WATFORD BOROUGH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN - FINAL REPORT
Prepared for Watford Borough Council by Land Use Consultants March 2011
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43 Chalton Street 14 Great George Street 37 Otago Street 28 Stafford Street London NW1 1JD Bristol BS1 5RH Glasgow G12 8JJ Edinburgh EH3 7BD Tel: 020 7383 5784 Tel: 0117 929 1997 Tel: 0141 334 9595 Tel: 0131 202 1616 Fax: 020 7383 4798 Fax: 0117 929 1998 Fax: 0141 334 7789 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET
Version Issued by: Approved by:
Andrew Tempany Kate Ahern
Senior Landscape FINAL Principal-in-Charge Architect
17th March 2011 17th March 2011
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 What is green infrastructure?...... 2 Benefits and relevance of the green infrastructure approach to Watford ...... 3 The green infrastructure planning process – a summary...... 4 Structure of this green infrastructure plan ...... 6
2 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND AND OPPORTUNITY IN WATFORD BOROUGH BY FUNCTION...... 7 Green infrastructure functions...... 7 The functions – summary of need, supply and opportunity in Watford...... 11 Access to recreation ...... 12 Prestige on settlement approach corridors ...... 15 Health...... 16 Sound ecosystems...... 17 Productive green environments ...... 18 Conserving historic landscape character ...... 19 Sustainability and responding to climate change...... 20 Land remediation ...... 21 Nature conservation ...... 22 Experience ...... 23 Flood attenuation and water management ...... 24
3 PROPOSED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK AND PROJECTS ...... 25 Green infrastructure vision...... 25 Delivering the vision – the network ...... 26 Rationale, key messages...... 26 Green infrastructure action zones...... 26 Green infrastructure types in Watford ...... 27 Proposed green infrastructure projects ...... 28 GI projects and cross authority connections ...... 45
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4 LINKING THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS TO LOCAL SPATIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT ...... 47 Evidence Base ...... 47 Core strategy ...... 48 Development Management...... 48 Next steps ...... 50 Potential future work...... 52
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Acknowledgements: The production of this Green Infrastructure Plan represents an important milestone in work developed over several years by a wider partnership of Hertfordshire stakeholders, guided throughout by Rob Rees, Hertfordshire County Council. This Green Infrastructure Plan was developed by Land Use Consultants with a steering group comprising of Sian Finney-Macdonald, Philip Bylo, Ellen Rodger and Bob Clarke (Watford Borough Council), supported by Simon Odell (Hertfordshire GI Plans Contract Manager, based at Hertfordshire County Council/ Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre). In addition consultation was undertaken with a range of stakeholders as the plan developed, and their contribution is gratefully acknowledged. The views in this GI Plan are those of Land Use Consultants. Land Use Consultants team comprised: Kate Ahern (Principal), Andrew Tempany (Project Manager), Alex Massey, Emma Deen, Fearghus Foyle, Graham Savage, Sofie Swindlehurst, Matthew Parkhill and Diana Manson.
Mapping in this report is reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Land Use Consultants, Licence Number 100019265.
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1 Introduction
1.1 Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly recognised as a existing GI plans to ensure links across boundaries, with cornerstone of sustainable development and communities. the strategic GI Plan also considering existing GI work in It is a ‘must have’, due to the many social and Hertfordshire, such as the North Hertfordshire District environmental benefits it offers. Green Infrastructure Plan. 1.2 Green infrastructure planning and delivery completes 1.4 This is a high level Green Infrastructure Plan, which Hertfordshire’s consideration of sustainable land use and identifies further work which will be needed in future to landscape planning, expressed in Green Infrastructure deliver green infrastructure. Where further, more detailed in Hertfordshire: A Frameworki. It helps bridge the green infrastructure planning work will be required, this is gap between strategic planning and site design and also referenced. management, providing messages to inform spatial land 1.5 The Green Infrastructure Plan for Watford: planning and development management decisions. • Provides an overview of existing green infrastructure 1.3 Working on behalf of a network of stakeholders, in assets within the Borough; particular members of the Hertfordshire Technical Chief Officers Association (HTCOA), Natural England, • Sets out an assessment of the ability of green Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and the Herts infrastructure to provide multiple environmental, social & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Land Use Consultants was and, in some cases, economic functions;
commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council in • Considers opportunities for enhancement and creation September 2010 to develop the Hertfordshire GI Plans. of green infrastructure; This encompassed a county wide Strategic Highlights Green Infrastructure Plan for Hertfordshire/the Green Arc • Outlines a series of potential projects to deliver multiple and ‘local level’ district Green Infrastructure Plans for functions and benefits, and seven Hertfordshire districts. The Watford Borough • Provides advice on taking green infrastructure proposals Green Infrastructure Plan has been developed in parallel forward through spatial planning and practical delivery. with the strategic county wide plan and with those for Three Rivers, Dacorum, St Albans, Hertsmere, Welwyn Hatfield and East Herts. Account has also been taken of
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What is green infrastructure? 1.6 Green infrastructure is described in Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning, 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…” 1.7 This definition is reinforced and expanded in Green Infrastructure in Hertfordshire: A Framework and in Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Guidanceii.
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Aspects of multi functional green infrastructure – links and spaces for people and wildlife The green infrastructure approach: One site performing multiple functions (source: Natural England, Green iii Benefits and relevance of the green Infrastructure Guidance) infrastructure approach to Watford 1.9 The Borough of Watford centres itself around the urban 1.8 In the face of competition for resources and environmental settlement of Watford town which grew from the change, now more than ever we must look to our confluence of the Colne and Gade. Outside of the high landscape and to sites to perform the widest range of density built up area, valley meadowlands including the functions for people, communities and quality of life, Rivers Gade and Colne and associated dry chalk valleys wildlife and ecosystems. This concept of ‘multi woodland, and plateau farmland, are distinctive. In the functionality’ is shown in the illustration on the right, from neighbouring district of St Albans the presence of wooded Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Guidance. hills and ridges and lowland settled farmland creates the landscape context of the Colne. Other aspects of Watford’s green infrastructure include the Grand Union Canal corridor, existing transport lines and the historic estate parklands of Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods (SSSI) to the West. Land Use Consultants 3
1.10 Watford’s primary GI asset, Cassiobury Park was laid out from the 16th Century and has had a major influence on the town and landscape character of the surrounding area. Whilst the estate was broken up in the early 20th century, elements such as the Lime avenues planted as part of the 17th Century formal gardens created by Moses Cook and the water landscape near the Grand Union Canal are important features. 1.11 Developed as a medieval market town, Watford is now a thriving urban settlement which shares many
characteristics with London suburbs. Due to significant The varied green infrastructure of Watford growth in recent times, pressures relating to available open space and provision of GI elements have ensued. The green infrastructure planning process – a Development now extends to the Borough boundary summary which has exacerbated pressures on the availability of GI elements and has resulted in issues relating to access to 1.14 For the purposes of this study, the green infrastructure open space, public rights of way and cycle routes, as well planning process can be summarised in the diagram as to the wider countryside. overleaf. 1.12 In some cases, existing GI assets are delivering the necessary functionality, in others not. This pattern of demand and supply forms the basis for the analyses undertaken and proposals made in this plan. For example, issues relate to access and links, and the variable ability to reach assets as part of a green travel network. 1.13 This Green Infrastructure Plan seeks to address links and connections, alternative greenspace provision and low cost, maximum benefit interventions such as improved landscape management to deliver a wider array of functions. It also looks at ways to influence sustainable living modes and transport choices through non spatial and educational projects to support spatial proposals. Land Use Consultants 4 INCEPTION GI PROPOSALS DEVELOPMENT
• Scoping and brief development • Developing strategic network • Agree main areas of focus of spatial projects and new/ • Understand key GI issues enhanced existing links (for people, landscape, habitat) • Respond to functional needs CONTEXTUAL STUDIES • Develop supporting non spatial projects (interpretation/education/ • Baseline document review promotional) • Plan/policy/programme context
STAKEHOLDER MAP ANALYSIS CONSULTATION FIELD SURVEY
• Organisation of Geographic • Validation/’buyin’ Information Systems (GIS) map layers, • Test/Confirm to understand spatial information • Identifying green infrastructure ALIGN WITH OTHER functions to focus proposals PLANS & POLICIES development
UNDERSTANDING GI DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FUNCTIONAL PROVISION • Justifying proposals and projects • Applying provision standards • Next steps, to guide future delivery • Evaluating GI supply and need • Linking proposals to the Local (consider growth, physical barriers, etc) Development Framework
STRUCTURE OF THIS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN 1.15 The remainder of this Green Infrastructure Plan is set out as follows:
• Section 2: Green infrastructure demand and opportunity in Watford by function
• Section 3: Proposed green infrastructure network and projects
• Section 4: Linking the green infrastructure proposals to local spatial planning 1.16 Appendices are presented in a separate volume. Appendix 1 sets out the record of stakeholder consultation undertaken as part of the study. Appendix 2 shows the summary findings from a thematic document review undertaken to set the GI Plan in context. Appendix 3 sets out the summary findings from the functional analysis.
Aspects of the green infrastructure of Watford: Top – Cassiobury Park; Bottom - the River Gade
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2 Green infrastructure demand and 2.3 Key messages from each theme which have informed the planning of the GI network are shown in Appendix 2, as opportunity in Watford Borough by are documents reviewed for each theme. function GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNCTIONS 2.1 To evaluate existing green infrastructure opportunities, a 2.4 Key to understanding green infrastructure and to justifying rapid thematic document review was undertaken to green infrastructure proposals is consideration of the understand the environmental and social context. The functions green infrastructure can and needs to perform themes for the document review are different from but are (that is, attributes of green infrastructure), whether for linked to and have informed the separate analysis of GI people and communities, wildlife or ecosystems in general. functional provision (the 11 functions of green 2.5 The eleven functions which have been identified for this infrastructure defined for this study are set out and Green Infrastructure Plan are shown overleaf. mapped at the end of this section). 2.6 These functions have been defined and mapped to 2.2 Themes for the literature review were: understand geographical/spatial provision of green • Access and recreation infrastructure assets in Watford. When considered alongside main settlements, an indication of GI demand is • Landscape character and experience; settlement setting also provided. Consideration has been given to shortfalls • The historic environment and potential need in the context of future growth as identified in the emerging Core Strategy, where these • Health and deprivation areas are known. The functions have also been used to • Functional ecosystems and flood risk develop proposals in response to identified need and to evaluate proposals, for prioritisation and future • Productive landscapes (including local food production – orchards and allotments) and larger scale agriculture – implementation by others. land in Higher Level Stewardship
• Land remediation (issues concerning mineral sites and restoration, derelict and previously developed land)
• Nature conservation
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Green infrastructure functions
access approach health ecosystems productive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood
2.7 The analysis methodology for each function (including provision standards applied) is set out at Appendix 3,
together with a summary of the main issues with regard to deficits of provision and potential need and opportunity. Supporting mapping showing the distribution of GI assets and their functions is shown in relation to each function, below.
THE FUNCTIONS – SUMMARY OF NEED,
SUPPLY AND OPPORTUNITY IN WATFORD
2.8 The findings from each functional analysis are summarised below.
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Access to recreation 2.10 The Borough has the highest provision of accessible natural greenspace (ANG) within the County (due to the presence of Cassiobury Park), there is however a lack of provision of open space in and around urban parts of Watford, due to the general density of urban development. Applying Natural England’s Accessible Natural Greenspace (ANGSt) standards (shown overleaf), significant deficiency exists across the central band of the town where there is deficiency in access to semi natural greenspace at the local (2 hectare sites) and strategic level (500 hectare sites). The Natural England ANG mapping for Hertfordshire was undertaken in June 2010. As such, the data used by Natural England to review performance against ANGSt standards predated the availability of GIS open space data for Watford Borough. In reality therefore, the picture in relation to ANG provision in Watford is an enhanced version of what is presented on the ANGSt map in this report e.g. that Watford performs better in terms of ANG than the mapping indicates. 2.11 There is a need to enhance sustainable transport links, particularly addressing barriers to movement such as the M25 and the M1, and there are currently poor cycle links 2.9 Accessible open space forms a key part of the quality of life to the west, south and east of Watford, with the exception of communities, although it is recognised that functionality of the Ebury Way to the south west. In addition the path varies according to the type and size of spaces. Areas may network in the Borough is fragmented, with poor links not always be well served due to settlement evolution and from the town to the surrounding countryside to the east the presence of barriers to access. Both are particular and west. Whilst the Grand Union Canal is a notable issues in Watford Borough. strategic cycle link (part of the National Cycle Network Route 6), condition is variable and it also often creates
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severance issues. Enhancement of the Grand Union Canal corridor forms a focus for a project proposed in this GI Plan, at section 3. The River Colne and associated road network also form a barrier to accessing the wider countryside. The Colne Valley is also considered in a specific project at section 3.
Accessible Natural Greenspace (ANG) provision, applying the Natural England ANGSt standards (source: Natural Englandiv)
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2.12 Due to the presence of Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods, the Borough scores highly against Woodland Trust Accessible Woodland Standards, with the whole Borough within 4km of a 20 hectare woodland site. However, this masks the fact there is a real need for small scale urban greening in the town.
Accessible Woodland Provision (Woodland Trust standard)
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mapping of assets and detractors produced for Prestige on settlement approach corridors Hertfordshirev, as well as consideration of landscape condition and quality in the Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessmentvi. 2.14 The southern and eastern boundaries of the Borough are characterised by impaired approaches to the town, due to the presence of barriers such as the Metropolitan Line near Western Gateway and the St Albans branch line / A41 junction to the east. There is the potential to improve and buffer these large areas of industrial estates, hypermarkets and retail parks through structural green infrastructure (e.g. enhancements in the Colne Valley and near the Western Gateway area). A strong opportunity is to use proposed developments to enable creation of new green infrastructure initiatives, such as linking Cassiobury Park to the Colne Valley (via an enhanced wetland environment extending from the Health Campus site), whilst buffering industrial development and transport routes with woodland vegetation where feasible. 2.15 Whilst no landscape character areas of poor quality lie within the Borough, the Colne Valley, due to the presence of detracting sites and contaminated land, has been 2.13 The concept of prestige, that is, the experience and identified as the focus for an enhancement project in this perception of settlement approaches, is a key part of the GI Plan (potential for wetland and wet woodland green infrastructure approach and for positive planning of enhancement including wider countryside links and settlement fringes. Within the context of the main contributing to the objectives of the Watling Chase transport corridors on the Watford settlement Community Forest within the adjacent Hertsmere approaches, this functional analysis has referred to spatial Borough).
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2.17 With reference to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation Health (IMD), areas with the greatest health deprivation have been identified as Woodside, Meriden, Leggatts, Central, Oxhey and Holywell. Watford’s Central ward has some of the worst health deprivation in the county and country. Many of these deprivation issues are closely related to the density of the built environment and the presence of barriers such as arterial roads (notably in Watford Central, with the presence of the ring road). 2.18 Due to intrusions created by the transport network and attendant pollution, there is a need for enhanced urban greening in the Borough (equity of green infrastructure provision, which a focus for an urban greening project proposed in this GI Plan – see section 3), most of which is likely to occur in light of redevelopment and regeneration opportunities (Opportunity Areas identified in the emerging Core Strategy).
2.16 In this analysis, access links and proximity to areas of deprivation were mapped. Main road corridors were also considered to understand where there were linked issues of ‘unhealthy environments’ (air quality and pollution), or need to target tree planting as described in relation to the ‘prestige’ function above.
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catchments, the riverine environment of the Gade is of Sound ecosystems poor quality in terms of ecological status, and is also subject to abstraction/low flow pressures. This is also the case with the Colne catchment. Invasive species are an issue in both rivers and there is therefore a need for positive management of the river valleys and watercourses as key GI assets. The need for positive wetland ecosystems management has formed the focus for a Wetland habitat zone at Figure 3.1 and also for a specific project for the Colne Valley, described in section 3. 2.21 The density and distribution of highly trafficked roads in the Borough, together with the density of built development and grain, indicates issues of air quality. However there are few opportunities to address this through structural green infrastructure, due to the high density character of the urban environment. New tree planting to principal streets is likely to take place in a small scale way e.g. additional street trees to enhance the urban public realm, or to incorporate larger scale green infrastructure through identification of regeneration opportunity (e.g. Watford Junction redevelopment). These
concepts are referenced in an urban greening project for
2.19 Sound ecosystems are a key part of a green infrastructure the Borough, at section 3. network, and proposals should seek to contribute to positive and proactive management of these for community benefit. The focus for this analysis has been the key services of water and air quality. 2.20 Interpreting the Water Framework Directive (WFD) data produced by the Environment Agency for river
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settlement envelope but any proposed development, Productive green environments particularly in the south of the Borough should aim to incorporate productive landscapes e.g. as an extension of existing allotment provision at the Health Campus site. As such the focus is likely to be on more micro scale initiatives around supporting and promoting local producers and suppliers, and through community gardens and street orchards which form a focus for the Watford urban greening project described in section 3.
2.22 Watford, being a densely populated urban area, has limited opportunities for productive green environments. None of the fringe farmland in the Borough or adjacent districts within 2.5km of the settlement envelope is currently within higher level or organic stewardship schemes. There are a limited number of orchards and nurseries within the 2.5km
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rare historic landscape character types, as a basis for Conserving historic landscape character identifying aspects of historic legacy to be conserved as part of the GI network. 2.24 Whilst the Hertfordshire Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) data identifies no rare historic landscape types within the Borough, there is a considerable designated heritage GI resource. Significant aspects of the historic landscape character are protected through the nine Conservation Areas (mostly of a high density, urban character), while Cassiobury Park is the only Registered Park in the Borough. Ancient woodland forms another key part of the heritage GI resource (e.g. at Whippendell Woods), as do watercress beds within the river valleys (traditional land management of the Gade at Cassiobury). Key sites such as Cassiobury and Whippendell Woods offer considerable potential for interpretation of the historic legacy and their many layers of historic evolution, in addition to a wide range of other GI benefits. Both sites form foci for projects within this GI Plan, explained at section 3.
2.23 The historic environment and historic legacy provides a rich resource for conservation and interpretation as part of a multi functional green infrastructure network. It also clearly links to other functions such as prestige, experience and the potential for recreation. This analysis considered the distribution of designated heritage assets in addition to
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adapted response to spatial planning. This is particularly Sustainability and responding to climate change relevant to Watford Borough.
2.26 Outside of Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods, tree planting is generally relatively sparse within the Borough. With the exception of the wooded rail corridor for the West Coast Main Line and a few isolated woodland blocks in the northern part of the Borough, it is limited to key spaces such as the churchyard and to leafier, lower density ‘Metroland’ suburbs such as the Cassiobury Estate and around Nascot Wood. Other than occasional street trees there is relatively little tree planting within the urban public realm. 2.27 Due to density of development and level of existing sub surface infrastructure it is likely that tree planting could only be addressed in areas where comprehensive redevelopment comes forward e.g. the Opportunity Areas at Health Campus site within Colne Valley, the Western Gateway and to a more limited degree at Watford Junction in future. In response to this, the urban greening project in section 3 sets out principles and ideas for urban greening to help achieve Watford’s aspirations. 2.28 Other efforts in addressing provision for this function in 2.25 Urban greening, shading and cooling is a key part of future relate mainly to conserving existing tree stock and community focussed green infrastructure. This analysis has managing this appropriately/planning for succession therefore considered only tree cover. There are however planting. Also ensuring new tree planting in relation to clear links with other functions such as flood attenuation redevelopment sites, whilst respecting urban grain and and water management, as part of a climate change townscape character – use of the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) standards for enhanced urban
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tree planting of 80 street trees (of an appropriately robust landscape character and quality, and in enhancing areas of grade) per linear km, as well as embedding such principles degraded landscape (e.g. mineral and re restoration sites). within the masterplanning and design of new development. 2.30 Whilst no such sites, or indeed landscape character areas of ‘poor’ quality have been identified in Watford, there are Land remediation a number of areas of contaminated land within the Colne Valley, at the boundary with Hertsmere Borough, and at Oxhey. These sites should be targeted as potential areas to improve the quality of the land through remediation programmes, whereby any contaminants are removed and the land restored to its original state. They fall within a wetland enhancement zone and specific project for the Colne Valley proposed in this GI Plan (section 3), whereby remediation could be delivered as part of a wider package to enhance landscape and townscape interface, accessibility and biodiversity in the Colne Valley.
2.29 Green infrastructure planning and design can play a key part in delivering enhancement and restoration of
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statutory and locally designated nature conservation sites Nature conservation and areas of local protection (Local Wildlife Sites).
2.32 Continued enhancement of existing habitats may be achieved through sensitive management e.g. supporting the ability of Whippendell Woods SSSI and Cassiobury Park to absorb relatively high visitor numbers, through appropriate management/restoration and alternative greenspace resource provision (refer to Cassiobury, Whippendell Woods and Colne Valley projects in section 3). Encouraging river restoration e.g. Colne Valley could aid the expansion of the wetland habitat mosaic along river corridors, such as carr woodland, wet grassland and open water, as well as linking the network of local wildlife sites in the valley. The focus on the Colne Valley as a project would potentially provide an alternative greenspace resource, to deflect pressures from sites such as Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods. This would also be complementary to the objectives of the management plan for the Colne River Parkvii. 2.33 Key opportunities to enhance nature conservation within the Borough include positive management of Whippendell Woods (balancing recreation and nature conservation 2.31 Conservation and enhancement of habitats, together with interests, as described in section 3) and to buffer existing planning for sustainable communities, is a key habitats of value and to help absorb visitor pressure, whilst consideration of multi functional green infrastructure also seeking to link woodland sites (e.g. to encompass the planning. This GI Plan has taken a landscape scale adjoining area of Chandlers Cross gravel pit). In addition, approach, considering Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action extending habitat links from the north of this Key Plan Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), in addition to Biodiversity Area (KBA) beyond the M25, could potentially
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link to ecological mitigation measures (structural 2.35 Experiential and perceptual aspects of landscape are woodland) associated with the M25 widening works. integral parts of place led green infrastructure planning. For this analysis, the rarest regional landscape types were 2.34 The proposed urban greening project identified in section identified and their distribution in the Borough mapped. 3 could contribute to enhanced urban biodiversity (linking Whilst areas of semi natural landscape are localised in the of local wildlife sites), whether through regeneration Borough, they are nonetheless significant. Mapping the opportunities or through smaller scale greening initiatives. distribution of regionally rare landscape types in the Experience Borough, the main regionally rare landscape type in Watford is the Wooded Chalk Valleys, in the west. These are evident along the East facing valley slope (approximately 1.5km long) of the River Gade to the very west of the Borough adjacent to Cassiobury Park as well as a smaller strip alongside Whippendell Woods on Jacotts Hill. This landscape type covers 2.09% of the Borough area, or 0.23% of the total regional distribution of the landscape type. Although small scale in occurrence, the type coincides with the ancient woodland asset at Whippendell Woods SSSI, and as such forms a focus for conservation as a key part of the Watford GI network. New woodland planting to expand this area would present an opportunity to strengthen the woodland presence within the landscape and protect and enhance this rare character type whilst making better landscape and habitat linkages to the wider countryside (considered jointly with Three Rivers), including to the riverine environment of the Gade. It would also provide landscape buffering where the experience of the landscape type is affected by transport routes (e.g. Metropolitan Line).
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Flood attenuation and water management Gade which flows along the western Borough boundary and the River Colne on its south east boundary are both in close proximity to the urban area. As a result they have had their natural courses heavily modified over time, with various flood defences in place to reduce the risk of flooding. Potential future development in close proximity to the River Colne could exacerbate existing pressures in the area, so identifying areas for wetland expansion (‘making space for water’) may help alleviate this pressure. As the water bodies within this area are at risk from abstraction and other artificial pressures it is important that existing open space and wetland areas such as Riverside Park are conserved and enhanced. Proposals for future development at the Health Campus site could provide opportunities to connect to an expanded greenspace network at the Colne Valley. This should link to wider consideration of wetland enhancement in the Colne e.g. through making space for water and avoiding flooding pinch points (focus for a Colne River Valley project at section 3). This would also be complementary to the objectives of the Colne River Park Draft Management Planviii.
2.36 Planning for and making space for water forms a key part 2.38 Redevelopment and regeneration could provide of considering future landscapes in the face of climate opportunities for enhanced flood and water management, change, particularly through sound flood risk management. through using run off capture measures as part of development design (green roofs, permeable paving, filter
2.37 The majority of the flood zones are outside the settlement, strips and swales). with the exception of the Lower Colne (potential surface water flooding issues in Lower High Street). The River .
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3 Proposed green infrastructure • Urban greening and the value of greenspace in Watford’s urban centre linking with proposed projects such as the network and projects Health Campus along the Colne Valley;
• Urban tree networks where the density of development GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE VISION reduces availability of access to open space; 3.1 The green infrastructure vision for Watford Borough is: • Joined up networks, linking the gaps in the Path and Rights of Way Network, including improved links to the To conserve and enhance countryside;
• The network of waterways, river corridors and valley • Water and floodrisk management – ‘soft’ and flexible, topography – the Grand Union Canal, Colne and Gade, adaptive solutions, creating ‘space for water’. which form key components of the GI network. In particular to enhance the profile and presence of the To recognise and value Colne Valley as a multi functional GI resource; • The importance of allotments for quality of life and in facilitating sustainable modes of living, whilst enhancing • Historic parklands for their recreation, education and nature conservation value, seeking to enhance the their quality as part of a multi functional green setting of and create positive approaches to Watford; infrastructure network; • The significance of even small scale urban greening in • Links between assets and green connectors e.g. Cassiobury Park to the wider network of the Colne and providing multiple functions and quality of life; Gade Rivers and the Grand Union Canal. • The positive use of green infrastructure as outdoor To improve and create classroom and for life long learning/skills development; • Conservation management as one of the building blocks • Green travel (people) links between greenspaces – a user friendly greenspace network, including enhanced of a multi functional GI network; lateral links across the urban area and enhanced links • Green infrastructure for people and wildlife – an along the canal and river valley network; integrated approach, where these different interests co exist, rather than conflict; • Connectivity for habitats and wildlife, assisting in avoiding habitat fragmentation;
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• Green infrastructure heritage: Celebrate the historic delivery and management mechanisms. Recommendations parklands and planned landscapes of Cassiobury Park to link the green infrastructure proposals to delivery and Whippendell Woods; through spatial planning are set out in section 4.
• The importance of a strategic approach and joined up Green infrastructure action zones working – partnerships with adjacent authorities such as Hertsmere Borough to deliver improvements in the 3.4 In addition to the urban green infrastructure of Watford, Colne Valley. several ‘action zones’ have been defined for the wider green infrastructure network. Shown on Figure 3.1, DELIVERING THE VISION – THE NETWORK these are: • Wetland Habitat Zone: Restoring and enhancing the Rationale, key messages quality of the canal and river valley network and 3.2 The proposed green infrastructure network has been associated wetland habitats, to create landscape links to developed in response to the key messages from the adjacent authorities and to sites such as Bricket Wood document review and the functional need and supply Common. The zone also includes connections to the analysis in section 2, and to deliver the points of the strategic Grand Union Corridor identified in the Three vision above. It has been proofed against the adjoining Rivers and Dacorum GI Plans and in the authorities’ green infrastructure context and other Buckinghamshire GI Strategy. The zone and component relevant spatial plans, policies, programmes and projects. projects can also contribute to delivery of Natural The proposals have also been validated through England’s Thames and Tributaries Integrated Biodiversity stakeholder consultation (the main messages from the Delivery Area (IBDA) and at a local level are stakeholder workshop are in Appendix 1). complementary to the aims and objectives of the 3.3 The proposed Green Infrastructure Network is shown on Management Plan for the Colne River Park. Figure 3.1 and the component action zones and green • Woodland Enhancement Zone: linking woodland infrastructure types which make up the GI network are habitats and restoring landscapes/defining the network of described below. Spatial projects and non spatial proposals valleys including regionally rare Wooded Chalk Valleys. which deliver the GI network are cross referenced in the This includes enhancement to the setting of historic GI proposals map, are explained at the end of this section. assets such as Whippendell Woods – buffering and This includes high level consideration of cost, phasing and protecting such sites.
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• Chalk Valleys Conservation Zone: conserving key GI assets as part of the movement, habitat and physical landscape network, also securing links to the river valley network and associated Wetland Habitat Zone. 3.5 These zones are colour coded on Figure 3.1. They Urban blue links indicate broad areas in which future small scale projects could contribute to the objectives of the zone. They do not relate to large scale or ‘blanket’ proposals. For example, the Woodland Enhancement Zone does not indicate mass woodland planting, rather an area where woodland enhancement and linkage, of even small scale, is Urban wildspace desirable/meets a range of functional criteria, and should
therefore be supported.
Green infrastructure types in Watford 3.6 A series of green infrastructure types have been defined to organise proposed green infrastructure projects in Watford Borough, these are: Peri urban wildspace
Rural wildspace Urban greenways
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3.9 These are described in the tables at the end of this section. A further, non spatial (thematic or interpretative) project (project 6) is identified at the end of this section. 3.10 Also identified at the end of this section are GI links with Rural blue links adjacent Hertfordshire authorities, to signpost where ‘joined up’, cross authority working will be required. Proposed green infrastructure projects 3.11 Projects are prioritised according to the functions and 3.7 Working with Watford Borough and key professional and benefits they offer, with an indication of steps likely to be community stakeholders, a series of potential projects have required to deliver. Broad consideration is also given to been identified to take forward the GI network and to costings, to give a guide as to future levels of investment in deliver the functions identified and analysed in section 2. delivering capital works, using the following indicative These are described at the end of this section, which also rates/bands: identifies supporting non spatial GI projects. Section 4 identifies potential future work for Watford Borough to £ = Up to £50,000 consider in delivering green infrastructure. Due to the high level nature of this study, more detailed work will be ££ = £50,000-100,000 needed to test and develop proposals (e.g. further £££ = £100,000 – 500,000 ecological work and advice to determine requirements for suitable habitat creation and enhancement at a local level). ££££ = £500,000 – 2million 3.8 The GI projects (shown on Figure 3.1), are as follows: £££££ = £2million + • 1. Cassiobury Park Enhancement 3.12 Note that costs are indicative/guidelines only and are based • 2. Whippendell Woods Enhancement on LUC’s knowledge and experience of delivering • 3. Grand Union Canal Enhancement comparable schemes. They represent a reasonable best estimate of investment costs to deliver the required green • 4. Colne Valley Wetland Enhancement infrastructure functionality. It is also recognised that • 5. Urban Greening and Legibility for Watford further, more detailed green infrastructure planning and cost planning will be required. Where a project is a series
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of component sub projects, this will have an effect on costs. For example consideration of enhanced access links and approaches at Cassiobury Park (project 1) will have markedly different capital implications to the full restoration scheme proposed as an option in that project. As such, proposals are a ‘palette’ of projects which Watford Borough and partners can pick from as appropriate funding streams become available, but which will still help deliver the overall green infrastructure vision. In considering cost ranges, account has also been taken of match funding and grant aid in broad terms e.g. that where this applies, the net effect is to reduce costs of schemes in real terms (e.g. project 1). 3.13 Consideration is given in broad terms to further work needed to deliver projects in the sheets at the end of this section. As a general rule, in addition to the liaison, consultation and negotiations identified, each capital project will also require further survey work – land, ecological and archaeological surveys, in addition to impact assessment of proposals and projects in ecologically sensitive areas.
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Hertfordshire Green Infrastructure Plans - Watford Figure 3.1: Proposed Green Infrastructure Network
Key
Proposals Strategic link Local link 1 Green infrastructure projects Strategic GI assets Wetland habitat zone Woodland enhancement zone Urban Greening and 5 Legibility for Watford Chalk valleys conservation zone Opportunity areas Existing Long distance and promoted routes Rivers Accessible open space Woodland Main settlements 2 Whippendell Woods Enhancements Barriers Major road network Railway Urban Greening and Grand Union Canal 5 Disused railway 3 Enhancements Legibility for Watford
1 Cassiobury Park Enhancement
000.25 .51Km Colne Valley Wetland 4 Enhancements
Date: 18/03/2011 Revision:
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey information with the permission of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright, Land Use Consultants, Licence Number 100019265 File: S:\4900\4993 Hertfordshire GI Plans\B Project Working\GIS\Themes\ArcGIS9\4993-01-026a_Watford_GI_v1.mxd
LOCAL AUTHORITY : WATFORD PROJECT : 1. Cassiobury Park enhancement : £££+
PERI URBAN WILDSPACE - Brief description / snapshot of the project :
• Enhanced accessibility & approach to Cassiobury Park through improved signage from the town centre & to the A412 crossing/principal park entrance • Improved gateway feature & landscape management to the principal approach - reflect quality of the park itself & provide better visual connection to the town (project could include revealing & interpretation of the lost Cassiobury Park gate house (demolished 1974) • Establish dedicated, improved cycle link across the park, creating a new loop linking the Metropolitan Line tube station & the National Cycle route at the Grand Union • Proposals should form part of a wider restoration masterplan interpreting aspects of the historic designed landscape of Cassiobury & improving the recreational experience, through improved zoning of recreational provision & integration with remnant historic features such as the tree avenues & enhanced links to the adjacent Whippendell Woods
FUNCTIONS MET : access prestige health ecosystems productive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood mgmt
PLANS / POLICIES / PROGRAMMES WHICH THE PROJECT CAN HELP DELIVER : Landscape enhancements & interpretation/restoration of historic landscape can contribute to Hertfordshire LCA objectives & also to the EH listing of the site, as well as to conservation of historic landscape types (watercress beds). Integrated cycle way link is consistent with the aims of the Hertfordshire ROWIP & could also contribute to a potential cycling improvement project identified to deliver the South West Herts Cycle Strategy, to improve cycle access to the A412, cycle parking at Watford Metropolitan Line Station & signage within Cassiobury Park. Implementation of the wider restoration plan would create an enhanced functional green lung for Watford which would meet many of the criteria for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant funding (access, communities etc), as well as improved zoning to reduce pressure on parts of the park. Project would help conserve & enhance rare historic landscape type (watercress beds) & nature conservation interest identified in functional analysis.
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DELIVERY : Project encompasses several sub projects & spatial interventions, most of which are low key & associated with changes in landscape management & enhanced signage & legibility. The idea of a wider Cassiobury Park restoration plan is desirable & is dependent on Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant aid funding (need for liaison with HLF to determine areas of need & priority & requirements to co ordinate a bid. With the recent reduced thresholds for match funding requirements an HLF bid may be viable to secure capital works associated with restoration & re interpretation of the park’s many historic layers. Liaise with adjacent district (Three Rivers) & with the Friends of Cassiobury Park in working up proposals.
POTENTIAL DELIVERY PARTNERS & MONITORING MECHANISMS : Watford Borough Council (enabling/partnering role), Friends of Cassiobury Park (promotion & small scale fund raising activity, as well as liaison on development of proposals for the park). HLF. Sustrans. Three Rivers. Potential advisory input from Herts Countryside Management Service, with their work in the adjacent Whippendell Woods.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PRIORITY / RANKING : Liaise with HLF & relevant partners to determine principle of eligibility for funding for a wider site restoration plan, & viability of developing, co ordinating & submitting a funding bid. Irrespective of wider site restoration, may smaller projects could be delivered e.g. improved cycle route, through liaison with Sustrans, & these may be higher priority.
LOCAL AUTHORITY : WATFORD PROJECT : 2. Whippendell Woods enhancement (joint project with Three Rivers) : ££-£££
RURAL WILDSPACE - Brief description / snapshot of the project :
• Project proposes improved car free to the site access via Cassiobury & the Grand Union Canal, realised in part through improved signage • Management of under storey for permeability, visibility & safety, to attract people into the wider Whippendell Woods away from ‘hotspots’ in the woods & Cassiobury Park, whilst creating an appropriate balance between access & nature conservation interests • Enhanced landscape management & interpretation to entrances - define transition with designed landscape of Cassiobury Park - interpretation of designed landscape elements (Moses Cook Lime Avenue of 1672) • Vegetation management should extend to gateways & car parks to the periphery of the site, to create safe spaces for people to use, in response to issues of perceived safety, as identified in the Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessment (LCA 11) • Potential link to Three Rivers ‘Travelsmart’ project (subject to HLF funding to extend this project) FUNCTIONS MET : access prestige health ecosystems productive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood mgmt
PLANS / POLICIES / PROGRAMMES WHICH THE PROJECT CAN HELP DELIVER : Landscape management objectives are compliant with those in the landscape character assessment. Delivering the project would also provide enhanced links to the wider countryside, which is a stated aspiration of the Watford Borough Draft Open Space Study. Project should tie in with & be complementary to existing published routes within the site. Enhanced links can help contribute to addressing Accessible Natural Greenspace (ANG) deficiency in the Borough. Also conservation of rare landscape character type (Wooded Chalk Valleys) as identified in the functional analysis, & nature conservation interest of the site.
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DELIVERY : Need to ensure that proposals are consistent with the Management Plan for the site (in terms of avoiding user conflicts - access & nature conservation), & for cross authority working with Three Rivers District to deliver project objectives. Need for liaison with partners such as Woodland Trust & with English Heritage in relation to proposals affecting the registered historic landscape.
POTENTIAL DELIVERY PARTNERS & MONITORING MECHANISMS : Watford Borough Council in partnership with Three Rivers District (enabling roles). Woodland Trust. Countryside Management Service (Three Rivers). Potential for Forestry Commission input through Woodland Grant Schemes to deliver improvements & management. Voluntary activity e.g. through Friends of Group, in relation to non specialised maintenance tasks & improvements. Main monitoring mechanisms are likely to be through visitor/user group surveys & species surveys (helping to deliver the council’s duty re: monitoring of biodiversity).
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PRIORITY / RANKING : Interpretative & access enhancement aspects of the project could form part of a co ordinated bid to the HLF with Cassiobury Park & to deliver an expanded ‘Travelsmart’ green routes programme with Three Rivers District Council. Other aspects of the project (enhanced landscape management & permeability in appropriately zoned areas) are of relatively low cost. Project priority is therefore high in view of the level of functionality it delivers.
LOCAL AUTHORITY : WATFORD PROJECT : 3. Grand Union canal enhancement : £££££
URBAN BLUE LINK - Brief description / snapshot of the project :
• Upgrade stretches of the canal towpath, & National Cycle route, to the north of Cassiobury Park & the Grove, to improve quality & wider use accessibility • Enhancement & creation of greater usable standard of surfaces along the canal route • Create a continuous linking strategic route through the Borough, & to neighbouring districts (e.g. Dacorum) • Recognise other key green assets through stronger links & interpretation, e.g. the River Gade at Cassiobury Park with associated local nature reserves & Whippendell Woods SSSI • Opportunities for interpretation as part of a post industrial canal heritage trail (linking with the Colne Valley Regional Park in Three Rivers & to historic estate/designed landscapes such as Cassiobury Park via watercress beds & the former Cassiobury Mill site)
FUNCTIONS MET : access prestige health ecosystemsproductive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood mgmt
PLANS / POLICIES / PROGRAMMES WHICH THE PROJECT CAN HELP DELIVER : Enhancements will deliver improved & continuous access along the canal towpaths through Watford linking to adjacent districts, such as Dacorum Borough to the north & Three Rivers to the south. An upgraded strategic route will contribute to improved functionality, making it more available to a larger range of user groups (e.g. wheelchair users & bicycles), satisfying Hertordshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan & the Sustrans National Cycle Route 6 initiative. Stronger access links along the canal corridor will enhance the usability & function of other key Watford GI projects, such as the Whippendell Woods project & links to Cassiobury Park in general as a major green asset within the Borough. An improved relationship between the River Gade & the canal within the Borough, for example, by increasing connectivity at sites like Cassiobury Park. ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DELIVERY : The project is largely focused on improved signage, access along & connections from/to the Grand Union canal, as part of a wider strategic county wide project. Access upgrades, signage packages, enhancements & creation can require significant funding to achieve a continuous standard which will satisfy fully a range of existing & new users, with a for coherent design code & palette (e.g. a signage strategy). Where large scale funding is not available such as developer contributions (CIL/s.106), canal enhancements could be more locally based initiatives under a series of guidelines or a practical ‘how to’ for local friends groups & trusts (e.g. Groundwork & Friends of Cassiobury Park) to take forward (e.g. repairing potholes as surface upgrades / removal of invasive species as voluntary work). POTENTIAL DELIVERY PARTNERS & MONITORING MECHANISMS : Watford Borough Council, integrated along with Sustrans, British Waterways & Environment Agency will be key drivers for a strategic county vision which can enable the locally specific delivery of a coherent enhancement project. Contact should be made with relevant local scale partners who can offer local delivery through their voluntary activity, small scale funding, labour/clean up days & events, such as the Friends of Cassiobury Park & local allotment groups (e.g. for Watercress bed restoration). Groundwork, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust & BTCV may also be able to assist with securing funding for & delivering local community projects (e.g. local signage packages to build on the work already achieved at Cassiobury Park along the River Gade). WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PRIORITY / RANKING : Project is a priority for promotion to locally interested groups, Friends of Cassiobury Park (Cassiobury is a key gateway to the canal & other green assets within Watford), liaison with Groundwork, BTCV, other Friends & user groups (e.g. Anglers). Need for partnership working with Herts County Council & Sustrans.
LOCAL AUTHORITY : WATFORD PROJECT : 4. Colne Valley enhancements : £££££
URBAN BLUE LINK (RURAL BLUE LINK TO BOROUGH FRINGES)
- Brief description / snapshot of the project : • Enhancement & restoration of the landscape character & biodiversity connectivity of the Lower Colne Valley, including wetland & floodplain habitat re creation, to provide a link to the wider countryside via the adjacent Hertsmere Borough • Links to committed scheme & associated wetland landscape proposals at the Health Campus site, &, in the longer term, enhanced access along the valley - alternative semi natural greenspace, to relieve pressure on other sites within the Borough • Enhanced access link along the valley via improved approaches to key sites such as Oxhey Park & continued link along the western part of the park, creating signposted link to the town via Watford Fields & Lower High Street • Opportunity for expanded community garden provision linked to that at Health Campus site & to contribute to meeting a wider range of open space deficiencies FUNCTIONS MET : access prestige health ecosystems productive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood mgmt
PLANS / POLICIES / PROGRAMMES WHICH THE PROJECT CAN HELP DELIVER : Landscape management objectives can deliver objectives in landscape character assessment. Creation of enhanced riverine environment can contribute to enhanced ecological quality & the objectives of the Environment Agency’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) for the Colne Catchment, as identified in the functional analysis. Also contributes to making space for water as identified in flood alleviation part of the functional analysis. Colne Valley restoration & enhancement can be complementary to remediation of identified contaminated land issues in Colne Valley east of Watford town. Landscape enhancement can contribute to delivering ‘Living Landscape’ objectives of Colne River Park Management Plan produced by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT).
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DELIVERY : Significant capital & revenue costs, which will in part be met through the Health Campus Development section 106 contributions. Need for survey & investigations which are being undertaken & currently dependent upon the design development process for the Health Campus. Signage strategy & user survey in relation to enhanced green links from the valley to Watford town. Consultation & liaison with Friends of Oxhey Park in relation to proposals to enhance access & approaches to the park. Need for liaison with the Environment Agency as proposals develop.
POTENTIAL DELIVERY PARTNERS & MONITORING MECHANISMS : Key partners are the Primary Care Trust, Watford Borough Council & Friends of Oxhey Park. Also Environment Agency & Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Planning conditions & monitoring of the implementation of s.106 provisions, visitor & species surveys form the main monitoring mechanisms, in addition to future survey & monitoring of the ecological quality of the Colne to track progress in terms of delivering WFD targets.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PRIORITY / RANKING : Restoration & enhancement of the river environment of the Colne in urban Watford is often dependent on redevelopment opportunities (opening up river corridor link between Century Park & the Arches) & as such is a long term aspiration, in view of the significant capital cost. Improving legibility through enhanced signage is a higher priority/’quick win’ aspect of the proposals.
LOCAL AUTHORITY : WATFORD PROJECT : 5. Urban greening & legibility for Watford : £££+
URBAN GREENING - Brief description / snapshot of the project :
• Improved green access links from the town centre connecting with green assets such as Oxhey Park, the Colne Valley (via Watford Fields & Lower High Street) & Cassiobury Park • Climate change adaptation & enhancement of functionality of incidental greenspaces, such as Watford Fields & adjacent to St Mary’s Churchyard through improved landscape management • Identify opportunities for further tree planting, linking into a green spine running from the Town Hall/Cassiobury Park in the North & Colne Valley in the South, enhancing the urban public realm • Create & ensure longer term green links to future Borough proposals, such as Watford Junction redevelopment • Introduction & creation of small scale community led greenspace initiatives that enhance the multi-functionality of the everyday landscape within the urban environment (e.g. street orchards & local food production - replacing amenity cut grass areas) • Local play provision - natural play FUNCTIONS MET : access prestige health ecosystems productive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood mgmt
PLANS / POLICIES / PROGRAMMES WHICH THE PROJECT CAN HELP DELIVER : Can address quality & functionality issues associated with Watford open spaces as identified in the draft Open Space Study. With St Mary’s Churchyard at the centre of a green network leading from the town centre out to the surrounding residential areas the urban greening could contribute to legibility & identity within the Borough as well as to encourage more sustainable transport options by creating legible links from green & urban spaces. Opportunities for local food production & community gardens could help contribute to the aspirations of local friends groups & active allotment groups. ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DELIVERY : Project encompasses many sub projects & spatial interventions, most of which are low key & associated with changes in management to existing incidental greenspaces. Clear promotion of the project aims would need to be communicated to existing residents & relevant community groups to raise awareness of reasons for changes in management. Scope for widespread community involvement through local Friends groups & potentially - educational facilities (e.g. ‘plant a tree day’), as well as establishment of Local Green Groups to improve local greenspaces partnering with allotment groups. Other component projects such as improved green links to green assets such as the Colne Valley & Cassiobury Park could require larger economic input. POTENTIAL DELIVERY PARTNERS & MONITORING MECHANISMS : Developers (Health Campus, for the Colne Valley & the future Watford Junction Project) & Watford Borough Council Watford Borough Council, BTCV & community groups for on-going greenspace management. HLF, packaged as part of project 1. Cassiobury Park, to ensure improved links to the park as a key green asset in the Borough. Groundwork may be able to assist with securing funding for & delivering community projects. Local level Friends groups & allotment groups to be encouraged to actively participate & educate the local community helping to establish community food production, gardens & to identify possibility of resources to implement low key changes. Monitoring for developer led components is likely to occur through planning conditions & site inspections. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PRIORITY / RANKING : Low key management changes by the Borough Council could provide quick gains in functionality of incidental greenspaces. Need for associated education/awareness raising campaign & initiatives by the Borough’s Parks & Trees department for a focus on a green spine to the town centre. Promotion of the project aims to interested parties & local communities under the guidance of a ‘Green Champion’ to mobilise activity, identifying quick gains, small scale funding & delivery of locally led results & improvements.
LOCAL AUTHORITY : WATFORD PROJECT : 6. ‘Green Hertfordshire’ interactive map project (non spatial/interpretative) : ££
Brief description / snapshot of the project :
• Accessible electronic GI map based/navigator resource • Web based & Smartphone app (application) based outputs for easy access & to reach the widest audience, including schools & colleges • Translate information on the GI network & new green links for people, to users • Provide information on GI assets (landscape, habitat, historic etc) to users, to aid understanding & appreciation of the natural environment - educational resource • Development of a series of themed walking/cycling & riding trails & routes from pubs etc & promotion of these to offer low key, ‘low environmental impact’ fun/recreation for all ages • Link to other relevant programmes e.g. Transition Towns web presence - use of the interactive mapping for people to identify ‘green’ ways of living life - green transport routes for commuting to work & school as well as recreation, places to buy local produce etc, community events in a greenspace setting FUNCTIONS MET : access prestige health ecosystems productive historic sustainability remediation nature experience flood mgmt
PLANS / POLICIES / PROGRAMMES WHICH THE PROJECT CAN HELP DELIVER : Contribute to objectives of Local Transport Plans & ROWIP, in promoting routes for people to use for green travel. Embed most of the aims of much of the spatial planning at county & local authority level (landscape conservation in the Landscape Character Assessments for example) in the wider sub conscious of the communities who use & enjoy these environments. Recognises the full functional potential of green infrastructure (interpretation/education/skills development - ‘soft’ skills) as expressed in the Green Infrastructure Guidance.
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DELIVERY : The main issue is with hosting, managing & updating a comprehensive, but relevant, usable & above all visually engaging & appealing on line resource, as well as marketing & promoting the use of the Green Hertfordshire brand/app to the widest possible audience. Need for specialist ICT, GIS & graphic design skills to help develop the package. Link to a potential GI marketing & communications strategy to launch the GI work & embed the concept. A communications strategy & user groups market research (e.g. school & youth groups) should be undertaken prior to & during development of the App. Map licensing protocols & restrictions on use of Ordnance Survey data would need to be worked around (lead in times associated with delivery of project are likely to be an issue). Need for compatibility with main Smartphone platforms. Could be compatible with traditional leaflet media using Smartphone scannable ‘QR’ codes with links to interactive material.
POTENTIAL DELIVERY PARTNERS & MONITORING MECHANISMS : The Hertfordshire Districts, Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire Chief Technical Officers Association (HTCOA) landscape group, & Countryside Management Service, as well as key agencies & organisations with an interest in promoting GI (e.g. Natural England, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, British Waterways) & landowners of key sites within the Hertfordshire districts (e.g. Watford Borough Council, Woodland Trust) - potential for funding/’in kind’ contributions & sponsorship. Liaison with local green groups e.g. Transition Towns. Possible private sector involvement.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PRIORITY / RANKING : This is a key project to translating GI to a wider audience beyond planners & decision makers. The initial skeleton of the interactive map (which could be added to & developed as & when new information & funding became available), should be developed as a high priority project across the districts, with liaison between Herts County Council, the Countryside Management Service & HTCOA representatives.
Infrastructure Plan (also referred to as the strategic plan). GI projects and cross authority connections Project 3 forms part of the ‘Grand Union Canal, Colne 3.14 An essential part of effective GI delivery is a strategic, co Valley and Regional Park Enhancements’ project in the ordinated approach, to ensure that projects are resourced strategic plan. Project 4 forms part of a wider ‘Thames appropriately in terms of capital works and ongoing Tributaries, River Valleys and Corridors’ project, whilst revenue activity. This section notes potential connections project 5 is linked to an ‘Urban GI Heritage’ project in with adjacent authorities in terms of GI links and projects: the strategic plan. The non spatial ‘Green Hertfordshire’ • 1. Cassiobury Park Enhancement: Liaison with mapping/app project (project 6) is also referenced in the Three Rivers District. strategic plan.
• 2. Whippendell Woods Enhancement: Liaison with Three Rivers District.
• 3. Grand Union Canal Enhancement: Liaison with Dacorum Borough, Three Rivers District and Buckinghamshire County Council (The Grand Union Canal is a strategic initiative in the Buckinghamshire Green Infrastructure Plan). Also the London Borough of Hillingdon and the All London Green Grid.
• 4. Colne Valley Wetland Enhancement: Links with St Albans and Three Rivers Districts and Hertsmere Borough.
• 5. Urban Greening and Legibility for Watford: Local greening initiatives may benefit from links with the Transition Towns movement in Dacorum Borough (Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring). 3.15 In addition, several of the projects proposed in this GI Plan should also be cross referenced with proposals contained in the county wide Strategic Highlights Green
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4 Linking the green infrastructure 4.3 PPS12, the Planning Inspectoratex and the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) all give more detail on what is proposals to local spatial planning meant by effectiveness and the Green Infrastructure Plan and development management has sought to ensure that all these aspects have been addressed through the development of the Plan. The proposals developed in this Plan have been proofed against 4.1 It is intended that this Green Infrastructure Plan will form other relevant plans, policies and programmes. The Green part of the evidence base for Development Plan Infrastructure Strategies and Plans of neighbouring Documents (DPDs) in the Local Development Framework authorities have been reviewed to ensure consistency and for green infrastructure issues to be included and between this Plan and those of neighbouring authorities. A addressed in the Development Plan Documents. In order robust and transparent methodology has been used to for any future policies that deal with green infrastructure ensure that proposed solutions are clearly linked to to be found to be ‘sound’ when going through public addressing issues and needs identified in the evidence base. examination they will have to comply with the three tests: A workshop and consultation with delivery partners has • To be consistent with National Policy; a green ensured that proposed solutions (section 3) are infrastructure approach is clearly advocated by national deliverable, flexible and that potential delivery partners are policy. identified. Suggestions for monitoring have also been included in the Plan. • To be justified; evidence needs to be provided to prove why it is justified for there to be a green infrastructure 4.4 The key findings of the Green Infrastructure Plan that are policy (why something is being proposed and that there relevant to planning policy, are set out here. This will aid is a problem or a need)ix (see sections 2 and 3). plan makers, those assessing the plan (SA/SEA practitioners) and consultees in successfully embedding • To be effective; where a policy proposes tackling a green green infrastructure into the DPD process. infrastructure issue there is a need to ensure that the mechanism for tackling the issue will be effective and Evidence Base that there is some basis for taking this course of action. 4.5 The Green Infrastructure Plan is to be included as part of 4.2 The tests of soundness point to the need for a clear link the evidence base for the LDF. There may be benefits to between policy formulation and the evidence that has been including or referring to parts of the evidence gathering gathered. and analysis undertaken for this Plan in other LDF
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supporting documents such as Sustainability Appraisal • Increased green connectivity for people and for wildlife, baselines. The following may be useful: creating enhanced links to existing GI assets, including lateral links across town; • An overall justification for following a green infrastructure approach is provided in section 1. • Nature conservation management: A good green infrastructure network and proactive management is • Background information on environmental character can needed to conserve, enhance and reinforce/link be found in Appendix 2. biodiversity assets.; • Key green infrastructure issues are set out by function in section 2 and Appendix 3. These issues should be • Context, sense of place and local distinctiveness: used by plan makers, SA practitioners and consultees to Recognition, conservation and enhancement of the key identify what the broad green infrastructure (and assets of chalk landscape valleys, river valleys, canal and environmental) issues are in the Borough. woodlands and formal/designed GI associated with Cassiobury Park; • The assessment of need for green infrastructure is given by function in section 2 and Appendix 3. • Urban greening: Enhanced functionality of urban greenspaces and improved links to proposed • Section 3 sets out the proposed green infrastructure developments such as Watford’s Health Campus vision, network and supporting projects. This may be providing better access to the Colne Valley. Also small useful for plan makers when they are developing policies, scale community greening initiatives. and for SA practitioners and Consultees when reviewing policies to help ensure options have been presented that DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT take full advantage of potential opportunities and are 4.7 The green infrastructure zones and component projects most likely to help solve current and future problems. identified in section 3 form a basis for evaluating future Core strategy development proposals against the proposed green infrastructure network, and to ensure that they contribute 4.6 Key GI points for the Core Strategy to take into to the desired environmental outcomes and functions. A consideration are: model process for ensuring that green infrastructure is • Wetland enhancement and sustainable water embedded in development management, and that management in the Gade and Colne Valleys; appropriate account is taken of green infrastructure recommendations, is set out in Figure 4.1. A
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standardised approach to the design and implementation of a generic green infrastructure development project is shown in the central column of this Figure, with respective responsibilities of the applicant and the Borough Council, as they relate to GI, shown to the left and right hand sides respectively. 4.8 Figure 4.1 is designed to assist Development Management officers and planning applicants ensure that green infrastructure is embedded in the scheme design from the outset, as part of the development process. The diagram can be applicable to any scale of proposed development. The starting point is to identify the green infrastructure zone or elements in which a specific site lies and whether it relates to, can contribute to or affects any proposed projects in this GI Plan. Reference should be made to the key messages for the relevant projects e.g. the important green infrastructure assets and links to conserve and enhance, and this should be used as a starting point for site planning and design – a ‘greenprint’ or a green infrastructure led basis for masterplanning, to ensure that green infrastructure assets are considered and protected from the first.
Figure 4.1: Embedding GI in Development Management
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the Borough, e.g. to ensure that GI delivery in terms of NEXT STEPS policy formulation and project/site based work ‘join up’. 4.9 The following steps/alternatives are recommended in By doing this and through intelligent use of existing order to take forward green infrastructure delivery within mechanisms and processes, a SMART approach to GI the Borough: delivery could be achieved in the Borough, as described below. Possible future responsibilities in relation to green • Creation of a dedicated Green Infrastructure Delivery Officer role at County level (subject to infrastructure delivery, whether through a Delivery Officer resources – this may be a desirable long term or through participation in a Delivery Panel, at Borough aspiration); level, are as follows: • Actively promote green infrastructure, liaising with • Taking the GI Plan forward in the Borough through existing mechanisms (Hertfordshire relevant members of the Local Strategic Partnership, to Environmental Forum) and with assistance and advice ensure that green infrastructure contributes to the from the Countryside Management Service if Watford objectives of spatial planning; were to fund this service in future; • Preparation and implementation of a Communications Strategy for green infrastructure in the Borough, to • Attendance at and participation in a potential new Hertfordshire wide/cross district GI Delivery Panel raise public awareness of the concept. This should link (potentially linked to HTCOA’s landscape group and to the interactive GI mapping/web/app based project other stakeholders such as the Herts and Middlesex described in section 3 (Project 6: Green Wildllife Trust). Management of this panel could be Hertfordshire). Focus on projects with a community commissioned from a relevant commercial organisation emphasis, to engender greater public support and such as Groundwork or other GI implementation ownership, as well as embedding positive informal consultancy. This should have a practical focus in management/stewardship, in addition to any more securing on the ground delivery. formal management structures identified; 4.10 Whichever approaches are selected, clearly there will be a • Advise and assist a nominated green need for close partnership working with other infrastructure ‘champion’, (ideally a Council organisations with parallel interests and objectives member, to ensure greater potential for ‘buy in’ from (Watford Borough in an enabling/facilitating role). There is members, and to assist in fostering greater support for also a need for effective internal corporate working within investment in and resourcing of GI in the Borough);
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• Provide constructive advice to the Council on GI into schemes from the start, and as part of section 106 delivery, considering the points below: contributions (identification of the proportion of GI to be met through the Community Infrastructure Levy - • A checklist for evaluating development proposals in CIL, section 106 and through the local authority New terms of GI and against the components of the GI Homes Bonus). Cross refer to the work of network in this GI Plan. This may work in parallel with Sustainability East for embedding sustainable other checklists being devised by the Development development considerations in relation to business Management team. Possible components of such a developmentxi checklist are set out under ‘Potential future work’, at ; the end of this section; • Ensure that developers and others bringing forward green infrastructure not only take account of the key • Consider potential for further work to bring GI messages in this GI Plan, but that they also identify forward/additional studies, including more detailed GI sustainable, resourced mechanisms for long term planning work, as highlighted at the end of this section; governance to deliver design intentions and desired • Identification of constraints, challenges and potential environmental outcomes; conflicts of interest in relation to practical delivery, making early links with appropriate bodies (e.g. in • Make appropriate links with future delivery and relation to ecological advice, surveys and flood risk etc). funding partners identified in the projects in section Land ownership liaison and negotiation (this is a 3 of this GI Plan, in relation to co ordination of key stage); funding bids, and also in making links with adjacent authorities for projects on authority boundaries; • Where appropriate, as part of liaison with landowners seek to encourage take up of grant schemes • ‘Grass roots’ delivery: Continue to develop links with which could contribute to the aims of the GI Plan e.g. relevant community and volunteer groups such as agri environment and woodland grant schemes; allotment societies and existing Friends Groups (such as Friends of Cassiobury Park and Friends of Oxhey Park) • As a consultee, comment on relevant planning and formation of new Friends Groups, where applications through the pre application and application appropriate. Thoughts on fostering additional local processes, using the proposed GI Network; community involvement are described in the Watford
• Liaise with developers early in pre application urban greening project at section 3. Also potential for stage, ideally at site acquisition, so that GI is factored
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formation of local green groups working with a POTENTIAL FUTURE WORK Delivery Officer/panel; GI checklist for development management • Liaise with the relevant Local Strategic Partners, noting and using where appropriate existing processes decisions that may be of relevance to GI delivery, for reasons of 4.11 In addition to the general pointers shown on Figure 4.1, efficiency and avoiding duplication of work; this could cover the following subject areas:
• Develop appropriate consultancy briefs for • Sense of place: Including historic character and landscape masterplanning and detailed design services in relation to management; key GI projects, making appropriate reference to key • Nature conservation enhancement and management; messages in the GI network and projects at section 3; • Sustainable resource management and climate change • Create an audit trail of appropriate monitoring adaptation; mechanisms in relation to green infrastructure delivery, making use of existing tools such as site inspections to • Healthy and cohesive communities including access for adoption, and visitor surveys. This will help monitor all; performance of the green infrastructure proposals in • Choices for responsible travel; relation to the environmental functions, to inform and refine future iterations of the spatial plan for Watford; • Sustainable design and construction techniques and specifications. • Within the Council, convene regular updates, meetings and opportunities for progress reporting during the life GI Design and Delivery Guide of the GI Plan and wider spatial plan, to disseminate 4.12 This could take the form of accessible, concise, written and results, good practice and lessons learned. illustrated design principles aimed at developers and to inform Development Management Officers in evaluating planning applications in terms of green infrastructure. The aim with such a document should be to ensure that the most positive consideration is given to GI planning, design and management, from the outset of the development process.
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GI Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 4.13 It may be desirable for the Borough (possibly with adjacent authorities) to consider production of a green infrastructure SPD, although this must not detract from the wider need to embed green infrastructure more generally within the LDF, the Core Strategy and relevant policies. It may be more useful to include aspects of the Green Infrastructure Plan and potential future work within other SPD (e.g. Planning Obligations/Developer Contributions, or a Design SPD).
More detailed and local level GI planning work 4.14 This is a strategic level GI Plan and more detailed and ‘site specific’ GI planning work, drawing on this plan, is likely to be required within the Borough, particularly as growth locations and areas of change become more fixed.
Outward facing projects to ‘launch’ the GI concept
Interactive/web/app based mapping project – GI for people – ‘Green Hertfordshire’ 4.15 This is described in the ‘Green Hertfordshire’ project (Project 6) at section 3 of this GI Plan.
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i http://www.hertsdirect.org/infobase/docs/pdfstore/giframework.pdf ii http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE176 iii NE176, Op Cit iv Natural England/The Landscape Partnership Analysis of Accessible Natural Greenspace Provision in Hertfordshire v Source: V4C Project. Study produced for Hertfordshire County Council vi http://www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure/heritage1/landscape/hlca/ vii Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Consultancy, 2008 The Colne River Park Draft Management Plan viii Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Consultancy, 2008 Op Cit ix Planning Advisory Service 2008 Local Development Frameworks: Evidence Base x The Planning Inspectorate 2008 Local Development Frameworks: Examining Development Plan Documents – Soundness Guidance xi http://www.sustainabilityeast.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=22
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