Policy Framework For Green Infrastructure: Spatial and Economic Planning
In this section:
Government Policy for Green Infrastructure
National Planning Policy
Regional Policy and Strategies
Other National Guidance
Local Development Frameworks
Government Policy for Green Infrastructure
The policy framework for Green Infrastructure exists through a number of Acts and Policy statements from The Town and Country Planning Act 1990, The Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1991, The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 through to more recent policy documents including:
An invitiation to shape the Nature of England - On the 27 July 2010 the Coalition Government launched the Natural Environment White Paper discussion document about the creation of a new environmental policy for England. The paper is broad in its scope addressing policies on biodiverity and habital, the marine environment, water quality and availablity, air quality, soils, trees, woodlands, forests, landscape and recreation. It also recognises the need to reflect the important contributions of farming, food, waste, landuse and the planning system. The deadline for responding to the document is 30 October 2010. For more detail see Defra webpage at: Natural Environment: an invitation to shape the nature of England
Quality of Place, improving the planning and design of the built environment: an analysis of issues and opportunities by the Cabinet Office (July 2009)
Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities Statutory Guidance: Draft for Consultation 2007, in which government sets out guidance that it sees as central to the delivery of the new settlement between central government, local government and citizens, as set out in the White Paper: Strong and Prosperous Communities.
Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener:Strategy and Action Plan 2006: Government confirms its commitment to to take action to make public spaces cleaner, safer, greener places that enhance the quality of life in our neighbourhoods, towns and cities.
Public Service Agreements: there are various relevant Public Service Agreements, including:
- PSA 18: Promote better health and well being for all, 2007
- PSA 21: Stronger communities and a better quality of life, 2007
- PSA 23: Make communities safer, 2007
- PSA 27: Lead the global effort to avoid dangerous climate change, 2007
- PAS 28: Secure a healthy natural environment for today and the future, 2007
Restructuring Agriculture, Ameliorating Climate Change, Flood Defence & Enhancing Biodiversity: Along with, and in the context of activities like the restructuring of agriculture, ameliorating climate change, addressing flooding problems and enhancing biodiversity, the planning system in its role to facilitate and promote sustainable and inclusive patterns of urban and rural development provides both an important means of delivering Green Infrastructure and a driver for developing Green Infrastructure Strategies by:
- Making suitable land available for development in line with economic, social and environmental objectives to improve peoples quality of life
- Contributing to sustainable economic development
- Delivery of ecosystem services DEFRA ecosystems portal
- Protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment, the quality and character of the countryside, and existing communities
- Ensuring high quality development through good and inclusive design, and the efficient use of resources
- Ensuring that development supports existing communities and contributes to the creation of safe sustainable, liveable and mixed communities with good access to jobs and key services for all members of the community.
Other summaries of policy context can be found in the guidance documents
National Planning Policy
Planning and Green Infrastructure are delivered at National, Regional and Local scales, reinforced by Global Agreements and European Directives
Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1): Delivering Sustainable Development
(Jan 2005)
Sets out the Government’s overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. PPS1 recognises that the condition of our surroundings has a direct impact on people's quality of life, and that improvements of the natural and built environment can bring social and economic benefit for local communities.
Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change, Supplement to PPS1 (Dec 2007)
Sets out how planning, in providing for the new homes, jobs, and infrastructure needed by communities, should help shape places with lower carbon emissions and resilient to the carbon change now accepted as inevitable. It clearly sets out how planning should contribute to reducing emissions and stabilising climate change and take into account the unavoidable consequences. In particular, it emphasises that when selecting land for development planning authorities should take into account "…the contribution to be made from existing and new opportunities for open space and green infrastructure to urban cooling, sustainable drainage systems, and conserving and enhancing biodiversity…"
Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3): Housing (Nov 2006)
Advocates the retention and incorporation of important landscape, historical and ecological features within developments in line with local green infrastructure policy.
Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5): Planning for the Historic Environment (March 2010)
The Government’s overarching aim is that the historic environment and its heritage
assets should be conserved and enjoyed for the quality of life they bring to this and
future generations, such as recognition that heritage assets are a non-renewable resouce and take account of the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits of heritage conservation. www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/1514132.pdf
Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS7): Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (August 2004)
This set out the Government policy on rural areas and promotes the development of thriving and inclusive rural communities.
Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9): Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Aug 2005)
Green Infrastructure – the sub-regional network of protected sites, nature reserves, green spaces and green way linkages. The linkages include river corridors and flood plains, migration routes and features of the landscape which are important as wildlife corridors. Green Infrastructure should provide for multi-functional uses i.e. Wildlife, recreational and cultural experience, as well as delivering ecological services such as flood protection and microclimate control. It should also operate at all spatial scales from urban centres through to open countryside.’ www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147408.pdf
Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12): PPS12 Local Spatial Planning (June 2008)
Requires Local Authorities to produce an evidence base of physical, social and green infrastructure needed to support proposed development as well as details regarding who will deliver such provisions and when. www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/pps12lsp.pdf
Planning Policy Guidance 17 (PPG 17): Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (2002)
States that local authorities should seek opportunities to improve the local open space network, to create public open space from vacant land, and to incorporate open space within new development on previously-used land. Local authorities are encouraged to create sports and recreational facilities in urban fringe areas. (remove when draft PPS Planning for a Natural and Heathy Environment (published of consultation March 2010) when adopted)
Planning Policy Guidance (PPG 20): Coastal Planning (October 1992)
Provides policy guidance for the conservation and development of varying coastal types, with consideration given to flood risk, coastal defence, erosion and various pressures on the coast such as tourism, recreation, mineral extraction, energy generation and waste water treatment (remove when draft PPS Planning for a Natural and Heathy Environment (published of consultation March 2010) when adopted)
Planning Policy Guidance 25 (PPS 25): Development and Flood Risk (March 2010)
Requires Regional and Local Planning Authorities to assess flood risk potential and place management procedures in place to reduce the risk of flooding events. An important aspect of this is to ensure that new development is appropriately placed and in fact reduces flood risk through such schemes as sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), recreating floodplains and setting back flood defences. These can all be incorporated into green infrastructure planning
Consultation Paper on a new Planning Policy Statement; Planning for a natural and health environment (published of consultation in March 2010)
This PPS has brought together policies on the natural environment and green space to ensure the delivery of healthy sustainable communities. Local authorities are obliged to incorporate green infrastructure as a key consideration in the planning of new developments as a method of adapting to climate change and providing adequate protection to the natural environment and the ecosystem services it provides. The document requires no net loss in biodiversity, a reduction in habitat fragmentation and active enhancement of habitats and corridors. It also seeks to improve the functions and value of urban green space to ensure maximum benefits to the communities they serve.
Consultation on Planning Policy Statement: Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a Changing Climate (published for consultation in March 2010)
This PPS reflects recent emission targets set out in the Climate Change Act 2008 and various other publications on increasing energy use. PPS1 supplement will replace the current supplement on PPS1: Planning and Climate Change, and PPS22: Renewable Energy. The document supports the delivery of climate change adaption through a low carbon focused planning process. It also promotes the development of green infrastructure in order to encourage healthy environments, safeguard biodiversity, secure flood alleviation, and build upon urban cooling methods such as improved shaded green spaces.
Regional Policy and Strategies
In the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration, July 2007,
Government states that "We believe there should be a single regional strategy which sets out each region’s economic, environmental and social objectives. We believe there should be a single regional strategy which sets out each region’s economic, environmental and social objectives."
These changes towards a Single Regional Strategy are yet to be implemented but the integration referred to provides a useful context for looking at Green Infrastructure and its role in delivering
sustainable communities.
Planning for Green Infrastructure in the Regional Economic Strategy
The Regional Economic Strategy recognises that the South West has special locational strengths which
present very real opportunities for the region to gain economic benefit from environmental activity.
In particular:
- over 12% of the regional economy relies directly on the land and landscape
- quality of life (often associated with environmental quality and cultural opportunities) is a major attractor of investment, businesses, workers and tourists to the region
- environmental technology and services, such as renewable energy, represent a huge global market where the South West can become a leader
And that “In identifying the environment as a key ‘driver’ for the economy, it is important to build rather than diminish the Green Infrastructure’s environmental and cultural capital. This will secure benefits for the region into the future.”
Regional Spatial Strategies
The SW Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), as amended by the Secretary of State (2008) was a new kind of plan for the South West for up to the year 2026 and yet to be finally agreed has now been revoked.
On the 6 July the Secretary of State announce the revocation of Regional Strategies under S79(6) of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and stated that they will no longer form part of the development plan for the purposes of S38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Act 2004. However the Government recognise that the planning data and research held by the Regional LA Leaders Board will still be available to local authorities for the preparation of their local plans whist they put alternative arrangements in place for the collection and analysis of evidence.
(The SW RSS required Local Authorities and partners to develop networks of Green Infrastructure (GI) to enhance the quality of life in the region and support the successful accommodation of change through the provision of multifunctional, accessible, connected assets, planned around existing environmental characteristics. GI was identified as a fundamental element to development and policy sets out that local strategies should not only conserve and manage existing GI but create new high quality well connected assets in part to ensure reduced pressure on the existing green network. Four international conservation sites are identified as being under recreational pressure due to their renowned attraction to visitors and proximity to urban areas: the Exe estuary, the Pebblehead and East Devon Heaths and Dartmoor. Improved management of these sites and mitigation in the form of alternative green space provision will be required to avoid irrevocable ecological damage. The RSS also required local strategies to identify strategic GI priorities appropriate to the extent and distribution of development proposals, identified areas of deficiency and in need of regeneration and ensure that biodiversity improvement is a key focus of GI enhancement work).
The Regional Strategy for the South West Environment 2004-2014 Our Environment Our Future
This sets out what is important about our region’s environment. It provides a Vision and Aims for the environment in the future, identifies pressures threatening the environment and key issues to be tackled. Within this document positive planning for the environment has several actions, most prominent to investigate the opportunity to support well-managed, accessible, multi-functional urban-rural fringe areas through RSS and LDF.
South West Biodiversity Implementation Plan
This document provides a framework of policy, priorities and actions to assist in a more joined up approach to biodiversity delivery. The BIP is a contribution to the ‘Biodiversity Strategy for England’
and seeks to contribute to regional strategies, plans and policies such as the RSS and regional
agri-environment scheme targeting.
The Towns, Cities and Development South West Biodiversity Implementation Plan provides for nature conservation to be fully incorporated in the new, more spatially orientated, land-use planning system. All towns and cities should maximise the contribution that areas of natural green space make to biodiversity targets, thereby enhancing the quality of life of urban residents, workers and visitors.
South West Regional Woodland and Forestry Framework
The Forestry Framework is a non-statutory statement, with associated delivery action plans, for
forestry. Such Frameworks interpret the national England Forestry Strategy at the regional level and ensure that national and regional policy for woodland and trees are properly integrated with the main
economic, social and environmental strategies operating at the regional level.
The South West Regional Woodland & Forestry Framework 2005 sets out an action plan for the South West Region. This places considerable emphasis on the delivery of quality of life benefits close to where people live and the draft Implementation Plan highlights the important role of sub regional initiatives including the Forest of Avon.
South West Cultural Infrastructure Strategy
This strategy advocates the significance of green infrastructure to the culture of the region and identifies 10 Planning Areas for Culture, based around the more urban areas of the region, alongside some iconic places within the region with potential for enhancement through green infrastructure.
Water Framework Directive and Water Related Recreation Strategies
Throughout the south west the Environment Agency and others have been developing river basin management plans, which will form a key element to Green Infrastructure delivery and management.
Water Related Recreation Strategy
SW Sustainable Development Framework
Sustainability South West the independent Champion Body for sustainable development in the South West of England are currently reviewing the South West Sustainable Development Framework. Read the current Framework
Justconnect the South West's Integrated Regional Strategy provides a set of broad aims and objectives and seeks to encourage better integrated regional working.The Regional Assembly worked closely with regional organisations across the South West to put Just Connect! together.
Oursouthwest has a summary of all strategies and their interconnections
Other National Guidance
Nature Nearby: Accessible Natural Greenspace Guidance (2010). Natural England encourages the concept that everyone should have access to high quality natural or semi-natural greenspace near to where they live and have set standards to reflect this. The Nature Nearby document promotes the improvement of access to greenspace both in terms of distance and within site accessibility. It also requires more consideration of the quality, connectivity and biodiversity value of these spaces and that appropriate management is put in place to ensure these aspects are expanded upon. The document provides guidance on three methods of assessing whether green space provision is adequate: Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard (ANGSt), Visitor Service Standard and quality standards for greenspace, namely the Green Flag Award.
Green Infrastructure Guidance (2009). Another useful guidance document produced by Natural England, this provides a broad overview of the concept of green infrastructure including its value in spatial planning terms and mechanisms for delivery. Other relevant information, policy statements and case studies are also signposted.
CABE have produced a range of valuable reports on the importance of green space and the requirements needed to ensure that maintenance, enhancement and provision of green space is given sufficient priority within the planning sector. Green Spaces, Better Places (2002) raises concerns about the decline in urban parks and green spaces and makes recommendations on the involvement of communities and the private sector in the regeneration of such spaces. It also calls for greater recognition by local planning bodies of the benefits green spaces provide.
Green Infrastructure: Connected and Multifunctional Landscapes (2009) a position statement from the Landscape Institute, considers the wider dimensions of GI such as roadside verges and cycle routes, as well as wildlife reserves and play areas. These assets have traditionally been considered as having single functions. One of the key purposes of GI is the multiple use of such assets in order to maximise the life support functions provided. An overview and case studies are provided in discussing the benefits associated with GI, delivery and funding opportunities and potential problems and recommendations associated with the incorporation of GI into planning policy.
Health, place and Nature (2008) published by the Sustainable Development Commission highlights the connection between contact with the natural environment and improved health, physical activity and social interaction. The document suggests that the more greenspace there is in a neighbourhood, the better the general health of the community. The document also promotes sustainable, healthy communities through improvements to the design of outdoor environments, mixed land uses and access to local facilities.
- Promote better public health and well-being by increasing levels of physical activity, particularly among the most inactive people in our society;
- Increase accessibility and reduce congestion;
- Improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
Planning for Green Infrastructure in Local Development Frameworks
In many cases, Green Infrastructure will be delivered through Local Development Frameworks. This can be achieved by:
- Undertaking a robust assessment of Green Infrastructure to inform the Core Strategy and other LDF site specific documents
- Presenting strategic opportunities for Green Infrastructure in the Core Strategy key diagram
- Including a Green Infrastructure policy in the Core Strategy (& ref to Green Infrastructure strategy)
- Identifying GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE networks, including gaps and opportunities in Core Strategies or in area action plans
- Requiring developer contributions for Green Infrastructure (e.g. in a policy on planning obligations or in the Green Infrasstructure policy), supported by supplementary guidance on planning obligations
- Setting Green Infrastructure indicators and targets
For more information go to Planning and Delivery pages.
Swindon Case Study
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