A partnership project between three of the UK's largest housing groups - Places for People, The Riverside Group and Peabody - Green Spaces for People represents one of the biggest environmental challenges to be carried out by the housing sector.

The project has been made possible through a £15.6 million grant awarded by the Big Lottery Fund Changing Spaces programme, together with matched funding from the partners and local stakeholders.

The five-year plan will see the transformation of poor quality open spaces into well-designed areas for local people to enjoy. Proposals include the introduction of parks and community gardens as well as the creation of sports facilities, play areas, wildlife habitats, sensory gardens and green social enterprises. Each neighbourhood has been looked at individually and each space is being specially designed to suit the needs of the local community.

Over 70 neighbourhoods are included in the plans which means that more than 19,000 people will benefit from this investment.

The aim of the project is to not only physically transform these areas but also improve the quality of life for the residents who live there. It has been proven that well-designed green spaces promote social cohesion – bringing the community together and reducing anti-social behaviour. Individual projects will improve people’s health, enhance wildlife and biodiversity, helping to reduce the impact of housing on the environment.