Newsletter Summer 2012

Local Nature Partnership

The and Green six months include working with the Infrastructure Consortium has been health sector to identify shared recognised by Government as a 'Local priorities and develop shared projects, Nature Partnership'. working with the new Health and Wellbeing Boards. We will work with This is a recognition of the the SEMLEP Board and the Green Consortium's potential to add value to Economy Sub‐Group to promote the local decision making on a range of role of the environment in issues, including strategic and local underpinning sustainable planning, economic growth and the development. Other activities include health and wellbeing of local people. reviewing the membership of the Becoming a Local Nature Partnership is Consortium, and addressing how it will a great endorsement of the activities relate to other partnerships and and vision of the Green Infrastructure organisations; supporting the Consortium. In announcing the development of landscape scale successful applications, Richard projects; and supporting the Benyon, Parliamentary Undersecretary development of catchment based for the Natural Environment, approaches to managing flood and welcomed the wonderful vision, drought risk and water quality, helping energy and commitment, and the to meet the objectives of the Water ambition not only to safeguard nature, Framework Directive. Becoming a but to recognise its importance to Local Nature Partnership doesn't bring economic growth and the wellbeing of in any financial support, but the new communities. status and endorsement from Government provides the credibility to The role of Local Nature Partnerships is carry out these activities more to enable local leadership and operate effectively. across administrative boundaries. They will raise awareness about the services Jon Balaam, Acting Chair of the Green and benefits of a healthy natural Infrastructure Consortium, said “I am environment, and contribute to the delighted that our application for Local green economy and complement Local Nature Partnership status has been Enterprise Partnerships. successful. We look forward to working as a partnership to break new Activities that the Green Infrastructure ground and drive positive change, and Consortium as a new Local Nature to working with neighbouring Local Partnership will carry out over the next Nature Partnerships to achieving this at a wider scale”. Page 2 Newsletter Summer 2012

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Sustainability Programme Central Bedfordshire Council at a research project carried out this information. The has been taking a proactive with our neighbours and leaders Environment Agency praised the approach to understanding the in the field, Cranfield University. innovative approach that local impacts of climate change, This explores and maps Central Central Bedfordshire had taken, including investigating how this Bedfordshire’s existing ability to and identified the strong links can be linked to green store carbon in soils and manage between this area of work, the infrastructure planning and water runoff and water quality. implementation of the Water delivery to lock carbon into the The study also suggests how we Framework Directive that the soils, and manage water quality can maximise the area’s ability Environment Agency is leading and quantity issues. to maximise soil carbon storage, on, and the local Flood Risk reduce the risks of drought and Management Strategies that flooding, and improve water Local Authorities are preparing. At an event in March, we The event has been followed up presented the findings of two quality. with specific discussions with recently completed studies, various teams from Central looking at the local climate Bedfordshire as to how best to change impacts, and how we can Both studies give us an use this information to enable a use our environment and green important understanding of the joined up approach to planning infrastructure network to major risks and opportunities to for environmental changes, and mitigate and adapt to these the environment, as well as using our green infrastructure risks. providing a more robust to adapt to these changes. evidence base to inform service The first presentation looked at planning and delivery for many To see these reports, see the Climate Change Adaptation areas of work across Central Bedfordshire Council, as well as http:// Evidence base, which www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk incorporates the Council’s first for our partners. These pieces of work provide, for the first /Images/Final%20CCRA% ‘Local Climate Impacts Profile’. 20Apr%2012%20cover_tcm6- This looks at what changing time, a joined up and overall picture of the environmental 32011.pdf#False for the Climate climate and weather patterns Change Adaptation Evidence actually mean for Central risks that Central Bedfordshire is facing, enabling us to better Base, and http:// Bedfordshire; how are we www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk already vulnerable to extreme explore how we can adapt, mitigate and manage these risks. /Images/Ecosystem%20services% weather events; what the spatial 20Report%20Jun%2012_tcm6- impacts of climate change The studies are particularly timely as Central Bedfordshire 32089.pdf#False for ‘Spatial projections are for Central Evidence Base to improve Bedfordshire; and what are the Council takes on new roles in water management, we grapple Regulating Ecosystem Services in consequences for development, Central Bedfordshire’ service delivery and the with the challenges of water community could be. This study shortages for our businesses and provides us with an evidence communities, and the national base to help us make planning deadline for compliance with the and development decisions, and Water Framework Directive, identifies what we can do to setting out water quality targets adapt to the effects of a approaches. changing climate, and increase resilience to weather related emergencies across Central These presentations were Bedfordshire. followed by a discussion about how the various departments across Central Bedfordshire, The second presentation looked and partners present could use Newsletter Summer 2012 Page 3

Caddington and Slip End start neighbourhood planning With LNP funding from Defra discussions with green space Group to produce a secured by the GIC, BRCC was users, questionnaires Caddington & Slip End GI Plan. asked to undertake community distributed by hand and post to It was intended that this GI engagement activities towards local community groups and Plan, while being a useable the production of Green individuals, morning, afternoon document in its own right Infrastructure Plans in the and evening ‘drop-in’ sessions would also influence the NP. communities of and and a display at the Dallow Caddington & Slip End. Festival. With the need for the Neighbourhood Plan to have a Luton’s Dallow ward is located The consultation shows that focus and the interest 1 mile to the west of the town local residents value their green demonstrated in GI, centre, bordering the M1. It spaces, want to see them consideration is now being has a population of enhanced and cared for; and given to more fully embed GI in approximately 13,000; over two that they have clear ideas on the NP. A Flagship GI project thirds of which are from ethnic what the enhancements should will be used to steer the NP minority groups. It is one of be. and embed GI themes within the most deprived wards in the future development of Luton and the UK as a whole. Caddington and Slip End have these communities. The area is already deficient in joined together as one of the pubic open space, with little or first communities in BRCC will continue to work no opportunities for the Bedfordshire to produce a with the NP Steering Group creation of new green spaces. Neighbourhood Plan (NP). To and CBC to undertake further ensure that green infrastructure consultation and plan the BRCC undertook a range of was fully addressed as part of delivery of an exciting future consultation activities in the the consultation process it was for local residents. spring and early summer of agreed for BRCC to work in 2012, including face to face parallel with the NP Steering

Partnership make improvements to Duck Mill Weir

the Viking Kayak Club have hopeful Etienne Stott and the been working in partnership to Mayor of Bedford. facilitate the development of Duck Mill weir pool as a more The Environment Agency will formal white water venue. continue to work with the Viking Kayak Club and Bedford Borough Council in the The venue was officially development of Duck Mill unveiled on Saturday 3 white water arena, which will March 2012 by the partners establish the site as a white The Environment Agency, alongside then Olympic medal water venue for training and Bedford Borough Council and competitions. Newsletter Summer 2012 Page 4

Wardown Park’s trees ‘worth more than £2million’

Jewel in the crown: Wardown Park is one of Luton’s gems

We all love trees and we know These staggering findings are said: “On first glance the that they are good for us. They revealed in the results of the results are quite extraordinary. are an integral part of our i-Tree Eco survey carried out “In so many ways we probably natural environment, making for last take trees for granted. We our countryside and towns summer using software know that they are there, and healthier, more beautiful and developed by the United that they make us happy, but pleasing to live in. Wardown Park’s trees rarely do we think about what ‘worth more than they actually do for us in detail. £2million’ States Forestry But is it possible to measure “This survey proves that trees Service. their value and the benefit they and shrubs do far more for us provide? A pioneering study in than we often imagine. Their Luton has attempted to find Along with a similar project in benefit and importance is too out, and estimated that the Torbay, this was the first frequently overlooked, value of the trees and shrubs survey of its kind in the UK to underestimated and certainly in Wardown Park alone study a single park and its undervalued.” exceeds £2 million. purpose was to make the most accurate evaluation possible of Robbie Barnes, one of the In addition, the park’s current the multiple environmental Council’s arboricultural services that the trees and stock of 1,221 trees and 4,695 officers, says Luton is lucky to cubic metres of hedges and shrubs provide. have such an excellent ‘urban shrubs stores carbon that forest’. would be worth more than In association with Treeworks £47,000 a year on the open Environmental Practice and i-Tree Eco has been an market – locking up carbon Treeconomics, the Council extremely useful project for worth £960 annually. organised a group of Wardown Park and for volunteers to list and take confirming the significant value It also filters out atmospheric measurements of all the trees of not only maintaining but increasing a healthy tree pollution that would cost more and shrubs at Wardown. population. than £30,000 a year if provided by a machine. Cllr Mohammed Ashraf, Portfolio Holder for parks, Page 5 Newsletter Summer 2012

Biggleswade Green Wheel The ‘Biggleswade Green leading from the settlement appropriate links to the wider Wheel’ is a long term vision out to the ‘rim’ and the wider bridleway network for horse for the linking of publicly surrounding countryside and riders. Although primarily accessible green spaces and its associated visitor delivering enhanced public routes around the town. attractions. access, the Green Wheel will also enhance, celebrate and The Wheel is considered where possible create other ‘green’ due to both the natural Green Infrastructure thematic environment components assets, including biodiversity, forming it; and the promotion landscape and heritage. of recreational trips using healthy, non-motorised forms Central Bedfordshire Council, of sustainable ‘transport’. BRCC, Biggleswade Town Council and the local The entire Green Wheel community are working It aims to create a ‘rim’ which should ultimately be freely together to deliver elements of is supported by ‘spokes’ of available to walkers and the Green Wheel vision. linear paths and corridors cyclists, while also providing

B&MK Waterway Planning permission renewed

Planning permission for the further five years and hope Homes & Communities Milton Keynes Waterway Park that within that time we shall Agency and the B&MK has been renewed by Milton see the first signs of Waterway Trust has been Keynes Partnership for a construction of the Milton established to facilitate the further five years. This is a key Keynes section of the construction of the waterway. part of the proposed new waterway.” The Consortium is chaired by waterway which will link the the Mayor of Bedford, Dave Grand Union Canal at Hodgson. The route of the Waterway is Campbell Park, Milton Keynes safeguarded in the three local to the River Great Ouse at authority Core Strategies and a Kempston, Bedford. consortium of the three local

authorities, (Milton Keynes, Commenting on this, Graham Bedford Borough and Central Mabbutt, Chairman of the Bedfordshire,) and the Marston B&MK Waterway Trust, said: Vale Trust, MK Parks Trust, “We are delighted that MK Canal & River Trust, The Partnership has renewed the Environment Agency, The planning permission for a Southern Bedfordshire Chiltern Arc (North Luton) Central Bedfordshire Council has www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ drawn up exciting plans which consultation during the consultation consider the future management and on the plans. access to the areas in and around the Southern Bedfordshire Chiltern Arc area between the M1 and A6 The consultation begins on Monday, th Bedfordshire and Luton Green north of Luton. 3 Sept 2012, ending on Friday, 12 Oct 2012. Infrastructure Consortium c/o The Greensand Trust http:// This area includes countryside Rushmere Country Park www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/ contained within the boundary of the Linslade Road surveys/VisionPlan/ Heath & Reach parish of Sundon, much of Streatley sb_chiltern_arc.htm LU7 0EB and small parts of the parishes of Barton, Chalton, Harlington and Contact us: Toddington. It incorporates a unique The plans are designed to maintain 01525 234260 area of nationally and local historical and improve the access to and [email protected] and wildlife sites. involvement in the conservation from the local community and to improve the ecological condition of The Countryside Access the area, which includes ancient Service invite you to view and comment on the plans online at woodlands.

SAVE THE DATE!

7th November 2012

Bedfordshire and Luton Green Infrastructure Consortium meeting and workshop to take Local Nature Partnership forward