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Pennines Green Infrastructure Action Plan
Following an invitation from Jane Rickards, Carey
Robinson (Green Infrastructure Development Officer - RMBC Strategic Panning - T:
01706 924365) spoke for around 30 minutes at our November 2011 meeting,
regarding the proposed ‘Pennines Green Infrastructure Action Plan’
- a copy of which can be seen
below.
Carey also answered
questions from the several of the members and
also passed around the meeting a draft copy of the
‘Middleton Green Infrastructure Plan’ that was put together in August 2011 - a
copy of which can be
seen here.
The
proposed 'Pennines Green Infrastructure Action Plan'
What is green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is the natural outdoor environment around us and is part of
the life support system of the community. It includes all ‘green’ assets from
street trees, gardens and open spaces to the wider countryside surrounding the
borough as well as all the open water such as canals, streams and lakes. These
assets individually and collectively provide a number of essential environmental
services that support daily life, health and well-being and which support
Township’s regeneration and economic growth aspirations.
What is a Green Infrastructure Action Plan?
The Pennines Green Infrastructure Action Plan is part of a suite of Township
Green Infrastructure Action Plans currently in preparation covering each part of
the borough and supporting a borough-wide Green Infrastructure framework. When
completed they will comprise a comprehensive framework for planning, managing
and delivering green infrastructure and will provide a valuable body of evidence
to help target and attract resources to provide green infrastructure where it is
needed more effectively. The Heywood Green Infrastructure Action Plan was
approved in September 2010 and the Middleton Plan will be going to public
consultation in September 2011, plans for Pennines and Rochdale to follow. The
format has been supported by CABE and Natural England as an example of
developing good practice.
Why do we need a Plan?
The Plan will help to ensure that green infrastructure assets are
appropriately protected, managed, enhanced and created where necessary. Green
infrastructure can have a value outside its immediate location and beyond
Pennines Township, so the plan will also identify Pennines’ strategic green
infrastructure role within the wider borough and for Greater Manchester. The
plan will support the delivery of the Pennines Township Plan and key strategic
plans in the borough principally Pride of Place, the Borough Renaissance
Masterplan and the Local Development Framework. The Plan will provide a key
evidence base highlighting opportunities within Pennines Township where Section
106 funds can be most effectively targeted and will also help to support
opportunities for funding bids and partnership working opportunities with a
range of agencies such as the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency.
How will the Plan be delivered?
The Pennines Green Infrastructure Action Plan will provide a strategic
overview of green infrastructure in the Township by identifying its strengths,
opportunities and key challenges in terms of quality, quantity and location of
green infrastructure and what it needs to do for the township. The plan will set
out a series of strategic projects which will provide the framework for
delivering the plan. To deliver these strategic projects a range of specific
projects both large and small will be required and will include actions by the
Council, developers, environmental agencies and utilities providers, voluntary
sector organisations and local communities.
An annually updated work programme will identify quick
wins and projects for development and delivery in the medium and long term and
will enable progress to be monitored and reviewed as required. The work
programme will be presented to the Township Committee for consideration and
endorsement as required.
Green infrastructure planning and delivery is necessarily
a long term process and the plan will be delivered up to 2026 to maximise the
opportunities arising from the borough’s Local Development Framework, future
development and regeneration plans and proposals and other key plans and
strategies related to the local economy, environment, health and well being. It
will be reviewed on a three yearly basis to ensure that all plans, strategies
and programmes important to Pennines’ future prosperity, growth and well-being
are included to maximise green infrastructure delivery opportunities.
Timescales?
Between September and December 2011 the Plan will be developed in
consultation with stakeholders, community groups, council officers and external
agencies. A draft Plan will be ready for public consultation in January 2012.
How you can be involved?
We would like to get input from a wider variety of interested parties to
enable us to identify areas of deficiency or need in green infrastructure and
also highlight areas of high quality and good practice. We are working closely
with the Township to identify key stakeholders, but would also value your input
in terms of who we should be speaking to and your ideas for green infrastructure
whatever they may be.
September 2011
Paul
Lewis
Planning Officer
(Infrastructure)
Strategic Planning Service
Planning and Regulation Services
Rochdale Borough Council
Address: Floor 2, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale, OL16 1JH
Telephone: 01706 924376
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