Post Consultation Draft East London Green Grid Framework The London Plan (Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London) Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance August 2007 Post Consultation Draft East London Green Grid Framework The London Plan (Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London) Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance August 2007 copyright Greater London Authority August 2007 Published by Greater London Authority City Hall The Queen’s Walk London SE1 2AA www.london.gov.uk enquiries: 020 7983 4100 minicom 020 7983 4458 ISBN 978 1 84781 062 5 Cover photograph: Adam Hinton This publication is printed on recycled paper Copies of this draft Supplementary Planning Guidance are available form www.london.gov.uk . The Post Consultation Draft The Mayor’s draft supplementary planning guidance (SPG) the East London Green Grid Framework was published for consultation between November 2006 and February 2007. As a result of the comments received during the consultation period it is proposed to amend the document. As this SPG is linked to the Further Alterations to the London Plan (FALP) it is not possible to publish the final version of the SPG until the statutory process for these alterations has been completed. That process is scheduled to end with the publication of the revised London Plan early in 2008. In the interim period this Post Consultation version of the SPG illustrates the changes that have been made as a result of the comments received. This does not constitute a formal stage in the preparation of the SPG, nor does it provide for a further round of consultation. The status and weight attached to this document as a material consideration within the planning process will be greater as it has gone through a consultation process. However, such weight is limited by the fact that this supplements the FALP which is itself in draft form. The SPG will not be reported to the Mayor for approval and final publication until the FALP is published in 2008. 1 Contents Mayor’s Foreword 4 1 Introduction 6 2 Making the Green Grid Happen 9 3 The Green Grid Vision 12 4 Benefits of the Green Grid 14 5 Climate Change and Flood Risk 15 6 Public Open Space 17 7 Access and Connectivity 21 8 Biodiversity 22 9 Health and Physical Activity 24 10 Cultural Heritage 25 11 Green Grid Areas 26 1. Lee Valley 28 2. Epping Forest / Roding Valley 30 3. Fairlop / Beam / Ingrebourne 32 4. London Riverside 34 5. Bexley, River Cray and Southern Marshes 36 6. South East London Green Chain + 38 Annex 1 SPG Implementation Points 41 Annex 2 Ecological and Landscape Zones 44 Annex 3 Health and Green Infrastructure Matrix 45 2 3 Mayor’s Foreword The East London Green Grid aims to create a network of interlinked, high quality open spaces that connect town centres with public transport nodes, the Green Belt, the Thames, and major employment and residential areas. Integrated with areas of urban development, a high quality well maintained Green Grid will provide new landscapes for East London communities. It will help to promote healthy living and community spirit through access to recreational and cultural opportunities, whilst at the same time promoting biodiversity and acting as a ‘green lung’ for East London. Within the Green Grid there is potential to create a wide variety of landscapes. These might include a combination of deep green zones where land is given over to wilderness; areas for sport and more intensive recreation; and quiet escape areas mixed with agriculture. Establishing the Green Grid will also make East London more resilient in the face of predicted climate change. The regeneration of East London makes the Green Grid possible. The same regeneration means that there is an imperative to plan new parks and open spaces: to enhance the quality of life for existing residents and create attractive new neighbourhoods. There are individual projects already under way. The East London Green Grid brings strategic co-ordination and promotion together with local action to deliver and manage new green spaces. The strategic framework set out in this Draft SPG highlights where and how the Green Grid should develop and describes how to integrate open space networks into planning the regeneration of East London. Ken Livingstone Mayor of London 4 5 1 Introduction 1.1 East London will be a major focus for regeneration and development over the coming 20-30 years, accommodating additional new homes and jobs. For the scale of regeneration to be sustainable and respond to climate change a real improvement in environmental quality and performance is required. The aim of the Green Grid is to create a network of interlinked, multi- functional and high quality open spaces that connect with town centres, public transport nodes, the countryside in the urban fringe, the Thames and major employment and residential areas. 1.2 The open space network makes a vital contribution to sustainable development and the achievement of economic, social and environmental benefits. Open spaces have a wide range of functions that provide a green infrastructure. Development and regeneration policies, plans, proposals and projects will have to plan, locate, design and manage these functions. The Green Grid sets the sub-regional framework for the enhancement and integration of the open space network and complements the Green Arc initiative that aims to improve the access to and quality of the countryside around London. It draws from the findings on regional and metropolitan parks in London of the Strategic Parks Project (May, 2006). It also complements the Mayor’s Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Providing for children and young people’s play and informal recreation. 1.3 Policy 3D.7 of the Further Alterations to the London Plan (FALP) (September, 2006) promotes the provision of an integrated open space network across London that performs as a green infrastructure. Sub-regional policies 5C.1 and 5D.1 set the context for this SPG. Extracts from Further Alterations to the London Plan: Policy 3D.7 Realising the value of open space …Policies in DPDs should treat the open space network as an integrated system that provides a "green network" containing many uses and performing a wide range of functions, such as the East London Green Grid. All developments will be expected to incorporate appropriate elements of open space that make a positive contribution to the wider network. Policy 5C.1: Strategic priorities for North East London In the context of all policies in this plan, the strategic priorities for the North East London sub-region will be to: …ensure improvements to the open space and Blue Ribbon Networks, in particular the Thames and network of waterways in the Lower Lea/Stratford area and the Green Arc and Green Grid concepts. Special attention should be paid to long-term flood risk. Policy 5D.1: Strategic priorties for South East London In the context of all policies in this plan, the specific strategic priorities for the South East London sub-region will be to: …develop and extend the Green Arc and Green Grid concepts, linking them closely with the creation of exemplary sustainable communities in the Thames Gateway. Glossary: Green Infrastructure The open environment within urban areas, the urban fringe and the countryside. It is a network of connected, high quality, multi-functional open spaces, corridors and the links in between that provide multiple benefits for people and wildlife. 6 1.4 Paragraphs 5.63 and 5.103 of the FALP state that the “Mayor will work with partners to produce Supplementary Planning Guidance to provide further information on the Green Grid Framework. This will provide the context for open space enhancement in East London, identifying how boroughs and other stakeholders should shape their policies and actions to deliver the network”. 1.5 This Green Grid Framework SPG: x provides guidance on the implementation of policies in the Draft FALP to boroughs, partners and developers x sets out a vision and spatial framework x promotes cross boundary partnership working across 6 area groups within the sub-region x provides advice on delivery x identifies the range of functions and benefits x identifies the deficiencies in the provision of public open space and in access to nature x identifies strategic open space opportunities. 1.6 The SPG provides non-statutory guidance that can be taken into account as a material planning consideration. It forms the framework in East London for delivering the government's Creating Sustainable Communities: Greening the Gateway strategy for the Thames Gateway (June, 2006) and the Thames Gateway Parklands. A companion Delivery Plan identifies priority projects to implement the Green Grid and will be regularly updated. Figure 1: Green Grid Area © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Greater London Authority 100032379 (2007) 1.7 The Green Grid Framework covers the East London sub-regions comprising of the City of London and the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich, Havering, 7 Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and from the North sub-region Hackney (Figure 1). The area also falls within two 'Growth Areas', Thames Gateway and the London to Stansted corridor, which are priority regeneration areas under the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan. 1.8 The Green Grid Project Board is a partnership of the Greater London Authority, London Development Agency, Department for Communities and Local Government, Natural England, Environment Agency, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Bexley Regeneration and Woolwich Regeneration Partnerships. The partnership support and endorse the Green Grid concept. 1.9 The preparation of the SPG has been informed by a consultant’s Report of Studies (LDA Design, 2005), which included consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. A further round of engagement with stakeholder forums were held in October 2005 to get feedback on the Report of Studies.