For General Release REPORT TO: CABINET 9 July 2012 AGENDA ITEM: 10 SUBJECT: London’s Downlands Green Grid Area Framework - Endorsement LEAD OFFICER: Mike Kiely, Director of Planning & Building Control CABINET MEMBER: Councillor Jason Perry, Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration & Transport WARDS: All CORPORATE PRIORITY/POLICY CONTEXT: London’s Downlands Area Framework complements work on the borough’s emerging Core Strategy and overall spatial planning function, which seeks to establish Croydon as a ‘Sustainable City’, a key element of the ‘We are Croydon’ vision. FINANCIAL IMPACT London’s Downlands project is not funded by a London Borough of Croydon budget. The identification and prioritisation of projects via the development of the Framework will serve as a basis for making external funding bids for the borough in the future. The framework will also complement the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the functions of the Infrastructure Finance Group. FORWARD PLAN KEY DECISION REFERENCE NO. This is not a key executive decision. The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out in the recommendations below. 1. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.1 Endorse the London’s Downlands Area Framework (e-copy only) as a component of the Mayor’s All London Green Grid and the London Borough of Croydon continued work in partnership with other bodies within the London’s Downlands area, including the London Boroughs of Bromley and Sutton. 68 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 London’s Downlands Framework (the Framework) covers the London Boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton. The Framework is part of the Mayor of London’s All London Green Grid. Croydon has a key role to play in delivery of an enhanced integrated network of green infrastructure and open spaces together with rivers and waterways. 2.2 The Framework has been produced by a wide partnership including officers from the planning and environment department’s of each borough and has identified how the All London Green Grid (ALGG) can be delivered spatially and across administrative boundaries. The Framework: establishes a comprehensive baseline understanding of the area; defines a vision, area objectives and strategic opportunities; ensures that sub-regional and strategic projects interface with Borough level planning, regeneration, transport and open space strategies and processes; identifies the resources required to form bidding strategies to deliver the funding for strategic projects; consolidates resources, coordinates efforts and facilitates partnership working; supports the preparation of Delivery Strategies / Infrastructure Delivery Plans; and starts to address the recommendations of the borough’s Surface Water Management Plan and ensures that the possible flood and surface water management opportunities are incorporated within the ALGG. 3. DETAIL: 3.1 The ALGG is being developed to provide a strategic interlinked network of high quality green infrastructure and open spaces that connect with town centres, public transport nodes, the countryside in the urban fringe, the Thames and major employment and residential areas. Eleven Area Frameworks help to support the delivery of the All London Green Grid objectives. The London’s Downlands Area Framework covers the whole of the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton. It is the capital’s most continuous area of green spaces and contains over half of London’s ancient woodlands and chalk grasslands. 3.2 The Framework has identified a number of strategic corridors and links that are landscapes rather than linear routes. Projects have been identified that are partly funded whilst many are aspirational for which external funding will be sought. The projects are predominantly on publicly owned land, but some seek to influence and support private and third sector land owners. Delivery will be through partnership working across the three local authorities, other public authorities, private business, third sector organisations and residents. 3.3 The projects have been grouped in clusters recognising the landscapes around Croydon (including the chalk downlands and heathlands). Opportunities include: 69 greater cross authority links and project fund bidding with Kent and Surrey; improving the quality of the water and riparian habitats of Croydon’s watercourses whilst reducing flood risk; making a positive contribution to tackling the changing climate; linking residents with promoting local food production; increasing community engagement, recreation, access to nature and improving health and well-being; enhancement and protection of the Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land; promoting Crystal Palace Park as a Regional Park; forming a London Local Nature Partnership; and enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity. 3.4 The Mayor has produced draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to act as a policy framework for the All London Green Grid in support of London Plan policy (http://www.london.gov.uk/publication/all-london-green-grid-spg). There are a number of SPG Implementation Points relevant for the Framework: That area partnerships should prepare and oversee Frameworks to help deliver and promote the green infrastructure network; The Mayor will, and boroughs and other partners should incorporate area frameworks into policies, proposals and projects working across boundaries. These can include Local Plan, Open space Strategies and Area Action Plans; Development and regeneration proposals should incorporate green infrastructure and support the green space network. 4. NEXT STEPS 4.1 Endorsement of London’s Downlands Green Grid Area Framework (e-copy only). 70 5. CONSULTATION 5.1 The Mayor of London’s consultation on the ALGG Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) ended on 27th January 2012. The draft SPG amplifies London Plan policy on green infrastructure. The Framework has been produced in collaboration and partnership with partner organisations to provide guidance at a greater level of resolution locally. 6. FINANCIAL AND RISK ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS 1 None 2 The effect of the decision The endorsement of London’s Downlands Area Framework will not have any direct financial impacts; it has the potential secure funding from external funding streams by providing additional policy/project detail to the policies set out in the London Plan and submitted Core Strategy for Croydon. 3 Risks The production of the All London Green Grid Area Frameworks is a complementary component of the regional and local planning policy framework. There is inherent risk that a need for additional analysis, legal challenge and/or unforeseen circumstances may result in additional financial costs beyond the existing budget and could therefore delay the delivery of some of the projects detailed in the Area Framework. These risks shall be mitigated through the application of bespoke Croydon programme and project management procedures. 4 Options One option is to not to endorse the Framework. However, not to proceed could hinder efforts to apply for the funding of green infrastructure projects and ultimately delivery of the All London Green Grid and projects included in the Framework and borough’s submitted Core Strategy. 5 Future savings/efficiencies Endorsement of the London’s Downlands Area Framework will assist in future funding applications and pre-application planning negotiations. 6 (Approved by: Dianne Ellender on behalf of the Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer). 7. COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL SOLICITOR AND MONITORING OFFICER 7.1 The Council solicitor comments that there are no legal implications arising from the endorsement of London’s Downlands Green Grid Area Framework. 7.2 (Approved by: Gabriel MacGregor, Head of Corporate Law on behalf of the Council Solicitor & Director Democratic & Legal Services). 71 8. HUMAN RESOURCES IMPACT 8.1 There are no direct staffing implications arising from the endorsement of London’s Downlands Green Grid Area Framework. 8.2 (Approved by: Adrian Prescod, HR Business Partner on behalf of the director, Human Resources Organisational Effectiveness). 9. EQUALITIES IMPACT 9.1. The All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance supports policy within the London Plan which was subject to an Integrated Impact Assessment (available on the GLA website). 10. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 10.1 The All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance supports policy within the London Plan which was subject to an Integrated Impact Assessment (available on the GLA website). 11. CRIME AND DISORDER REDUCTION IMPACT 11.1 The All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance supports policy within the London Plan which was subject to an Integrated Impact Assessment (available on the GLA website). CONTACT OFFICER: Tim Naylor, Head of Spatial Planning tel. 020 8726 6000 ext 62615 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: none APPENDIX (e-copy only): the following appendiX can be accessed on Council the website agenda by selecting the Cabinet meeting date of 9 July 2012 using this link http://www.croydon.gov.uk/democracy/dande/minutes/cabinet/2012/ • Appendix A – London’s Downlands Area Framework Note: A printed reference copy will be provided in the Members’ Library 72 All London’s Downlands London Area Framework Green Grid 7 Contents 1 Foreword and Introduction 2 All London Green Grid Vision and Methodology 3 ALGG Framework Plan 4 ALGG Area Frameworks 5 ALGG Governance 6 Area Strategy 8 Area Description 10 Strategic Context 12 Vision 14 Objectives 18 Opportunities 24 Project Identification 26 Clusters