'Green Infrastructure is a network of multi functional green space, both new and existing, rural and urban, which supports the natural and ecological processes and is integral to the health and quality of life of sustainable communities'. Green infrastructure considers both public and private assets.
The multi functional character of green infrastructure means that it considers cultural landscape and ecological assets/habitats along with concepts such as sustainable water and resource management and use of river corridors and floodplains for amenity green space, and biodiversity.
Why green infrastructure?
Increasing development pressure within the borough, particularly around Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, is likely to have significant implications for the area's landscape and environmental assets and also highlights the need to achieve sustainable development with a clear sense of place within the borough. The production of a Green Infrastructure Strategy is therefore a timely exercise, which aims to respond to these pressures and to capitalise on any associated opportunities for environmental enhancement.
Now more than ever before, we must plan positively for green infrastructure and ensure its delivery.
- Green infrastructure is recognised as a 'must have' for communities and for sustainable development;
- our environmental resources are under increasing pressure in the face of development and climate change;
- green infrastructure can help adapt to and mitigate climate change;
- green infrastructure plays a key role as a 'life support system', able to deliver multiple environmental functions, as well as economic and sustainability functions.
The Green Infrastructure Strategy for St Edmundsbury forms part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework. It provides an analysis of existing green infrastructure provision in the context of future growth and sets out a 'greenprint' (protection and enhancement of existing green infrastructure and the provision of new green infrastructure in advance of, and alongside, future development) for new and enhanced existing green infrastructure.
Green Infrastructure Strategy
St Edmundsbury Green Infrastructure map (PDF 1.3Mb)
Green Infrastructure Strategy Report (6.8Mb) and Non Technical Summary (3.3Mb) sets out information in relation to:
- existing environmental character and green infrastructure opportunities;
- functional and spatial need and demand for green infrastructure;
- the green infrastructure vision and proposed green infrastructure network; and
- projects, to respond to the opportunities and need and demand analysis.
Taking green infrastructure forward
The full Green Infrastructure Strategy report has undertaken a prioritisation exercise, evaluating the green infrastructure projects against green infrastructure functions, need and demand and satisfaction of high level policy objectives, balanced against consideration of capital and revenue costs and logistical constraints to achievement.
Next steps
A separate Green infrastructure information pack (PDF 2.6Mb) has been prepared, providing design guidance to developers and stakeholders delivering green infrastructure across the borough, with specific reference to key green infrastructure projects in the strategy.
Further information
Jaki Fisher
Tree and Landscape Officer
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3YU
Phone: 01284 757346
Email: jaki.fisher@stedsbc.gov.uk or trees.planning@stedsbc.gov.uk
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