www.worcestershire.gov.uk

Towards a Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy

WPEG, 5 September 2012

Marta Dziudzi

Planning Policy Assistant Strategic Planning Team

www.worcestershire.gov.uk

Content

Purpose: to provide an update on progress towards the Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy

• What is GI and why should we plan for it?• An approach to GI in Worcestershire • GI Framework to date • Next steps

• GI Framework continued • GI Strategy

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What is Green Infrastructure?

West Midlands Green Infrastructure Prospectus (2003)

Green Infrastructure is the network of green spaces and

natural elements that intersperse and connect our

cities, towns and villages. It is the open spaces, waterways, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, wildlife habitats,

street trees, natural heritage and open countryside

www.worcestershire.gov.uk

Why should we plan for it?• National Planning Policy Framework (2012)

• Local Plans should address climate change, biodiversity and landscape issues through "planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure".

• Natural Environment White Paper (2011)• Multifunctional benefits of GI:

• support economic growth • improve public health, wellbeing and quality of life; • drive biodiversity and the functioning of natural systems• reduce the negative impacts of climate change

• Partnership working

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The Worcestershire approach

Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Partnership

Site level Concept Plans and

Statements

Strategic level GI Framework documents

GI Strategy

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Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 1

6

Briefly introduced GI concept and theme areas and identified next stages of work including:

“the analysis and integration of topics and themes for a more holistic approach to mapping at a strategic level and subsequently at a local level to inform master planning and in future inform implementation and delivery”

“ensure the delivery of the Green infrastructure strategy it will be necessary to prepare an implementation plan that will identify capital, revenue and funding streams and link these to delivery partners or stakeholders”

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Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 2

Environmental Character Areas (ECAs)

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www.worcestershire.gov.uk

Next Steps• Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Framework 3 (Access

and Recreation) October 2012

• Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Framework 4 (Socio-economic)November 2012

• Draft Green Infrastructure Strategy for comments

December 2012

• Green Infrastructure Strategy completed

March 2013

• Continue to explore funding and viability issues March 2013

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Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 3

Assess the current provision of strategic informal recreational space in the county

Identify opportunities for growth of open

space

Assess the current and future demands

on this strategic greenspace

Map of Sub-regional GI assets and areas of potential opportunity for creation of new recreation provision

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Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 4

Socio-economic functions of GI

• Climate change • Economy • Health and Wellbeing

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Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy

• To consolidate the evidence base

• Identify areas for investment based on key priorities and issues

• Implementation Plan

Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy

www.worcestershire.gov.uk

Thank you • Any questions?