Towards a Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy WPEG, 5 September 2012 Marta Dziudzi Planning Policy Assistant Strategic Planning Team

Content Purpose: to provide an update on progress towards the Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy What is GI and why should we plan for it? An approach to GI in Worcestershire GI Framework to date Next steps GI Framework continued GI Strategy

What is Green Infrastructure? West Midlands Green Infrastructure Prospectus (2003) Green Infrastructure is the network of green spaces and natural elements that intersperse and connect our cities, towns and villages. It is the open spaces, waterways, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, wildlife habitats, street trees, natural heritage and open countryside

Why should we plan for it? National Planning Policy Framework (2012) Local Plans should address climate change, biodiversity and landscape issues through "planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure". Natural Environment White Paper (2011) Multifunctional benefits of GI: support economic growth improve public health, wellbeing and quality of life; drive biodiversity and the functioning of natural systems reduce the negative impacts of climate change Partnership working

The Worcestershire approach Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Partnership Site level Concept Plans and Statements Site level Concept Plans and Statements Strategic level GI Framework documents GI Strategy Strategic level GI Framework documents GI Strategy

Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 1 6 Briefly introduced GI concept and theme areas and identified next stages of work including: “the analysis and integration of topics and themes for a more holistic approach to mapping at a strategic level and subsequently at a local level to inform master planning and in future inform implementation and delivery” “ensure the delivery of the Green infrastructure strategy it will be necessary to prepare an implementation plan that will identify capital, revenue and funding streams and link these to delivery partners or stakeholders”

Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 2 Environmental Character Areas (ECAs)

Next Steps Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Framework 3 (Access and Recreation) October 2012 Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Framework 4 (Socio-economic) November 2012 Draft Green Infrastructure Strategy for comments December 2012 Green Infrastructure Strategy completed March 2013 Continue to explore funding and viability issues March 2013

Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 3 Assess the current provision of strategic informal recreational space in the county Identify opportunities for growth of open space Assess the current and future demands on this strategic greenspace Map of Sub-regional GI assets and areas of potential opportunity for creation of new recreation provision

Building the Evidence Base: Green Infrastructure Framework 4 Socio-economic functions of GI Climate change Economy Health and Wellbeing

Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy To consolidate the evidence base Identify areas for investment based on key priorities and issues Implementation Plan Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy

Thank you Any questions?