Green spaces are an alien world for one in seven London children

One in seven children in London has not visited a green space in the last year, a shocking new report claims.

Backed by the Mayor of London, it says the problem is having a "serious impact on the emotional and physical wellbeing" of the capital's under-12s.

The Sowing The Seeds report, commissioned by the London Sustainable Development Commission, which advises the Mayor on green issues, is calling for local borough councils, planning authorities, schools, the Greater London Authority and other key bodies to reverse the trend. Researchers found one in three London families visit natural places less than six times a year, and that the problem is getting worse.

"This report shows that in recent decades there has been a decline in the number of under-12s accessing natural spaces on a regular basis to play," said Tim Gill, who wrote the report. He added: "The decline is steeper for children in poorer families and some black and minority ethnic groups. This is having a negative effect on an entire generation which is growing up disconnected from the natural world."

Two thirds of London's area is made up of green spaces or water, and 10 per cent is designated as Metropolitan Open Land. "Contact with nature can be seen as part of a 'balanced diet' of childhood experiences," said Mr Gill.

The report also warned that over-protective parents were one of the factors behind the drop. "There has been a big focus in recent years on protecting children from harm, eliminating all risk from their lives," said Mr Gill.

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's environment director, said: "Our city is getting safer, leafier and cleaner and we want to see more kids out and enjoying the green spaces our city has to offer."