The Wash and Fens Green Infrastructure Plan Paul Espin

Wash Estuary Strategy Group Aim: To overcome administrative boundaries covering The Wash and its hinterland The organisations represented on WESG had different powers and responsibilitiesThe organisations represented on WESG had different powers and responsibilities They were all committed to:They were all committed to: ‘ensuring The Wash remains a special place, for people and wildlife, for generations to come’

Green Space and Green Infrastructure The following are examples of green space and green infrastructure found around The Wash and across the Fens

Natural and Semi Natural Greenspaces

Parks and Gardens

Amenity Greenspace

Green Corridors

And Also

Green Infrastructure Supports natural and ecological processes Supports natural and ecological processes Integral to the health, economy and quality of life of sustainable communities Integral to the health, economy and quality of life of sustainable communities Provides access to the countryside and wildlife Provides access to the countryside and wildlife Contributes towards a network of multi-functional green space Contributes towards a network of multi-functional green space Made up of new, existing, rural or urban features Made up of new, existing, rural or urban features Puts environment at the centre of the planning Puts environment at the centre of the planning Allows local authorities to meet their duty to conserve biodiversity Allows local authorities to meet their duty to conserve biodiversity

Wash and fens have important habitats for wildlife Wash and fens have important habitats for wildlife Countryside features known as green infrastructure Countryside features known as green infrastructure The Wash and Fens are now facing increasing pressures The Wash and Fens are now facing increasing pressures The Wash and Fens Green Infrastructure Plan has been produced to aid in the conservation and sustainable use of the countryside The Wash and Fens Green Infrastructure Plan has been produced to aid in the conservation and sustainable use of the countryside The Wash and Fens Green Infrastructure Plan

Former Funding Partners Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Boston Borough Council Boston Borough Council East Lindsey District Council East Lindsey District Council Environment Agency Environment Agency Lincolnshire County Council Lincolnshire County Council Natural England Natural England Norfolk County Council Norfolk County Council South Holland District Council South Holland District Council

Analysed and mapped recorded green infrastructure Analysed and mapped recorded green infrastructure Produced maps identifying: habitat networks, wildlife corridors, publically accessible green space and rights of way and to identify where gaps in these networks occur Produced maps identifying: habitat networks, wildlife corridors, publically accessible green space and rights of way and to identify where gaps in these networks occur Provide evidence for strategic planners, development planning, conservation bodies, drainage boards land owners and managers Provide evidence for strategic planners, development planning, conservation bodies, drainage boards land owners and managers The Wash and Fens Green Infrastructure Plan

The Data Data from over 30 different organisations Data from over 30 different organisations Aim: to bring together all of this information in one place and standardise it Aim: to bring together all of this information in one place and standardise it This was done using a geographical information system (GIS) – computer mapping system This was done using a geographical information system (GIS) – computer mapping system Plan is now an interactive web mapped evidence base Plan is now an interactive web mapped evidence base

Mapping carried out in MapInfo by Green Infrastructure Project Officer at WESG Mapping carried out in MapInfo by Green Infrastructure Project Officer at WESG Maps available to view at Lincolnshire Research Observatory website Maps available to view at Lincolnshire Research Observatory website Interactive mapping make the data from the Green Infrastructure Plan easier to view and provides a means of showing additional details such as specific site descriptions and contact details of land owner/manager (where applicable) Interactive mapping make the data from the Green Infrastructure Plan easier to view and provides a means of showing additional details such as specific site descriptions and contact details of land owner/manager (where applicable) Interactive Mapping

Static Mapping Non interactive maps have also been produced along with the document Non interactive maps have also been produced along with the document 110 static maps have been created 110 static maps have been created They do not provide the level of detail the interactive maps do or the background database of further information They do not provide the level of detail the interactive maps do or the background database of further information They do provide a quick overview of the area to accompany the written report They do provide a quick overview of the area to accompany the written report

What can the Plan Contribute Towards? Planning within local authorities Planning within local authorities Biodiversity Action Planning Biodiversity Action Planning Planning new green infrastructure projects Planning new green infrastructure projects Public rights of way network Public rights of way network The health of the community The health of the community

How Can the Green Infrastructure Plan Help with Planning? When a development proposal is submitted the Green Infrastructure Plan can help by: Showing location of development Showing location of development Showing local biodiversity designations locations Showing local biodiversity designations locations Showing location of historical designations Showing location of historical designations Showing location of access designations Showing location of access designations Providing contact details Providing contact details Showing the possibility of interconnections with green corridors Showing the possibility of interconnections with green corridors

How Can the Green Infrastructure Plan Help with Biodiversity? Help achieve the targets set down in local Biodiversity Action Plans by: Indicating opportunities to conserve, enhance, reinforce and connect habitats Indicating opportunities to conserve, enhance, reinforce and connect habitats Showing the location of existing recorded habitats Showing the location of existing recorded habitats Showing the location of possible habitat networks and suggesting where to carry out identification surveys Showing the location of possible habitat networks and suggesting where to carry out identification surveys Showing isolated areas of green infrastructure Showing isolated areas of green infrastructure

How Can the Green Infrastructure Plan Help with New Green Infrastructure Projects? Shows where green infrastructure already exists and where new areas could be positioned to connect areas and ensure there is a network of wildlife corridors

How Can the Green Infrastructure Plan Help with Public Rights of Way? The document identifies areas where green infrastructure based improvements can help the public rights of way These come under 5 broad headings: Improvements to the Rights of Way Network Improvements to the Rights of Way Network Improvements to the infrastructure of the existing Rights of Way Network Improvements to the infrastructure of the existing Rights of Way Network Improvements to the extent and coverage of the Rights of Way Network Improvements to the extent and coverage of the Rights of Way Network Linkages to the public transport system Linkages to the public transport system Improvements in biodiversity and landscape features Improvements in biodiversity and landscape features

How Can the Green Infrastructure Plan Help with Human Health? Access to natural environment improves health and wellbeing, prevents disease, and helps recovery from illness Access to natural environment improves health and wellbeing, prevents disease, and helps recovery from illness Green infrastructure and green infrastructure planning can act as an evidence base to influence the creation of new areas of green infrastructure, or the formation and promotion of countryside access through walks and other activities Green infrastructure and green infrastructure planning can act as an evidence base to influence the creation of new areas of green infrastructure, or the formation and promotion of countryside access through walks and other activities

Just the Beginning The interactive mapping can be updated easily and at regular intervals The interactive mapping can be updated easily and at regular intervals The following can be added: The following can be added: New features New features New networks New networks Results of surveys Results of surveys Spatial data from other strategies/surveys Spatial data from other strategies/surveys Responses from consultations Responses from consultations Data searches can be carried out and reports made Data searches can be carried out and reports made Corrections can be made Corrections can be made If enough effort is put in The Wash and Fens Green Infrastructure Plan can remain a useful resource for years to come