will feel the brunt of the housing, nature and climate crises as they grow up, potentially struggling to get on the housing ladder and where the impacts of climate change will feel more severe. It was only fitting that they support our inquiry into this important topic. The students raised a number of interesting points, such as the importance of outdoor community spaces and ensuring good flood defences – both natural and manmade – to protect homes.
“I would like to thank all the students for their invaluable contribution to our inquiry, which will result in a report to Government as to how ministers can balance the needs of our precious natural environment and making sure we have enough homes in our country.”
