Project Overview
This research formed two projects funded by Natural England/Defra as part of their programme of work to develop of the national framework of standards for Green Infrastructure (GI) in England. It was undertaken between August 2020 and May 2022. The GI Standards Framework for England is a commitment by government set out in its 25 Year Environment Plan.
The first was focussed on evaluating a draft Framework created by Natural England through 10 pilot local authorities and including a community organisation in Birmingham. The participants were asked to apply and review the robustness and practicality of the processes and content proposed in the Framework.
The second was a developmental project that identified a range of potential standards for the delivery of blue and green infrastructure and so could be the basis of a Core Menu of standards for local planning authorities in delivering better quality urban environments for people.
Project Aims
The first project involved a structured engagement with 10 local authorities as Trial Areas, to assess and develop an initial draft of the national framework for GI standards. We undertook a mixed methodology of document reviews, on-line surveys, a series of semi-structured interviews and workshop sessions to understand practitioners needs and perspectives of the framework. Through this evaluation we aimed to provide advice to government on the type and nature of the standards for GI that could benefit people.
The second project developed a 'Core Menu' of GI Standards to be used by local planning authorities in England. The research included document and literature reviews, assessing evidence of good practice with practitioners in local government and an iterative process with Steering and Advisory Groups. Our work included an 'integrating' process of drawing together multiple strands of GI standards for accessible, natural, and visible green space to create a coherent structure and content of the Core Menu. This menu would then be available to guide local authorities and developers to improve the quantity and quality of blue and green infrastructure and so help improve the well-being of communities and their environments.
Project Impact
The research generated a set of recommendations for Natural England and Defra on how it could develop and evolve the national standards. Natural England/Defra launched the Green Infrastructure Framework, Principles and Standards for England on 31st January 2023. This is the first guidance of its kind for England.
The Framework of Standards will directly influence local land use planning policy and development decisions. The delivery of multi-functional GI will generate environmental benefits, help towns and cities to adapt to climate change and improve the well-being of local communities. It is part of the wider agenda of creating sustainable places. Natural England is considering the development of a Core Menu User Guide. The Framework can be accessed here: Green Infrastructure Home (naturalengland.org.uk)
In turn the research has contributed to the Institute of Civil Engineers Manual of Blue-Green Infrastructure. See Chapter 15. Standards for blue-green infrastructure in ICE Manual of Blue-Green Infrastructure. Edited by Carla-Leanne Washbourne and Claire Wansbury. Institute of Civil Engineers. ISBN: 9780727765420. 17th January 2023. ICE Manual of Blue-Green Infrastructure | ICE Bookshop.
Further dissemination of the work has been through a RTPI West Midlands online CPD session ‘Using Green Infrastructure effectively towards achieving Biodiversity Net Gain’ [8th March 2023] to an audience of almost 300 professionals.
Project Team
The first project was undertaken for BCU by Senior Research Fellow Mike Grace within a small team including Bruce Howard, Director of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network [ Wellbeing and prosperity for everyone through a healthy natural environment - Ecosystems Knowledge Network ] and managed by Ingo Schuder of Brillianto consultancy Brillianto Green Infrastructure Advice & Consultany, Oxfordshire, UK .
The second project was commissioned through a Memorandum of Agreement between Natural England and BCU and led by Mike Grace in collaboration with Dr Alison Smith based in Oxford University.
Funder
The research was funded by Natural England/Defra.
For more information on the project, please contact Mike Grace Michael.grace@bcu.ac.uk