February 2010 1 SOUTH EAST DORSET GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: EVIDENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES STUDY Final report Prepared for South East Dorset Green Infrastructure Steering Group By Land Use Consultants February 2010 43 Chalton Street London NW1 1JD Tel: 020 7383 5784 Fax: 020 7383 4798 [email protected] 2 CoNTeNTS 1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 Part 1: Green Infrastructure Issues and Opportunities ....................16 2. Health & well being ...........................................................................17 3. Sustainable Economic Development ...............................................24 4. Tourism ...............................................................................................32 5. Transport and access .........................................................................37 6. Water management and climate change ........................................43 7. Recreation and open space ...............................................................51 8. Landscape Character ........................................................................59 9. Ecology and biodiversity ...................................................................66 10. Cultural heritage ...............................................................................84 Part 2: Analysis and GI Framework ....................................................89 11. Information Analysis and consultation ............................................90 12. GI Framework ..................................................................................101 13. Recommendations for next steps ..................................................116 Appendix 1 – Local Policies relevant to Green Infrastructure Appendix 2 – Framework Methodology Appendix 3 – Summary of Comments from Stakeholder Workshop Appendix 4 – Attendees at Stakeholder Workshop 3 ACknowledgemENTS This strategy has been prepared for the South east Dorset Green Infrastructure Partnership by Land Use Consultants (LUC). The LUC team comprised Philip Smith, emma Deen, Fiona Akins, Diana Manson, Richard Gowing, and John Jeffcock. The steering group for the study comprised Malcolm Lewis (Chair), Tony Harris and Gemma Yardley (Dorset County Council), Mark Axford (Bournemouth Borough Council), William Wallace/Sally Knott (east Dorset District Council) Helen Harris (Borough of Poole), Simon Truieck/Kate evans (Christchurch Borough Council), Steve Dring (Purbeck District Council), Brian Richards (The environment Agency), Nick Squirrell (Natural england) and Bruce Rothnie (Forestry Commission). Invaluable support was also provided by Anne Jaluzot and Ian Phillips, representing CABe Space. LUC is grateful for the guidance provided by the steering group, and for the support of the stakeholders who attended the workshop, or gave up their time for telephone consultation. 4 1. Introduction 1.1. This document details the findings of the South east Dorset Green Infrastructure Study. Land Use Consultants was commissioned to undertake the study by the South east Dorset Green Infrastructure Steering Group, a partnership of South east Dorset local authorities and environmental bodies, as listed above. This study provides a framework for future green infrastructure planning in South east Dorset and the evidence base to inform a green infrastructure strategy. 1.2. The South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Proposed Changes1 (referred to throughout this report as the RSS Proposed Changes) allocates a considerable amount of new housing to the Se Dorset conurbation (illustrated in Figure 1.1). At least 48,100 new dwellings are expected to be delivered in and around the Poole and Bournemouth Housing Market Area (HMA) by 2026 (see Table 1.1)2. In particular, Poole has been identified as a new Growth Point, making the town a key focus for economic regeneration and growth. 1.3. The implementation of the green infrastructure proposals outlined in this study will enhance the existing environment for local people, businesses and visitors and contribute to a robust natural environment which has the capacity to support sustainable built development. 1.4. The study findings and proposals have been subject to consultation with a range of stakeholders, in order to complement existing environmental initiatives and fit with the unique environmental features of the study area. The spatial context for the study area is set out in Figure 1.1. Background 1.5. The provision of green infrastructure in and around urban areas is now widely recognised as being essential in creating places where people want to live and work. Government policy recognises the need to plan for and provide green infrastructure. For example, at a national level, the recent supplement to the Government’s Planning Policy Statement (PPS1) notes that: In deciding which areas and sites are suitable, and for what type and intensity of development, planning authorities should take into account the contribution to be made from existing and new opportunities for open space and green infrastructure to urban cooling, sustainable drainage systems, and conserving and enhancing biodiversity3. 1.6. A summary of relevant policy is provided later in this section. 1 Draft Revised RSS for the South West Incorporating the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes. Government office for the South West (July 2008). 2 Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West Incorporating the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes. Government office for the South West (July 2008). 3 Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1. Department of Communities and Local Government (2007). 1 Figure 1: South East Dorset Housing Distribution (Image taken from the draft revised South West RSS proposed changes) DEFINITION OF GREEN infrastructure 1.7. For the purposes of this framework, the South West Regional Spatial Strategy definition of green infrastructure is employed: “strategic networks of accessible, multifunctional sites (including parks, woodland, informal open spaces, nature reserves and historic sites) as well as linkages (such as river corridors and floodplains, wildlife corridors and greenways)” 4 . 1.8. Natural england also recognises the importance of the strategic role of GI, and further states that the design and management of GI should respect and enhance the character and distinctiveness of an area with regard to habitats and landscape types, and should thread through and surround the built environment and connect the urban area to its wider rural hinterland5. 4 para.6.2.16, Draft Revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West Incorporating the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes. Government office for the South West (July 2008). 5 pg.7, Green Infrastructure Guidance. Natural england (March 2009). 2 PURPOSE OF THE study 1.9. The original brief outlined the following overarching aim of the study: To prepare the basis for a strategy which will guide the development of a network of greenspace at the sub-regional level (South East Dorset) to support the existing and growing population. This strategy will establish high quality accessible green infrastructure within a comprehensive landscape structure. The strategy will promote ecological networks and continuity between habitats. It will also improve quality of life and address climate change. The Stour Valley is seen as one focus for the strategy but there may be other foci. GI VISION AND OBjECTIVES 1.10. Facilitated by CABe Space, the Steering Group undertook a visioning workshop to inform the GI framework, and developed the following vision for green infrastructure in South east Dorset6: A vision for green infrastructure in South East Dorset A planned, multifunctional network of high quality green infrastructure in South East Dorset will deliver a range of services that will provide long-term and sustainable benefits to the sub region’s communities, its economy and its environment. It will respond positively to the needs and demands arising from urban growth; respect and enrich the quality of urban and rural landscapes and the conservation and management of natural species, systems and processes; assist in meeting the challenges of climate change, energy and resource efficiency, water conservation, flood risk and waste treatment; and, overall, enhance the quality of life in the area for all. 6 SeD GI Steering Group visioning workshop, facilitated by Anne Jaluzot and Ian Phillips from the Commission for Architecture and the Built environment public space unit (CABe Space). Bournemouth Town Hall, 14th May 2009. 3 1.11. The objectives for green infrastructure within South east Dorset, defined in consultation with the Steering Group, are: 1. Health and well-being To help improve quality of life for communities in South east Dorset, by providing ‘green lungs’ and access to nature as well as opportunities for active and passive recreation particularly in socially deprived areas. 2. Sustainable economic development To support the local economy by maintaining and creating attractive places for inward investment and desirable business locations as well as encouraging rural regeneration. Increasing the provision of land which can be used by communities to grow local food, including a network of allotments and community gardens, is also important. 3. Tourism To support and provide further sustainable opportunities for the areas key tourist industry such as opening up and increasing access and mobility to