Green infrastructure can be defined as an interconnected network of natural areas and other green open spaces that benefit the public by providing: attractive environments for outdoor recreation and exercise; wildlife habitat; a sense of place; and other environmental benefits such as natural drainage to reduce flooding.
Overall, the borough has a very good range of green infrastructure assets, ranging from Green Flag awarded parks in the heart of Basingstoke to some of the country’s most precious wildlife habitats as well as an extensive network of public rights of way and publicly accessible countryside under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.
However, the types of green Infrastructure and their benefits are not evenly distributed and the maximum benefits are not always realised for a variety of reasons including accessibility, lack of awareness, poor linkages or under management.
This draft strategy:
- assesses the nature, extent and distribution of the borough’s existing green infrastructure, and makes an initial assessment of where deficiencies exist;
- sets out some preliminary proposals on how green Infrastructure could be improved by, for instance, improved management regimes and the filling of gaps between areas to create better links in the green Infrastructure network, together with focussed improvements in potential project areas; and
- identifies future work that needs to be completed in order that the final version can comprehensively set out proposals for how green Infrastructure could be improved and provided.
What does the council need to hear views about?
In order to make the strategy as comprehensive as possible, we would like to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience that exists within the various communities and organisations in the borough.
Therefore, we have produced a Draft Green Infrastructure Strategy and are seeking comments and suggestions to consider in producing a final version of the document.
In addition to a draft strategy document, there is a set of indicative plans that show the existing green infrastructure resource within the borough, along with plans showing where some of the deficiencies exist and the location of potential project areas.
How to comment
Once you have read the Draft Green Infrastructure Strategy above, you can make comment on it by filling in this online survey by Friday 23 March 2012
Please call 01256 844844 or email neighbourhood.dev@basingstoke.gov.uk if you need a paper copy instead.
As part of the consultation, the council will be holding two workshops geared towards particular groups:
- Workshop 1: Thursday 8 March 2012, 11.30am-2.30pm
Civic Offices, Basingstoke: Organisations, charitable groups and adjacent districts.
- Workshop 2: Monday 12 March 2012, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Civic Offices, Basingstoke: Local volunteer groups, parish councils and residents
Please call 01256 844844 or email neighbourhood.dev@basingstoke.gov.uk if you wish to attend.
What will happen next?
Following on from the consultation, all comments, queries and suggestions will be considered and there may be further discussions with particular groups. This will result in a final Green Infrastructure Strategy being produced in the Autumn for consideration and approval by councillors.
