Weaver Valley Green Infrastructure data

Weaver Valley Green Infrastructure data

Introduction Introduction Green infrastructure is a 150m 1 asset that we propose can be better used to provide competitive advantage and underpin sustainable growth for the Weaver valley. There are five key benefits for Weaver Valley in taking this approach Providing an attractive setting for investment, improving quality of place and Setting the Scene for the Weaver Valley, Creating new jobs and business opportunities - For example 2800 homes in the valley are off gas grid, supply of biomass from local woodlands creates jobs keeping money in the valley, lowers fuel bills and mitigates climate change. Improving health and wellbeing - Map 5 shows the areas of health deprivation in the Weaver Valley. Adapting to projected climate change for example over 900 homes are in flood zone 2, 3000 homes are in or within 100m of it. Increasing tourism and the numbers of people visiting the Weaver Valley towns, such as the 250,000 people who visit Northwich Woodlands each year, but few of them go into surrounding towns or villages. In isolation trees, grassland, waterways or hedgerows are merely attractive, but collectively they deliver functions and benefits that are critical to the wellbeing of residents and for the investment potential of an area. Green infrastructure manages our water, reduces flood risk and air pollution, provides areas for recreation and quiet, provides opportunities for tourism, underpins land and property values, contributes to our health and wellbeing and assists in improving productivity. It can also enhance neighbourhood pride and community cohesion. 1 Based on a valuation carried out using the Green Infrastructure Valuation Toolkit

Tourism Land and property values Products from the land Productivity Green Infrastructure Benefits Climate change adaptation and mitigation Land and biodiversity Flood alleviation and management Health and wellbeing Quality of place Figure 1 Benefits of Green Infrastructure Integrating green infrastructure assets into the future plans for the Weaver Valley will make the towns and the area as a whole more attractive to residents, investors, visitors; boost the economy; improve resilience to climate change; and create a healthier place to live. What do we have now? Northwich has the largest area of accessible public open space of any town of comparable size in the UK - the 370ha Northwich Woodands. Bounded by Budworth Mere, Anderton Boat Lift, Lion Salt Works, the Weaver Navigation, the Trent and Mersey Canal and the town centre, this unique area has the potential to become a major destination for visitors. However, exploiting this potential for the benefit of Northwich will require coordinated marketing and improved access into the town centre. The Weaver Way path between Winsford with Northwich is almost complete apart from one crucial section and the opportunity to link Middlewich via the canal network is an opportunity waiting to happen. The parts of the jigsaw already exist that could make the Weaver Valley a unique place to visit, live and invest in. People notice the difference made already. For example, an independent survey in 2010 showed that over 70% of people in Northwich said that their local environment had improved through the creation of Northwich Woodlands.

A biodiverse Weaver Valley Using an ecological framework approach we can identify key areas and pinch points for biodiversity.

Map 1 shows the boundary of the study area. Map 1

Map 2 shows the distribution of different types of green infrastructure within the study area. This mapping is an extension of the Liverpool City Region Green Infrastructure Framework 2 mapping. The method used to generate the mapping is described in Appendix 1 of the Framework technical document. The typology classification is estimated to be around 80% accurate. Table 1 gives the percentages of the study area covered by each of the types of green infrastructure. Table 1 Type Area (ha) Percentage Agricultural land 6040 57.1% Allotment, community garden or urban farm 12 0.1% Cemetery, churchyard or burial ground 18 0.2% Derelict land 67 0.6% General amenity space 345 3.3% Grassland, heathland, moorland or scrubland 714 6.8% Institutional grounds 191 1.8% Not GI 1374 13.0% Orchard 5 0.0% Outdoor sports facility 264 2.5% Park or public garden 8 0.1% Private domestic garden 898 8.5% Water body 63 0.6% Water course 137 1.3% Wetland 16 0.1% Woodland 422 4.0% 2 http://www.merseyforest.org.uk/nature-at-work/

Map 2

Map 3 shows Core Biodiversity Areas and a Connectivity Zone within the study area constructed along the lines of the Liverpool City Region Ecological Framework 3. The Core Biodiversity Areas represent the highest biodiversity resources in the [area]. These are seen as the starting point for the development of the Ecological Framework. The Connectivity Zone is a guide to protecting and increasing the linkages between the Core Biodiversity Areas, helping to make [them] more robust and resilient when it comes to adaptation to climate change. 3 http://seftonmaps.sefton.gov.uk/ecoframework/

Map 3

Map 4 shows the key green infrastructure assets and pinch points within the study area relating to the Enhancing the Ecological Framework priority from the Liverpool City Region Green Infrastructure Framework. The full method for generating these is described in Appendix 1 of the Framework technical document. This has been extended to the Weaver Valley. Essentially, the key assets are where a relatively large number of green infrastructure needs relating to Enhancing the Ecological Framework are met, and the key pinch points are where there are a relatively large number of needs that are not met. If possible, the former should be protected and managed so that they continue to meet the needs. At the latter locations, green infrastructure should be created or enhanced, if possible, in order to start meeting the need.

Map 4

What Next Weaver Valley is the focus for the Cheshire West and Chester Total Environment Programme. This identifies how green infrastructure planning, management and delivery can help to tackle some of the key socio-economic issues for the valley, through environmental action. Work is underway to look at the development of Natural Health Service improving health and wellbeing through engagement in the natural environment. Super Suds - Identifying how water management through green infrastructure interventions to reduce flood risk and impact in urban areas Wood Allotments Using the growing resource of new woodland in the area as source for fuelwood. In addition there are a number of initiatives and funding bids that are in progress. 100 Students from Liverpool University will present their project on Weaver Valley. This work to identify key ecological areas, assets and pinch points will help top shape and inform future work. The work will also be used to help in discussions about the delivery of future Agri-Environment programmes and to shape green infrastructure projects that may be delivered through the EDRF and ESF projects over the next 5 years.