Delivering Green Infrastructure

through development

Laura Kitson, Bedfordshire and Luton Green Infrastructure Consortium

Bedfordshire and Luton Green Infrastructure Consortium

Promoting the concept of green infrastructure

Co-ordinating green infrastructure planning

Co-ordinating delivery of green infrastructure projects

Delivering GI through development

GI delivery integrated with development proposals – the MKSM GI design guide

GI delivery at a strategic level – planning obligations in Central Bedfordshire

The GI design guide for MKSM

The basis

‘Planning Sustainable Communities’ Definition of GI Principles for delivering GI Case studies

GI planning across MKSM

Developing the design guidance

Initial idea tested at a workshop in April ’09

Project commissioned in late ’09 Consultation event in February ’10 Launched at MKSM Housing and

Planning Forum in April 2010

Testing with real examples• Consultation with

developers• Working with

developments on the ground to develop the guidance

• Case studies

How will the design guide help?

The guide shows how policies at all levels can be implemented; it bridges the gap between policy and implementation

Working with the development process

The design guide fits with the various stages of the development process;

Preparation Design Implementation

What questions need to be asked at what stage?

Focussing on design

The guide identifies a range of ‘design considerations’ - functions that a GI network should deliver;

What the guide includes;

Complementing other guidance;

Delivering GI at a strategic level through development

Case study from Central Bedfordshire

Informing the LDF policies

Policy CS17: Green Infrastructure

The Council will:

Seek a net gain in green infrastructure through the protection and enhancement of assets and provision of new green spaces as set out in the Strategic, Mid Bedfordshire and Parish Green Infrastructure Plans.

Take forward priority areas for the provision of new green infrastructure in the Forest of Marston Vale (including the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway), the Ivel Valley, the Greensand Ridge, the Flit Valley and the Chilterns.

Require new development to contribute towards the delivery of new green infrastructure and the management of a linked network of new and enhanced open spaces and corridors.

Development that would fragment or prejudice the green infrastructure network will not be permitted.

The evidence base needed

Infrastructure Plan – to justify the planning obligations SPD

GI plan – to justify the policies in the LDF

Detailed costs – to develop the standard charge in the SPD

Funding green infrastructure delivery through development

Theme Area Total Cost Total per Dwelling (rounded)

Strategic Accessible Greenspace

£14,440,000 £217

Strategic access Routes

£19,300,000 £290

Historic Environment

£11,923,100 £179

Biodiversity £51,263,843 £771

Landscape £4,795,500 £72

Total Green Infrastructure £1529 generic charge

The current situation

The planning obligations strategy was adopted in May 2008

Development has been slow

When received, contributions are pooled across the area, and the funding allocated to GI projects

Partnership mechanism for funding allocation

Funding is collected by the council The GI Consortium advises the council on

appropriate GI projects. This advice is based the GI plans, and an

assessment of projects against agreed priorities This provides the council with a robust mechanism

that is agreed across all GI delivery partners The result is funding allocated to strategic GI

projects that are a key part in the jigsaw of the GI network

laura.kitson@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

www.bedsandlutongreeninfrastructure.org