Natural Environment White Paper & new partnerships to deliver green infrastructure Henry Smith, Project and Policy Assistant, TCPA
Presentation outline 1) Green Infrastructure introduction The TCPA s work on Green Infrastructure What is Green Infrastructure and why is it important for climate change adaptation? 2) Government strategy on Green Infrastructure in the localism era Nature Environment White Paper Relationship with the National Planning Policy Framework 3) New institutions and partnerships creating a strategic approach to green infrastructure Nature Improvement Areas Local Nature Partnerships Green Infrastructure Partnership 4) Is this the right approach?
TCPA: Green Infrastructure and the GRaBS project Overall objective to ensure existing and new mixed use urban development is adapted to the impact of climate change through improving local and regional planning policy to put in place green and blue infrastructure; Main Achievements: 11 Partner Adaptation Action Plans Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool Case Study Database 7 Expert Papers including on community engagement on adaptation and partnership working
Definition of Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure is a strategically planned and delivered network of high quality green spaces and other environmental features. It should be designed and managed as a multifunctional resource capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities. Green Infrastructure includes parks, open spaces, playing fields, woodlands, allotments and private gardens (Natural England).
The multiple benefits of green infrastructure for climate change adaptation Managing Surface Water Managing High Temperatures Carbon Storage Managing Riverine Flooding Reducing Need to Travel by Car Managing Water Resources Managing Coastal Flooding Source: Green Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change, March 2011
Economic benefits of green infrastructure Ecotec, 2008, The Economic Value of Green Infrastructure, North West Regional Development Agency and Natural England
Source: North West Green Infrastructure Valuation Toolkit
Government Strategy on Green Infrastructure in the localism era Lawton Review Making Space for Nature Found that nature in England is highly fragmented and unable to respond effectively to new pressures such as climate and demographic change Sets out a vision for addressing the fragmentation of the natural environment by restoring ecological networks through working with existing land uses and economic activity
Planning for a network of multi- functional green infrastructure
Natural Environment White Paper Objective is a strategic and integrated approach to planning for nature within and across local areas, enhancing natural networks for the benefit of people and the environment as part of sustainable development. Aims to achieve this through innovative and flexible approaches such as Local Nature Partnerships and Nature Improvement Areas.
Relationship with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The NPPF will provide communities with the tools they need to achieve an improved and healthy natural environment as part of sustainable growth, taking account of the objectives set out in this White Paper (Natural Environment White Paper, para 2.37)
New institutions and partnerships Nature Improvement Areas Objectives: Should contain the components of an ecological network as set out by the Lawton Review Aim is to better integrate management of the ecological network with surrounding land uses, helping to mitigate climate change impacts A shared vision among a wide partnership including statutory and voluntary sectors
Natural Improvement Areas in and around the East Midlands Dark Peak (4) Humberland Levels (9) Dearne Valley Green Heart (5) Nene Valley (14)
Objectives Local Nature Partnerships Add value to a local area s development through contributing to local authority plans that affect the environment, as well as local plans and local development frameworks; Demonstrate local leadership, raising awareness about the vital services and benefits which a healthy natural environment brings Use knowledge and expertise to develop a shared environmental vision and set of priorities for their area Help contribute to the Green Economy by, for example, providing relevant information for Local Enterprise Partnerships in development of their plans; Form at a level that can take a strategic-enough approach to deliver integrated outcomes with a wide range of benefits
Aspiring Local Nature Partnerships in the East Midlands Lowland Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, lead partner Nottinghamshire County Council Lincolnshire, lead partner Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership Northamptonshire, lead partner Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough Peak District, lead partner Peak District National Park Authority
Green Infrastructure Partnership Vision: Sustainable places that support a high quality of life for people and wildlife Objectives: More Green Infrastructure planned and successfully delivered at the local, citywide and landscape level More green space in England s towns and cities (inc. street trees, gardens, green roofs, community forests, parks, rivers, canals, wetlands) Better connected networks of ecological habitats and biodiversity Better resilience and adaptation to climate change/flooding
Green Infrastructure Partnership research: where are the gaps in existing knowledge? TCPA, in partnership with the Landscape Institute, is conducting a research project on behalf of Defra over the next 2 months to set the agenda for the Green Infrastructure Partnership 3 research themes relating to Green Infrastructure, building upon Forest Research studies, relating to the current condition, retroffiting, and information available at a local level
Is this the right approach? How do you think Local Nature Partnerships and Nature Improvement Areas will relate to planning in your area? What support from the Green Infrastructure Partnership do you need?