Green and Blue Infrastructure

Green and Blue Infrastructure Development proposals must protect, enhance, and expand green and blue infrastructure making use of nature-based solutions to deliver improved ecosystem services. It should be well-connected, provide multiple benefits and be integrated into the design from the earliest stages, forming a key part of placemaking and sustainable development. Proposals should secure long-term management, monitoring, and funding for Green and Blue Infrastructure features for at least 30 years. A. Existing Green and Blue Infrastructure Development proposals must protect and enhance existing natural features including open spaces and recreational areas of ecological, and social, or landscape value. Doing so creates multiple benefits for both nature, humans and the wider climate and helps create quality public spaces and public realm. Proposals must contribute where relevant to the below strategic Green and Blue Infrastructure opportunities, as identified in the Green and Blue Infrastructure and Open Space Study: • Restoration and connection of ancient woodlands • Grassland creation surrounding Wolford Wood Meadow • Hedgerow Network Enhancement • Stratford-upon-Avon greening • Tach Brook Re-naturalisation • River Avon Linear Park • South Avon to Leamington Spa green links • Expansion of the South Warwickshire Greenway network • Improving access to South Warwickshire’s Canals B. Landscape-led and Ecological Connectivity Design Development proposals must, as appropriate: • Respond to the local landscape character and geology of the area • Protect and enhance historic assets and their settings • Support high-quality placemaking and sustainable design • Use native species, climate resilient planting and tree canopy cover to support health and air quality and urban cooling • Reduce habitat fragmentation • Connect habitats and green/blue corridors within the site and to surrounding areas • Deliver biodiversity and environmental gains (in accordance with Policies DS.1 and BN.3) • Contribute to flood risk reduction using natural features and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) that also enhance water quality, biodiversity, amenity, and public access • Achieve carbon storage and sequestration in accordance with Policy NZ.6 • Climate resilience in accordance with Policy NZ.5 • Provide accessible open spaces for health, recreation, and wellbeing • Connect to Public Rights of Way, cycle networks, canal towpaths, and greenways • Include greening, habitat enhancement, and safe, accessible routes. • Deliver active travel routes alongside green and blue corridors and nature, based solutions Align with local and regional strategies, including the South Warwickshire GBI Study, Regional Green Infrastructure Strategy, and the Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). Major developments must provide a Green and Blue Infrastructure strategy. C. Measurable greening and open space standards Major Development proposals (as defined in the NPPF) should: • Ensure that the Urban Greening Factor score as set out in the Natural England Green Infrastructure Framework (NEGIF) are applied as follows: o Commercial developments: Minimum score 0.3 o Residential developments: Minimum score 0.4 • Ensure that the Urban Tree Canopy Cover Standard as set out in the NEGIF are applied as follows: o Commercial developments: Minimum canopy cover 14% or no net loss compared to existing canopy cover on site (whichever is greatest). o Residential developments: Minimum canopy cover 20% or an increase of 10% compared to existing canopy cover on site (whichever is greatest). • Demonstrate how proposals meet these standards in line with relevant policies on open space, trees/woodlands, and BNG/ENG. ID.13 ~ Development Management Considerations It is recommended that applicants engage relevant experts and stakeholders early in the design process. The Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy can be provided as a standalone document or as part of the Design Strategy (see Policy DS.18). Any such strategies should demonstrate how the proposed design approach has: • Sensitivity to landscape and historic assets • Connectivity to the ecological network • Multi-functional benefits for flood risk, water quality, biodiversity, carbon storage, and recreation • Integration of nature-based solutions (NBS), SuDS, and BNG/ENG measures • Active travel links and greening • How the development meets quantitative greening/open space standards Policy Justification 3.5.5 Green and blue infrastructure (GBI) is a key part of South Warwickshire’s natural environment, providing multiple benefits for people, wildlife, and the local economy. It supports biodiversity, manages flood risk, improves water quality, stores carbon, enhances landscapes, and provides accessible recreational spaces. 3.5.6 Green and Blue Infrastructure should be planned strategically, linking green and blue spaces within development sites and across the wider area. Development proposals should consider guidance from the Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and the South Warwickshire Green Infrastructure Study to ensure networks are protected, enhanced, and connected. Multi-functional design, integrated from the earliest stages, ensures that GBI contributes to ecological resilience, climate adaptation, health, and wellbeing. 3.5.7 Opportunities for Green and Blue Infrastructure include creating connected open spaces, improving rivers and floodplains, restoring habitats, enhancing historic landscapes, and supporting active travel routes. Proposals should demonstrate how GBI will be incorporated into site design, linked to surrounding area