Delivering Green Infrastructure – Funding & Partnership Working Case Study Example: Peterborough (one of four Enviro

1. Delivering Green Infrastructure – Funding & Partnership WorkingCase Study Example: Peterborough (one of four Environment Cities) James Fisher Natural Networks Project Officer Hosted by Peterborough City Council

2. Delivering Green Infrastructure – Funding & Partnership Working • Introduction to Peterborough • Peterborough’s Natural Networks Partnership • Green Grid Strategy • Delivering GI via Growth Area Funding & our experiences • Delivering GI via the Planning Process & other sources of funding • Links to Peterborough’s Local Area Agreement • Strategic Context

3. Peterborough: An Introduction • Unitary Authority since 1998 • Environment City status in 1992 • Current population 160,000 • Added as extension to London-Stansted-Cambridge growth area in 2005 • Growth targets set to provide 20,000 more jobs, 25,000 more homes and 40,000 more people by 2021 than it had in 2001 (Opportunity Peterborough as LDV driving forward £1billion regeneration of city) • Greater Peterborough Partnership (Local Strategic Partnership) coordinating delivery of Sustainable Community Strategy & Local Area Agreement • 4 Priorities in LAA including “Creating the UK’s Environment Capital”

4. Peterborough’s Natural Networks Partnership • Formed in 2005 in response to the new Growth Area challenges & opportunities • Chaired by Natural England & includes over 20 organisations: • Environmental Charities (Peterborough Environment City Trust, Nene Park Trust, Wildlife Trust, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation etc) • Statutory Bodies (Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, GO-East) plus LDV (Opportunity Peterborough) & LSP (Greater Peterborough Partnership) - PCC Planning Services one of the main lead partners (hosting of project officers & produced Green Grid Strategy) - Other sub-regional projects (Great Fen Project, River Nene Regional Park) - Major land owners

5. Peterborough’s Green Grid Strategy (GGS) • Launched spring 2007, provides framework & action plan for GI provision in Peterborough with links to GI in adjacent counties. • Seeks to insure sustainable growth planned for city goes hand in hand with protection & provision of high quality GI. • Brings together GIS databases of wide range of environmental assets - analysed to identify gaps & opportunities in ecological & recreational networks. • Makes recommendations for priority projects under headings of biodiversity & landscape; access & recreation, & major new green spaces. • Provides valuable resource to inform & guide planners, developers & key interest groups in planning, implementation & management of multi-functional GI projects • Used to underpin funding bids that create & enhance new & existing green-spaces, biodiversity sites & other GI.

6. Implementing the Green Grid Strategy: • Strategy identifies opportunities & proposed projects including creation of new sites & facilities and enhancement of existing sites & corridors • Each project given a priority & agreed lead organisation • Partners provide quarterly progress updates using “traffic light” system • Since 2006 the Partnership has successfully secured c. £2m funding from various sources to enable delivery of green infrastructure projects identified in the Strategy

7. South Peterborough Green Parks • NNP secured £1m in 2006 via GAF2 to deliver priority GI projects in South Peterborough area with significant developer contributions • SPGP Vision is to create an exciting, inspirational place to visit, where nature conservation, history, culture & recreation is integrated in a sustainable way with planned development • Project included biodiversity & access enhancements as well as work on engaging communities and building partnerships in the area

8. Project Outcomes – Access & Biodiversity: • Re-surfacing/ construction of 15km of cycle & footpath network • Creation of 7000m2 wild-flower meadow using native meadow seed mix • Construction of 20m long artificial bat hibernacula to provide suitable habitat for over-wintering bats • Construction of three new ponds for wildlife & educational visits • Installation of pond dipping platforms & bird watching hut • Woodland, grassland & wetland habitat enhancements

9. Project Outcomes – Community Engagement • Series of events held including schools activity days; community orchard planting; photographic competition & Big Draw. • Natural Networks website launched, providing info on green-spaces & heritage sites to visit & events & activities taking place – www.naturalnet.org.uk • Natural Play facilities installed & orienteering courses established. • Audio Tour produced & GPS Mobile Explorer project trialled

10. Housing Growth Fund 2008-11 • NNP coordinated GI element of Peterborough’s Programme of Development which was submitted to DCLG by Opportunity Peterborough • £670k (4%) initially secured for 3 GI projects & 2 project officers plus 10% matched funding • Peterborough’sHGF allocation managed directly by PCC’s Project Governance Board • Project Officers provide regular updates to Board via monthly Highlight Reports

11. Housing Growth Fund 2008-11: Delivery • Strategic Access & Green-space Linkage project: delivering capital enhancements to Green Wheel cycle network plus biodiversity improvements along route • Green Grid Explorer: Innovative project using GPS technology to deliver audio-visual content to hand held PDA’s/ smart phones at Ferry Meadows; New interactive map feature on website & new interactive interpretation facilities at Nene Park. • John Clare Country Restoration: Provision of new green open spaces west of city & community engagement, being delivered by Wildlife Trust & Langdyke Countryside Trust.

12. Housing Growth Fund 2008-11: Delivery • Additional £250k “Green Project Fund” recently negotiated by NNP following original GI allocation of 4% which NNP considered insufficient to provide adequate GI for city • NNP invited partners to propose suitable projects • Proposed projects then assessed by NNP against Green Grid Strategy criteria • Best projects then presented to Governance Board, Business Cases developed and projects ready to be delivered during 2010/11

13. Delivering Green Infrastructure via GAF: Peterborough’s Experience • GAF2 Round of funding operated successfully with reporting & finance claims made directly to GO-East. • GAF2 10% top-slice recognised value of GI in building sustainable communities • HGF (GAF3) has no top slice so no guarantee of funding for GI projects • Budget control & reporting all handled by PCC; local decision-making means GI funding potentially affected by changes in local priorities • Environment Capital aspirations (in LAA) very helpful in justifying GI projects and securing growth funding

14. Delivering Green Infrastructure via Planning Process • NN Partnership coordinate responses to major planning applications re: Green Grid Strategy & SPGP Delivery Plan • Currently coordinating NNP response to Great Haddon application (5,300 house urban extension) with 40% green-space provision • NNP reps met with developer prior to submission of application to emphasise importance of incorporating GI corridors/ connectivity/ accessible open space provision • NNP commented on Hampton Leys development area brief emphasising need for green-space connectivity & proposals for Country Park/ Visitor Centre • Negotiated s106 contribution towards promotion & implementation of Green Grid Strategy via Alwalton Hill business park development

15. Other Sources of Funding GI in Peterborough • Use of Local Transport Partnership (LTP) funding to deliver access enhancements • Big Lottery Fund for natural play sculptures • Breathing Places funding for community projects e.g. traditional orchard planting & Apple Day event at Crown Lakes Country Park • Natural England funded South Peterborough Green Parks Delivery Plan & research into user groups use of green spaces • Currently making bids for Access to Nature fund for next phase of Mobile Explorer project

16. Funding Green Infrastructure 2011 Onwards… • Current HGF GI projects all end by March 2011 including project officer posts. • This could have significant impact on future delivery of GI in Peterborough • PECT has valuable role as charity in assisting with funding bids on behalf of Partnership • Contributions from NN partners has provided secure future for NN Website - PECT taking on site from PCC to enable commercialisation • Green Grid Strategy & Environment Capital aspirations extremely valuable for supporting future bids • “Integrated Development Programme” includes all Green Grid Strategy priority projects/ initiatives as part of overall 20 year £1.95 billion plan

17. Linking to Peterborough’s LAA • Green Grid Strategy Table of Priority Projects includes potential links to LAA/ NI’s • Reps from NNP attend meetings of Greater Peterborough Partnership (LSP) • Recently presented to Outcome Lead Officers how GI links to and can help deliver many National Indicators/ Outcomes e.g. • 1) Adapting to climate change: • GI enables sites to be linked to reverse habitat fragmentation. • Opportunity to use water management for flood attenuation • Planting of trees for carbon sequestration & microclimate cooling. • 2) Community Cohesion: • Green spaces make ideal places for meeting & events • Reducing perception of crime through enhanced permeability & accessibility • Providing opportunity for community involvement & participation in creation & on going management.

18. Linking to Peterborough’s LAA 3) Improving Health: GI provides opportunities for exercise (passive & active recreation), relaxation & improved mental health. 4) Transport: Increases permeability of urban areas for walking, cycling & horse riding. 5) Economic Growth: Make attractive places to live & work; Potential for increased property values; increasing visitors & tourism. 6) Education: Opportunities for education & interpretation e.g. Wild Schools project.

19. Strategic Context of the Green Grid Strategy: • Currently being incorporated into the Core Strategy with Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) covering the aspirations of the strategy. • Helps Peterborough City Council meet its duty to conserve biodiversity under Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act. • Working with Highways Department to ensure GG Strategy embedded in Long Term Transport Strategy (LTTS) & Local Transport Plan (LTP) • Working with EA to incorporate concept into Water-space Strategy