Green PETER MORTON Infrastructure DIRECTOR MERSEY WATERFRONT REGIONAL PARK in the Liverpool City Region THE MERSEY PARTNERSHIP

Economic Growth & Investment Recreation & Leisure

Land & Property Values Quality of Place

Labour Productivity

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Land & GREEN INTERVENTIONS Biodiversity INFRASTRUCTURE Tourism INTERVENTIONS Flood Products alleviation & from the Management Land

Climate Change Health & Adaption & Wellbeing Mitigation

Businesses attract and retain more Economic motivated staff in greener settings Growth & Footpaths, cycle paths and Investment Recreation bridleways enable healthy, low cost & Leisure recreation

Views of natural landscapes can Land & Add up to 18% to property values Property Values Quality of Community-owned green spaces can Place create jobs for local people Green spaces near workplaces reduce sickness absence increasing Labour Productivity productivity

GREEN Green Infrastructure provides vital INFRASTRUCTURE Land & INTERVENTIONS Biodiversity habitats and jobs managing land Rural Tourism supports 37,500 jobs in the Northwest Tourism

Flood Urban green spaces reduce pressure Products alleviation & on drainage and flood defences 40,000 people work in agricultures in from the Management the Northwest Land

Climate Green Infrastructure can counter Green Infrastructure reduces pollution Change soaring summer temperatures in Health & Adaption & Which leads to asthma and heart Mitigation cities disease Wellbeing History

Is green space a strategic issue? “After 1848 the cities tended to acquire [fountains, squares, promenades, trees and churches] but in the first generations of industrialization they had very little of it, unless by chance they had inherited traditions of gracious public building or open spaces” Ian Wray (Eric Hobsbawm) Head of Planning, Transport and Housing Northwest Regional Development Agency An old tradition?

5th December 2008

Civilisation Why green space matters in the 21st century city

a) the economic/amenity case: “The measure of any great civilisation is to be found in its cities, The UKs post industrial economy and a measure of a city’s greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks, and its squares” (Ruskin) The rise of India and China From making goods, to attracting and keeping people: - As tourists and visitors Did the 19th or even 20th century city need environmental quality to succeed? - As students - As talented workers - As parents

Why green space matters in the 21st century city Knowledge based business b) the sustainable development case: Means one thing – brainpower, Successful, talented, educated, discriminating people we must use our legs more and our cars less

or we will all get sick, as will the planet In increasing demand (and a greener city will mitigate rising temperatures) But falling in supply (demographics and retirement) What the US gurus say… What the US gurus say…

“The demand for creative workers will continue to grow because they are the masters of innovation…competition is fuelling even A Wall Street Journal survey of 4000 recent college graduates greater demand for their services…these jobs are likely to pay found that three quarters thought location was more important increasingly well” (Robert Reich - once Bill Clinton’s Labour than availability of a job in selecting a place to live Secretary) “Cities have become the prime location for the creative lifestyle and the amenities that go with it…and re emerged as centres of creativity and incubators of innovation…” (Richard Florida)

Exploring the environmental science case… Key issues for the built environment

Green space benefits • evaporative cooling • coastal and river related flooding • rainwater interception • subsidence, wind and storm damage • infiltration and ‘soakaway’ • warm summers and human comfort

Cities have reduced green space Climate change strengthens the urban heat island effect and all these have economic consequences increases surface run off issue

(Adapted from Strategies for Climate Change in the Urban Environment – Handley and Carter, 2006) (Adapted from Strategies for Climate Change in the Urban Environment – Handley and Carter, 2006)

Human comfort Rising demand for green space

• high emission scenarios up to 2080 showed city centre • enjoying warm conditions population exposed to high temperatures • over a longer season and into the evening • medium high scenario shows number of hot days at Manchester Airport rises from 5 days to 45 days • need to access open air, wind and shade • what happens when people get too hot? • need to access cool external environments from uncomfortable warm residential properties in evening or at night • social implications? • adaptive behaviour • economic implications? • positive feedback via air con Greater Manchester: maximum surface temperature Greater Manchester: evapotranspiring surface

Maximum surface temperature in high density residential with plus or minus 10% green cover

“adding 10% green cover keeps maximum surface temperatures in high density residential and town centres at or below the 1961 – 1990 current case up until 2080 high” The Fifth Critical Infrastructure

• Infrastructure – the basic physical and organisational structures needed for the operation of society or enterprise (Oxford English Dictionary).

Green Infrastructure and Natural • The 4 Critical Infrastructures;

Pam Warhurst, Board Member, Natural England. • Transport. • Water. • Power. • Waste. • The 5th Critical is Green!

Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Green Infrastructure for the Natural Economy. Communities.

• Green Infrastructure is critical for • Green Infrastructure is critical for the creation and maintenance of the creation and maintenance of Sustainable Communities. Natural Economies.

• Healthy exercise – helping to • Helps reduce illness and stress reduce heart disease, obesity levels leading to fewer lost days. levels etc. • Helps manage environmental • Recreation – reducing stress, hazards cutting risks and clean up enabling children’s play – adults costs. need to play too! • Helps improve image, • Healthier living environments – investment, bring in and retain improving air quality, reducing skills and businesses and so noise pollution, creating attractive supporting competitiveness. places to live. • Supports growth and • Contact with nature – how regeneration – but it isn’t free important is that? Just ask and it doesn’t just happen – it anyone who enjoys Springwatch! takes good long term planning, strategic investment and a commitment to ongoing • The green stuff is at the heart of improvement. providing a good Quality of Life.

Green Infrastructure for robust Ecosystem Services. Activity in the NW

• Green Infrastructure is critical for • What’s been going on? robust Ecosystem Services.

• Ecological networks that support • Talking – discussion and biodiversity. communication. • Spatial planning- local to • Cities and towns that are adapting to regional. climate change – increased storminess, intense rainfall events, • The Economy – Natural health threatening temperatures and Economy NW – the role of GI heat island effects. in economic development, growth and regeneration. • To support move to low carbon economy. • Climate Change – the role of GI in coping with change. • Need to understand relationships • Growth Points – Housing between the environment and our Growth and the challenge of social and economic activities. developing more sustainable communities. • Mitigate for any damaging impacts. Maximise opportunities. The need for partnership. The need for planning.

• A more systems based approach to planning this infrastructure. • Broad agenda. • A variety of scales. • A sub-regional framework to • Can deliver for a variety of stakeholders. give the bigger picture. • Needs to be integrated • More focussed work in districts. approach. • Joined up working. • Area focussed work to address specific needs and opportunities.

The economic driver. Adapting to change.

• Our climate is changing.

• Seek to maximise the 11 key • Need to climate proof our benefits. cities and towns. • Ensure GI plays a role in delivering City Region • GI has a role in mitigation but a bigger one in adaptation. aspirations. • The need for sustainable • Anticipate and plan to cope growth and regeneration. with probable increased storminess, rain storms and heat events.

• Robust city centres and protected vulnerable communities.

Growth Points. The task ahead.

• Two Growth Points in . • Join up the thinking. • GI a condition of approval. • Build capacity of existing structures and organisations – • Need to develop more sustainable communities. avoid reinventing wheels. • Applies to all communities. • Develop a jointly agreed approach which will set a common • Engagement of people in planning, delivering and agenda and system of priorities. maintaining a better quality of live. • Remember that the final product goes beyond policies and • Underpin the Merseyside offer as a place to live. strategies – it is important to people in their everyday lives. Planned, delivered and maintained like other Natural England want to help. forms of infrastructure.

• Good progress on the GI agenda being made across the NW. • Today will help to continue that in Merseyside. • Not starting from scratch – a lot of good work already done. • But the challenges for the environment, the economy and the community remain. • Need to up our game and raise our sights. The Economic Benefits of The Economic Benefits of GREEN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE

NERYSJONES Strategic Greenspace Consultant & Adviser to Natural Economy NW

Merseyside Green Infrastructure Seminar Liverpool, 5 December 2008 Merseyside Green Infrastructure Seminar Liverpool, 5 December 2008

Green infrastructure Green infrastructure

is the region’s life support system - the network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between the north west’s cities, towns and villages - which provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits

DIFFERENT SCALES Urban & rural HOLISTIC APPROACH

Existing & new

Public & private Connectivity

Permanent & temporary

TEES VALLEY Green Infrastructure Strategic Plan

MULTIFUNCTIONAL Economic BENEFITS benefits

• Economic growth Economic growth • Land & property values

• Labour productivity and investment

• Tourism

• Products from the land

• Health & well-being • longer tenancies

• Recreation & leisure • lower turnover of staff • Quality of place • higher rents • Biodiversity

• Flood alleviation

• Climate change adaptation Property Labour productivity values

Greenspace adds up to 18% premium

Labour productivity

Green surroundings • improve staff morale Visitors to the NW are worth • increase output • reduce absenteeism £10.9 billion / year • lower staff turnover • aid recruitment

Tourism

40,000 people work in agriculture in the NW

Products from the land Quality of place Health & • over 10 million workdays lost well-being to stress in 2006 • as little as 3 - 4 minutes exposure to greenspace brings measurable stress relief

If just 10% of the non-active population took regular exercise, there would be an estimated cost saving to the NHS of £445 million per year

Recreation & leisure

Flood alleviation

Tree canopies intercept rainfall Biodiversity and reduce storm water flood risk Summer 2007 floods: estimated £3 billion damage Climate change Climate change adaptation adaptation Greenspace provides a natural buffer • shelter can reduce the cost of heating and cooling buildings by 10% • vegetation helps to moderate the urban heat island effect

EMSCHER PARK Germany GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE International examples

EMSCHER PARK Germany

70 miles 40 miles Dortmund Essen

Düsseldorf A

Integrierte Stadtteilentwicklung Mont Cenis 1970 Mont Cenis 2005

GUANGZHOU China

• 100 projects across 800km2 over 10 years • 17 local authorities in partnership with corporate and community sectors • 600,000 visitors to one reclaimed site alone Series of greening initiatives • Garden City • National Forest City • Green within 500 m

Blue skies, green land, clean water

Creating a 21st century business environment

[email protected] Green Infrastructure and the City Region Ambition Liverpool City Region • Priority agendas Stephen Maddox • City Region Cabinet Chief Executive, Wirral Council • 6 Thematic Boards Acting Chair of City Region Environment and Waste Board • Emerging work streams • A delivery vehicle

Environment and Waste Board Why Green Infrastructure?

Emerging work priorities: • Multi-functional places. • Resource management • Integrated agendas. including waste. • Target intervention. • Renewable energy. • Positive management. • Climate change adaptation and mitigation. • Economic, social and • Coast. health benefits. • Environmental • Works at all spatial technologies. levels. • Green Infrastructure.

Delivering Green Infrastructure Barriers to Overcome • Framework for targeted intervention. • Thinking constrained • Explicit benefits of green, blue and by lines on maps or brown spaces. single land use. • Focus resources. • Awareness & buy-in. • A framework for partnership. • Perceived as additional cost. • A constraint to regeneration? • Lack of strategic approach. City Region Progress Next Steps

• Priority theme. • First meeting of the • The Mersey Forest. Board. • Growth Points. • Development of • Ecological priority themes and Framework. agendas. • Links to Housing and • Plans of action? Planning Board. • More formal buy in to • Influencing sub- the GI approach. regional strategies. How Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Seminar: underpins the transformation of Helping to create conditions St.Helens. for growth for the Merseyside City Region. Bob Hepworth 5 December, 2008. Director of Urban Regeneration and Housing,

Ravenhead Renaissance – The Partners

Phase 1: 1986-2000 • Council • Pilkingtons • Decline of traditional • British Gas heavy industry. • British Coal • Need for a revamp of the Town Centre and Ravenhead areas. • United Glass Limited • Establishment of Ravenhead Renaissance. • MEPC investments • Technology Campus / Training /Business development. • Ibstock • Construction of the M62 Linkway. • Amec • Landscape renewal. 20-30% of sites capable of hard after-use. • Milverny Properties Minority (13%) in Local Authority ownership

Wasteland to Woodland

Changing Wasteland to Woodland

From 1988, Wasteland to Woodland examined potential for large scale woodland development to

• Treat / screen major eyesores • Create a recreational resource • Enhance the marketing of economic development sites by improving the image of the area • Secure a land use where hard after use not possible • Enhance the future marketing of sites to the private recreation sector • Explore the potential for tree planting in response to changing trends in agriculture. • Help deliver The Mersey Forest Steering Group members varied but included: During the 1990s our various partnerships helped deliver several flagship projects, such as

• Pilkington Insulation PLC • M62 Link Road • National Power • St.Helens Technology Campus • Legh Family Trust • St.Helens Retail Park • British Coal • Ravenhead Retail Park • Waste Management Limited • Greenbank reclamation / residential redevelopment • Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority • World of Glass visitor attraction • Various reclamation and restoration schemes for Public Open • Council Space, including: • The Groundwork Trust – Colliers Moss (formerly known as Bold Moss), north and • The Mersey Forest south of the Liverpool/Manchester railway line, Sutton • Countryside Commission (now Natural England) Manor, Clock Face and Maypole country parks • Forestry Commission – Lyons Yard reclamation. • Merseyside Task Force • Sports Council

Phase 2: 2000 to present. A time for review and planning for the new decade.

St.Helens City Growth Strategy (2003).

Key aspirations: • A more entrepreneurial and enterprising place • A model of post-industrial innovation and transformation • A more diverse location with a wider business and social mix • Recognised as a key regional centre for commerce, leisure and tourism • Perceived as a forward-looking place, that respects the past but embraces the future.

Theme A: Transforming Theme C: Achieving a Physical Transformation. the Business base. C1: Leisure location of choice. A3: Strengthening Key Sectors. • South St.Helens Forest Park. Complex of inter-related outdoor activity • Tourism Development Initiative centres. • Maximising the Borough’s visitor economy. • National Wildflower Park. Wildflower farm with visitor access. • Rural Economy Action Plan • St.Helens Outdoor Heritage. • Integrated programme of rural economy Heritage trails. development. C3: Residential Locations of A5: Business Locations for the 21st century. choice. • Mere Grange (Lea Green Farm West). New office development. • Lea Green, Vulcan and • Lea Green Farm East (expansion). Worsley Brow urban • Gerard’s Bridge Industrial Park. New business park. villages. • Removing impediments to Growth. Support for infrastructure Industry to housing work. Brownfield reclamation 13.4ha Tourism and Visitor Strategy (2002-6).

Key Priority 1:Developing Quality Facilities. Theme D: Transforming Perceptions. Theme 1: Developing new facilities. D1: Visually Exciting St.Helens. • Big Art Project. ‘The Dream’ landmark new public artwork • Beacon of Merseyside sculpture. overlooking the M62 near to Junction 7. Channel 4’s Big Art • Sherdley Park Project. • Carr Mill Dam / Sankey Canal Heritage Trails • Town in the Forest. Connecting urban areas with the Forest Park • Taylor Park and community woodland areas through the improvement of the natural environment along key transport corridors. • New range of accommodation.

South St.Helens Landscape Masterplan (2003).

• Provided strategy and design framework for the M62 Link Road and associated countryside in the south of the Borough. Identified number of the landscape projects to tackle Theme 2: Enhancing existing facilities. some of the economic and • Sherdley Park. investment challenges in the • Sankey Valley Southern Strategic Investment • Taylor Park Area. • Focus on M62 Linkway Theme 3: Environmental improvement schemes. • Opportunity for ILM • Southern Corridor Landscape masterplan and ‘New employed generation Approaches’.

We have striven to embed these strategies in our planning policies such as: Town in the Forest • Unitary Development Plan (1998), the first Development Plan for Strategic Vision the whole Borough. Document(2006) • Revision to Regional Spatial Strategy Policy EM 3 – Green Infrastructure. • Preferred Options, Local Development Framework, 2008. • Critical element in the positive transformation in the appearance and • Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Document perception of the Borough by investors, visitors and existing (2007). residents. Has emanated from the private-led City Growth Strategy. • Landscape Character Assessment (2006). Comprehensive used • Woodland planting strategy. to inform future planning and development. Identifies • Five Project areas / master plans, along with the Landscape opportunities for enhancing , restoring and creating new Character Assessment, to identify planting opportunities and inform landscapes through woodland planting. planning and development. • Public Open Space Audit (2005). • Help secure environmental improvement which will enhance the • Policy for Nature (2006). image of the Borough and help secure direct and indirect • Community Green Space Strategy (2008). economic benefits. Phase 3: What Next?

St.Helens Sustainable Community Plan 2008-18.

Partnership working Rural Economy Strategy / Group • St.Helens Together / LSP • LAA • St.Helens Chamber • Rural Innovation consultancy work. • Mersey Forest • Sustainable rural businesses. • PCT / Health • St.Helens is Lead in Merseyside’s Rural Development • Environment Agency Programme England (RDPE), which will complement NWDA • Mersey Basin Campaign funds for rural activity. • Groundwork Trust • £2m over two years for Merseyside.

Countryside In and Around Towns (2004-06)

Partners included: Recommendations include:

• Countryside Agency (now Natural England) • Maintenance of databases. • Groundwork St.Helens, Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool • LDF functional inter-relationships. • University of Liverpool • Recommendations regarding issues and projects around the • St.Helens Council four main themes of health, education, recreation, and • Mersey Forest (Lead, secretariat and Project Officer). regeneration.

Group members are:

• Mersey Forest (Chair) Natural Economy St.Helens Group (NESH) • St.Helens Council Planning, Has been established in 2007 to carry forward the work of the Economic Development, Countryside In and Around Towns group and to Education, • develop and implement the Action Plan. Parks and Open Spaces • engage in Green Infrastructure activities within the LSP / LAA themes • Natural England • collaborate on identifying resources • PCT • act as advocates for Green Infrastructure • South St.Helens Forest Park/’The Dream’ Big Art Project • Active Woodlands Study. Crease Consultancy Services (2006). • Adventure / outdoor activity. • Blue Sail consultancy currently investigating the feasibility of the Forest Park concept. • Big Art, Sutton Manor (launched May, 2008). Flagship visitor attraction currently under Housing Growth Point: Halton, St.Helens and construction. Warrington • Ranger Service, linkages, signage, transport, car parks. • Announcement earlier in 2008 re: northern tranche of Growth • Business involvement and development. Points. • Additional 20,000 visitors. • Setting up of a task group to look at how Green Infrastructure • Engage local residents, education, health and well-being. plans can be taken forward. Hope to meet before Christmas, • About 1,550 ha. e.g. proposed Forest Park, Sankey Canal Way. • Funding: Natural England, St.Helens LEGI

Conclusion.

Agree with “The Economic Value of Green Infrastructure” Natural Economy Northwest (2008) that:

• Environment is critical to sustainable economic prosperity by contributing to the conditions for growth and economic security, as well as providing healthy ecosystems. • Environmental attractiveness does draw in investment and jobs and enhances the value of property. • Workers with access to Green Infrastructure are healthier and more productive. Green Infrastructure vital to key NW sectors of tourism and agricultural sectors. Ocean Gateway – A vision for the Mersey – the role that Green Infrastructure can play Why Ocean Gateway?

• Global Reach • Driver of the UK and Regional Economy • Bringing together Liverpool and Manchester City Regions

Peter Nears, Strategic Planning Director

The planning system – what do we need?

• Clarity of purpose The Vision for the Ocean Gateway is: “To maximise the potential of the North • Consistency of approach West as a globally significant region • Co-ordination of policy and major driver of the UK economy, using the Ocean • Certainty for investment Gateway as an economic powerhouse and environmental asset to enhance, strengthen and bring together the Liverpool and Manchester City Regions”

Thematic approach 50 projects Guiding Principles and Objectives Ocean Gateway 50 Projects – by theme and reach

Housing

Employment • 14 new communities Potential to create 100,000 • 4 Growth Points additional jobs • 73,000 homes

Over £6bn annual GVA

Global freight via low carbon local ports Innovation in energy, waste and water Recreational Destinations and Corridors Complementing regeneration initiatives… Joint character areas Regional Parks

Country Parks and Community Forests Strategic routes

Delamere Forest

Environmental Assets Providing regional destinations

Water network Natural Areas

National designations International designations

Sites of Special Scientific interest

Connecting assets… Thames Gateway – Parklands The role of Green Infrastructure in Ocean Gateway

Where else?

Ruhr Valley, Emscher Park A brief history of Green Infrastructure – in the NW

PAUL NOLAN

DIRECTOR THE MERSEY FOREST

The Mersey Forest/Natural England Regional Economic Strategy Nat Econ NW GI conference – Jan 2005 OTHER SUB REGIONS St Helens Green Countryside in and around Towns Infrastructure Unit Think tank established Sub Regional Progress

Work on Regional Spatial Strategy Partnership Planning Sub Regional Local GI in the climate change action plan GI Guide meetings Strategic Buy in Underway Plan Plans Cumbria

GI Forum Lancashire September Gtr 2007 Manchester Critical GI work RSS Approved Sub GI regional plans Cheshire Sept Merseyside 08 Merseyside….

NENW - reports – economic values, tests Today ! and case studies

Natural Economy North West Policy support programme The economic benefits of Green Natural Economy Infrastructure: Climate Change Potential Economic Benefits • For Green Infrastructure to be truly SREPs NW CC Action Plan – of value it requires co-ordination and Action 4.3 co-operation across political and Valuation models administrative boundaries. Demonstration projects Support Services • It must be strategically planned, Regional coordination invested in and managed on scales NW GI Forum ranging from the local to the regional, and in settings from urban GI Think Tank Growth Points centres to the open countryside. Planning and policy Meeting the environmental conditions Water Cycle Regional Policy and Guidance • In short, Green Infrastructure needs SFRA to be planned, developed and Strategic Planning Habitats Regs managed just like all other forms of Surface Water Local Development Frameworks infrastructure, if society is to thrive Contaminated land and prosper. Area Based Regeneration initiatives Air Quality Green Infrastructure Strategy Hazel Blears - Sept 2008

GI Planning benefits How ? • A plan that coordinates activity • Dynamic plan • Targeted • Maximise benefits • Sit alongside other infrastructure plans

5 Steps to GI Planning 5 Steps to GI Planning

Step 1: Partnerships, priorities and vision Step 1: Partnerships, priorities and vision

Including Non Ecosystem Mapped Services Step 3: Info and Functionality intuition ! Step 3: Functionality Assessment Assessment

Step 2: Data Audit & Step 2: Data Step 5: Resource Mapping Audit & Resource Intervention

Mapping Plan Step 4: Needs Assessment Step 5: Intervention Plan Step 4: Needs Assessment

PBA Can we do this for Merseyside? Alder Hey Hospital

• Partnership • Expertise • Funds for initial work • Support • Projects underway that use a GI approach

Liverpool Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Knowledge Quarter Vision

• “Create an outstanding knowledge 14,000 people working in the area destination”: Ensuring that we offer an inspiring and convivial place for the exchange and development of 15% of Liverpool’s GVA ideas set within a high quality and distinctive public realm, underpinned by strong cultural, leisure and other quality of life assets.”

Identified as one of the North West’s GI Objectives for Liverpool Knowledge strategic regional sites. Quarter • Improving the image of the area - through GI planning, creating social spaces for leisure and learning – The University of Liverpool’s capital investment • Providing an attractive setting for staff, students, patients programme - £200m. and visitors - encouraging use of the area in the evening and outside of term times. – Liverpool John Moores University’s capital • Providing health benefits investment programme - £100m. • Developing a “Knowledge” Landscape” - academics & – Redevelopment of the Royal Liverpool University clinicians study and research the impacts of the GI and GI Hospital - £330 m planning - the finding of which not only shape how GI develops in Liverpool Knowledge Quarter in the future, but how GI is applied elsewhere. Critical functions of Green Infrastructure

Planted - 8 million trees Issue – How & where Transformed over 5000ha climate change Increase woodland cover functions of GI are by 72% critical for short term Improved image around economic development key gateways of the North West 92/62 Increased leisure and recreation opportunities Actions – Using GI to Reduced derelict land by resolve climate change- 750 ha related issues at ‘pinch New jobs and businesses points’ £36 m of new funding brought in Partnership!

Ideas for taking forward Green Infrastructure "Make no little • Develop the plans. partnership They have no magic • 5 step process to stir men's blood • Critical that it is done with high level support and probably will • Maximise the delivery not themselves be of 11 Green realized." Infrastructure benefits Daniel Burnham