All London Downlands London Area Framework Green Grid 7 Draft 08.12.11 Contents 1 Foreword and Introduction 2 All London Green Grid Vision and Methodology 3 ALGG Framework Plan 4 ALGG Area Frameworks 5 ALGG Governance 6 Area Strategy 8 Area Description 10 Strategic Context 12 Vision 14 Objectives 18 Opportunities 24 Project Identification 26 Clusters 28 Projects Map 30 Rolling Projects List 34 Phase One Early Delivery 36 Project Details 54 Forward Strategy 56 Gap Analysis 58 Appendices 58 Baseline Description 60 Links 62 Area Description 64 Group membership Cover Image: Cudham Valley, Bromley Just think of London’s Downlands differently. They are the birthplace of the theory of evolution by natural Foreword selection, the summer residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for over 500 years, a host for prime ministers and royalty, the key site in the abolition of slavery, the inspiration for the legal protection of open spaces, the improvement of conditions for factory workers and even the introduction of Bank Holidays! London’s Downlands sweep through the Capital’s most southerly boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Sutton. Including London’s highest point, the largest and most inhabited boroughs; it is the most continuous area of Councillor green grid spaces and contains over half of London’s London Borough of ancient woodlands and chalk grasslands. But the Bromley Downlands is not restricted to the open countryside, it also threads through the urban areas where parks, woods, allotments and gardens are residents’ first and most frequent points of contact with the natural world. Home to nearly ¾ million people it continues to be a productive landscape for food production, health and recreation. There is an opportunity to work with others to reconnect local farming with local market opportunities. Improvement of the network of access routes between green spaces is needed. Also as it is the aquifer for south London’s rivers Cray, Ravensbourne and Wandle, the area can help alleviate flooding downstream whilst it acts as a large green lung for the Councillor whole region. It has a role in providing a natural health London Borough of service for physical and mental wellbeing Croydon Many organisations and individuals have already been involved in helping the Green Grid in London’s Downlands and it is due to the care of landowners and managers we have such a rich legacy today. Many projects are examples of good practice at a regional and national level. However landscapes are forever changing. The green grid gives a timely opportunity to set strategic objectives, to co-ordinate positive action and to attract resources to enable and involve communities and partners to realise the key roles that green infrastructure and space can play to nourish. A local nature partnership is required to help realise this Councillor Nature Improvement Area, please join in! London Borough of Sutton Draft 08.12.11 1 Introduction – All London Green Grid Vision and Methodology Introduction ALGG Area Frameworks Partnerships Area Groups and Governance The various and unique landscapes of London are Area Frameworks help to support the delivery of the All Strong and open working relationships with many recognised as an asset that can reinforce character, London Green Grid objectives. By identifying how the partners is key to delivering the All London Green identity and environmental resilience. Delivered All London Green Grid can be delivered at the landscape Grid. By setting out strategic objectives and alongside existing infrastructure such as transport, scale and across administrative boundaries. To achieve opportunities at the sub-regional level, the Area utilities and schools an enhanced network of open this they; Frameworks help to encourage and facilitate existing spaces and green infrastructure can serve to shape − establish a comprehensive baseline understanding and new partnerships that involve regional and local and support new and existing communities, respond of each area government; government agencies; regeneration and to the challenges of climate change, support economic − define a vision, area objectives and strategic environmental organisations; private green space development and deliver an improved quality of life. opportunities for each area managers; and the green space jobs and skills sector. − ensure that sub-regional and strategic projects The All London Green Grid is being developed to provide interface with Borough level planning, regeneration, The Green Grid process includes the formation of Area a strategic interlinked network of high quality green transport and open space strategies and processes groups, to implement the Green Grid Vision, objectives infrastructure and open spaces that connect with − identify the resources required and form bidding and projects, at the landscape scale. By utilising and town centre’s, public transport nodes, the countryside strategies to deliver the funding for strategic projects expanding existing structures and forming new groups in the urban fringe, the Thames and major employment − consolidate resources, coordinate efforts and where they do not exist already, 11 ALGG area groups and residential areas. This approach has been facilitate partnership working have been established across London. A London- extremely successful in accelerating delivery of green − support the preparation of Delivery Strategies wide Project Board and a Working Group provides the infrastructure in East London through the East London − Address the recommendations of the Drain London strategic management structure for the ALGG project. Green Grid (ELGG). research project and ensure that the possible flood and surface water management opportunities are Policy 2.18 of the draft replacement London Plan (Oct incorporated within the ALGG. 2010), promotes the provision of an integrated green infrastructure network and supports the extension of ALGG Area Frameworks expand on the implementation the Green Grid to the whole of London. points and strategic opportunities identified in the Draft All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning The ALGG objectives are to: Guidance to the London Plan. Subject to boroughs − adapt to climate change and promote urban greening agreement ALGG Area Frameworks can also form − increase access to open space part of Local Development Plans, Development Plan − increase access to nature, and to conserve and Documents and or Joint Area Action Plans. enhance biodiversity − improve sustainable travel connections − promote healthy living − conserve and enhance heritage features and landscape character − enhance distinctive destinations and boost the visitor economy − promote sustainable design, management and maintenance − enhance green space and green infrastructure sector skills − promote sustainable food production − improve air quality and soundscapes − improve the quality of and access to the Greenbelt and the urban fringe − Conserve and enhance the Thames and tributaries riverside spaces. 2 Draft 0812.11 Introduction – ALGG Framework Plan The map above illustrates the strategic framework Strategic Corridors District Parks plan for the All London Green Grid draft SPG to the Strategic Links Local Park and Open Spaces London Plan. The composite drawing illustrates open space typologies, open space deficiency and primary Metropolitan Park Opportunities Small Open Spaces - Pocket Parks transport corridors. It identifies strategic opportunities Regional Park Opportunities Other / Private Open Spaces for the Green Grid area. Regional Parks Strategic Walking Routes Map derived from GiGL data 2011 - © Crown Copyright and database right 2011. 100050713. All rights reserved London Development Agency 2011 Metropolitan Parks Strategic Cycling Routes Draft 08.12.11 3 Introduction – ALGG Area Frameworks Draft Replacement London Plan All London Green Grid All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance Companion Document ALGG vision, Strategic objectives, Rationale, Recommendations Development Frameworks London Plan OAPFs Borough LDF / AAPs Infrastructure Plans Open Space Strategies ALGG Area Frameworks and Finchley RidgeLea Valley Epping Forest and Roding Valley Thames Chase Beam and Ingerbourne and Southern River Cray Marshes South East London Green Plus Chain Downlands London’s Valley Wandle Arcadian Thames River Colne and Crane and BarnetBrent Valley Plateau Central London investment frameworks Major capital programmes 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Major funding bids update and extend new Area Frameworks Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Area Strategy Project Identification Phase One Early Delivery Forward Strategy This section examines the context A schedule of project suggestions for The results of the area’s project The area chair and design advisor sum and baseline conditions, to propose consideration by the area group, design review and assessment, identifying up the area’s delivery of the Green Grid a vision, area objectives and a set of advisor and working group. Including the projects which best deliver the vision and identify any gaps, outlining area strategic opportunities in line with interventions to be delivered through strategic objectives, as well as those the next steps in order to develop the ALGG SPG. Together these form a development, and those requiring site which are feasible and deliverable. and deliver phase one. They give their framework for future change, project acquisition. Each project is mapped Thereby constituting a first phase aspirations, and recommendations, development