Our Aim

Our aim is to use this web-portal to help enhance the quality of the South West Green Infrastructure
by:

• developing the evidence for Green Infrastructure and its benefits
• enabling the development of Green Infrastructure partnerships, creating opportunities for joint working
• facilitating the integration of Green Infrastructure with Regional and Local Strategies
• facilitating the delivery of Green Infrastructure through examples of good practice
• monitoring and evaluating progress
• advocating for resources

What can be found via the Portal?

This portal sets out a vision for Green Infrastructure (GI) in the south west, and provides access to current information and guidance. There are links to PDFs, web pages and web sites where you can find:
 

• Who to contact and key partnerships activity across the south west 
• An introduction to Green Infrastructure in the south west, including water based and coastal infrastructure, sometimes referred to as “Blue Infrastructure”
• A sustainability check
• Evidence
• Policies and planning statements
• Latest guidance and advice
• Green Space Standards
• Local Area Agreement Indicators
• What is going on around the south west, including approaches to delivery of Green Infrastructure
• Funding opportunities
• Community activity
• Events and news

What is the portal about?

The portal is about Green Infrastructure which includes networks of footpaths and cycle routes, bridleways and green lanes and the urban and rural green spaces that they link; parks, play areas, sport fields, allotments, woodlands, gardens, historic parks and gardens, (both publicly and privately owned), heaths, meadows, fields, city farms, open countryside, hedgerows, embankments, public spaces, roof gardens and vertical greenery. It also includes ‘blue infrastructure’ such as lakes, ponds, canals, rivers, streams and coast line.

It refers to the landscape setting for our towns and cities, the background for all of our urban and rural activities, our journeys to work, our views, our days out and holidays; it is the infrastructure in which we take outdoor recreation, find contact with nature, grow food and source renewable energy. It delivers the benefits that these bring such as biodiversity, health and well being, flood storage, outdoor education and economic advantage.

This portal refers to the processes by which these elements are integrated into everyday life particularly through the planning system; the preparation and delivery of Green Infrastructure Strategies, Green Space Plans and delivering new green infrastructure on the ground.  Links are also made to the ecosystem services that are delivered through Green Infrastructure.
 

Who is this Portal for?

The portal is designed to be used by anyone with an interest in achieving good quality, multi-functional, accessible green and water spaces, parks, parkland, coast and countryside and other natural environments. It is designed to be used in two ways: to provide users/participants with up-to-date information and guidance and to be a depository where participants/users are encouraged to “share” their information.

Users will include:
Agencies, organisations and networks
Planners and developers
Policy makers 
Local delivery partnerships
Green Space planners, designers, managers and implementers
Countryside managers, rights of way managers
Conservation organisations and NGOs
Community networks, organisations and groups
Landowners
Sport, recreation, play and health professionals
Academics and consultants

If you experience any problems with this page, please contact the content owner: naomi.wright@naturalengland.org.uk