LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 123

Chapter 5: Green infrastructure ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 125

INTRODUCTION been fully appreciated in London. AIM These help to extend and connect BOX 6: GREEN London’s parks, green spaces, and this core network. With budgets under INFRASTRUCTURE AND London will be natural landscapes are the places where pressure the quality and accessibility NATURAL CAPITAL Londoners can relax, exercise, play of open space is increasingly difficult a National Park and enjoy the capital’s natural heritage to ensure. Green infrastructure is the network and culture. They also provide habitat of green and blue spaces (as well City where more for wildlife, help protect London from The Mayor will make London a as features such as street trees the impact of climate change, and help National Park City by applying some of and green roofs) that is planned, than half of its improve London’s air quality. the key principles of National Parks. designed and managed to: This means giving everyone opportunities • promote healthier living area is green; London has a land-use planning to experience, enjoy and benefit from framework that protects and conserves the natural environment. It would also • lessen the impacts of where the natural the best of this resource. It has served highlight the uniqueness of the city’s climate change London well by giving opportunities for green infrastructure. In addition, it would • improve air quality environment is outdoor services and recreation, and by be better managed to benefit people and and water quality protecting the heritage of both natural nature, and the economy of the city on protected and the and designed landscapes. It has also which all Londoners depend. • encourage walking and cycling provided a guiding set of principles, network of green including standards on access to green As London grows, its parks, rivers, • store carbon space, which are widely understood and canals, trees and other green • improve biodiversity and infrastructure is supported. These will continue to be at infrastructure will become ever ecological resilience the heart of the Mayor’s approach to more vital. It will ensure the health of managed to benefit city planning and inform the policies Londoners is improved, protect the city Natural capital describes the 17 in this strategy. from climate change and boost London’s economic benefits to people all Londoners. economic growth. Collectively they provided by the services the The importance of street trees, private comprise a critical green infrastructure environment provides for free. gardens and the increasing number of (Box 6). These include cleaner air, cleaner green roofs and walls have not previously water, better health, pollination of crops, contact with nature and attractive landscapes.

17 The National Park City was inspired by the National Park City initiative: http://www.nationalparkcity.london/ LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 127

The UK National Ecosystem Assessment Protecting and enhancing concluded that the importance of green London’s natural environment and spaces for society’s health and general green infrastructure requires the wellbeing is not fully appreciated. following actions: This means their potential is not realised. In addition, it found that access to • increasing London’s green cover, urban green space is essential for good making more than half of London mental and physical health, childhood green by 2050 development, and social cohesion. Urban green infrastructure services • conserving and enhancing wildlife could also be significantly enhanced and natural habitats to improve climate change mitigation and adaptation.18 • valuing London’s natural capital as an economic asset and greater investment The work of the Natural Capital in green infrastructure. Committee has shown too that there is a very good economic case for investing in green infrastructure. It estimates reduced health treatment costs alone would be £2.1bn.19

In London an iTree Eco Assessment has quantified the benefits and services provided by the capital’s urban forest (Figure 19).20 This demonstrated that London’s approximately eight million trees provide at least £133m of benefits a year by removing pollution, storing carbon and reducing surface water flooding.

18 UK National Ecosystem Assessment (n.d.), What is the UK National Ecosystem Assessment? Accessed from: http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/ Home/tabid/38/Default.aspx 19 Natural Capital Committee (2015), The State of Natural Capital: Protecting and Improving Natural Capital for Prosperity and Wellbeing. Accessed from: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/516725/ncc-state-natural-capital-third-report.pdf 20 (2015), Valuing London’s Urban Forest. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/environment/environment- publications/valuing--urban-forest LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 129

Figure 19: The value of London’s urban forest LONDON’S ENVIRONMENT NOW

The key evidence to support the London’s trees provide at least £133m of benefits every year in terms of air pollution removal, Mayor’s ambitions for London’s green carbon sequestion and reducing the amount of water going into drains. infrastructure is summarised below. You can find out more about the evidence behind the policies and proposals in Appendix 2.

EU, UK, and London policy considers that Trees prevent creating a healthy urban environment Biodiversity – London’s trees support and are tonnes of pollution removed from and articulating the value of green closely associated with a wide range of priority the air every year, worth £126M. species such as all bat species, birds like barn owl, infrastructure are priority areas to 2,241They remove the equivalent of 13% butterflies like purple emperor, other insects like of PM10 particulates and 14% of NO2 stag beetle, and fungu like oak polypore. stimulate economic growth and improve emitted by road transport. The volume of water in the Serpentine from entering wellbeing. For more details on the London’s drainage system. legislative and policy background see 1This helps0x reduce the risk of localised flooding. Appendix 4, and for information on the main responsibilities of various Nearly 40% of London’s organisations see Appendix 3. surface is impermeable; 32% 40%of ground cover is grass. London’s green spaces Almost 60% of London’s trees are in Currently about 47 per cent of London private ownership, but the trees on 60%public land contribute 60% of the is classified as green or blue open ecosystem service benefits. This is because parks and green spaces have space. This is made up of 33 per cent a higher proportion of larger trees. of green space like parks, woodland and farmland and 14 per cent of private, domestic garden green space.21 This has 3m stayed roughly at the same level since Pests and diseases – Asian Longhorn Beetles, 2002 despite increased growth and 22 if it established itself in development in London. 2m London, could damage 2,367,000tonnes of carbon is stored over 3 million of London’s in London’s trees, trees leading to a worth £147M reduction in ecosystem London compares favourably with other 1m services and associated economic cost. world cities with respect to the amount of green space per head of population 0 (Figure 20). London is ranked tenth amongst 30 global cities – higher than similar cities such as New , Berlin and Paris.23

21 GiGL (n.d.), Key London Figures. Accessed from: http://www.gigl.org.uk/keyfigures/ 22 Mayor of London (2002), Connecting with London’s Nature: The Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/WHAT- 23 World Cities Culture Forum (n.d.), % of public green space (parks and gardens). Accessed from: www.worldcitiescultureforum.com/data/of- WE-DO/environment/environment-publications/connecting-london%E2%80%99s-nature-mayor%E2%80%99s-biodiversity public-green-space-parks-and-gardens. LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 131 TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Reference Reference

FigureFig 3: The 20: percentage Percentage of public green of space public in cities acrossgreen the worldspace in different world cities Figure 21:Fig Losses 4: The amount and of openre-provision space lost and gainedof protected as a result of developmentopen space in London

60 50 Loss of protected open space Gain of open space

45 50 40

40 35

30 30 25

20 20 Hectares 15 public green space public green 10

Percentage area that is area Percentage 10

0 5

Paris 0 Berlin Seoul Dubai Rome Taipei To k yo Austin Vienna Madrid Bogota Syndey London Toronto Warsaw Mumbai

Moscow 2009/10 20010/11 2011/12 20012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 Brussels Shezhen Montreal New York New Istandbul Shanghai Singapore Melbourne Stockholm Hong Kong Amsterdam Los Angeles Los Buenos Aires San Francisco Rio de Janeiro Johannesburg

Source: based on World Cities Culture Forum (2017), The percentage of public green space (parks Source: based on Greater London Authority (2017), London Development Database. and gardens). Source: based on World Cities Culture Forum (2017), The percentage of public green space (parks and gardens). Available at: worldcitiescultureforum.com/data/of-public-green-space-parks-and-gardens

Source: based on Greater London Authority (2017), London Development Database. Although London has relatively high Access toAvailable public at: london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan/london-development-database open space district parks (Figure 22). This is because levels of green space, it is still losing Access to green space is valued by some areas of green space are privately green space to new development such Londoners. London’s parks are home owned (for example private gardens and as housing, schools, industrial premises to many cultural organisations such as farmland), are inaccessible (like railway and transport infrastructure (Figure 21). the Serpentine Gallery, Regent’s Park line sides) or have only limited access However, the losses are relatively small Open Air Theatre, Opera Holland Park, (like reservoirs). overall, an average net loss of 10-15 Kenwood House, and Fulham Palace, hectares a year. However, over time not to mention increasing numbers The total amount of AoD has reduced in these can begin to erode and further of festivals. recent years. This is particularly in areas fragment the green infrastructure that have been regenerated like King’s network if not guarded against. However, only 18 per cent of London’s Cross rail yards and the Olympic Park land area is officially public open in Stratford. Despite this, about 45 per space. Consequently, parts of the city cent of London’s land area is still within are classified as Areas of Deficiency an Area of Deficiency to local and in Access in Public Open Space (AoD) district parks. where Londoners lack access to local or LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 133 TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Reference

Reference

Fig 5: Areas of Defiency in Access to Open Space

Figure 22: Areas of Deficiency in Access to Public Open Space FigureFig 15: 23: Woodland Woodland in London in London

Harrow Redbridge Havering

Camden

Westminster

Southwark

Hounslow

Bromley Areas of Deficiency in access to local OR district public open spaces.

Areas of Deficiency in Additional areas that, access to both local AND in part, contain woodland district public open spaces National Forestry Inventory woodland

Source: Greenspace Information for Greater London (2017), Areas of Deficienct in access to local Source: Greenspace Information for Greater London, and Forestry Commission (2015) National Source: Greenspace Information for Greater London (2017), Areas of Deficienct in access to local or district public open spaces or district public open spaces. ForestSource: Inventory. Greenspace Information for Greater London, and Forestry Commission (2015) National Forest Inventory. Available at: www.forestry.gov.uk/inventory. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/

Trees and woodlands there are around 500,000 street trees There are over eight million trees in in London.26,27 The current London Tree London, covering around 20 per cent of Map gives information about more than London’s surface area.24,25 Most of these 700,000 street trees and the wider public trees are in woodlands (Figure 23), parks realm.28 Like the total extent of green and gardens, but a significant number are space, the total area of tree canopy street trees. Assessments by the London cover in London has also remained Assembly in 2007 and 2011 found relatively static since 2002.

26 Mayor of London (2007), Chainsaw massacre: A review of London’s street trees. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london- assembly/london-assembly-publications/chainsaw-massacre-review-londons-street-trees 27 Mayor of London (2011), Branching Out: the future for London’s street trees. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london- 24 Mayor of London (2015), Measuring Tree Canopy Cover in London: An analysis using aerial imagery. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/ assembly/london-assembly-publications/branching-out-future-londons-street-trees sites/default/files/measuring_tree_canopy_cover_2015.pdf 28 Mayor of London (n.d.), London Tree Map. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/environment/parks-green-spaces-and- 25 Forestry Commission England (2016), London iTree eco project. Accessed from: www.forestry.gov.uk/london-itree biodiversity/trees-and-woodlands/london-tree-map LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 135 TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Reference

Gardens there are now thought to be over one FigFigure 6: Sites of 24: Imprtance Distribution for Nature Conservation of SINCs in London Domestic gardens provide many people million m2 (or 100 hectares) of green with daily contact with nature and roofs installed (Figure 25). A City Hall improve the way residential areas look survey highlighted that there are now and feel. In total, they comprise about over 700 green roofs just in London’s 38,000 hectares of land, or 24 per cent Central Activities Zone (the area of the land area of London. However, including the , the West not all gardens comprise the classic End and South Bank). The green roofs combination of lawns, flowers beds, here cover an area of almost 20 hectares, shrubs and trees. Many now include the same size as Green Park. extensive areas of decking and paving. Consequently, only about 60 per Sites of Importance for Nature cent of land in London’s gardens Conservation is actually green – 14 per cent of Almost 20 per cent of Greater London’s London’s land area. land area is identified as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, or London: Garden City? – a study done SINC (Figure 24). These sites are locally to determine changes to London’s valued wildlife sites that provide the domestic gardens – showed that the area core framework necessary to conserve of garden vegetation in London declined London’s biodiversity. The total by over 3,000 hectares between 1999- area of SINCs has increased slightly Legend 2007. This was primarily due to permitted since 2002 from 29,855 hectares to Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation development rights which allow activities 30,679 hectares. Sites of Metropolitan Importance such as minor extensions and paving of Sites of Borough Grade 1 Importance. Or Not Designated 29 European and National Nature Sites of Borough Grade 2 Importance. driveways. As permitted development Sites of Local Importance rights were extended in 2015 it is likely Conservation Designations this trend has continued.30 London’s most important sites for nature conservation have been recognised Source: Greenspace Information for Greater London (2016), Sites of Importance for Nature Green roofs at the European and national level Conservation. London has seen a major increase in and consequently have been given a Source: Greenspace Information for Greater London (2016), Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation the installation of green roofs (and statutory designation. They include two other green infrastructure in the built Special Protection Areas (SPAs), three environment, like green walls and rain Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), gardens) since 2008. That is when urban two National Nature Reserves (NNRs) greening policies were included in the and 30 Sites of Special Scientific Interest London Plan.31 Across London as a whole (SSSIs). This protection will continue.

29 GiGL (n.d.), London: Garden City? Accessed from: www.gigl.org.uk/partnershipcasestudy/garden-research/ 30 HMG (2015), The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) England) Order 2015. Accessed from: www.legislation.gov. uk/uksi/2015/596/contents/made 31 Mayor of London (2016), The London Plan: The Spatial Development Strategy for London, Consolidated with Alterations since 2011. Accessed from: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/the_london_plan_2016_jan_2017_fix.pdf LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 137

TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE LONDON’S BIODIVERSITY The British Trust for Ornithology has Butterflies too have seen a decline.33 BOX 7: STATE OF NATURE 2016 reported on trends for 33 species Of 20 species monitored by the London 32 Habitats (ENGLAND) – KEY STATISTICS in London. While the majority of 33 Natural History Society, half have Reference To conserve London’s precious species have seen big increases, seven experienced significant declines largely biodiversity and ensure it is resilient to Over the long-term: – blackbird, grey heron, house sparrow, thought to be due to a decrease in pressures like climate change, wildlife • 60 per cent of plant species mistle thrush, song thrush, starling and the quality of grassland sites and the habitats need to be expanded. They also declined and 40 per cent swift - have declined. This is in line with impacts of climate change. Changes need to be better connected, through, increased national trends and is likely due to loss in the population of other pollinating for example, wildlife corridors. Since of nest sites in buildings and loss of insects (such as bees, moths and 2000 almost 39,000 hectares have been • 62 per cent of butterfly species vegetation in gardens. hoverflies) are also likely to reflect enhanced and over 18,000 hectares have declined and 38 per cent Fig 7: Location of green roofs within the Central Activities Zone the trends for butterflies. been restored. This includes over 600 increased 34 hectares of new woodland in Thames Figure 25: Green roofs in the Central Activities Zone • bird species as a whole have Chase, 13 hectares of new reed beds declined by six per cent, but at Stoke Newington and Walthamstow farmland bird species have fallen Reservoirs and 45 hectares of new by 56 per cent Hackney grassland, wetland and woodland Brent habitats in Queen Elizabeth • some 12 per cent of rare Camden Olympic Park. species are at risk of extinction from the UK Species London’s wildlife is in decline, in common Tower Hamlets Unsurprisingly, urbanisation has had a with nationwide trends which show a big impact on the ecology of London. City of London continual decline in England’s wildlife The increased use of concrete, tarmac, (Box 7). glass and steel creates a unique urban microclimate. The growing population also exerts huge recreation pressure on all green spaces and natural areas. Kensington and Chelsea

Southwark

Legend Green Roofs

Central Activities Zone 0 0.225 0.45 0.9 Miles London Borough

Source: Greater London Authority (2017)

33 London Natural History Society (LNHS) has calculated trends for butterflies in London between 1995-2016 32 The State of Nature Partnership (2016), State of Nature 2016: England. Accessed from: www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/ 34 Mayor of London (n.d.), Green roof map. Accessed from: www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/environment/parks-green-spaces-and- stateofnature2016_england_1_sept_pages.pdf biodiversity/green-roof-mapSource: Greater London Authority (2017) LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 139

ROLES AND LEGAL DUTIES • key departments within the GLA, such as those responsible for housing and The Mayor of London has a legal duty land and regeneration to set out policies and proposals in this strategy relating to the natural • bodies over which the Mayor has direct environment and biodiversity. However, influence, such as TfL and Old Oak Park as the GLA is not a major landowner, Royal Development Corporation the Mayor does not have any significant responsibility for the day-to-day The Mayor has a significant leadership management of parks and green role and can act as a powerful advocate spaces in London. to highlight issues that require a pan- London approach in order to stimulate However, the Mayor has influence over effective and coordinated action. The green infrastructure and the natural other organisations that have a role environment through the activities of: to play in protecting and enhancing London’s green infrastructure are • ensuring that green infrastructure described in Appendix 3. policies are included in other relevant Mayoral strategies, such as the London Plan and the draft Mayor’s Transport Strategy LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 141

GREENING THE PUBLIC REALM TO HELP LONDON BECOME A NATIONAL PARK CITY

Policy interventions Green spaces and urban greening Green spaces and urban greening that Facilities for people to exercise, play Trees, green spaces, green roofs and designed to hold storm water support biodiversity and relax and green walls to cool the city down

Targets Benefits 50% green cover Improved mental and physical health and well-being Reduced flood risk and improved water quality Higher biodiversity

10% increase in canopy cover A cooler city Improved air quality and reduced exposure to air pollution LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 143

Objectives, policies and proposals

OBJECTIVE 5.1 MAKE MORE THAN also work with boroughs, land managers Proposal 5.1.1b Through the new “The Mayor HALF OF LONDON’S AREA GREEN and environmental organisations to London Plan the Mayor will consider BY 2050 identify the incentives needed to policies that ensure any development will resist improve the quality and function of outside the protected green All cities now recognise that the green this strategically important asset. space network does not lead to an infrastructure of parks, green spaces, development unacceptable loss of the benefits of natural areas, street trees, green roofs The London Plan has been effective existing local green infrastructure; and walls are an essential part of city that results in the at protecting the core green space the Mayor will also provide advice life. This green infrastructure helps resource and containing sprawl and to householders about how gardens to make the city healthy, liveable and loss of Green Belt London’s green space must be protected contribute to improving green economically sustainable. The Mayor to provide the foundations for a greener infrastructure at a local level wants to increase the area of London’s and Metropolitan city. This promotes a more compact city green cover and make sure that it is The Mayor recognises that much of that helps to minimise London’s overall designed and managed to optimise London’s existing green infrastructure Open Land.” environmental footprint. the services it provides. lies outside of the protected open and As the city grows, it becomes ever more green space network. Areas of amenity Policy 5.1.1 Protect, enhance and important to protect and improve green green space around housing estates; increase green areas in the city to spaces in order to secure the benefits extensive areas of private garden and provide green infrastructure services provided by green infrastructure. the street trees which line so many and benefits London needs now and in Planning policy for the Green Belt and of London’s streets provide many the future Metropolitan Open Land can help protect Londoners with significant benefits at the local level. Proposal 5.1.1a Through the new the space from development. However, London Plan, the Mayor will protect the it does not help to improve the quality Consequently, new development Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land or function of green spaces such as, proposals should avoid reducing and publicly accessible green space for example, using the Green Belt for the overall amount of green cover creating new woodland. This will be and the benefits this provides. The Mayor will resist development that considered as part of valuing London’s Thoughtful planning and design of new results in the loss of Green Belt and natural capital which is outlined further developments should aim to: avoid Metropolitan Open Land. This will help in objective 4.3. fulfil their potential as strategic green fragmentation of existing green space; infrastructure for London. The Mayor will reduce storm water run-off rates by using sustainable drainage and include new tree planting or features such as green roofs to mitigate any unavoidable loss. LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 145

Private gardens make up 24 per cent “Private gardens of London’s land area, though only BOX 8: THE IMPORTANCE OF DOMESTIC GARDENS AS PART about 60 per cent of their area is green. OF LONDON’S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK make up 24 per Nevertheless, the total amount of green space in private gardens is equivalent The Royal Horticultural Society • soil in gardens naturally absorbs cent of London’s to the total area of public green space working with the Universities of rainwater, reducing the risk of in London (some 30,000 hectares). Reading and reviewed flooding land area, though academic evidence to consider Private gardens not only create leafier • some animal species are now more the potential impacts of domestic neighbourhoods that are good for health common in cities, and particularly only about 60 per gardens on urban quality of life35. but they also provide habitat for wildlife, domestic gardens, than in rural areas and increase resilience to climate These include: cent of their area change. Consequently any reduction • the presence of gardens eases will have wider environmental impacts. • urban garden plants and trees help stress and improves psychological is green.” cool the air in towns and cities, wellbeing The environmental performance of combating heat waves • access to gardens encourages gardens must be improved. For example, • garden plants and trees intercept sustained exercise and promotes by reducing the amount of storm water pollutants in the air, reducing physical health being discharged to the sewer network, exposure to poor air quality helping to reduce exposure to poor air • some 12 per cent of rare species are quality, or creating stepping stones for • garden plants and trees intercept at risk of extinction from the UK wildlife to move between areas of semi- intense rain, slowing run-off natural habitat.35 Flowery gardens in and so reducing the pressure particular can provide important foraging on urban drains areas for bees and other pollinators.36 Box 8 sets out some of the benefits of urban gardens based on research by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The RHS also provides advice to householders on how they can green their front gardens whilst still providing functions such as parking through the Greening Grey Britain campaign.37

35 Royal Horticultural Society (2011), Gardening matters: Urban gardens. Accessed from: www.rhs.org.uk/science/pdf/climate-and- sustainability/urban-greening/gardening-matters-urban-greening.pdf 36 The Nature of Cities (n.d.), Can cities save bees? How can urban habitats be made to serve pollinator conservation? How can that story be better told? Accessed from: www.thenatureofcities.com/2016/01/20/can-cities-save-bees-how-can-urban-habitats-be-made-to-serve- pollinator-conservation-how-can-that-story-be-better-told/ 37 Royal Horticultural Society (n.d.), Greening Grey Britain – Community Action. Accessed from: www.rhs.org.uk/communities/campaigns/ greening-grey-britain LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 147

Proposal 5.1.1c The Mayor aims to To make sure that all Londoners live improve access to green space and BOX 9: THE MAYOR’S in greener neighbourhoods the Mayor “The Mayor’s nature by identifying those areas PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVING will develop a new ‘greenness’ index. of the city which should be greener ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE This will identify those areas where Greener City and developing green infrastructure AND NATURE green infrastructure and urban programmes and projects especially greening is most needed. The Mayor Fund will invest in major regeneration areas The Mayor’s programme will will work with TfL, the boroughs and civil comprise the following elements: society and community organisations in strategically Despite London’s extensive network to create greener public spaces and • community grants for creating of parks and open spaces there are healthier streets. important green parts of the city where local people lack greener space – investment access to green space and the natural in small and medium scale Existing mapping of open space is based infrastructure environment. These areas tend to be greening projects in green on access to parks and green spaces where development is densest, or in spaces across London that are formally declared as public open projects.” 38 areas of deprivation. These are also • a Greener City Fund – investment space. The public open space data areas where households are less likely in strategically important green set is important for land-use planning to have access to private gardens. The infrastructure projects purpose. However, it does not highlight Mayor aims to improve access to green the more pressing problem of lack of space and nature for all Londoners, • developing a ‘greenness index’ access to green space in parts especially children. to target investment in areas that of London where people lack gardens need it most (see below) or where tree cover is below average. Box 9 describes the Mayor’s programme • strengthened policy in the new New methodologies and mapping for improving access to green space London Plan to ensure an increase can spotlight this issue and help to and nature. in urban greening target action where required. Figure 26 and Figure 27 show an example • working with urban designers, of a greenness map for London and developers and planners to how the new approach can help promote and communicate target interventions. the benefits of a greener built environment including gardens

38 It therefore excludes countryside and farmland in the Green Belt accessible by public footpaths, other private green space, and other types of green space (such as golf courses and sports fields) that may be accessible but are outside the public open space categories within the London Plan LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 149

TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Reference

Fig 9: VariationsFigure in green26: coverVariations across London. in green cover across London (red = green cover) Figure 27: Relationship between AoD and relative greenness (shows that some AoD are much greener than others)

Acively growing vegetation

Soil, sediment–laden water, buildings and manmade materials Asphalt roads, water Adapted from GeoInformation Group (2017), Near infrared aerial imagery and GiGL Areas of Deficiency in access to public open space

Source: GeoInformation Group (2017), Near infrared aerial imagery. Source: GeoInformation Group (2017), Near infrared aerial imagery. LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 151

Given the pressures on land in London, There is also a significant opportunity there will be few opportunities to create to increase the amount of new green BOX 10: VILLAGE - large areas of new public open space infrastructure in those parts of ESTATE REGENERATION AND GREENING or natural habitats based on traditional London that are subject to major parks and nature reserves. Therefore the regeneration programmes. After serving as a Royal Air Force base to change the estate into a new city must become greener while it also during World War II, Kidbrooke was sustainable suburb. Here, green becomes denser and more compact, in London’s Opportunity Areas and zoned for development. It became infrastructure will be integrated with order to maintain it as an attractive place Housing Zones are those parts of the Ferrier Estate in 1968 and was the built environment. The nearby to live, work and invest in, and achieve the city that have large capacity for designed along similar lines to the Sutcliffe Park was also the subject of good growth. development. They have large areas of post-modern brutalist architecture a major ecological restoration project brownfield land or existing development of the nearby estate. by the Environment Agency. This It is possible to consider how greener in need of regeneration and renewal. By the 1990s the system built precast created new areas of flood storage, areas can be created in existing areas of By turning these areas into liveable concrete panels were failing and the reed-beds and wild-flower meadows public realm. For example, motor traffic neighbourhoods there is an opportunity estate fell into disrepair. which helped provide a landscape-led 39 could be removed from local streets and to improve existing, and plan new, setting for the regeneration. replaced by linear parks. Alternatively green infrastructure. This will be better A regeneration partnership of existing public realm or green spaces connected and better integrated into the Greenwich Council, the Mayor of could be modified to provide landscapes built environment. This approach is being London and Berkeley has started or features that are more biodiverse or taken to turn the former Ferrier Estate in create corridors for wildlife. south east London into Kidbrooke Village sustainable suburb (Box 10). Around 12 per cent of London’s surface area consists of roads and streets. This amounts to most of the public realm in the most densely developed parts of London. The draft Mayor’s Transport Strategy takes the Healthy Streets Approach that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport, which will improve air quality and create a better, greener public realm.

39 RESTORE Partnership (n.d.), Case Study: Sutcliffe Park. Accessed from: https://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study per cent3ASutcliffe_Park LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 153

Proposal 5.1.1d Through the new A number of cities have developed a 41 London Plan, the Mayor will consider ‘Green Space Factor’ policy that provides BOX 11: THE GREEN SPACE FACTOR IN MALMÖ policies to green streets and buildings a methodology and metric for urban including increasing the amount greening (Box 11). It can be used to The Green Space Factor has been drainage or habitat provision. Surfaces of green roofs, green walls and determine how much urban greening applied to new developments in such as grass, gravel, vegetation, and sustainable drainage should be incorporated into all new high Malmö, such as Augustenborg and green roofs are given a score rating density development. As London grows Western Harbour. It is a tool that can based on how much they contribute The Mayor will develop a new Urban and densifies the benefits of making the be used to secure a certain amount of to ecosystem function. For example, Greening Factor for London for potential city greener must be maintained. green cover in every development. It a surface of concrete or asphalt would inclusion in the new London Plan. also minimises the degree of sealed get a score of 0.0 while a green roof The Mayor will work with a range of This might include greener public or paved surfaces in the development. would get a score of 0.7 and a natural stakeholders, including developers, realm (including green streets), publicly The system was adapted from surface covered with vegetation would architects and landscape architects, to accessible roof gardens or green roofs Germany, where it is used in Berlin get the highest score of 1.0. This champion and promote urban greening and space for growing food. It could and Hamburg among other cities. rating is then multiplied by the total good-practice. also mean replacing certain types of Other cities, including Seattle and area that the feature covers of the grey infrastructure (for example piped , have adapted it for their development. Adding all these scores London Plan policies have led to a surface water drainage) with green own planning needs. together gives you the ecologically step-change in the incorporation of infrastructure solutions. There is a effective area. This ecologically green infrastructure into the built particular opportunity to consider urban The ecologically effective area is effective area is then divided by the environment. This was notable especially greening when, for example, a green roof defined as the area of a development total area of the development to give when done through major development can be installed in combination with solar contributing to ecosystem function you a final green space factor score. or urban regeneration. Furthermore, panels to meet two key policy objectives through, for example, storm water initiatives such as Greening the BIDs, of this strategy. have helped Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) identify opportunities Green (area A x factor A) + (area B x factor B) + (area C x factor C) + etc.) for urban greening. This shows that a Space = total development footprint wide range of partners can be engaged Factor in city greening projects.40

41 GRaBS (2011), GRaBS Expert Paper 6: the green space factor and the green points system. Accessed from: www.xn--malm-8qa.se/ 40 Cross River Partnership (n.d.), Greening the BIDs. Accessed from: https://crossriverpartnership.org/projects/greening-the-bids/ download/18.d8bc6b31373089f7d980008924/1491301018437/greenspacefactor_greenpoints_grabs.pdf LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 155

Proposal 5.1.1e The Mayor will develop programmes and deliver projects BOX 12: THE MAYOR’S including a major tree planting PROGRAMME FOR EXPANDING programme to ensure that LONDON’S ‘URBAN FOREST’ London’s urban forest is maintained and expanded The Mayor’s programme will consist of the following parts: The Mayor will do this by: • community grants for tree • running a major programme of tree planting – investment in small planting to supplement tree planting by and medium scale tree planting boroughs, environmental organisations projects in green spaces and other land-managers (Box 12) across London

• improving the data required to monitor • Woodlands for London – tree canopy cover and to identify support for large woodland locations for tree planting creation projects working with partner organisations • supporting and promoting the work of • Street Tree Sponsorship – the boroughs, for example through the developing a new online map to London Tree Officers Association and enable Londoners and businesses the Trees and Design Action Group to to sponsor street tree planting in promote best practice in managing and their area planting trees in the urban environment • convening a London Tree Partnership to coordinate research and guidance, data sharing and communicating the benefits of trees LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 157

The ‘urban forest’ is all the trees in Proposal 5.1.1f The Mayor will back As a result, people and communities “There are around London. There are around eight million greater community involvement in increasingly want to take local action of them covering around 20 per cent of the improvement and management to enhance these spaces and the wider eight million trees London’s land area. It consists of street of London’s green spaces and natural environment. There are over 600 trees, garden trees, trees in parks and natural environment Friends of Parks Groups across London covering around open spaces, copses, woodlands and and over half of the London boroughs The Mayor will work with boroughs, extensive areas of semi-natural forest. have formal Parks Forums. Initiatives to Parks for London and civil society 20 per cent of The Mayor wants to increase this by ten promote food growing and community- 42 organisations such as Groundwork per cent by 2050. As well as protecting managed pocket parks have spawned London, London Wildlife Trust, and Trees London’s land the existing resource the rate of tree a number of local projects to make for Cities to provide advice and guidance planting must be increased to create better use of underused or neglected to local communities. area.” new woodlands for recreation and local green spaces. There are now, for wildlife habitat. example, 2,553 food growing spaces Local people are the main users of most 46 across London. of the smaller green spaces across Increasing London’s canopy cover London – local parks, pocket parks and can add to the benefits that London’s Traditional models of local council amenity green space. It is these spaces open spaces and urban forest already funding are no longer likely to provide that are often given the lowest priority provide. Research by the University enough resources to maintain and by those charged with managing and of has shown that enhance the public realm. The maintaining a network of sites. increasing canopy cover by ten per Association for Public Service Excellence cent in city areas with the highest published a report about this called Park The State of UK Public Parks published density of buildings can help reduce Life, Street Life: Managing demand in 43 by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2016 47 temperatures. The distance over the public realm. It explored how local provides an assessment of the funding which this cooling is effective increases people, businesses and community and investment in the UK’s public parks where tree canopy coverage is most 45 groups can become more powerful 44 and green spaces. It shows there have extensive. The planting of trees in actors within the public realm. They can been year-on-year reductions to local streets and parks will also help improve help to secure not just volunteer hours authority parks budgets since 2010. air quality over the long-term. but access to funding, and play an active Three quarters of London boroughs role in managing local spaces. expect further reductions on between 10-20 per cent (or more) up to 2020.

42 The ‘urban forest’ currently covers around 20 per cent of London’s land area. A ten per cent increase will take this to around 22 per cent by 2050 43 Gill et al (2007), Adapting Cities for Climate Change: The Role of Green Infrastructure 44 Doick et al (2016), The impact of greenspace size on the extent of local nocturnal air temperature cooling in London. Urban Forestry and Greening 16: 160-169 45 Heritage Lottery Fund (2016), State of UK Public Parks 2016. Accessed from: www.hlf.org.uk/state-uk-public-parks-2016 46 Capital Growth (n.d.) Capital growth: London’s food growing network. Accessed from: www.capitalgrowth.org/ 47 Association for Public Service Excellence (2015), Nudge and budge your citizens to reduce demand o hard pressed council services. Accessed from: www.apse.org.uk/apse/index.cfm/news/2015/press-release-nudge-and-budge-your-citizens-to-reduce-demand-on-hard- pressed-council-services/ LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 159

Many local councils now support and Wildlife Trust and the National Trust) OBJECTIVE 5.2 CONSERVING encourage local community groups and can offer local communities support AND ENHANCING WILDLIFE AND “Many Londoners civil society organisations to take more and expertise. However, additional NATURAL HABITATS responsibility for these locally important capacity is needed to ensure that locally- play an important London’s network of parks and green spaces (Box 13). A wide range of civil based groups have the practical and spaces has resulted in a city that is society organisations (including Parks administrative skills necessary to take role in maintaining not just green but also relatively rich in for London, Groundwork London, London ‘ownership’ of local green spaces. wildlife and natural spaces. London’s and enhancing geography helps. The city’s wildlife habitats include areas as diverse as the ecology of BOX 13: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MODELS chalk grassland, grazing marsh, ancient woodland and heath, and a variety of the city.” A number of different approaches Islington has devolved parks urban habitats including reservoirs, have been taken by London boroughs maintenance budgets to formally gardens and parks. to get communities more engaged in constituted residents associations local green spaces. Some examples and friends groups at Arlington However, in common with nationwide are below. Square49 and Barnsbury Square50. trends which show a continual decline in England’s biodiversity, London’s Havering actively supports a Friends Lambeth embarked on its ecological health has worsened, caused of Parks48 network that ensures local Co-operative Parks51 initiative in by urbanisation. communities are actively engaged order to identify social enterprise in decisions about managing the organisations such as Streatham Many Londoners play an important borough’s parks. This supplements Common Co-operative (SCoop)52 that role in maintaining and enhancing the work of the borough’s grounds could be responsible for not-for-profit the ecology of the city. Gardens are maintenance team. led management of borough parks. a valuable supplementary habitat for a wide range of wild plants and animals. Gardens and other private green spaces can be managed to improve their value to wildlife, for example through the provision of ponds, nectar rich plants or trees.

48 Havering Borough Council (n.d.) Friends of parks in Havering. Accessed from: www.havering.gov.uk/info/20037/parks/215/friends_of_ parks_in_havering 49 Arlington Association (n.d.), Home. Accessed from: www.arlingtonassociation.org.uk 50 Friends of Barnsbury Square Gardens (n.d.), Welcome to the Friends of Barnsbury Square Gardens website. Accessed from: friendsofbarnsburysqgardens.com/ 51 Lambeth Borough Council (2013), Lambeth Cooperative Parks Programme Information Booklet. Accessed from: www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/ default/files/CoopParksInformationBooklet.pdf 52 Streatham Common Cooperative (n.d.), What is The Streatham Common Co-operative? Accessed from: https://www.sccoop.org.uk/ LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 161

Policy 5.2.1 Protect a core network of The procedures in Appendix 5 of this nature conservation sites and ensure a strategy set out the methodology and net gain in biodiversity process by which boroughs should identify SINCs in their Local Plans. Proposal 5.2.1a The Mayor will include policies on the protection of Sites of Proposal 5.2.1b The Mayor will seek Importance for Nature Conservation to implement an approach for London (SINCs) and the promotion of wildlife- to biodiversity offsetting friendly landscaping in the new London Plan The Mayor will work with boroughs, statutory agencies and wildlife The land-use planning system provides organisations to explore the the primary mechanism for protecting opportunities to establish a new land of ecological value in London. A biodiversity offsetting metric for London. robust policy framework in the London Plan can ensure land of particular nature Biodiversity offsets are measurable conservation value is safeguarded. conservation outcomes resulting from This can support the enhancement actions designed to compensate for of biodiversity by requiring new residual adverse biodiversity impacts development to include new wildlife arising from a development. habitat, nesting and roosting sites and ecologically appropriate landscaping. Where there is risk of damage to a SINC or harm to a protected or priority The establishment of a SINC network is species, appropriate planning conditions designed to protect valuable habitats or obligations can be used to negate (those which are rare, threatened, fragile or minimise that impact. Where loss is or richest in wildlife) from development. unavoidable, mitigation or compensation By doing this, most of the rarest or should be used. This can lead to the most vulnerable species are also likely creation, restoration and enhancement to be conserved. of natural habitats, or improved breeding or foraging areas for protected or priority With access to nature included in the species on the site or elsewhere. criteria, the SINC network also ensures as many Londoners as possible can access wildlife rich spaces close to where they live and work.

53 Defra (2014), Evaluation of the Biodiversity Offsetting pilot phase. Accessed from: http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Mo dule=More&Location=None&ProjectID=18229&FromSearch=Y&Publisher=1&SearchText=WC1051&SortString=ProjectCode&SortOrder=Asc &Paging=10#Description. LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 163

Defra and Natural England ran six developers to fulfil their obligations Proposal 5.2.1c The Mayor will provide Many London boroughs and other land biodiversity offsetting pilot areas under the planning system’s mitigation guidance and support to secure better managers have access to their own from 2012 to 2014 to test various hierarchy. It therefore encourages management of existing habitats in-house advice on ecology and natural methodologies.53 The government has not local authorities and others to develop across London, the creation of new environment issues. But in recent years, yet translated the results of these pilots appropriate bespoke methodologies. habitats and conserve key species particularly as public sector budgets into a standard, approved methodology have been prioritised to fund core Working with London boroughs, the for biodiversity offsetting. It does, In London, the Thameslink Programme statutory services, the amount expert statutory environmental agencies and however, recognise that biodiversity has conducted a trial of a biodiversity advice at the borough level has fallen. others the Mayor will ensure managers offsetting is an option available to offsetting methodology (Box 14). Consequently, London-wide forums of public land in London can get the and advisory services are increasingly best advice on the management or needed to share expertise, knowledge enhancement of land or buildings and experience. BOX 14: THAMESLINK PROGRAMME: A NET POSITIVE BIODIVERSITY for nature conservation. New models OFFSETTING SCHEME of delivery will also be explored Despite the extent of green space in and recommended. London, the existing SINC network The Thameslink Programme is a and partners London Wildlife Trust is fragmented. Therefore, to further £4.6bn rail infrastructure enhancement and Lambeth Council are delivering Planning policy to protect or create areas improve ecological resilience more project running from Bedford to its biodiversity offset at Streatham of nature conservation value is ultimately habitats should be created to: Brighton through central London. It is Common, a Local Nature Reserve in ineffective if the habitats protected or Network Rail’s first project to commit . The offset involves created are not properly managed. Most • strengthen wildlife corridors and to delivering a net gain in biodiversity. new woodland planting and improving habitats will change or deteriorate over augment fragile or threatened habitats This means the mitigation hierarchy existing woodlands. It has been time without appropriate management. (avoiding and minimising impacts mainly designed to compensate for For some habitats, such as woodland, • create new landscapes that deliver on biodiversity and, as a last resort, the greatest biodiversity impact (loss this is a slow, almost imperceptible the most valuable green infrastructure compensating for any unavoidable of a railway-locked two hectare area process. For others, such as grassland services in a London context. These loss) was closely followed. All the sites of trees in south London). It will also or heathland, changes can be rapid include flood management, air quality were assessed using a Defra metric restore parts of the Great North Wood: and dramatic. improvement, prevention of water to establish the biodiversity baseline a forest that once grew across south pollution and enhancement of amenity and compensation units. Forty two London. The offset achieves a net in public parks and green spaces. units requiring compensation were biodiversity gain and adds value for identified as unavoidable losses. both wildlife and local communities. These are being addressed through The Thameslink biodiversity offset both onsite enhancements and has been named by Defra as a UK biodiversity offsetting. Thameslink, demonstration project. supported by Parsons Brinckerhoff, LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 165

A review of habitat targets in the London Table 1 details the opportunities for The values in the table are based on • Rivers and streams Plan (2015) in March 2017 showed habitat creation and restoration. This research undertaken by the London The EU Water Framework Directive that several habitat targets have been can be done via existing improvement Wildlife Trust and Greenspace requires all water bodies (including met. However, for many, it was hard and funding programmes such Information for Greater London. rivers and streams) to achieve good to make strong conclusions because as the Heritage Lottery Fund or ecological status. This, alongside it was unclear if planning policy had through the Environment Agency The habitats are: more natural approaches to managing been a critical delivery mechanism, and or borough programmes. flooding, has resulted in schemes and data on them was inconsistent and/or • Species-rich woodland measures to restore rivers to more incomplete. For this reason it has been There is an existing commitment to natural systems. In the capital, this has decided that a smaller set of targets will increase London’s existing tree canopy been catalysed by the London Rivers be included in this strategy rather than by five per cent (the equivalent of Action Plan which has led to 17.5 km the London Plan. one per cent of London’s total tree of river channel being restored since canopy cover) by 2050, by creating 2008. This sets a target for 2050 taking 2000 hectares of woodland in London’s into account that opportunities for Table 1: Habitat creation opportunities for London urban fringe. The habitat creation restoration will get harder compared target proposes that a minimum of ten to earlier years per cent of this woodland planting, Habitat By 2025 (ha) By 2050 (ha) i.e. 200 hectares, in the urban fringe • Reedbeds is species-rich woodland designed Creating reedbeds has been a feature and planted to a higher standard than of habitat creation effort in London general woodland planting since the early ‘90s. It addresses a Species-rich woodland 20 200 chronic problem of nutrient enrichment • Flower-rich grassland and pollution. It also creates new A target of creating an additional 300 wildlife habitat in many lakes found in Flower-rich grassland 50 250 hectares of flower-rich grassland by London’s parks. This has resulted in 2050 would require about one per new reedbeds in a number of parks Rivers and streams 10 km 40 km cent of existing public green space including the Royal Parks. The target to be improved to provide this contributes to the objectives of the additional habitat EU Water Framework Directive by Reedbeds 5 30 encouraging reedbed creation LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 167

There needs to be more ecological In London these priority habitats are: connectivity and wildlife corridors between designated Sites of Nature • acid grassland Conservation Interest and rare or threatened habitats need to be • chalk grassland expanded. To do this, opportunities • fen, marsh and swamp should be sought to create or restore UK Biodiversity Action Plan habitats • lowland meadows (‘priority habitats’) near these designated • coastal and floodplain grazing marsh sites where these habitats are found (Figure 28). • open mosaic habitats on previously developed land

• orchards LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 169

TYPE OF GRAPH: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Reference

Figure 28: Habitat creation opportunity areas – 200m buffer around sites

Figsupporting 11: Habitat creation opportunitypriority areas habitats - a 200m buffer around sites supporting priority habitats BOX 15: SECURING ECOLOGY OBJECTIVES FOR THE OLYMPIC PARK

The London 2012 Olympic and species rich grassland, wet woodland Paralympic Games planning and reedbeds. It also identified the permissions placed an obligation quality of the new habitat, including to provide 45 hectares of wildlife those that support particular species habitat. It also required the quality and the establishment of continuous and connectivity of habitat to be corridors for wildlife migration. improved.55 The new Biodiversity Importantly it integrated these Action Plan56 provided a context habitats with areas of more formal for this new habitat and showed landscaping and ensured where it can be done for other major possible that wildlife habitat was also redevelopment sites. providing other functions such as flood storage. The original Biodiversity The habitat was broken down into Action Plan has been updated for target areas and locations for various the future development of Queen different habitats within the Park, Elizabeth Olympic Park.57 identified in Habitat Action Plans. Habitats to be created included brownfield (including brown roofs),

Legend

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Haibitats (excl. ponds, and woods < 1ha) 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles

200m buffer

Source: Greater London Autority (2017)

Source: Greater London Autority (2017)

The development of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games provides a case study in habitat creation (Box 15).54 55 Peter Neal (2011), Learning legacy. Accessed from: http://learninglegacy.independent.gov.uk/documents/pdfs/design-and-engineering- innovation/425009-165-promoting-biodiversity-aw.pdf 56 Olympic Delivery Authority (2008), Olympic Park Biodiversity Action Plan. Accessed from: www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/ lldc/local-plan/local-plan-examination-documents/local-strategy-papers/ls4-legacy-communities-scheme-olympic-park-biodiversity-action- plan-2008.ashx?la=en 57 London Legacy Development Corporation (2013), Legacy Communities Scheme Biodiversity Action Plan 2014-2019. Accessed from: 54 Olympic Delivery Authority (2011), Learning legacy: lessons learned from the London 2012 Games construction project. Accessed from: www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/lldc/sustainability-and-biodiversity/legacy-communities-scheme-biodiversity-action- http://learninglegacy.independent.gov.uk/documents/pdfs/design-and-engineering-innovation/425009-165-promoting-biodiversity-aw.pdf plan-2014-2019.ashx?la=en LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 171

The Mayor will work with wildlife (such as gardens and street trees, Proposal 5.2.1d The Mayor will work and environmental organisations. organisations to produce an updated list for example) that are not safeguarded with key partners to establish a cost- Volunteers and citizen scientists also of priority species which are of particular by being part of the SINC network. effective monitoring framework to contribute to the collection of this data. conservation importance in London. ensure important natural environment The result is a disparate approach that All land-managers and landowners The Natural Environment and Rural data is collected consistently to inform does not provide a strategic view of the should take this into account. This Communities Act 2006 lists species future decision making state of London’s natural environment. should include, for example, tailoring that are of principal importance for It also demonstrates the need for a Key data on London’s ecology and the management of land to create the conservation of biodiversity robust natural environment monitoring natural environment will be collected, habitat or features (for example, (‘priority species’). The conservation framework. This should identify the collated, managed and shared. This will nesting and roosting sites) which status of these species must be taken most relevant data required to monitor be to monitor ecological trends and to support their conservation. into account by public bodies when key indicators of the health of London’s make evidence-based decisions on the making decisions about the use and environment and how to collect it in the 59 use and management of land. The ecological resilience of London management of land. most cost-effective way. cannot be maintained simply by the The health of London’s natural protection of SINCS or using other legal Appendix 2 provides a list of the priority The 2002 Strategy also recognised environment can be measured using protections. Some species such as bats species identified in London. It has the importance of collating, managing variables ranging from the extent and are legally protected under the Wildlife information about the types of habitats and sharing natural environment data. 58 quality of habitats, to the presence and Countryside Act 1981. They may and features on which they depend Consequently, a records centre was and population size of species. It also also be dependent upon supplementary and the boroughs where they have created in the form of Greenspace 60 includes the accessibility of green habitat provided by ecological features been recorded. Information for Greater London (GiGL). space and water quality of rivers and This monitors the effectiveness and water bodies. The 2002 Biodiversity impact of the policies in this strategy Strategy recommended a ten-year by collecting and collating data on a rolling survey of all London’s green London-wide basis. It also provides a spaces and habitats. The data to support cost-effective mechanism for boroughs the monitoring of these indicators is and others to maintain their own data. held by a number of bodies including London boroughs, statutory agencies

58 JNCC (n.d.) Species protection and legislation. Accessed from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1747 59 Natural England (n.d.), Habitats and species of principal importance in England. Accessed from: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov. uk/20140605090108/http:/www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/protectandmanage/habsandspeciesimportance. aspx 60 GiGL (n.d.) London’s BAP Priority Species. Accessed from: www.gigl.org.uk/london-bap-priority-species/ LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 173

OBJECTIVE 5.3 VALUE LONDON’S physical and mental health. This will • organisational models including “Making London NATURAL CAPITAL AS AN in turn reduce health expenditures service transformation variations ECONOMIC ASSET AND SUPPORT and improve labour productivity. oncharitable trusts, social enterprise a National Park GREATER INVESTMENT IN GREEN models or other option, which improve INFRASTRUCTURE Policy 5.3.1 To address under- the existing institutional landscape for City brings investment and improve the managing parks and green spaces Making London a National Park City management of London’s green opportunities to brings opportunities to engage infrastructure through new business The functions of green infrastructure are Londoners to create a common vision models and improved awareness usually optimised by managing these at engage Londoners of the environmental, social and of the benefits of London’s green a location and scale that fits the service economic benefits of London’s green infrastructure provided. For example, flood prevention to create a infrastructure. It provides a framework and management is best done at the Proposal 5.3.1a The Mayor will to promote investment in London’s river catchment scale, as interventions establish a London Green Spaces common vision of natural capital and green infrastructure. upstream can have a profound impact Commission to develop new models This will ensure effective coordination, (positive or negative) lower down the for the delivery and management of the environmental, better valuation and more innovation catchment. from all those involved in protecting and London’s green infrastructure enhancing London’s environment. social and The Mayor will work with London The political boundaries of the city Councils, GLA group and civil society are rarely aligned to the appropriate The Natural Capital Committee’s third economic benefits organisations to establish a time limited landscape scale. However, there have report to government showed that London Green Spaces Commission been recent examples through sub- carefully planned investments in natural of London’s green to explore the best options for regional partnerships such as Wandle capital, targeted at the best locations, the following: Valley Regional Park Trust and the infrastructure.” will provide huge value for money Colne Valley Regional Park Community and generate large economic returns. • developing financing frameworks Interest Company which are based on These are competitive with the returns that identify a range of models to the geography of London’s river valleys. from more traditional infrastructure generate resources. Also, an investor These are starting to illustrate the investments. In particular, urban and fundraising plan to include options benefits of planning and working across green spaces offer significant 61,62 for private and voluntary sector administrative boundaries. potential for improvements in contributions and from other sources of public sector finance (for example health)

61 Wandle Valley (n.d.), Welcome to the Wandle Valley Regional Park. Accessed from: http://wandlevalleypark.co.uk// 62 Colne Valley Regional Park (n.d.), Colne Valley Regional Park. Accessed from: www.colnevalleypark.org.uk/ LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 175

Proposal 5.3.1b The Mayor will The newly emerging methodology of publish and promote a natural capital Natural Capital Accounting is designed BOX 16: PROVIDING VALUE FOR MONEY FROM NEW accounting framework for London to enable the following: WOODLAND PLANTING

The Mayor will work with London • better measurement of the value that Government policy and funding for However, if the economic value of Councils and other stakeholders to the natural capital owned or managed woodland creation is determined recreation and carbon release is promote and share a London Natural by an organisation produces for the primarily by the value of timber minus factored in, there should be extensive Capital Account and a natural capital organisation itself and society in the costs to agriculture of foregone tree planting in major population accounting framework. The Mayor will general (asset values) production. This results in planting centres and where soils store encourage its use by London boroughs targeted in the uplands (see left hand less carbon (see right hand map). and other major land-managers. • better recording of the costs (liabilities) map) although there is an extra non- Woodland planting of up to 250,000 of maintaining this value market cost of the release of CO2 additional hectares, located near The government’s Natural Capital resulting from draining peaty soils. For towns and cities would bring net Committee is creating an accounting Great Britain as a whole, this produces economic benefits of nearly £550m framework to address the issue of overall losses in excess of £65m a year. a year across Great Britain. underinvestment in managing and improving the natural environment and green infrastructure (Box 16). LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 177

This approach is particularly relevant to informing policy and funding requirements for London’s green infrastructure. A Natural Capital Account for London’s public parks and green spaces will be published alongside the final version of this strategy. It will reveal the economic value of public parks and green spaces. It will support the business case for investment in these spaces by contrast this with the significant reduction in spending in these vital assets in recent years as a consequence of constraints in sector public funding. Initial conclusions are that London’s public green space has a combined asset value in the order of tens of billions. LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 179

Proposal 5.3.1c The Mayor will work Proposal 5.3.1d The Mayor will explore This will include: It is vital that the public engage with and with a range of stakeholders to help new approaches to investment to make participate in the idea of London as a provide a stronger evidence base for sure that there is financial support for • alignment of funding streams and National Park City. Many of the activities green infrastructure programmes, strategic green infrastructure projects objectives of a wide range of partners, needed to meet National Park City projects and interventions to identify including pooling of funding at objectives require action by Londoners To develop new or improved funding priority areas for green infrastructure sub-regional level or across in and around the places in which streams the Mayor will work with borough boundaries they live and work. This is supported The Mayor will work with stakeholders others to determine how best to access by information and guidance like to review and update the framework funding. This includes major sources • using new resources that have not Groundwork London’s Climate Proofing provided by the All London Green of philanthropic funding, new resources traditionally been accessible to those Housing Landscapes project (Box 17) Grid. An All London Green Grid from environmental levies, and delivering green infrastructure projects and the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘challenge map’ will be developed charges from further fiscal devolution. (for example philanthropic funding) Greening Grey Britain campaign. to identify priority areas for green The Mayor will also convene annual infrastructure investment. strategy meetings involving major • resourcing model demonstration The Mayor will work with partners to funding bodies. This will ensure projects to showcase best practice develop specific campaigns that are The All London Green Grid is a green better coordination and targeting and set the standards and practices likely to resonate with a wide range of infrastructure policy framework set out of available funding. for future interventions Londoners. For example, guidance and in Supplementary Planning Guidance advice on how Londoners can reduce (SPG) to the London Plan. It identified There is increasing recognition of the Proposal 5.3.1e The Mayor will work their own risk of exposure to poor air the various functions and benefits of potential economic benefit of investment with civil society organisations to quality by appropriate planting in front green infrastructure. However, it did not in green infrastructure. Yet the funding develop a series of campaigns that gardens, or promoting a ‘licence to prioritise projects and interventions of strategic green infrastructure projects engage Londoners and enable them to green’ which gives residents permission based on what function might be of still falls largely to those parts of the enjoy, participate in and contribute to to garden public spaces as has been particular benefit in each location. Since public sector and their civil society 63,64 London becoming a National Park City trialled in Paris. its publication in 2012, more fine-grain partners that work on environmental digitised spatial and geographic data outcomes. An increase in green The Mayor will support campaigns by has become available. This allows a infrastructure investment will require civil society organisations that provide more sophisticated assessment of which access to new funding sources, including information to Londoners on how they green infrastructure interventions might funding from the private sector, and can contribute to improving London’s be best suited to particular locations. better use and coordination of existing green infrastructure. public and charitable funding streams.

63 EcoWatch (2016), Paris Becomes One of the Most Garden-Friendly Cities in the World. Accessed from: www.ecowatch.com/paris-urban- gardening-2039785049.html 64 Mairie de Paris (n.d.), Le permis de végétaliser. Accessed from: www.paris.fr/permisdevegetaliser LONDON ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY 181

BOX 17: CLIMATE PROOFING • working with residents to give them 3. Do you think the proposed policies HOUSING LANDSCAPES the chance to shape the open space Q and programmes will ensure improvements on their estates CONSULTATION QUESTIONS: London’s important wildlife is Groundwork London in partnership and promote awareness of climate GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE protected and enhanced? with Hammersmith & Fulham change impacts and how residents 1. The Mayor’s ambition is to make Council has been working with local can adapt 4. Do you think the proposed policies London a National Park City. What residents to design and implement and programmes will be effective should the attributes of a National green infrastructure climate change • creating training and job in increasing London’s tree canopy Park City be and what would we need adaptation measures on three housing opportunities for apprentices and cover? 65 to achieve for it to be considered estates. This was done by: for grounds maintenance successful? contractors to learn how to 5. How best can natural capital • light engineering retrofitting maintain these measures and thinking be used to secure greater 2. In what ways can the Mayor help solutions in green spaces, to help to replicate them elsewhere investment in the capital’s green to ensure a more strategic and ease impacts such as flooding and infrastructure? coordinated approach to the heat. This includes sustainable management of London’s network of drainage systems as shown in the 6. Please provide any further parks and green spaces? photograph below comments on the policies and programmes mentioned london.gov.uk/environment-strategy in this chapter.

65 Groundwork (n.d.), Climate Proofing Housing Landscapes. Accessed from: www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/urbanclimateproofing