TEP
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE A PROSPECTUS FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS REGION
Perspectives
“Make the wrong choices now and future generations will live with a changed climate, depleted resources and without the green space and biodiversity that contribute both to our standard of living and our quality of life. Each of us needs to make the right choices to secure a future that is fairer, where we can all live within our environmental limits. That means sustainable development.” Tony Blair, Prime Minister. Securing the Future - delivering UK sustainable development strategy. HM Government. 2005
“One of the UK Government and Devolved Administrations' shared priorities for sustainable development is natural resource protection and environmental enhancement - increasing understanding of environmental limits, enhancement and a more integrated policy framework.” Securing the Future - delivering UK sustainable development strategy. HM Government. 2005.
“Access to quality greenspace can contribute greatly to the Region's urban renaissance, improving the quality of life in urban areas by providing opportunities for sport and recreation and supporting biodiversity. Maintaining, enhancing and, where appropriate, increasing the amount of greenspace is, therefore, an important factor in considering the most efficient use of land.” West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy, 2004
“Our environment is not a luxury. It makes a huge contribution to our reputation as a region, and to our quality of life………it has marvellous landscapes…and plenty of well-loved buildings, parks, forests, nature reserves, rivers and canals…….however it also has problems……..the worst areas of dereliction have been tackled but there are still places in need of regeneration and renewal, often associated with wider social problems such as poverty and crime.” Enriching our region: an environmental manifesto for the West Midlands. West Midlands Regional Sustainability Forum. 2005
"We must all endeavour to preserve our heritage and culture and keep our countryside available to all. We have so much to offer, so much history all around us. We are very fortunate to live in this area and must also give visitors the opportunity to appreciate what we value and hold dear. ...The canal side regeneration of Birmingham's Brindley Place now attracts over 5 million visitors per year. These are the type of development which help us to retain our best talents in the region, which encourage others to relocate and bring new investment, which create opportunities for new businesses and which enable a West Midlands Cultural Strategy 2001-2006 more socially inclusive approach to regional regeneration”.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Acknowledgements
What is Green Infrastructure? Purpose of the Prospectus The West Midlands - A Growing Challenge Why Invest in Green Infrastructure? Economic Benefits Social Benefits Environmental Benefits Our Vision
This prospectus has been prepared on behalf of the West Midlands Regional Assembly's Environment Partnership by TEP and Alison Millward Associates. Many people have contributed to its content and direction and particular thanks are due to the following:
PLANNING FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Recognition within Statutory Planning Policy Planning Across Spatial Scales Promoting Connectivity and Multi-functionality Identifying Needs, Opportunities & Public Benefit
DELIVERING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Case Study 1 The River Nene Regional Park Case Study 2 Forest of Mercia & The National Forest Case Study 3 Black Country Urban Park Case Study 4 Greening for Growth Case Study 5 Weaver Hills & Staffordshire Washlands
Chris Blakeley, West Midlands Regional Assembly Pat Callaghan, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Rachel Curzon, School of Property, Construction & Planning, UCE, Birmingham John Dover, Institute for Environment and Sustainability Research, Staffs University Rebekah Eden, West Midlands Regional Observatory Jeff Edwards, West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership Simon Evans, National Forest Company Jon Fairburn, Staffordshire University Jonathan Felton, Natural England Bill Heslegrave, Forestry Commission Graham Hunt, Forest of Mercia Nigel King, Natural England Mike Kinghan, West Midlands Wildlife Trusts Alexandra Kinnersley, West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership James Marshall, Natural England Sharon Palmer, Environment Agency Amanda Pearce, Rural Development Service (Defra) John Sharpe, Sustainability West Midlands Peter Shirley, West Midlands Wildlife Trusts (retired) Mike Steven, Green Arc Partnership Simon West, Forestry Commission Michael Thompson, Advantage West Midlands Mike Wilkinson, Natural England Sara Roberts, West Midlands Regional Assembly We would also like to thank the Green Arc Partnership, Forestry Commission and Staffordshire County Council for the provision of many of the images used throughout the document.
THE WAY FORWARD Key Challenges for the Future Bibliography and Further Reading
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Contents
INTRODUCTION
What is Green Infrastructure?
Green Infrastructure is the Region's life-support system 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. Green Infrastructure provides multiple benefits for the economy, the environment and people. Green Infrastructure may also be seen as part of the life-support system of an area; providing functions and environmental services to a community, such as employment, recreation, physical health and mental well being, social interaction, contact with nature, drainage and flood management, climate change adaptation and pollution control. It may be considered the essence of local character and sense of place, the very heart of a community, or dear to the hearts of many thousands some distance away. It spans administrative and political boundaries; it is publicly and privately owned, and it may be semi-natural or man-made in its origins. It may be green, brown or blue - think of canals or derelict land, woodlands in winter or ploughed fields. It may be wrapped around by houses, schools, factories or commercial properties. In urban situations it complements and balances the built environment; in rural settings it provides a framework for sustainable economies and biodiversity; in-between it links town and country and interconnects wider environmental processes.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
1
To ensure politicians, policy-developers and decision-makers throughout the West Midlands are aware of the vital roles of Green Infrastructure.
2
To advocate greater investment in, and improved management of, the Region's existing Green Infrastructure.
3
To ensure Green Infrastructure is appreciated as an essential element of delivering sustainable communities, underpinning growth and regeneration.
4
To promote a robust and systematic approach to Green Infrastructure assessment, planning and investment by local, sub-regional and regional planning authorities.
5
To ensure Green Infrastructure is proactively planned from the earliest stages of strategic plan preparation through to concept and design stages of all future developments in the Region.
“Much can be achieved by adjusting policies and their implementation, to give environmental issues a fairer crack of the whip. But we will also need to spend more money and time to get the environment we need and deserve. There is no escaping the fact: we cannot have a high quality environment on the cheap� Enriching Our Region: an Environmental Manifesto for the West Midlands, West Midlands Regional Sustainability Forum, 2005
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Purpose of the Prospectus?
This prospectus has five aims:
The West Midlands: A Growing Challenge
The West Midlands has a vision to be … “recognised as a world-class region in which to invest, work, learn, visit and live
and the most successful in creating wealth to benefit all of its people”
Delivering Advantage (Advantage West Midlands, 1999)
To achieve this vision by 2010 the Region's infrastructure will need to grow. The Regional Spatial Strategy, Economic Strategy and Action Plan have set out long-term plans for urban and rural renaissance and economic prosperity throughout. Key growth elements are:
To promote and support economic prosperity through Urban and Rural Regeneration Zones (RZ), HighTechnology Corridors (HTC), Business Cluster Networks and large-scale concentrated development, Investment and Logistic Sites. To increase the number of homes in the major towns and cities within several growth points across the region To match this with significant improvements to the quality of the environment, public services and transport. To be sustainable this growth will require the planning of environmentally acceptable and realistic infrastructure. Over the long term, economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection must go hand in hand as set out in the objectives of the Regional Sustainable Development Framework. New growth is an opportunity to provide exemplars of sustainable development; to enhance and extend Green Infrastructure so as to complement and balance the built environment, link wider environmental processes and deliver a high quality of life for all.
“Our vision for a sustainable West Midlands is one of an economically successful, outward-looking and adaptable region, rich in culture and environment, where everyone, working together, is able to enjoy well-being and quality of life, meeting their aspirations and needs without prejudicing the ability of others, now or in the future, to do the same” Sustainability West Midlands, 2006
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
accessible to all greener, cleaner, safer a series of distinctive places adaptable to climate change supporting healthy and diverse wildlife and ecosystems serving the needs of investors, businesses, employees, visitors and families
Green Infrastructure is an excellent example of how environmental initiatives can provide multiple public benefits that strengthen economic growth and deliver social outcomes.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Why Invest in Green Infrastructure?
Green Infrastructure can help to create a region whose environment is better than it is now:
Why Invest in Green Infrastructure: Economic Benefits
91,000 people are employed in the environmental economy of the West Midlands, generating ÂŁ1,425 million GDP. Of these: 29,000 - are in environmental technologies and services, 900 in the environmental management of other sectors, 3,800 - in the public sector, 330 - in not-for-profit and voluntary sectors, 170 - in academic institutions; 51,000 - in tourism sectors dependent on high quality environments; 5,000 - in land based industries. By comparison only 42,000 are employed in the transport sector and 77,000 in the construction industry.
In the West Midlands, the environment is big business and growing The Environmental Economy of the West Midlands Advantage West Midlands 2001
Provides climate change mitigation and adaptation for example, flood alleviation and micro-climate attenuation
Economic Benefits
Increases property and land values Helps attract and retain people ensuring stable populations and labour supply Provides opportunities for education and training, including lifelong learning for adults Delivers urban and rural policy, renaissance and regeneration objectives through robust and cost-effective means Sustains environmental tourism providing employment opportunities and boosting local economies Provides an inspiring setting for economic growth and investment
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
15% of children in the West Midlands are obese. This places the Region third highest in England. Only 39% of the Region's adults take the recommended level of physical activity. Choosing Health for the West Midlands. West Midlands Public Health Group, 2006
Facilitates community cohesion, helping to reach across traditional social barriers Provides opportunities for reflection and a tranquil respite from the often hectic urban environment
Social
Helps protect and promote the Region's rich cultural heritage Provides opportunities to maintain or enhance people's physical health and mental well-being Enables essential contact between people and nature Provides opportunities to reinforce feelings of local pride and a sense of ownership and belonging
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Benefits
Why Invest in Green Infrastructure: Social Benefits
The West Midlands has the highest levels of obesity for women and the fourth highest for men compared with all other Regions in England.
Why Invest in Green Infrastructure: Environmental Benefits
The West Midlands has a diverse range of natural habitats. It contains 21 of the 26 priority wildlife habitats and one quarter of the 526 priority species identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Although many of the Region's habitats are fragmented or much reduced in area, it still contains nationally significant proportions of the following: lowland heath (9% of England total), lowland meadows (20%), lowland dry acid grassland (10%), lowland wood parkland and pasture (9%), and broad-leaved woodland (10%). Even our major urban areas have a high variety of wildlife which thrives in public parks, private gardens, along canals, allotments and other greenspaces. Within Birmingham city centre peregrine falcons frequently nest on the BT telecom tower, and the city also has an important population of black redstarts. West Midlands Regional Biodiversity Audit and Regional Biodiversity Strategy for the West Midlands, (West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership 2001, 2005)
‘Landscapes for Living’ Landscapes for Living is an ambitious new initiative to develop a 50 year biodiversity vision and opportunity map for the West Midlands region. Led by the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership, the project seeks to relate biodiversity opportunities to landscape, heritage and socio-economic elements. It will complement and integrate with other regional and local mapping initiatives and will provide a significant input into the development of a Green Infrastructure strategy for the region.
Environmental Benefits Provides a framework and encouragement for the use of sustainable transport such as walking and cycling Protects, restores & de-fragments habitats that support priority species currently threatened by agricultural intensification, urban sprawl and climate change Supports environmental processes and natural resource remediation (air, soil and water) Reinforces and enhances landscape character and local distinctiveness Supports wildlife reservoirs and provides a refuge/buffer from anthropogenic pressures (human disturbance, pollution, invasive/domestic species, etc.) Protects and enhances the Region's historic assets
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Green Infrastructure is an essential component of sustainable development. The proposed growth planned across the Region provides the opportunity to integrate Green Infrastructure into its strategic spatial planning and policy. There must be greater understanding of the inter-dependence and linkages between the Region's social, economic and environmental resources - only when this happens can the Region honestly say that it is aspiring towards sustainable development. The Region has many green assets and high quality environments. However, there are also many areas with social, economic and environmental deficits. Through a strategic and coordinated approach, we can reverse environmental decline, enhance existing green assets and harness the potential of green infrastructure to underpin an urban and rural renaissance and drive the Region forward.
“In the 21st Century we need to establish an environmental contract which is as deep and as well established as the social contract was in the 20th Century‌.the key issues are supporting economic opportunity, social justice and environmental sustainability.â€? David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Radio 4 Today programme, May 2006
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Our Vision
In the next two decades, we will plan, deliver and manage Green Infrastructure to create a high quality environment which makes the West Midlands vibrant, prosperous and sustainable.
Planning for Green infrastructure
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
The planning of Green Infrastructure needs to be advocated in statutory spatial plans and strategy documents from regional to local level. Given its integrated and multi-functional characteristics, Green Infrastructure policies must be embedded (at the earliest possible stage) in a wide range of plans and strategies (for example health, transport and economic development). This is essential for the development of sustainable communities, growth and the future prosperity of the Region.
Integration of Green Infrastructure Planning and the Spatial Planning System Green Infrastructure Planning
The Spatial Planning System Regional Sustainable Development Framework
Regional Spatial Strategy
Regional Green Infrastructure Strategies & Policy Framework
Regional Economic Strategy
Regional Thematic Strategies e.g. - Regional Forestry Framework - Midland’s Way - Housing Strategy - Biodiversity Strategy - Health Strategy - Rural Delivery Framework
DIAGRAM
Birmingham City Region & other Sub-regional Green Infrastructure Strategies
Greenspace Strategies
Local Development Frameworks
Site Development Briefs and Masterplans
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Recognition within the Statutory Planning Framework
As yet there is no comprehensive approach to the mapping or planning of Green Infrastructure in the region.
Planning Across Spatial Scales
Planning Scales For development in the West Midlands to be truly sustainable, the integration of Green Infrastructure into planning policy must be accompanied by strategic spatial planning that delivers policy objectives on the ground. Planning across a range of scales will enable the identification of smaller projects that can deliver local level benefits within connected landscapes that contribute to regional targets.
Regional Spatial Strategy Regional Biodiversity Strategy The Midland’s Way Strategic Trails
Strategic Scale
City-region Action Plans Sub-regional Green Infrastructure Plans Community Forest Plans Catchment Management Plans Biodiversity Enhancement Areas Growth Points
Urban Greenspace Strategy Countryside in and Around Towns Regional Parks Local Development Frameworks
Urban Greening Pocket Parks & Local Nature Reserves Wildlife Corridors Community Gardens Country Parks
Local Scale
Practical partnerships must be formed to overcome administrative and political boundaries to deliver truly connected and multi-functional landscapes.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Below is an illustration of how the creation and restoration of green elements might be planned to form green networks that link urban areas to surrounding countryside and deliver a range of public and wildlife benefits. Promote sustainable transport Provide a sustainable urban transport network that contributes to economic environments and helps to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions Create, restore and link green routes Promote local pride through involvement in the design and maintenance of greenway routes
Promote and preserve heritage and culture Preserve heritage and culture and regenerate derelict land
Ameliorate flood risk Increase flood storage capacity and the area of soft, rain-absorbent surfaces Encourage social and sporting engagement Promote community interaction and cohesion alongside health and leisure benefits through opportunities for social and sporting engagement Protect existing green corridors Improve ecological connectivity to provide green networks that reduce species isolation and enable movement between habitat patches Link urban and rural areas Provide a link between urban and rural environments and communities - improving access to and enjoyment of the open countryside
Adapted from Green Infrastructure for the Liverpool and City Regions, TEP 2006 Originally drawn by Andrew Wright Associates in ‘Towards an Urban Renaissance’ - Urban Task Force, 1999
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Promoting Connectivity & Multi-functionality
Much of the Green Infrastructure resource is disjointed and isolated, physically and functionally. Increased connectivity and interaction between the Region's greenspaces will help to ensure a greater and more sustained delivery of benefits, more so than if constituent parts function in isolation.
Assessing Green Infrastructure “Needs, Opportunities & Public Benefit”
The Green Infrastructure resource must be mapped and assessed prior to preparing plans and strategies. Shortfalls in provision and opportunities to enhance the existing resource may then be identified. A generic guide to GI mapping and assessment has been devised and is outlined briefly here. Full details are given in a technical paper available online from the Regional Assembly’s website: www.wmra.gov.uk.
Mapping Example: Delivering Public Health and Recreational Benefits Through the Provision of Local Accessible Greenspaces (Study area: Stoke-on-Trent)
*
Mapping local provisions of accessible and/or natural greenspaces
map
ping
proc
ess
Assessing provisions in relation to local/national standards in order to identify areas of greenspace deficit Assessing public health, population density and age structures in order to highlight opportunities to deliver greatest multiple public benefits
*
The examples shown here are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to make inferences about the study area Focusing on areas of need to identify opportunities to deliver quality Green Infrastructure through investments in the creation and management of local greenspaces
Public Benefit Assessment shows where Green Infrastructure will best meet particular objectives; tools such as the Public Benefit Recording System assist strategic decisions on where to prioritise GI investment so as to deliver multiple public benefits. The West Midlands Brownfield to Greenspace Project is currently investigating how such a Public Benefit Recording System can be applied to aid the prioritisation of brownfield land regeneration in the Region. Further information about this project is available from the Regional Observatory’s website: http://www.wmro.org/standardTemplate.aspx/Home/OurResearch/BrownfieldtoGreenspace .
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
River Nene Regional Park Planning for Growth The National Forest & The Forest of Mercia Woodlands for People Black Country Urban Park Good Practice in Design & Planning Greening for Growth Regeneration in North Staffordshire Staffordshire Washlands & Weaver Hills Landscape Scale Multi-functionality
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
The next pages demonstrate some approaches to Green Infrastructure within and beyond the West Midlands.
The Case Studies are selected to celebrate local and regional success stories. They also stimulate new thinking about how Green Infrastructure can become an accepted and widely-adopted concept in regional and local planning.
They demonstrate how we can move towards best practice in assessment, planning, design, implementation and management of GI.
Delivering Green Infrastructure
Celebrating Achievements and Good Practice
Delivering Green Infrastructure Case Study 1
River Nene Regional Park Planning for Growth The River Nene Regional Park initiative is not a 'park' in the traditional sense. It is a unique, forward thinking network of environmental, sport and cultural projects. Rather than focusing on a physical boundary, the initiative will operate in a virtual arena. The projects are designed to bring about social, environmental and economic benefits of local and national significance.
The ground breaking network of projects will act as a catalyst, stimulating the economy by encouraging investments from organisations and businesses throughout the UK and possibly beyond. The River Nene Regional Park will benefit the quality of life for people living and working in the growth area and embrace the multifunctional nature of the River Nene region.
The story so far... A widespread consultation exercise including organisations, communities and landowners has been undertaken to ascertain if a Regional Park could be successfully delivered within the Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) growth area. The consultation highlighted the need for the development of a shared vision, focusing on environmental, social and economic themes. Protecting and enhancing the historic landscape and biodiversity and improving access for existing and new communities were the key drivers that underpinned the development of the River Nene Regional Park. These assets and functions were mapped first to determine where gaps in the Green Infrastructure network had to be filled. A series of projects has since been initiated to fill these gaps and to deliver the Regional Park and growth initiatives together.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
The Forest of Mercia The Forest of Mercia is one of 12 Community Forests established in the UK to provide woodland-based recreation on the edge of large conurbations. The Forest partnership is based at a timber-framed Innovation Centre at Chasewater and consist of representatives from five local authorities and two government bodies. It works with local communities to restore derelict land and create pathways, strategic trails and new woodlands (255 hectares to date). The Forest covers 92 square miles of South Staffordshire and the West Midlands through a patchwork of public parks, farmland, heathland, woodland and historic landscapes, that have a positive impact on the people, tourism and business of the area. A Local Authority perspective on the Forest of Mercia “for 15 years, the Forest has worked in partnership to create a cleaner and greener borough...” “The work has a positive citizen impact and has always facilitated community involvement...” “The Forest is likely to make people feel safer and more secure by involving them in environmental improvements which affect their communities …” “Forest projects fit with the Borough's Local Area Agreement and help to comply with Audit Commission key lines of enquiry for the natural environment...” “Advantages in continuing to support the Forest include; Securing woodland planting, management and access Unlocking funding Establishing new partnerships Reaching communities the Council doesn't easily engage with Helping to implement regional planning guidance in Walsall” Extracts from Walsall Borough Cabinet Report of 22 March 2006 where continued support for the Forest was endorsed
The National Forest The National Forest is a major government initiative to create a new multi-purpose forest for the nation covering 200 square miles of the English Midlands. The Forest area covers parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and eventually around a third of the area will be covered in trees. From a starting point of 6% wooded cover has risen to almost 17% in a little over 10 years. The Forest is, however, about far more than trees. It is transforming landscapes scarred by mineral working and derelict land; creating rich new wildlife habitats; creating a major new recreation and tourism resource; helping to regenerate the local economy; and it involves over 13,000 people annually in its creation through community, environmental education and arts activities. For all these reasons the Forest is recognised as one of the largest sustainable development projects in the UK, as it is delivering multiple environmental, economic and social benefits and is vastly improving the quality of life for local residents and visitors to the area.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Delivering Green Infrastructure Case Study 2
The National Forest & The Forest of Mercia Woodlands for People
Delivering Green Infrastructure Case Study 3
Black Country Urban Park Good Practice in Design & Planning In 2003 political and business leaders highlighted the need for radical change within the Black Country (encompassing Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley) to counter the process of decline over the past 30 years and build upon the success of recent initiatives such as the Black Country Urban Forest Millennium Programme. Collectively they agreed a shared 30 year vision for the sub-region, setting a highly ambitious and bold agenda for change. The Black Country Study is the Urban Renaissance Strategy for the future growth and competitiveness of the subregion. Improving the quality of built and natural environments is identified in the Study as a key driver for delivering the Vision and revitalising the area The Study proposes a radical transformation of the whole of the sub-region. It incorporates proposals prepared by consultants ‘Lovejoy’ for a design concept and set of design principles for the 'Black Country as Urban Park', a unique visual code to bind the Black Country together in a shared identity, which celebrates local distinctiveness.
Using beacons to highlight distinctive features. These might include physical objects such as sculptures and buildings or flagship events or festivals Enhancing the distinctiveness of living environments within communities Creating a network of green corridors to facilitate sustainable movement between Black Country towns and communities, and also to the surrounding countryside, revitalising the 'hidden gems' of open spaces and enhancing their multi-functionality
The Black Country Study adopts these principles together with highest possible design standards for future development, setting out how the many environmental assets of the Black Country (including its canals, geology, wildlife and open spaces) will become more accessible and celebrated. It proposes (as policies within Regional Spatial Strategy Review) the preparation of a Joint Black Country Landscape Action Plan to define and deliver an integrated network of green spaces, waterways and canals, topographical, biodiversity and heritage features and to promote walking and cycling interconnections between centres, communities and Black Country environs. The Black Country Study, Black Country Consortium, May 2006. (www.blackcountryconsortium.co.uk) Broadening Horizons A Vision of the Black Country Urban Park, Lovejoy September 2004 (www.blackcountryconsortium.co.uk)
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Greening for Growth is a programme of environmental improvement for North Staffordshire, and is the largest environmental regeneration initiative in the West Midlands. The programme focuses on delivering environmental improvements in key locations in North Staffordshire; thus helping to:
Make the area more attractive to investors and visitors Improve the quality of life for residents Restore community pride
Greening for Growth has delivered ÂŁ6.6m of improvements across North Staffordshire in only 18 months. Visitor numbers have increased significantly in parks and the profile and use of greenways has risen considerably. Key achievements include:
A 3,400sq m skate plaza in Central Forest Park which is attracting visitors from Europe and beyond Enhancing the quality of the landscape along the major transport routes such as the A500 A series of landmark parks A 28km network of safe, attractive off road routes for pedestrians and cyclists across canals, rivers and disused railways linking green spaces with homes, places of work and leisure facilities The Greening for Growth initiative has been so successful that the local partnership is seeking to extend the greenway network to Stoke's city centre and to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists at two landmark bridges. A stated aim of the city's Integrated Strategic Development Framework is to make Stoke “the greenest city in England�.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Delivering Green Infrastructure Case Study 4
Greening for Growth Regeneration in North Staffordshire
Delivering Green Infrastructure Case Study 5
Staffordshire Washlands & Weaver Hills Landscape Scale Multi-functionality Like much of the West Midlands, Staffordshire has suffered landscape-scale loss to its wildlife habitats and biodiversity over the past 50 years. The few sites that remain are usually small, degraded and fragmented. A pro-active and integrated approach through larger landscape projects is required to counter this damage and restore long-term viable wildlife habitats and populations of species. Two initial areas have been selected for landscape-scale projects - the Staffordshire Washlands and the Weaver Hills. Both areas contain concentrations of high quality habitats and opportunities for habitat creation and restoration. The primary area of focus for the Staffordshire Washlands initiative is a section of the River Trent floodplain, the county's principal river corridor. The Washlands initiative also has an open remit to cover other key floodplain areas in the County. The Weaver Hills cover over 5,000 hectares, including reservoirs of flower rich grassland habitat, and is part of the northeast Staffordshire Biodiversity Enhancement Area. It is an area which has largely escaped intensive farming and still retains many small farms with flower-rich meadows and pastures. Both projects have been established through broad partnerships developed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, comprising local authorities and agencies, farming organisations and local community groups.
The projects aim to restore the integral links between farming, the countryside and food production - delivering biodiversity benefits in conjunction with genuine social and economic opportunities for local communities. Work so far has included support for landowners in submitting Environmental Stewardship schemes, making habitat improvements for wildlife, and developing sustainable flood defences, local seed donor initiatives and grant bids for produce branding and marketing.
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Our Major Urban Areas - which will be restructured and will become more densely-inhabited, particularly in Growth Points which will see landscape change and greater demand for neighbourhood and strategic greenspaces Our Renewal Areas - where clean, safe, healthy and attractive environments can help to generate inward investments, promote local pride and deliver a high quality of life The countryside in and around our towns and cathedral cities - which offers a unique opportunity to deliver a range of public and wildlife benefits as outlined in the ‘Countryside in and Around Towns’ document (Countryside Agency & Groundwork Trust, 2006) Key:
N.B. All boundaries/features are indicative only North Staffordshire area of environmental improvement e.g. Housing Market Renewal and Greening for Growth
Our existing and proposed transport infrastructure with its wide zone of influence on the natural and built landscape
Major Biodiversity Enhancement Areas Main urban areas Areas in and around towns where investments in the countryside offers high potential benefits for the public and wildlife Growth Points - areas likely to see urban density increase and populations expand Motorways Strategic River Corridors Black Country Urban Park Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country City Region
Our Biodiversity Enhancement Areas - with strategic opportunities for retaining and restoring a resilient and varied resource of wildlife and habitats within healthy and sustainable landscapes Our key natural and cultural assets - the landscapes and landmarks which define and preserve our local histories, character and distinctiveness and which attract the interest and tourism of others
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
The Way Forward
From now to 2025, where do we need to build up our Green Infrastructure?
Key Challenges for the Future
Our Challenge is to hand on a 21st Century Green Infrastructure to the next generation Together we must… Raise awareness that Green Infrastructure is a “life-support” issue Embed Green Infrastructure in all our regional plans, policies and investment programmes Assess where there is greatest priority for investments in Green Infrastructure to support healthy and sustainable communities, wildlife and natural systems Ensure sufficient funding is allocated for the creation and long-term management of Green Infrastructure for the Region Ensure local planning decisions promote high-quality Green Infrastructure alongside sustainable growth and development Meet the practical and political challenges required to deliver Green Infrastructure that will support ‘The Way Forward’ for the Region, as outlined overleaf
Now is the right time - we must protect and expand the Region's Green Infrastructure, sowing the seeds for a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable West Midlands
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Biodiversity by Design: a Guide for Sustainable Communities. Town and Country Planning Association, 2004. (http://www.tcpa.org.uk/biodiversitybydesign/index.htm) Green Infrastructure North West. (http://www.greeninfrastructurenw.co.uk/html/) Green Infrastructure for Climate Change Adaptation (PowerPoint presentation) John Handley and Susannah Gill, Centre for Urban and regional Ecology , 2005. (http://www.ukmaburbanforum.org.uk/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/MAB_green_inf_230205.pdf) Green Infrastructure Strategy. Cambridgeshire Horizons. 2006. (http://www.cambridgeshirehorizons.co.uk/Document_links_det.asp?id=3433) East Midlands Green Infrastructure Scoping Study & East Midlands Public Benefit Mapping Project. East Midlands Regional Assembly. 2005, 2006. http://www.emra.gov.uk/a4e/publications/index.asp Green Infrastructure for the Liverpool and Manchester City-regions. Community Forests Northwest & The Countryside Agency, 2005 http://www.greeninfrastructurenw.co.uk/resources/GI_for_the_Liverpool_&_Manchester_cityregions.pdf Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities. Environment Agency, Countryside Agency & Partners. 2005 (http://www.culturesoutheast.org.uk/media/uploads/18/4%20Pager.pdf) The Countryside In and Around Towns. Countryside Agency & Groundwork Trust, 2005. http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/CAT_tcm2-22089.pdf
Green Infrastructure for the West Midlands Region
Bibliography & Further Reading
Enriching Our Region: an Environmental Manifesto for the West Midlands, West Midlands Regional Sustainability Forum, 2005 (http://www.cprewm.org.uk/EnvManifesto.pdf)
This prospectus was produced by:
TEP Tel: 01925 844004 Web: www.tep.uk.com Email: tep@tep.uk.com and
Tel: 0121 449 9181 Email: alison.millward@talk21.com
On behalf of: West Midlands Regional Assembly's Environment Partnership
Albert House Quay Place 92-93 Edward Street Birmingham B1 2RA Tel: 0121 245 0201 Web: www.wmra.gov.uk
Sponsored by: