Increasing access to greenspaces in the North Chilterns
Earlier this month, we held a workshop on making Luton’s greenspaces, and the wider Chilterns National Landscape, more accessible and inclusive.
Representatives from different organisations – from the countryside, conservation, and public health sectors, Local Access Forums and universities – came together to share learning and experiences, listen to presentations on a variety of themes, and inspire one another with examples of the fantastic work already taking place.
The workshop was also an opportunity to promote the 2025-26 Defra Access Funding, providing grants to help make greenspaces and the countryside more accessible for all.
Access for All funding is for physical and digital infrastructure improvements to make the Chilterns more accessible for people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Applications for Defra Access for All funding in 2025/26 are now open. We are seeking ideas and expressions of interest for potential projects and would love to hear from you.
The workshop was a chance to celebrate the exciting announcement that Luton Council has been successful with their 3-year, £1million Nature Towns and Cities bid, which will commence in January 2026.
Many of the organisations present at the workshop were involved with the bid and will work together to deliver a programme of community outreach, nature-based solutions, skills training, and volunteering opportunities across three green corridors, linking Luton and the wider Chilterns countryside.
The project will also fund a Collaborative Targeted Outreach Programme in Luton, recommended as a result of the groundbreaking Chalkscapes research published last year – which identified barriers to diverse communities accessing greenspaces and the countryside.
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Increasing access to greenspaces in the North Chilterns
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