Issue - items at meetings - Development of Green Infrastructure and Parks Strategy

Issue - meetings

Development of Green Infrastructure and Parks Strategy

Meeting: 25/11/2020 - Environment Forum (Item 5)

5 Development of Green Infrastructure and Parks Strategy pdf icon PDF 3 MB

To receive a presentation for discussion on the new green infrastructure and parks strategy. 

Minutes:

The Forum received a presentation on the Council’s new Blue and Green Strategy.  A copy of the presentation slides are available on the Council website. 

 

1.            Presentation

 

The following points were highlighted during the presentation given by Philip Wadsworth (Infrastructure Delivery Manager). 

 

·         This was an update to the previous Parks and Open Spaces Strategy which ends this year and the Biodiversity Action Plan.

·         The strategy is about to go out on consultation.

·         It presented a holistic approach to plans for blue and green spaces.

·         It should be seen in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, the response to the climate change emergency and the growing acknowledgement of the value of our waterways and open spaces. 

·         Spaces have multi-functional benefits and can be used for many different types of cultural events.   

·         The plan was to expand blue and green spaces and to provide greater access for all.  It is an ambitious programme. 

·         Enfield has the second largest expanse of park and open space (900 hectares) and the greatest length of waterway (over 100 kilometres) of any London Borough. 

·         The long term vision, by 2031, is to be London’s greenest borough at the heart of a London national park.  There will be three parts to the strategy:  the strategy itself, standards and requirements and an action plan.  To create a more integrated multi-functional network within the spatial framework. 

·         There are seven aims including achieving a 25% increase in blue green infrastructure, to enable all residents to access green and blue space within a 15 minute walking distance, to make places more distinctive, healthier, attractive and culturally inclusive, to achieve a fairer distribution to overcome deficiencies, to create wilder, more natural spaces to enable biodiversity to thrive, to create a healthy water environment with increased resistance to flooding and drought, to provide innovative and multifunctional spaces and activities to meet the needs of all users. 

·         The Council will seek to improve connectivity across the network from east to west.  They are seeking to redress the balance between the east and the west, improving quality and creating new spaces where needed looking to de-culvert some of the rivers and underground drains, bring in public realm improvements and create new cycle and footpaths. 

·         A full audit of all assets will be undertaken using an integrated mapping tool to identify where the opportunities are.

·         There will be external consultation on the draft strategy between November 2020 and January 2021.  It will be adopted by Cabinet and full Council in early 2021 with a post adoption review in late 2021. 

 

2.    Comments/Questions

 

2.1         There was some concern expressed about the very large festivals held in Trent Park and elsewhere, the damage and restrictions on access that these entailed.  Officers would welcome feedback on this as part of the consultation.  There was also concern about smaller events which could be very disruptive to local residents.  A constructive meeting with those concerned about concerts in Trent Park had taken place and mitigating measures put in place. 

2.2         Any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5