Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire Volume 1- Strategy
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CHRIS BLANDFORD ASSOCIATES environment landscape planning Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire Volume 1- Strategy December 2011 CONTENTS Acknowledgements Executive Summary 1.0 SETTING THE SCENE 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Need for the Study 2 1.3 Study Area and Context 3 1.4 Green Infrastructure Concept 3 1.5 Overview of Approach 8 1.6 Study Outputs 8 2.0 CENTRAL LINCOLNSHIRE’S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 10 2.1 General 10 2.2 Overview of Green Infrastructure Assets 10 2.3 Green Infrastructure Needs and Opportunities 13 3.0 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE VISION AND OBJECTIVES 16 3.1 General 16 3.2 Vision and Objectives 16 3.3 The Proposed Green Infrastructure Network 17 4.0 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY FRAMEWORK 29 4.1 General 29 4.2 Green Infrastructure Delivery Principles 29 4.3 Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives and Projects 30 4.4 Governance and Delivery Co-ordination Arrangements 44 4.5 Potential Funding Sources 46 4.6 Spatial Planning and Development Management 50 4.7 Management and Governance Options 57 4.8 Further Work 59 4.9 Outline Action Plan 60 4.10 Monitoring Arrangements 70 APPENDICES A1. Study Methodology A2. Private Gardens, Street Trees and Green Roof Research A3. Policy Context Summary A4 Additional Green Infrastructure Funding Sources A5. LDF Green Infrastructure Policy Advice A6. Review of Green Infrastructure Management and Governance Options A7. Green Infrastructure Management and Governance Case Studies December 2011 Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire - Volume 1 11113901R_Final_Vol1_DW_12-11 Chris Blandford Associates FIGURES 1.1a Central Lincolnshire – Location and Context 1.1b Study Areas 1.2 Study Process 1.3 Existing Green Infrastructure Assets in Central Lincolnshire 1.4a Green Infrastructure Network Concept Plan – Central Lincolnshire 1.4b Green Infrastructure Network Concept Plan – Gainsborough Area 1.4c Green Infrastructure Network Concept Plan – Lincoln Area 1.4d Green Infrastructure Network Concept Plan – Sleaford Area 1.5a Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives & Projects – Central Lincolnshire 1.5b Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives & Projects – Gainsborough Area 1.5c Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives & Projects – Lincoln Area 1.5d Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives & Projects – Sleaford Area December 2011 Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire - Volume 1 11113901R_Final_Vol1_DW_12-11 Chris Blandford Associates Acknowledgements CBA would like to acknowledge the support, guidance and information provided by the Central Lincolnshire Green Infrastructure Steering Group and Project Management Group in the preparation of this Study. Steering Group: • Caroline Steel (Head of Conservation, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) • David Carter (Facilities Project Manager, Lincolnshire Sports Partnership) • Andy Bailey (Planning & Corporate Services Technical Specialist, Environment Agency) • Ryan Bavin (Conservation & Planning Adviser, Natural England) • Mike Braithwaite (Head of Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit) • Alan Freeman (Head of Planning, Lincolnshire County Council) • Jodie Davis (Climate Adaptation Project Officer, Lincolnshire County Council) • Martin Hollingsworth (Senior Highway Officer, Lincolnshire County Council) • Alan Gray (Economic Development Manager, North Kesteven District Council) • Mike Lock (Client Officer, North Kesteven District Council) • Sarah Attrill (Witham Valley Country Park Project Officer, North Kesteven District Council) • Carol Slingsby (Environment Officer, West Lindsey District Council) Project Management Group: • Gill Wilson (GI Study Project Manager/Team Leader Development Planning, City of Lincoln Council) • Brooke Smith (GI Study Project Manager/Policy Planning Officer, Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit) • Luke Fleming (Team Leader, Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit) • Brendan Gallagher (Principal Planning officer, Lincolnshire County Council) • Sarah Rayney (Planning Technician, Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit) • Katherine Mills (Principal Development Officer, Lincolnshire Research Observatory, Lincolnshire County Council) replaced by Adam Peacock. We would also like to offer our thanks to other local stakeholder organisations who contributed additional data and information for the Study (see Volume 2 for details) The CBA Team comprised: • Dominic Watkins (Project Director) • Chloé Cova (Project Manager) • Emma Clarke • Richard Bickers • Sarah de Vos Chris Blandford Associates December 2011 December 2011 Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire - Volume 1 11113901R_Final_Vol1_DW_12-11 Chris Blandford Associates Executive Summary Background In April 2011, the Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Unit commissioned environmental planning consultants Chris Blandford Associates to undertake a Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire. The Study will provide a key part of the evidence base to underpin the development of spatial planning policy through the Central Lincolnshire Local Development Framework. The Study aims to provide a strategic framework for guiding the planning and delivery of Green Infrastructure across Central Lincolnshire. It provides a broad assessment of the quantity, quality and accessibility of Central Lincolnshire’s Green Infrastructure in 2011, and identifies opportunities for addressing deficiencies. The Study sets out the consultant’s independent recommendations on priorities for Green Infrastructure delivery to support growth and development in Central Lincolnshire over the next 15-20 years. It is not a statement of Council policy. The findings of the Study are presented as two volumes: • Volume 1 - Green Infrastructure Strategy • Volume 2 - Green Infrastructure Audit and Assessment The Study paints a picture of the future needs and opportunities for Green Infrastructure seen against the backdrop of a changing policy context, reflected in part by the Coalition Government’s Natural Environment White Paper and local aspirations to deliver eco development in Central Lincolnshire. The Study will therefore require regular review to ensure that it remains a valuable and relevant source of information to support future planning policy work and local delivery of Green Infrastructure. What is Green Infrastructure? ‘Green Infrastructure is a network of multi-functional greenspace, both new and existing, both rural and urban, which supports natural and ecological processes and is integral to the health and quality of life of sustainable communities’. ‘Greenspace’ is defined as comprising the following types of spaces: allotments, community gardens and urban farms; amenity greenspaces (including green roofs); cemeteries, churchyards and disused burial grounds; green (and blue) corridors; natural and semi-natural greenspaces; and parks and gardens. In addition to these greenspaces, GI assets also include domestic gardens and street trees; agricultural land; historic environment assets; and floodplains. Green Infrastructure can comprise public and private assets, with and without public access. These assets sit within, and contribute to, high quality natural and built environments in urban and rural locations that are required to support sustainable communities. Green Infrastructure supports important ecosystem services and benefits integral to the health and quality of life for Central Lincolnshire’s communities. This includes, for example, flood attenuation and water resource management, carbon storage, countering the heat island effect of urban areas, providing opportunities for access to nature and local food production. Central Lincolnshire’s Green Infrastructure comprises both greenspaces within urban areas, such as Hartsholme Country Park and historic commons in Lincoln, and larger greenspaces in the countryside such as Laughton Wood. Major green corridors, such as the Witham Valley and Trent Valley are particularly significant GI assets within Central Lincolnshire. Green Infrastructure is a holistic approach to planning and managing the natural environment that acknowledges the multiple benefits and vital functions it provides for the economy, wildlife, local people, communities and cultural heritage assets. Investment in the provision of new and enhanced Green Infrastructure is therefore an essential part of planning for Central Lincolnshire’s future. December 2011 Green Infrastructure Study for Central Lincolnshire - Volume 1 11113901R_Final_Vol1_DW_12-11 Chris Blandford Associates Stakeholder Consultation Each stage of the Study has been informed by consultation with over 100 local stakeholders involved in planning, managing and delivering Green Infrastructure and sustainable development across Central Lincolnshire. The study process involved three key stages of work: • Stage 1 – Audit of Green Infrastructure Assets & Stakeholder Workshop. • Stage 2 – Assessment of Green Infrastructure Needs/Opportunities & Stakeholder Consultation. • Stage 3 – Preparation of Strategy & Stakeholder Consultation. Green Infrastructure Audit and Assessment The proposed Green Infrastructure Strategy is supported by a comprehensive baseline audit and assessment of Central Lincolnshire’s existing Green Infrastructure assets. The audit brings together a wide range of spatial data to map the extent and distribution of Central Lincolnshire’s Green Infrastructure assets under the following broad themes: • Ecosystem Services • Biodiversity • Landscape and Townscape Character • Historic Environment • Access and Recreation