WELWYN HAFIELD BOROUGH COUNCIL Green Corridor Strategic Framework Plan Stage 1 Report plan_jsm WHBC Green Corridor Strategic Framework Plan Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 The Document ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 The Green Corridor ................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 1.2 Proposed Broad Location of the Green Corridor ........................................................... 6 2. Policy Context ............................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 Planning Policy .......................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Relationship to other strategies ................................................................................................ 8 3. Area Context ............................................................................................................................. 11 3.1 Description of the Corridor ..................................................................................................... 11 Figure 3.1 Map of Area Descriptions ............................................................................................ 11 3.2 Area 1 – West of Hatfield ........................................................................................................ 11 Figure 3.2 Land West of Hatfield .................................................................................................. 12 3.3 Area 2 – North of Hatfield ....................................................................................................... 12 Figure 3.3 Land North of Hatfield ................................................................................................. 13 3.4 Area 3 – Mill Green and Stanborough .................................................................................... 13 Figure 3.4 Land at Mill Green and Stanborough ........................................................................... 14 3.5 Area 4 – South East of Welwyn Garden City ........................................................................... 14 Figure 3.5 South East of Welwyn Garden City .............................................................................. 14 3.6 Area 5 - Panshanger ................................................................................................................ 15 Figure 3.6 Land at Panshanger ...................................................................................................... 15 3.7 Strategic Links ......................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 3.7 Strategic Green Links ................................................................................................... 16 3.8 Physical Connections ............................................................................................................... 17 Figure 3.8 Existing Rights of Way and Cycle Routes ..................................................................... 17 3.9 Land Ownership ...................................................................................................................... 17 2 WHBC Green Corridor Strategic Framework Plan Figure 3.9 Map of Main Landowners ............................................................................................ 18 3.10 Major Development Sites ..................................................................................................... 18 Figure 3.10 Map of Strategic Growth Sites ................................................................................... 19 3.11 Flood Risk .............................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 3.11 Map of 1 in 100 years surface water flooding ........................................................... 20 3.12 Landscape, Wildlife and Heritage Designations .................................................................... 20 Figure 3.12 Map of Wildlife and Landscape and Natural Heritage Designations ......................... 21 3.13 Ecology and Biodiversity ....................................................................................................... 22 Figure 3.13 Map of existing and potential habitat value within the Green Corridor ................... 23 4. Analysis and Evaluation ............................................................................................................ 24 4.1 Summary of consultation ........................................................................................................ 24 4.2 SWOT Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 25 5. Vision and Objectives ................................................................................................................ 27 5.1 Vision ....................................................................................................................................... 27 5.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 27 Action Plan and Proposals ......................................................................................................... 29 6. ....................................................................................................................................................... 29 6.1 Specification for the Green Corridor ....................................................................................... 29 6.2 Projects to be delivered along the Green Corridor ................................................................. 30 6.3 1. RIGHTS OF WAY AND PATH CREATION ......................................................................... 30 6.4 2. ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS .................................................................................... 32 6.5 3. ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY ........................................................................................ 35 6.6 4. COMMUNITY RECREATION, EDUCATION AND WELLBING ........................................... 36 7. Implementation ........................................................................................................................ 38 7.1 Funding.................................................................................................................................... 38 Figure 7.1 Forestry Commission Indicative Costs ......................................................................... 38 Figure 7.2 Current Contract rates in WHBC Countryside Management Work ............................. 39 7.2 Delivery ................................................................................................................................... 40 3 WHBC Green Corridor Strategic Framework Plan 7.3 Management ........................................................................................................................... 41 7.4 Promotion ............................................................................................................................... 42 8. Next Steps ................................................................................................................................. 43 8.1 Stage 2 Report ......................................................................................................................... 43 Appendix 1 – Detailed Policy Context ............................................................................................... 44 A 1.1 Planning Policy ..................................................................................................................... 44 A1.2 Relationship to other Strategies ........................................................................................... 45 4 WHBC Green Corridor Strategic Framework Plan 1. Introduction 1.1 The Document The Local Plan Consultation Document sets out the Council’s intention to work with key stakeholders to deliver a green corridor between Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield. This Stage 1 document builds on that intention by outlining the context for the green corridor, setting out the vision and objectives for the area, and outlining projects and proposals that will help to deliver these. Stage 2 of the document explore and explain these projects in more detail by setting out how they will be planned, funded and delivered. Once completed (to include Stage 2 of the framework report), it is intended that this document will provide a framework for taking forward the Council’s plans for a green corridor to support the Local Plan, and provide a basis for the master planning of the strategic growth sites around Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield. 1.2 The Green Corridor The green corridor will stretch from west to east across the borough, running between Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City. It will connect existing green infrastructure, footpaths and cycleways, and will provide new strategic connections to Ellensbrook County Park, Symondshyde Great Wood and through to Heartwood Forest in the West, and Panshanger Park, the River