wiltshire green infrastructure strategy. what is green infrastructure? the wiltshire green...

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy

• What is green infrastructure?• The Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy• Wiltshire’s existing green infrastructure

network• Developing a vision and objectives for the

strategy• Identifying key priorities• Linkages between the GI Strategy and local

initiatives• Next steps and how to get involved

Green infrastructure

Open spaces

Cycle routesWoodlands

Street trees

Open countryside

FieldsHedges

Lakes

Ponds

Wildlife habitats

Parks

Private gardens

Village greens

Agricultural land

Allotments

Cemeteries & churchyards

Outdoor sports facilities

Rivers

CanalsFootpaths

Connectivity

Local park

Open countryside

Multi-functionality

Community woodland

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: drivers

Draft National Planning Policy Framework:

“Local planning authorities should … set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure”

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: drivers

• Emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy and adopted South Wiltshire Core Strategy:

– Planning for around 27,500 jobs and at least 37,000 homes across Wiltshire from 2006 to 2026, including 178 ha of new employment land

– Specific sites identified for development

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: drivers

• Adopted South Wiltshire Core Strategy: core policy 22– Protects integrity and value of existing GI network– Requires developers to contribute towards the

implementation of the Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Plan

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: drivers

• Wiltshire Core Strategy pre-submission draft: core policy 52:– Retention and enhancement of existing GI

network– Make provision for accessible open space– Provide appropriate contributions towards the

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: drivers

• Strong driver from planning policy, but GI Strategy needs to go beyond planning

• Many benefits of GI• Opportunity to bring together work from

many partners

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: scope

• Define Wiltshire’s green infrastructure network

• Set vision and objectives • Identify strategic priorities and projects• Identify issues and opportunities in each

community area• Set out an implementation plan

Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy: work so far

• Gathering evidence and assets mapping• Targeted consultation on draft vision and

objectives: August 2011• Two stakeholder workshops: December 2011

Emerging vision

Working in partnership to develop, over the next 20 years “a planned and managed network of high quality and highly valued multi-functional green infrastructure”

Emerging vision

Promoting healthy lifestyles; providing attractive environments; helping to make development and growth sustainable; helping Wiltshire adapt to climate change; connecting communities to outstanding countryside; sustaining and enriching Wiltshire’s distinctive natural and historic environment

Emerging objectives: themes

• Health and well-being• Links and connectivity• Economic growth and development• Water management• Ecosystem services• Healthy natural environment• Education and understanding• Climate change• Long term management• Working in partnership• Funding

Key priorities

• Cricklade Country Way• Canal network• Cotswold Water Park• Great Western Community Forest• Country parks• Rights of way• Sub-regional green corridors

Cross-boundary linkages

• Kennet and Avon canal• Bristol and Hampshire River Avon corridors• Cotswolds Water Park• Cricklade Country Way• Great Western Community Forest• New Forest National Park• North Wessex Downs, Cotswolds, and Cranborne

Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Local scale green infrastructure

• Wiltshire open spaces study and developing Wiltshire-wide standards

• Recognising the role of local initiatives within the GI strategy (suggestion that Salisbury Greenspace Initiative could be identified as a priority)

• Local initiatives can help achieve the overall vision, e.g. by improving multi-functionality of local open spaces

• Further work on GI Strategy includes looking at each community area and identifying issues and opportunities

Next steps

• Identifying green infrastructure assets and opportunities in each community area

• Preparing draft strategy• Minimum 6 week consultation on draft

strategy (Summer 2012)• Aim to adopt strategy by end of 2012