Desk to Decision Journey
From Desk to Decision: The Planning Journey in Practice!
‘It’s no secret that the simple act of going outdoors provides kids with a bounty of cognitive, emotional and physical benefits. Kids who spend time in nature are happier, healthier, smarter, more cooperative, and more creative. Research also shows that getting outside reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Plus, it lowers the risk of childhood obesity and alleviates symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.’
The benefits of putting away screens and devices doesn’t just impact children in a positive way, it can also apply to adults who are dealing with the everyday challenges of family life, work, finances, health and other worries. Getting out and about together as a group offers a great way to find time and space to communicate whilst exploring and learning about the natural world.
From an article posted in 2025 by the BBC helping to encourage teenagers to enjoy the great outdoors, Kadra Abdinasir from the Centre for Mental Health said:
‘Research shows that spending time outdoors and in nature has many benefits and can help boost our overall wellbeing and mental health. Whether it’s a stroll in your local park, hiking or even birdwatching, being in nature can help improve our mood and help us feel more relaxed.’
Screen Free Week this year runs from the 4th to the 10th of May, with everyone encouraged to put down their devices and reconnect with the world around them.
Avoiding screens can be difficult at any age with mobile phones being an easy time vacuum; the term doomscrolling was named a 2020 word of the year by Oxford English Dictionary!
Putting devices away for dedicated time outside for exercise, exploring and engagement can be a vital way to make opportunities for adventures!
Planning can play a key role in these precious outdoor spaces. Applicants are sometimes required to make contributions for the enhancement or provision of existing green spaces to mitigate against the impact of additional visitors often referred to a Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG). Larger schemes often include dedicated areas for outdoor play and leisure. Councils set out requirements for how these spaces should be delivered often publishing their own Open Space Assessments. It is important to include the necessary areas for outdoor space as part of any planning layout. This also includes play equipment, areas for sports, private and shared gardens which also have their own minimum requirements to make sure that every home has somewhere to enjoy outside.
The links below are helpful signposts to find somewhere new to explore with friends, family or even colleagues on a lunchtime stroll!
It’s always best to check that you have a planned route beforehand which allows access and remember there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing!
You can contact us directly via the details below, or if you would prefer, you can fill in the form below and one of the team will be in touch.
From Desk to Decision: The Planning Journey in Practice!
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The Warner Planning team were excited to have the opportunity to experience the autonomous Ohmio LIFT when they were testing in Milton Keynes