Northumberland County Council Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 1 The Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy 1 Purpose and Scope 2 Timescale 3 Key Challenges 3 Green Infrastructure Strategy Methodology 4 Northumberland GI Definition (Including GI Assets) 6 Vision and Aims 9 Benefits of Green Infrastructure 10 Green Infrastructure Principles 11 Planning and Development (PD) 11 Accessibility and Recreational Use (AR) 12 Landscape and “Sense of Place” (LSP) 13 Historic Environment, Heritage and Archaeology (HEHA) 13 Community Cohesion (CC) 14 Biodiversity and Natural Systems 14 2 NORTHUMBERLAND IN CONTEXT 15 Summary of the Planning Context and its Implications 15 National Planning Policy Framework 15 The Difference between PPG17 and Green Infrastructure 16 World Class Places 16 Regional Planning Policy 17 Local Planning Policy 17 Summary of Planning Implications 18 Northumberland Profile 19 Northumberland - Area Breakdown 20 The Growth Agenda 21 Health Profile 22 Summary of Northumberland’s Key Demographic Factors 22 3 NORTHUMBERLAND’S EXISTING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS 24 Audit of existing Green Infrastructure Resources 24 Spatial Scales and GI assets for the Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy 24 Natural Systems 25 Landscape Character 25 Historical, Archaeological and Cultural Landscape 32 Biodiversity and Natural Environment 38 Habitats 41 Northumberland County Council Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy Water Environment 46 Access Corridors 51 Accessible Open Space 63 Local Greenspace 64 Brownfield Sites 65 Developing Standards for Accessible Greenspace 67 Quantity Findings 73 Quality Findings 75 Tourism 82 Current Green Infrastructure Initiatives 87 Strategic Framework 87 Regional Areas and Strategic Corridors 91 Sub Regional Areas and Strategic Corridors 98 Sub Regional Areas and Strategic Areas 98 Cross boundary opportunities with Neighbouring Authorities 106 Key Challenges for future GI Provision to Address 106 Climate Change 107 4 DELIVERING THE FUTURE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTHUMBERLAND 109 Articulating the Vision 110 Key Recommendations for Policy and Implementation 110 New Opportunities Associated with GI 119 Supporting of Economic Investment 121 GI Supporting Existing Activities 121 Potential Cost Savings 121 Green Infrastructure and Climate Change 122 Northumberland County Council Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy Table of Appendices 1. Benefits of Green Infrastructure 2. Strategic and Planning Context for Green Infrastructure in Northumberland 3. Current Green Infrastructure Initiatives List of Maps Map 1 Northumberland Green Infrastructure Resource Map 2 Land Character Assessment Map 3 Historic Landscape Map 4 – Biodiversity and Natural Landscape Map 5 Northumberland River Corridors and Flood Zones Map 6 Open Access Space Map 7 Transport Routes Map 8 Northumberland Public Rights of Way Map 9 Strategic Routes Map 10 Accessible Open Space Map 11 Northumberland Accessible Green Space Map 11a – Northumberland PPG17 Data Map 11b Northumberland West Area PPG17 Data Map 11c Northumberland North Area PPG17 Data Map 11d Northumberland South East Area PPG17 Data Map 12 Tourism Map 13 Sites by Scale Map 14 Strategic Sites and Corridors NORTHUMBERLAND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary Introduction The landscape, biodiversity and heritage of Northumberland combine to form the County’s Green Infrastructure (GI) resource and are some of the most important assets in the County, often actually defining the County and its sense of place. Northumberland County Council (NCC) recognises the strategic importance of protecting and enhancing the County’s GI assets to provide a network of well-connected, accessible multi functional assets that benefit both people and wildlife. It is important therefore that the natural assets of the landscape, biodiversity and heritage are recognised and reflected in the planning system. This Green Infrastructure Strategy is intended to provide a working framework for action; it identifies the strategic importance and value derived from the creation of a network of multi- functional green space. This Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy has been produced to protect and enhance the County’s GI assets both now and in the future. It provides the strategic framework to ensure the provision of good quality, well-managed, readily accessible and multifunctional green infrastructure across the Northumberland sub region and beyond. Northumberland’s Key Demographic Factors In order to develop the GI strategy the county has been subdivided in recognition of the three distinct types of area (North, South East and West) based on their demographic, geographic, cultural, and heritage differences, and the varying influence of their neighbouring communities.The key population related factors impacting on, and influencing (quantity, nature, location) the future provision of green space and infrastructure are summarised below. Ageing Population – Northumberland’s population is “greying” faster than that of England as a whole, and in some rural areas the balance has already shifted dramatically away from the pattern elsewhere – for instance in the former Berwick district, it is estimated that over-50s will become the majority of the population. By 2021, all (former) districts in the County will have a higher proportion of over-85s than the English average, including Wansbeck (3.1%) and Blyth Valley (3.0%), which are expected to have the lowest proportions within the County. A Growth in the Elderly Population - A large proportion of the population is approaching retirement and services/facilities will increasingly need to take account of these demographic changes when planning, delivering and financing future priorities. This trend will have implications in terms of the demand for specific types of green space. Falling numbers of Younger People – As is the case across many parts of the country, Northumberland has a falling proportion of younger people, but this is exacerbated by the increasing older population. This will impact on the type and need for future greenspace. Population Density and Distribution - Northumberland has a very low population density, except in the urban areas, and particularly the south east. The nature of the existing housing reflects this eg terraced housing with limited green space in some areas, and will impact on the level and nature of greenspace provision required. Deprivation and Health – some areas of Northumberland, particularly in the south east, suffer from a range of deprivation issues and are part of regeneration initiatives. The health of the community is less good in such areas, and therefore future provision of good quality, accessible green space is very important to promote healthier lifestyles. www.scotwilson.co.uk i www.strategicleisure.co.uk NORTHUMBERLAND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Strategy Scope The GI Strategy scope covers sustainable land and water resources, biodiversity, sport and recreation, landscape and community issues relating to the environment and community quality of life. It also covers the potential impact of climate change, conserving and enhancing biodiversity and the quantity, quality and accessibility of provision. The development of this Green Infrastructure Strategy considers: Scale and catchment - at regional, and sub regional levels within defined catchments using guidance from Natural England and the Town and Country Planning Association Quantity - as a means of identifying the level of accessible greenspace provided in and around rural and urban settlements to serve local people for both formal and informal recreation, and to provide valuable habitat to local wildlife, flora and fauna Quality - as a means of assessing the provision of accessible greenspace to identify areas for improvement and to ensure they are fit for purpose. Northumberland GI Definition (Including GI Assets) Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12) defines GI as: “A network of multi functional greenspace, both new and existing, both rural and urban, which supports the natural and ecological processes and is integral to the health and quality of life of sustainable communities”. Vision Northumberland’s GI Strategy Vision reflects the need to develop a network of multi- functional man made, natural and semi natural assets, which together provide a quality and beneficial environment, supporting both people and wildlife. The vision for green infrastructure in Northumberland is: To ensure that planned and future development makes a significant contribution to the unique natural character, cultural diversity and historic interest of Northumberland. To provide real opportunity to improve connectivity between habitats and GI assets through a co-ordinated partnership approach between NCC, its partners, developers and landowners. To provide well managed, safe and attractive environments and to create improved recreational opportunity through the provision of readily accessible facilities for local people. To provide a strategic framework, supported by a robust evidence base, to guide new development and secure high quality design whilst extending real opportunity for improved access and biodiversity. To ensure that access for all lies at the heart of green infrastructure improvement and reflects opportunities for tourism, rights of way enhancement and improvement to both public transport and cycling opportunities. www.scotwilson.co.uk ii www.strategicleisure.co.uk