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Summary The term ‘green infrastructure’ refers to a network of open spaces that is “…multi-functional green space, both new and existing, both rural and urban, which supports the natural and ecological processes and is integral to the health and quality of sustainable communities.” (Planning Policy Statement 17) Green Infrastructure – essential not just desirable Benefits Developing our Green Infrastructure can provide a wide range of direct and indirect benefits including opportunities to: • mitigate and adapt to existing and future effects of climate change through providing shade, sustainable drainage, flood alleviation, green energy and local food production • support healthy ecosystems that provide many essential natural services including clean water and air • create new wildlife habitats and corridors, reducing the isolation of habitats • conserve and enhance landscape character, historical and cultural features including the World Heritage Site • provide green travel routes including, walking and cycling routes, accessible river/canal corridors and green streets • encourage healthy and active lifestyles • contribute to the local economy through increasing tourism based on enjoyment of the natural environment About the activity Bath and North East Somerset has an outstanding natural environment, including many green spaces, parks, some green/blue corridors such as riverside walkways, and high quality farmland. However this patchwork of important sites is not fully connected as a network, across the district or with surrounding areas and as such its potential benefits for both people and wildlife have yet to be fully realised. This is being addressed by the development and implementation of a Green Infrastructure Strategy for the district, which will create a network of open spaces. ‘Open spaces’ are more than just open countryside; a well connected network can include hillsides, waterways, hedgerows, woodlands, wildlife habitats, green corridors, parks, gardens, green roofs and allotments. Next Steps • A draft of the Green Infrastructure Strategy will be shared with partners during 2011 • The draft Core Strategy planning policy includes a commitment to develop a Green Infrastructure Strategy and delivery plan. It also includes an illustrative Green Infrastructure network diagram showing an overview of existing green infrastructure assets and some of the key opportunities. See below. For more information or if you want to get involved please contact: Sue Murtagh Email: [email protected] Embedding environmental sustainability Making Bath & North East Somerset an even better place to live, work and visit l l Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathampton Bathford Bathford Bathford Bathford Bathford Bathford Bathford Bathford Bathford Freshford Freshford Freshford Freshford Freshford Freshford Freshford Freshford Freshford l l Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Batheaston Wellow Wellow Wellow Wellow Wellow Wellow Wellow Wellow Wellow l l l Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay Combe Hay BATH BATH BATH BATH BATH BATH BATH BATH BATH Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Norton Radstock Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown Peasedown St. John St. John St. John St. John St. John St. John St. John St. John St. John Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Timsbury Saltford Saltford Saltford Saltford Saltford Saltford Saltford Saltford Saltford Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Keynsham Corston Corston Corston Corston Corston Corston Corston Corston Corston l l l Paulton Paulton Paulton Paulton Paulton Paulton Paulton Paulton Paulton Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough Farmborough l l Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Sutton Sutton Sutton Sutton Sutton Sutton Sutton Sutton Sutton Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud Temple Cloud l l l l Clutton Clutton Clutton Clutton Clutton Clutton Clutton Clutton Clutton Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Farrington Gurney Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna Chew Magna l Pensford Pensford Pensford Pensford Pensford Pensford Pensford Pensford Pensford Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch Whitchurch l l Compton Compton Compton Compton Compton Compton Compton Compton Compton Martin Martin Martin Martin Martin Martin Martin Martin Martin West West West West West West West West West Harptree Harptree Harptree Harptree Harptree Harptree Harptree Harptree Harptree l l l Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Chew Stoke Strategic Green Infrasructure Strategic nature areas Strategic green infrastructure corridors through rural areas Main rivers Strategic green infrastructure corridors through urban areas Strategic overview of green infrastructure
