Stockton-on-Tees Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2019-2022 Big plans for an outstanding Borough Contents Page 1. Introduction 3 2. Strategic priorities 2019-22 4 3. About the plan 5 4. Projects and outline proposals 10 5. Countryside sites / natural environment 12 6. Urban parks and amenity green space 19 7. Play and informal sport 25 8. Community food 29 9. Access 31 10. Cemeteries 37 Appendix 1: Project prioritisation – assessment criteria 38 Appendix 2: Natural & semi-natural green space: accessibility, quantity and 40 quality/value of provision Appendix 3: Urban parks and amenity green space: accessibility, quantity and 42 quality/value of provision Appendix 4: Play and informal sport: accessibility, quantity and quality/value of 47 provision Appendix 5: Allotments: accessibility, quantity and quality/value of provision 53 Appendix 6: Green corridors: accessibility, quantity and quality/value of 55 provision - 2 - 1. Introduction 1.1 This Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan sets out priority projects under the Borough’s Green Infrastructure Strategy. It also delivers against wider objectives set out in the Council Plan 2019-22, the Borough’s Economic Strategy and Growth Plan, and adopted Local Plan. 1.2 Green infrastructure is an inter-connected, multifunctional network of open spaces and other environmental assets. Through the development and sustainable management of the Borough’s green infrastructure the plan aims to deliver a wide range of economic, social, health and environmental benefits. 1.3 The majority of projects identified in the plan will be implemented by Stockton Borough Council with the support and involvement of a range of partners, although it also includes schemes which could be implemented by third parties. A variety of funding and delivery mechanisms will be utilised including Section 106 agreements. 1.4 The last major revision of the Delivery Plan was completed in April 2018, informed in part by the 2017 Open Space Assessment (part of the evidence base review for the Local Plan1). This current version has been subject to minor amendments, taking account of projects completed during 2018- 19 and emerging strategic priorities. 1.5 Implementation of the Delivery Plan is managed and monitored through an officer steering group, under the Council’s Delivery Framework. The group also oversees the on-going review and revision of the plan. 1 Knight, Kavanagh & Page (2017) Stockton-on-Tees Open Space Assessment - 3 - 2. Strategic priorities 2019-22 2.1 All projects and actions contribute towards one of more of the ten strategic objectives set out in the Green Infrastructure Strategy. However, given that the Strategy was published in 2011, and identified a very broad range of aspirations, the following priorities have been identified for the period to 2022. These reflect the Council’s corporate objectives as set out in the Council Plan 2019-22, the Borough’s Economic Strategy and Growth Plan and other key documents. 2.2 The Plan also recognises the challenges the Council faces due to reductions to local authority and other public sector budgets. This has significant resource implications for the future development and management of green infrastructure and is an important consideration when identifying and prioritising specific projects. Green Infrastructure Current priorities under this plan Strategy objectives Promoting regeneration Develop and manage multi-functional green infrastructure in ways which will improve the image of the Borough and/or directly support sustainable economic growth. Addressing the impacts of Contribute to sustainable water management, including climate change natural flood management. Also seek to increase tree cover. Improving health and well- Provide a connected, safe and attractive network of open being spaces, play/informal sport facilities and strategic traffic-free routes. This will encourage physical activity, improve mental well-being and help to help reduce health inequalities across the Borough. Promoting leisure and Develop and secure the sustainable management of a tourism hierarchy of ‘strategic’, ‘district’ and ‘local’ parks; countryside sites, and routes for walking, cycling and horse-riding. Maximise the recreational value of the River Tees. Encouraging active & Develop a strategic network of traffic-free routes for walking sustainable travel and cycling. Increasing biodiversity & Conserve and enhance natural habitats, with a particular conserving other natural focus on major sites and the development of ecological resources networks in urban and rural areas. Enhancing landscape and Conserve and enhance significant landscape and heritage the historic environment features, and address issues of landscape quality where this contributes towards wider economic growth priorities. Producing food and Support community and partner-led initiatives where these renewable energy are in line with the Council’s wider objectives. Improving awareness and Provide appropriate information and interpretation relating to understanding key parks and open spaces, access networks and other key amenity assets. Work in partnership with other organisations to engage communities and support public partication. Making places safe, Improve signage and improve the appearance and welcoming and accessible accessibility of key sites and trails. This will help to improve community connectivity and maximise the social, health and economic value of the Borough’s green infrastructure. - 4 - 3. About the plan Themes 3.1 Objectives, projects and proposals are set out under the following themes, addressing the broad priorities set out in chapter 2: • Countryside sites / natural environment (chapter 5): country parks, nature reserves and natural assets/habitats e.g. woodlands, meadows, wetlands, ponds, rivers and streams. • Urban parks and amenity green space (chapter 6): town parks, recreation grounds and amenity green spaces. • Play and informal sport (chapter 7): play areas and informal sport facilities such as skate parks and multi-use games areas. • Community food (chapter 8): allotments, community gardens and orchards. • Access (chapter 9): footpaths, bridleways and cycleways, and facilities that support the recreational use of the River Tees. • Cemeteries (chapter 10): including formal cemetery and woodland burial provision. 3.2 The previous version of this plan included an ‘Information and management’ theme. This included projects and activities which help to deliver sustainable management of green infrastructure and encourage community use and participation. However, it is proposed that issues relating to the management of the Borough’s green infrastructure will be addressed through a separate plan to be developed during 2019/20. Strategic and local green infrastructure 3.3 The Delivery Plan incorporates a broad range of projects which will develop both the Borough’s ‘strategic’ and ‘local’ green infrastructure. 3.4 The Stockton-on-Tees Green Infrastructure Strategy identifies an indicative network of primary and secondary green infrastructure corridors, and many of the projects included within the plan seek to enhance and develop sites, access routes and river corridors within this network (Figure 1). Most of these can be viewed as ‘strategic projects’ which will generally deliver economic, environmental, social and health benefits at the Borough or district scale. 3.5 In addition the Delivery Plan identifies several projects which are of local significance. These ‘local projects’ are generally small-scale schemes and are identified on the basis of the areas mapped in Figure 2. These correspond to the ‘analysis areas’ used for the Open Space Assessment (2017): • Billingham • Eaglescliffe • Ingleby Barwick • Rural • Stockton • Thornaby • Wynyard • Yarm - 5 - Figure 1: Strategic green infrastructure network - 6 - Figure 2: Project areas / Open Space Assessment analysis areas Green infrastructure delivered through new development 3.6 New or enhanced green infrastructure is often delivered through new development, so this plan needs to be considered in conjunction with the policies and proposals set out in the adopted Local Plan 2019. The Key Diagram shown in Figure 3 provides a geographic representation of the broad locations of strategic developments and land-uses identified in Local Plan, while the Plan itself and policies maps can be accessed via this link: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/economic-regeneration-and-transport/planning-policy/development-plan/ - 7 - Figure 3: Strategic developments and land-uses identified in Local Plan - 8 - Implementing and updating the plan 3.7 Implementation of the Delivery Plan will be managed and monitored through an officer steering group, under the Council’s Delivery Framework. Under the Economic Growth Plan 2017-20 the Council has stated that by 2020 it will aim to deliver new or enhanced green infrastructure to over 30 sites across the Borough. 3.8 A number of factors are taken into consideration before any proposals reach full implementation stage, e.g. • What technical feasibility and detailed design work is required? • What planning or other consents may be required? • Who needs to be consulted on the proposals? Most schemes will require some element of consultation, e.g. ward councillors, local residents, community organisations, local authority officers and partner organisations. These individuals and groups may also take on an active role in project development, with the support and guidance of the Council and other agencies as appropriate. • Would