SOUTH DEVON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT A green infrastructure network is made up of interconnected open spaces that provide mul ple environmental, economic and social benefits, linked together throughout the urban landscape and out to the wider countryside, coast and sea.

Exeter

Plymouth

Project Area

Green Infrastructure is a fundamental part of planning and building sustainable communi es. This document describes the approach being taken by the South Devon GI Delivery Board and iden fies a selec on of the key delivery projects. For further informa on please contact … [email protected] or [email protected]

The Benefits of High Quality Green Infrastructure • • • • • • • • • •

Places for outdoor relaxa on and play. Space and habitat for wildlife with access to nature for people. Climate change adapta on – for example flood allevia on and cooling urban heat islands. Environmental educa on. Local food produc on – in allotments, gardens and through agriculture. Improved health and well-being – lowering stress levels and providing opportuni es for exercise. Reducing air, water and noise pollu on. Providing green transport routes to promote walking and cycling. Improving quality of place and screening unsightly development. It can also play a major role in a rac ng economic growth and investment, increasing land and property benefits, promo ng tourism, and increasing business produc vity.

© English Riviera Tourism Company

Green Infrastructure Delivery Process

Delivering high quality Green Infrastructure and realising the mul ple benefits that it can provide is an intensive process that requires specialist input and guidance at each stage. GI projects involve a huge range of stakeholders and require careful planning and coordina on to ensure they deliver the maximum poten al benefits. The following diagram iden fies the key stages that are required to deliver successful projects:

Policy and Strategy

Design and Feasibility

Planning Process

Delivery

South Devon Green Infrastructure Delivery Board

The South Devon GI Project is the natural progression of work that began over two years ago with the produc on of Green Infrastructure (GI) Delivery Plans for Torbay and for the ‘Heart of Teignbridge’ (covering Newton Abbot and the surrounding areas). The organisa ons involved in producing the plans iden fied a need for a formal steering group and dedicated staff to coordinate projects across the region. Over the past months the South Devon GI Delivery Board has been established and two full- me Coordinators employed. Project Aim: To secure delivery of green infrastructure that provides economic, social and environmental benefits across the project area. Chair: Alex Scholefield, Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust Secretariat: Tom Lowry and Jonny Miller, Green Infrastructure Coordinators The South Devon GI Delivery Board is a partnership of organisa ons that are commi ed to the delivery of strategically planned GI across the study area. The cross-boundary approach to this project ensures that GI is designed and secured as part of a coherent network. The partnership between Local Authori es and organisa ons from a range of sectors enables the project to coordinate the efforts of different departments, disciplines, sectors and organisa ons to achieve a common goal. Resources and exper se are shared to improve efficiency and realise mutually beneficial opportuni es. The project has been successful in boos ng the profile of GI within partner organisa ons and the wider community. Work carried out to date is already reaping real benefits and the partnership has exci ng plans for taking this further in the coming years. These include expanding the partnership to include sectors that are not currently represented, such as economic and health organisa ons.

Torbay Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan www.countryside-trust.org.uk/mainintro.cfm?id=1049

Published May 2011

‘Heart of Teignbridge’ Green Infrastructure Strategy www.teignbridge.gov.uk/index.aspx?ar cleid=12460

Published July 2011

Green Infrastructure Coordinators & Core Services The two Green Infrastructure Coordinators are funded by contribu ons from the partners and employed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust (TCCT). They are hosted part- me at TCCT offices and either Torbay Council or Teignbridge District Council. The Board relies on the Coordinators to liaise with a range of stakeholders, providing exper se, advice and a lead on priority projects. The Green Infrastructure Coordinators’ work programme is steered by the Board through bi-monthly progress mee ngs. The Coordinators work at each stage of the delivery process and provide the following Core Services:

CoordinaƟon and CommunicaƟon: • • • •

Championing GI within the project area Liaising between partner organisa ons and sharing best prac ce Coordina ng funding bids to secure new green infrastructure projects Suppor ng/coordina ng biodiversity offse ng within project area

Policy and Strategy: • • • •

Design and Feasibility: •

• •

Work closely with partner organisa ons to iden fy, design and develop delivery plans for GI projects Coordina ng delivery of key GI projects Engage with community interest groups to support the development and delivery of GI projects

Suppor ng the development of local plan policies and projects Suppor ng the design and development of GI strategies Suppor ng the neighbourhood planning process Suppor ng /coordina ng biodiversity offse ng

Planning Process: • •

•

Providing expert advice to local planning authori es Working with planners and developers to ensure inclusion of high quality GI within development proposals Developing tools and processes for integra ng GI into the planning process