Setting the standard for green infrastructure Danielle Sinnett Gemma Jerome, Nick Smith, Roger Mortlock, Tom Calvert, Sarah Burgess, Louise King 27th September 2016 Building Prosperous Cities Promoting the form, role and benefits of GI and ecosystem services at a range of spatial scales Contrasting development opportunities The market for a benchmark for GI • Customer requirements testing identified the need for a local benchmark for GI • Feasibility study to explore the potential for a national GI benchmark o Desk study to review existing benchmarks in the sector o Expert symposia to test these findings with stakeholders and end-users Review of existing standards and benchmarks Feasibility study: Key findings • Themes, types of GI • Keep it simple Scope • Flexible for local policy • All types of project • Fit with other systems • Spatial scale • Relationship with planning • Method of assessment • Assessment timing • Nature and expertise of the Operation • Cost assessors • Type of support, guidance • Transparency of the process • Flexibility in grading • Monitoring and review • Post-construction sign-off • Marketing of the benchmark Award • Independent certification • Continuous development Securing implementation for long term is key Beta version of benchmark • Two levels: o Achieve – what good GI looks like o Excellent – what exemplary GI looks like • Six mandatory standards • Eighteen thematic standards o Water o Wildlife o Health and well-being • Three achieve and three excellent in each Progress to date KTP Initial Customer Desktop study on Requirements two developments Need for a local Draft standards and Advisory Group benchmark for GI technical guidance Final standards Testing with Front Local launch mid- and technical Runner projects 2017 guidance National benchmark feasibility study National benchmark….? Taking a partnership approach • Local Planning Authorities • Development schemes (live planning applications) o Tewkesbury Borough Council West of Stonehouse, Stroud (2000+ o Stroud District Council o new homes; strategic allocation; Cheltenham Borough Council o outline plan approved; detailed o Cotswold District Council design stage and reserved matters) Gloucester City Council o o Chesterton, Cirencester (urban o South Gloucestershire Council extension; strategic allocation; o BANES Council outline plan submitted, awaiting determination) • Planning policy documents o Former Filton Airfield, South Glos. (mixed use development; strategic Tewkesbury Borough (Local) Plan – o allocation; pre-application) Green Infrastructure Strategy Elms Park, North West Cheltenham South Glos. Council – Green o o (4000+ new homes; strategic Infrastructure Strategy allocation; pre-application) BANES – West of England Green o Ecotricity ‘Eco Park’, Stroud (green Infrastructure Strategy o technology park and sporting venue; not in plan i.e. speculative; outline submitted, awaiting determination) Thank you For further information or to get involved: [email protected] [email protected].