22 Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity
Introduction
Green infrastructure is the network of protected sites, greenspaces (including open spaces, formal parks, gardens, registered commons, village/town greens, playing fields, cemeteries, country parks, woodlands, nature reserves and children’s play space). It provides for a whole range of uses, including wildlife habitats, informal recreation areas and landscape character.
The Green Networks of green corridors are important to maintain linkages for the movement of species and to enhance people’s access to the natural environment. Open green space is important for health and wellbeing in urban areas and accessibility to green space is strongly associated with improved physical and mental well being for resident populations.
National and regional guidance outlines the importance of having a Green Infrastructure policy to maintain, restore or add to networks of natural habitats and other landscape features. Features considered to be of importance in environmental quality and ‘distinctive’ areas of South Worcestershire are defined by the Regional Spatial Strategy as the Severn and Avon Vales, Malvern Hills and Teme Valley. These should be protected and enhanced wherever possible, along with other Important features which act as green corridors, for example historic parks and gardens, footpaths and canals. The identification of areas where new links need to be created and where new urban green space needs to be linked to the wider countryside to encourage the movement of species will be informed by the Green Infrastructure Study. This will be supported by the landscape character assessment, and work being carried out in relation to the historic environment.
Consultation Response
The policy has been informed by the overwhelming support for protecting, enhancing and re-creating important biodiversity sites, and seeking contributions to achieve this (Issue 23). The initial sustainability appraisal also indicated that pursuing this approach would be beneficial in sustainability terms.
The Green Infrastructure Study which has looked at Worcester and up to 6km beyond the boundary and supports this approach. This was because Worcester has been identified as a New Growth Point and will be the main concentration for future development. Further evidence to inform the appropriate development of the growth areas outside Worcester will be prepared.
There was a 95% support to continue to develop a network of linked green space (Issue 29: option 1) This has been successfully promoted in Worcester through the green network policy, and will be incorporated in all areas of new development as well as seeking to improve linkages in existing urban areas. The Sustainability Appraisal considered this option as positive for the development of urban areas and beneficial for biodiversity, pollution and climate change.
The Preferred Spatial Option
Proposed Policy CS21: Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity
Improvement in both biodiversity and green infrastructure will be required in order to enhance the ecosystem across South Worcestershire. This will be led by requirements to provide high quality habitat that will be rich in biodiversity and will include space for recreation and tourism, public access, environmental education and sustainable water management. It will be guided by landscape character, local distinctiveness and heritage, the need to address climate change, sustainable land management and green economic uses.
Corridors and interlinked greenspace will be central to a landscape approach that will incorporate, locally distinctive greenspace, and connect areas of identified biodiversity, geodiversity or landscape value. These strategic links, corridors and greenspaces will be safeguarded through:
- Refusal of development which compromises, degrades or reduces the function of the green infrastructure network;
- Fully utilising developer contributions and planning agreements to enhance and sustain habitat quality, biodiversity and the robustness and effectiveness of the green infrastructure network;
- The creation of new high quality built and natural environments by investment in enhancement and restoration;
- Decreasing fragmentation, by providing and enhancing green infrastructure.
Development, regardless of size or complexity will be required to contribute to the aims of the green infrastructure network. This will include the local links and greenspaces that form part of the sub-regional level links and corridors, so that a fully integrated approach is achieved.
Priority will be given to those areas where net gains can be most effective and in particular where those gains contribute to the County Biodiversity Action Plan aims and objectives. Local deficiencies in open space and accessibility to natural greenspace will be addressed where possible, and additions to the Green Infrastructure network will be required to show that they improve landscape permeability for wildlife and / or people.
Linkage to Spatial Objectives
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The Preferred Spatial Option supports or delivers the following Spatial Objectives derived from the Sustainable Community Strategies:
- Stronger Communities objective 2;
- Meeting the Needs of All Generations objective 5;
- A Better Environment for Today and Tomorrow objectives 13, 14 and 17; and
- Improving Health and Wellbeing objective 18.
Comments on the Alternative Options Considered
Allow some development on sites of local biodiversity importance as long as the developer fully compensates for any losses. This has been rejected as it is considered contrary to current and emerging Regional Spatial Strategy policies and would also be a less sustainable option.
Protect all areas of public green open space, and other important private green open space. At a strategic policy level, this option would be too detailed but may require future consideration when local Development Documents are produced.