Ecology & Green Infrastructure

1. Ecology & Green Infrastructure Councillors Briefing Session 13/1/2016 : Trainers : Karen Renshaw; Lucy Corner; Simon Barnes

2. Introductions Environment Team • Ecologists – Kären Renshaw / Lucy Corner • (Green Infrastructure Coordinator – Sarah Jackson (from 2/216)) Democratic & Legal Services • Principal Solicitor – Simon Barnes Audience • Members • Ward Councillors Planning • A creative exercise in finding ways to enhance & improve the places in which we live our lives

3. Today’s session: • Background / context – key drivers & some new policies • Green Infrastructure – an introduction to what, why, how, • Ecology – issues & opportunities; & legislation! • Questions & Answers • Future detailed briefings ?

4. 2 key drivers to our planning work • Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC) Key piece of Legislation • National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Government Requirements for the planning system UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) June 2011

5. Background & Context UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) June 2011 • provides a comprehensive account of how the natural world, including its biodiversity, provides us with services that are critical to our wellbeing and economic prosperity. Regulating services – climate regulation; regulation of water, air and soil quality; pollination Provisioning services – production of food; water; fibre; genetic reources Cultural services – non-material benefits, e.g. spriritual and recreational benefits Supporting Services – processes that support the other services, eg soil formation; nutrient recycling; water cycling

6. Background & Context BUT- • nature is consistently undervalued in decision-making • many of the services we get from nature are in decline. • Over 40% of priority habitats declining • Over 30% of priority species declining • pollinators have been declining for 30 years

7. Priority Species & Habitats in B&NES

8. NaturalEnvironment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC) Section 40 : places a duty on all public authorities in England and Wales to have regard, in the exercise of their functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity. Key purpose: to embed consideration of biodiversity as an integral part of policy and decision making. Decision making : should be seeking to make a significant contribution to Government commitments in the Biodiversity 2020 strategy. Ref: DCLG Web Site

9. Biodiversity 2020? • Biodiversity 2020 is a national strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services; • Published in summer 2011. • Sets out the Government’s ambition to halt overall loss of England’s biodiversity by 2020 • The strategy seeks: to support healthy well functioning ecosystems, to establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people.

10. Decision making : should be seeking to make a significant contribution to Government commitments in the Biodiversity 2020 strategy.Ref: DCLG Web Site

11. National Planning Policy Framework • The purpose of planning is to help achieve sustainable development • Sustainable development is about change for the better, and not only in our built environment. • Our natural environment is essential to our wellbeing, and it can be better looked after than it has been. Habitats that have been degraded can be restored. Species that have been isolated can be reconnected. Green Belt land that has been depleted of diversity can be refilled by nature – and opened to people to experience it, to the benefit of body and soul. Extracts from NPPF Foreword (March 2012)

12. Pursuing sustainable development… 9. Pursuing sustainable development involves seeking positive improvements in the quality of the built, natural and historic environment, as well as in people’s quality of life, including (but not limited to): • making it easier for jobs to be created in cities, towns and villages; • moving from a net loss of bio-diversity to achieving net gains for nature; • replacing poor design with better design; • improving the conditions in which people live, work, travel and take leisure; and • widening the choice of high quality homes.

13. NPPF Prompting New Policy 109. The planning system should : • recognise the wider benefits of ecosystem services; • Be minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity……, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks 114. Local planning authorities should: ……set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure NE1 Development & Green Infrastructure NE4: Ecosystem Services NE5 Ecological Networks 113. Local planning authorities should set criteria based policies against which proposals for any development on or affecting protected wildlife or geodiversity sites or landscape areas will be judged. Policy NE3 Sites Species & Habitats 125. By encouraging good design, planning policies and decisions should limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation. Policy D.8 Lighting

14. Strategic Green InfrastructurePolicy NE11. Within the context of Policy CP7 development will be permitted provided:a) it can be demonstrated that opportunities have been maximised to design Green Infrastructure (GI) into the proposed development;b) it does not adversely affect the integrity and value of GI corridors; c) the scheme makes a positive contribution to the GI network through the creation, enhancement and management of new, and existing GI assets; and2. Proposals for major development should also be accompanied by:a) a plan of existing GI assets within and around the development site;b) a GI “proposal” demonstrating how GI has been incorporated into the scheme in order to increase the function and improve connectivity of GI assets including links to existing local and strategic networks3. Developers will be required to address GI in any submitted Masterplan which as a minimum fulfills the requirements of clauses 1) and 2) above. • Strategic Nature Areas • Flood Zone 2 • Strategic GI Corridors

15. Sites, Species and HabitatsPolicy NE3This retains the key elements of current site, species and habitat Local Plan Policies, but has a new generic clause:4 In all cases:a) Firstly, any harm to nature conservation value is minmised; andb) Secondly, compensatory provision of at least equal conservation value is made for any outstanding harm, andc) Thirdly, ecolgical enhancements are made.

16. Ecosystem Services – Policy NE41. Development will be permitted where ecosystem services are protected and enhanced in order that their benefits and function are optimised with a particular focus on supporting, provisioning, regulatory and cultural services.2. Ecosystem measures proposed should be described in the Design and Access Statement and can be included within Green Infrastructure provision.

17. Ecological NetworksPolicy NE5 1. Development proposals will be expected to demonstrate what contribution will be made to ecological networks as shown on the Policies Map through habitat creation, protection, enhancment, restoration and/or managment Key components of ecological networks • Rivers • Protected Wildlife Sites • Priority Grassland Habitats • Priority Woodland Habitats • Priority Habitat Restoration areas • Strategic Nature Areas

18. Policy D.8 Lighting1 Proposals for artificial lighting will only be permitted where: a. they would not give rise to an unacceptable level of illumination into the sky, open countryside, urban areas or villages; b. it can be demonstrated that additional lighting on site will have no detrimental impact on visual and residential amenity or local ecology;c. any adverse impact of lighting proposals in all new development, including light spill and energy use, is minimised through design or technological solutions (including the use of SMART lighting techniques) or by controlling the hours of use; d. safety is not compromised in low it or dark public area2 Development will be expected to reduce or at best maintain existing light levels to protect or improve the darkness of rivers, watercourse or other ecological corridors inparticular to protect or provide a functional dark route for European protected species. New external lighting facilities with light spill to hese features must be dimmable.3 Lighting in public areas should be designed to a suitable level of illumination in accordance with BS 5489-1 2013 and where appropriate, ensure consistency with Bath Lighting Strategy and guidance and where necessary the hours of operation will be controlled by the use of conditions.

19. Green Infrastructure

20. Green Infrastructure Grey infrastructure - term used for roads, schools, retail, drainage systems etc – facilities that enable communities/ society to function NPPF - A network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities. Green infrastructure - simply - networks of open spaces, important hillsides, waterways, hedgerows, woodlands, wildlife habitats, parks and gardens, allotments, green corridors and open countryside - facilities that enable communities/ society to function In its practical application it is the creation or maintenance of a series of interlinked green assets which can deliver multiple benefits Green and grey - of equal importance ? Key aspect of Green Infrastructure is its multi-functionality.

21. Importance of GI Green Infrastructure is focused on people and their quality of life It can : • help us adapt and respond to climate change • help deliver safer and healthier environments • provide more and better recreational activities • enable more / better access to local food • prompt more walking and cycling • inspire & support more physical activity • enhance well being • attract investment • increase land / property values • reduce crime • increase biodiversity • reduce flooding It cant prevent economic growth or development. It’s a real win win win……

22. Is health related to green space? • During 2010 the National Institute for Clinical Excellence undertook a programme of review work on health and spatial planning. • It aimed to provide evidence on the relationship between aspects of spatial planning, the built environment, health and health inequalities. The review can be found at http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/12111/53895/53895.pdf • The issues identified as having a significant impact on health, as well as relating to socio-economic status were: • Pollution • Green and Open Space • Transport • Food • Housing • Community Participation and Social Isolation Paul Scott Consultant in Public Heath B&NES Health and Wellbeing Partnership April 2012

23. The Marmot Review findingshttp://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/12111/53895/53895.pdf Numerous studies point to the direct benefits of green space to both physical and mental health and well-being • Green spaces have been associated with • a decrease in health complaints, blood pressure and cholesterol • improved mental health and reduced stress levels • perceived better general health and the ability to face problems • There is strong evidence that provision of green space effectively improves mental health • …and less strong/inconclusive evidence that it improves levels of physical activity

24. Marmot review also sites wider benefits from green space • School playgrounds that stimulate active games are associated with a 20% long term increase in physical activity. • Natural play environments at school also help reduce bullying, improve concentration and promote feelings of self-worth. • In underprivileged neighbourhoods, good quality green space can increase levels of social contact and integration. • Having green space that residents can walk to will provide clear health benefits for the local community – prevalence rates for diabetes, cancer, migraine and depression are lower in areas with more green space within a one kilometre radius.

25. Some benefits of trees Trees are vital Trees deliver healthier environments Trees benefit personal health & well being *- Tree grow the economy Trees strengthen communities Trees benefit the environment

26. 11 key economic benefits of Green Infrastructure identified in recent study: • Climate Change adaptation and mitigation. • Flood alleviation and Water management. • Quality of Place. • Health and Well-being. • Land and Property values. • Economic growth and Investment. • Labour productivity. • Tourism. • Recreation and Leisure. • Land and Biodiversity. • Products from the land.

27. Natural environment is a great asset ….but • If poorly planned, piecemeal or badly managed, it will fail to deliver against its huge potential & the benefits that Green Infrastructure can deliver will not be realised. • For GI to be truly of value it requires co-ordination and co-operation across political and administrative boundaries. • Quality also matters if Green Infrastructure is to deliver significant returns. • It must be strategically planned, invested in and managed on scales ranging from the local to the regional, and in settings from urban to rural • Green Infrastructure needs to be planned, developed and managed just like all other forms of infrastructure, if society is to thrive and prosper

28. Progress for Bath & North East Somerset • Nationally – Nature Improvement Areas, locally The Cotswolds Scarp NIA The Cotswolds Valleys NIA (non funded) • Regionally – West of England Strategic Green Infrastructure Framework; WENP State of Environment Report & Ecosystem Mapping • District – B&NES Green Infrastructure Strategy – People Place and Nature (March 2013) • Locally – Green Infrastructure Asset Mapping & PMP Policy

29. Need to Grasp the Nettle (gently!) & grab the opportunities First, to secure the maximum sustainable economic benefits • to enhance quality of place • create best possible setting for both home-grown and inward investment • develop the District as the green and healthy area, attractive to tourists, entrepreneurs, investors and a skilled workforce • Second, to address the global issue of climate change • use Green Infrastructure to provide a range of adaptation services to enable our urban and rural areas to remain habitable and economically viable • to provide for greater carbon capture and storage, • to provide raw materials for renewable energy.

34. Key Points • NERC Act & NPPF provide key terms of reference for ecology and green infrastructure in planning • NPPF full of great guidance and requirements for how we should address Ecology & GI through planning (handout ?) • Role of planning includes protecting & enhancing the Natural Environment and improving Biodiversity • New Green Infrastructure Co-ordinator in post mid Feb • Great new policies in place in Place Making Plan • Some great local examples of good (& less good) practice to learn from