Making Space for Nature A Leicester Case Study. Dr Helen O Brien Leicester City Council

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1 Making Space for Nature A Leicester Case Study Dr Helen O Brien Leicester City Council Helen.Obrien@Leicester.gov.uk

2 Definitions Biodiversity (biological diversity) The variety of plant and animal life found in an ecosystem and the variation in their genetic makeup (JNCC 2009) Biodiversity is a measure of the health of an ecosystem, with healthy ecosystems having greater variety and variation in plant and animal life than unhealthy ones. Green Infrastructure (GI) is a network of multi-functional green space which sits within, and contributes to the type of high quality natural and built environment required to deliver sustainable communities. Delivering, protecting and enhancing this network requires the creation of new assets to link with river corridors, woodlands and nature reserves and urban greenspace and other existing assets. If properly planned and managed, GI should also contribute to wider environmental infrastructure through local climate and air quality amelioration, floodplain management, and coastal sea defences.

3 Framework for Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Agenda Lawton report Making Space for Nature Agenda bigger, better connectivity Natural Environment White Paper The Natural Choice 2009 Biodiversity 2020 Wildlife legislation e.g. W&C/CROW Acts, Habitats Directive (2010) EIA, NPPF Policy (2012) on natural environment and infrastructure Local Plan, Core Strategy Policies Action Plans, Site Guidance

4 NPPF and CS17, CS13 - Priority Habitats & Species Preserve, restore and re-create priority habitats, ecological networks Protect and promote recovery of priority species populations linked to national and local targets and identify suitable indicators for monitoring in the plan CS Policy 17 Biodiversity need for ecology surveys, sufficient mitigation and/or compensation for loss and disturbance CS Policy 13 Green Network ensuring connectivity between habitats Strategic level City-wide and beyond Cross-boundary administration Multi-purpose green space Connections and corridors for wildlife, people, water etc. Comprises of: Statutory Designated Sites - Sites of Special Scientific Interest - Local Nature Reserves Non-Statutory Designated Sites - Local Wildlife Sites - Biodiversity Enhancement Sites - Green Space in the Local Plan

5 Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity NPPF - Minimise impact on biodiversity planning polices should plan for biodiversity at a landscape-scale across LA boundaries and identify ecological networks, wildlife corridors and stepping stones for habitat restoration or creation

6 Green Infrastructure Connecting (Green) Leicester Examples of improving the Green/Ecological Network

7 Ashton Green Site Specific GI Mixed-use development 3500 houses, employment, schools

8 Ashton Green Site Specific GI Retention and enhancement of high value areas Network of inter-connecting green space Creation of specific habitat types to support wildlife

9 Hamilton Phase 2 - GI Former Local Wildlife Site no longer managed Proposed 80 houses with green space Compensation on adjacent land Creation of Pond, plant/enhance hedgerows, tree planting, re-instate meadow Associated benefits: Use by school for outdoor classroom

10 Aylestone Playing Fields and Castle Hill Country Park Ponds, meadow and tree planting: Funded by LCC Wetland, ponds, meadow and tree planting: Funded by Biffa Waste, Stepping Stones and LCC

11 Abbey Meadows Wetland and Ellis Fields Wetland, meadow Funded by 6Cs Growth Point Wetland, meadow, tree planting Funded and Project lead: EA

12 Green Roofs and Walls Victoria Park Medical Centre: Pond, meadow, green roof Regent College Green Wall, green roof, brown roof planning requirement

13 Brook and River Naturalisation Spinney Hill Park naturalise brook Funding: Heritage Lottery, EA

14 Biodiversity

15 Who Needs Banksy?