New data published by Fields in Trust, the UK charity that has protected Britain’s parks, playgrounds, playing fields and green spaces for over a century, reveals that most green space across Horsham is at risk of disappearing.

According to this year’s Green Space Index, the most comprehensive independent assessment of green space provision in Britain, only six per cent of Horsham residents live near a public recreational space that is protected by Fields in Trust. This means that, for the majority, access to this essential infrastructure is under threat.

The findings reveal the scale of the issue locally. Just six per cent of Horsham residents live within the catchment of a site that carries Fields in Trust’s permanent legal protection. This is nearly half the average for the South East (11 per cent) and trails behind the national average (14 per cent).

In Horsham, 17 per cent of residents live more than a 10-minute walk from their nearest green space, more than double the average for England (eight per cent).

Just six per cent of Horsham residents live near a protected park, making the future of its green spaces uncertain. Pictures courtesy of Fields in Trust

placeholder image — Just six per cent of Horsham residents live near a protected park, making the future of its green spaces uncertain. Pictures courtesy of Fields in Trust

Across the South East region, over 913,000 people live outside of this threshold, amounting to the largest access gap in Britain.

Fields in Trust provides the UK’s only proven legal model to safeguard parks, playgrounds and green spaces forever. With over 3,000 spaces already protected, the organisation defends public land from being lost to development. Across communities, green spaces provide vital places for play, relaxation, and social connection.

Despite the value that communities place in parks, playgrounds and playing fields, the majority of these spaces lack any permanent legal protection, meaning they could be sold, built on or lost at any point.

Across the UK, 86 per cent of people live near a park or green space that is at risk of disappearing, and they are continuing to be lost at alarming rates. Fields in Trust wants to see this changed, and is calling for its Deed of Dedication to be adopted on behalf of green spaces across the country.

The new data arrives after Horsham Park received permanent protection by Fields in Trust earlier in September

In September 2026, Horsham Park, which combines play areas, sports pitches, a sensory garden and other assets, received Fields in Trust protection. This guarantees that this treasured community hotspot will continue to serve local residents, forever.

The announcement follows a campaign led by the Friends of Horsham Park, who aim to raise £1,000 to allow Fields in Trust to continue its vital work.

Anyone who would like to help Friends of Horsham Park meet their £1,000 target can do so at www.friendsofhorshampark.co.uk.

Sally Sanderson, chair of Friends of Horsham Park, said: “Horsham Park is central to the identity, wellbeing, and attractiveness of our town. It’s very busy and highly valued by the community as a place for play and friendship, for supporting our physical and mental wellbeing.

“Horsham has grown considerably and continues to grow. Like everywhere, there is pressure on land for new homes, but it is vital this is balanced with access to high-quality green space.

“We fought to protect the park because we know its true value and that it is irreplaceable. We wanted to ensure future residents inherit a Horsham that is greener, healthier, and stronger because the park at its heart has been protected.”

As the UK Government pushes to build 1.5 million new homes, Fields in Trust says green space should be treated as essential infrastructure from the outset, not an afterthought, particularly in a region where so little of what already exists is protected.

Fields in Trust’s Standards, the most widely used national benchmarks for green space provision, are already referenced in the UK Government’s recently updated National Planning Policy Framework, but the charity argues this does not go far enough.

It is calling for the Standards to be mandated in local plans, so that every new community is built with the right quantity, quality, and accessibility of green space.

Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, said: “The community-led campaign to protect Horsham Park is a testament to the value that Horsham residents find in accessible, high-quality green spaces. We are pleased to have finalised the Deed of Dedication with Horsham District Council to ensure that this treasured asset can never be lost.

“Still, with 94 per cent of Horsham residents living near a green space which has no legal protection, there is more work to be done. Green space should never be the thing that gets built over simply because it happens to have no legal status. We hope to continue our relationship with the council, bringing more of these vital community assets under our permanent protection.”

This release is one of eight regional findings being published from this year's Green Space Index, spotlighting how access to protected, everyday green space varies across Great Britain.

The eight areas include Harlech in North Wales, Wrexham in North Wales, Liverpool, Greater Manchester, South Derbyshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, Tower Hamlets in London, and Horsham in West Sussex.