Landscape Institute SeminarLandscape Institute Seminar

Green Infrastructure – connected and Green Infrastructure – connected and multifunctional landscapesmultifunctional landscapes

1616thth July 2009 July 2009

Green Infrastructure from aGreen Infrastructure from aplanning perspectiveplanning perspective

Colin WhiteColin WhitePlanning OfficerPlanning Officer

Chilterns Conservation BoardChilterns Conservation Board

IntroductionIntroduction BackgroundBackground ContextContext AONB Management AONB Management

Plan Plan GI PlansGI Plans How can we cope?How can we cope? ConclusionsConclusions

Background - AONBsBackground - AONBs National Parks and Access to the National Parks and Access to the

Countryside Act 1949Countryside Act 1949 CRoW Act 2000:CRoW Act 2000: Re-enforced purposes of the AONB designationRe-enforced purposes of the AONB designation Placed a duty on local authorities and Placed a duty on local authorities and

Conservation Boards to prepare Management PlanConservation Boards to prepare Management Plan Placed a duty on public bodies (et al) to have Placed a duty on public bodies (et al) to have

regard to the purposes of the AONB (s. 85)regard to the purposes of the AONB (s. 85) Conservation BoardsConservation Boards Recent Planning Acts and Planning Recent Planning Acts and Planning

Policy Statements (SPD vital)Policy Statements (SPD vital)

Chilterns Chilterns Conservation BoardConservation Board Legally independent body set Legally independent body set

up on the instructions of up on the instructions of parliament (CRoW)parliament (CRoW)

Three purposes:Three purposes: Conserve and enhance natural beautyConserve and enhance natural beauty Increase understanding and enjoymentIncrease understanding and enjoyment Seek to foster economic and social well-Seek to foster economic and social well-

being (in partnership with local being (in partnership with local authorities)authorities)

Local Planning Local Planning AuthoritiesAuthoritiesSection 85 duty (CRoW)Section 85 duty (CRoW) Have a duty to have regard to Have a duty to have regard to

the following purpose:the following purpose:Conservation and enhancement of the Conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the AONBnatural beauty of the AONB

In exercising or performing any In exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in the AONBaffect, land in the AONB

ContextContext

Context - pressuresContext - pressures Existing Existing

populationpopulation GrowthGrowth

HousingHousing InfrastructureInfrastructure

VisitorsVisitors Loss of tranquillity Loss of tranquillity

Management PlanManagement PlanSpecific AONB Management Plan policiesSpecific AONB Management Plan policies

L8 - Manage landscapes close to existing and new L8 - Manage landscapes close to existing and new areas of development so as to be areas of development so as to be capable of absorbing capable of absorbing higher levels of recreationhigher levels of recreation whilst maintaining local whilst maintaining local character and biodiversity interest.character and biodiversity interest.

D7 - Pursue opportunities for D7 - Pursue opportunities for landscape improvementlandscape improvement and creation of green space (and creation of green space (green infrastructuregreen infrastructure) ) when development is proposed in, or adjacent to, the when development is proposed in, or adjacent to, the boundaries of the AONB.boundaries of the AONB.

GI PlansGI Plans Hit and missHit and miss Bucks and BedsBucks and Beds HertsHerts OxonOxon Chalk ArcChalk Arc Green Arcs (London) Green Arcs (London) Use in planningUse in planning CCB involvementCCB involvement

How can we cope?How can we cope? In from the startIn from the start Can’t sit backCan’t sit back Be proactiveBe proactive Be reactiveBe reactive Cajole and berateCajole and berate Ensure adoption Ensure adoption

and use (GI plans)and use (GI plans) MultifunctionalMultifunctional

Do nothingDo nothing

Careful Careful managementmanagement

Involve all players Involve all players ……

… … there are a fewthere are a few

Context is vital …Context is vital …

… … really vitalreally vital

Think outside the Think outside the boxbox

ConclusionsConclusions Essential to pre-plan GI where neededEssential to pre-plan GI where needed Consistent approach – GI plansConsistent approach – GI plans Negotiation and involvement are vitalNegotiation and involvement are vital Use other strategies and data (CQC)Use other strategies and data (CQC) Development should be placed in GIDevelopment should be placed in GI Existing links should be used and Existing links should be used and

enhancedenhanced More links should be created if needed, do More links should be created if needed, do

nothing if this worksnothing if this works Landscape planning done at all scalesLandscape planning done at all scales

Thank you – questions?Thank you – questions?

Contact:Contact:Colin WhiteColin Whitecwhite@chilternsaonb.org01844 35550701844 355507Visit - www.chilternsaonb.orgVisit - www.chilternsaonb.org