Green and Open Space Strategy 2010-2030
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cover ideas 2/11/10 12:10 Page 1 SHEFFIELD’S GREEN & OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 2010-2030 This document can be supplied in alternative formats, GREAT please contact: Sheffield City Council Parks and Countryside OUTDOORS Tel: 0114 250 0500 www.sheffield.gov.uk 100% When you have finished with This document is printed this document please recycle it on 80% recycled paper DP6690 Open Spaces Strategy 2/11/10 11:19 Page 2 Sheffield’s Great Outdoors Meersbrook Park CONTENTS PART ONE - SUMMARY 3. INDICATED PRIORITIES 22 1. FOREWORD 4 Quality and condition ........................ 22 Wider outcomes and 2. STRATEGIC THEMES management approaches ................23 AND OUTCOMES 6 People ................................................ 7 4. DELIVERING THE VISION ........ 24 Places ................................................ 8 People .............................................. 26 Environment and sustainability .......... 9 Places .............................................. 34 Quality management ........................ 10 Environment and sustainability ........ 42 Quality management ........................ 48 PART TWO - STRATEGY 2010-2030 PART THREE – IMPLEMENTATION 1. INTRODUCTION 12 1. MONITORING AND Vision ................................................ 12 DELIVERY 60 The four strategic themes ................ 13 Leadership ........................................ 61 Relationship with other strategies .... 14 Action planning and involvement .... 61 Process of development .................. 15 2. STRATEGIC PLAN 2. THE SHEFFIELD CONTEXT 18 2010-2030 63 Green and open space assets ........ 18 The local view .................................. 18 Independent quality assessment .... 19 Condition of green space for APPENDICES nature conservation .......................... 20 A. List of stakeholders .......................... 74 B. Types of green and open space ...... 76 The Vision C. Bibliography and references ............ 78 Sheffield is the greenest city in Britain, proud of its rich variety of open spaces. Our Strategy will ensure that every area of the city has green and open spaces of exceptional quality for all current and future generations to use and enjoy. 2 3 Open Spaces Strategy 2/11/10 11:19 Page 4 Sheffield’s Great Outdoors Sheffield’s Great Outdoors 1 children recognised as obese (ref 2). Vision • Set quality standards and commit to Sheffield’s green and open space is one Sheffield is the greenest city in meeting them. PART ONE- of the city’s major resources to help Britain, proud of its rich variety of tackle this. open spaces. • Work more collaboratively with the many managers, owners and service providers SUMMARY • Place - Sheffield is recognised as a and with Community Assemblies to a Our Strategy will ensure that every SHEFFIELD GREEN centre of excellence for attracting area of the city has green and open common vision. economic investment as a result of the spaces of exceptional quality for all AND OPEN SPACE quality of its public realm. Proximity to current and future generations to use • Combine resources in a planned high quality green space has been and enjoy. approach to projects and investment. STRATEGY shown to increase the value of residential properties by up to 15% and The principal outcomes sought by the • Identify opportunities to manage increase occupancy rates of business Strategy over the next 20 years are: sustainably, bringing in income and premises by 5 to 7% (ref 5). managing resources for the long term. 1. FOREWORD • A visible improvement in the quality and • Environment - Sheffield’s woodlands safety of local green and open spaces, What that means for partners and green spaces helps justify the city’s recognisable to residents and resulting Although partner organisations have their Where we are now claim to be, visibly, the greenest city in in greater participation. own individual objectives, as stakeholders Sheffield is blessed with fine landscapes Britain (ref 3). The benefits from such in the green space sector, we have and a wonderful range of parks, extensive ‘green infrastructure’ will be of • Communities participating actively, common aims to improve our environment. woodlands, countryside, activity and play great importance given the UK's climate getting involved in management and There are mutual and overlapping benefits spaces. Many are of excellent quality, but projections, helping to reduce the impact decisions on their local spaces. for us all. We therefore each have a stake some local green spaces are not as good of higher summer temperatures and in making things work better. as they might be. Sheffield’s residents have greater rainfall intensity as a • An even greener Sheffield - contributing told us how much they value green space, consequence of climate change (ref 4). on a regional scale to managing climate The adoption of this Strategy is the means but that where quality is poor, it stops them change and conserving biodiversity. to engage all partners in achieving that - visiting them more often. Where we want to be and to establish a common set of Throughout the development of this • Sheffield firmly established as a national principles and operating standards. It is a The wider benefits of green and open Strategy we have listened to the voice of centre of excellence for green space joint commitment to improving the ‘quality’ spaces are nationally recognised. They local people, gathered input from management. of Sheffield. play a vital role in the city’s sustainable stakeholders and been steered by a range development: of partners representing the community, How we will get there References voluntary, public and private sectors. To achieve our biggest ambitions, green 1. Health, Place and Nature, (Sustainable Development • People - The Department of Health Understanding our customers’ needs and Commission, accessed at www.sd-commission.org.uk ) and open spaces need to be managed not 2. City on the Move - Physical Activity Strategy, (Sheffield encourages us to take just 30 minutes priorities has allowed us to create a Vision only as individual sites but also collectively, City Council, 2004) physical activity five times a week (ref 1), for the future of Sheffield’s green and open as one of the city’s most important assets. 3. How Green is Sheffield? (Sorby Natural History Society, yet in 2004, half of Sheffield’s population spaces. Through this Strategy we will: 2006) was overweight and there were 12,000 4. SCORCHIO project (Centre for Urban Regional Ecology). 5. Does Money Grow on Trees? (CABE Space, 2005). 4 5 Open Spaces Strategy 2/11/10 11:20 Page 6 Sheffield’s Great Outdoors Sheffield’s Great Outdoors Strategic outcomes 2. STRATEGIC THEMES AND OUTCOMES People • By 2010 - area-based working “for all current and future established around the prioritisation and planning for local green and open generations to use and spaces. People enjoy” • By 2012 - 200 educational visits “for all current and future generations to use and enjoy” coordinated for schools to green and The green and open spaces in our city open spaces as part of an Education were established for the people of and Learning Strategy. Sheffield. Although they have many other • By 2011 - a support framework Places benefits they are there first and foremost to established to set up and provide “every area of the city” lift the spirit and enrich our lives. Popular assistance to new and existing Friends and well-used spaces can bring residents groups. and their communities closer together. • By 2011 - 23 additional or improved play opportunities created. Environment & Sustainability This Strategy seeks to ensure that the full • By 2012 - increased number and “the ‘greenest’ city in Britain” diversity of Sheffield’s population is out proportion of actively tenanted allotment there enjoying our local green and open plots achieved. spaces which are safe, clean and • By 2013 - on-site staff presence accessible in all areas - and enlivened with established in key city and district sites. Quality Management a range of activities, events and facilities • By 2014 - a Marketing Strategy “green and open spaces of exceptional quality” and contributing to the health and well- developed and initial targets realised for being of our city. increased participation. • By 2019 - the phased improvement of all Our six priorities for action: ‘community green spaces’ to a baseline Sheffield quality standard completed. • Promoting health and activity • Supporting education and learning • Encouraging diversity and inclusion • Ensuring safety and security • Greater community involvement • Promoting fun and enjoyment 6 7 Open Spaces Strategy 2/11/10 11:20 Page 8 Sheffield’s Great Outdoors Sheffield’s Great Outdoors Strategic outcomes Our four priorities for action: Places • By 2012 - design guidelines developed Environment & • Minimising climate change “every area of the city” for green and open spaces. • Sustaining quality in our environment • By 2018 - accessible walking and Sustainability • Managing for nature and biodiversity The most popular green and open spaces cycling routes developed and maintained “the ‘greenest’ city • Making connections for people and are those that provide the locations and within priority green and open spaces. in Britain” wildlife type of facilities that local communities • By 2018 - local cultural and natural wish to use. The most successful are those heritage features incorporated into site Strategic Outcomes Green spaces provide attractive places for • that are also well-designed. plans to ensure their