Natural England's Sustainable Communities Project aims to enhance the natural environment through collaboration with local communities, developers, and government bodies. With a two-year timeframe, the project focuses on green infrastructure in designated growth areas, promoting better access to greenspaces while addressing various recreational policy drivers such as health and well-being. Key goals include establishing strategic arrangements and delivering exemplary greenspace sites to improve environmental quality and biodiversity.

1. Natural England’s Sustainable Communities Project Presentation to the Greenspace National Forum 8 th August 2007 Dave Solly Specialist, Greenspace and Recreation Policy

2. NATURAL ENGLAND’S GENERAL PURPOSES (NERC Act 2006): (a) promoting nature conservation and protecting biodiversity, (b) conserving and enhancing the landscape, (c) securing the provision and improvement of facilities for the study, understanding and enjoyment of the natural environment (d) promoting access to the countryside and open spaces and encouraging open air recreation, and contributing in other ways to social and economic well- being through management of the natural environment. The purpose of subsection (e) may, in particular, be carried out by working with local communities.

3. NATURAL ENGLAND’S STRATEGIC OUTCOMES A healthy natural environment Enjoyment of the Natural Environment Sustainable use of the natural environment A secure environmental future

4. NATURAL ENGLAND POLICY Policy Reviews: RECREATION URBAN AND URBAN FRINGE Urban and Urban Fringe Policy Green Infrastructure Natural England’s current expression of Urban and Urban Fringe Policy is Green Infrastructure, delivered through the Sustainable Communities Project

5. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROJECT Timescale: Two-year project Focus: work with developers, local development authorities and Government to stimulate a step change in delivery for the natural environment Scope: Concentration on the four growth areas and 29 growth points, selected localities in the North of England, including some Housing Renewal Pathfinder Areas. Complementary to Natural England’s work in influencing plans and planning policy.

6. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROJECT It will concentrate on quickly delivering two outcomes: putting in place the right strategic arrangements for green infrastructure; ensuring these result quickly in inspiring and exemplary greenspace sites.

7. RELATIONSHIP TO RECREATION POLICY Natural England’s Urban and Urban Fringe Policy Review says: Recreation policy …” contributes to providing more and better green places and connecting networks, especially near to where people live in and around towns and cities”

8. RECREATION POLICY REVIEW Recreation Policy Review has identified: 6 key recreation policy drivers: health and wellbeing; public demand; social justice, diversity & deprivation; reduction in the UK carbon footprint; economic development; and, engagement, understanding and enjoyment

9. OUR CURRENT PRIORITIES Review and refinement of quality standards for natural greenspace (inc ANGST) Scoping how we test the application of these standards Establishing mechanisms for sharing good practice and lessons learnt wider across the country

10. DELIVERY AGREEMENT 07/08 Some of the natural greenspace activities: Influencing role with government departments, LAs and stakeholders Secure improvement and condition of the natural environment Increase biodiversity of sites particularly in disadvantaged areas identified through Access to the Natural Environment Standard (ANGSt) Quality and timely advice to LAs on establishing and managing LNRs. Greenspace quality – promote use of Green Flag and Green Pennant Awards as national quality standard. Extend to wider site typologies Development of Country Parks Network and Country Parks Accreditation Scheme Input to BIG lottery programmes – e.g. Community Spaces, Develop datasets on ANG, future needs, methodologies. Baseline data for development of possible web based information service “Outdoors on Line” Campaigns – Health, Climate Change, Land Management, Coast NNR Service Standards and improved facilities for visitors at particular NNRs Support provision of well managed access through a network of statutory sites and routes Sustainable Communities Project - Work with house builders and developers to apply ANGSt in Growth Areas and develop GI strategies in the Growth Points Develop a national framework for application of ANGSt and pilot in London region

11. For further information please contact me at: CONTACT: [email_address] Tel:01905 362973 or 01242 533385 Mobile: 07900 608304 Lucy Heath, Senior Specialist [email_address] Tel: 01242 533279 Mobile: 07900 608285