CONTENTS:
Figures:
1.0
Introduction
1.1
2.0
Why Green Infrastructure and What is it?
3.0
Green Infrastructure in Central
Leicestershire
4.0
A Vision for Green Infrastructure in
Central Leicestershire
5.0
Green Infrastructure Priorities
6.0
The Strategic Green Infrastructure
Concept
7.0
Delivering the Plan
8.0
Plan Realisation
9.0
Next Steps
10.0 Overview
Appendices:
1
2
List of Policy Documents Reviewed
Consultation Response
1.2
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
4.1
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
6.1
7.1
Relationship between Three Cities and Three
Counties (Diagram from Draft East Midlands
Regional Spatial Strategy, 2006)
The Stepping Stones Project area
Green infrastructure assets and functions
Occurrence of policy drivers
Occurrence of Policy Review Categories
Multiple Deprivation 2007
Logical Framework
Number of Stakeholders by Thematic Sector
Current Ecological Resource
Capacity for Woodland Planting within each
Landscape Character Area
Priority Areas for Increasing Greenspace Provision
Vulnerability to Urban Heat Island Effect
Vulnerability to Flooding
Opportunities for Biomass
Rural Diversification Opportunities
Opportunities for Green Infrastructure to Create
and Attractive Setting for Business
Opportunities for Green Infrastructure to Enhance
Training, Skills and Education
Health Deprivation, IMD 2007
Air Quality, Particulates
Opportunities for Schools to use Greenspaces as
an Outdoor Classroom
Spatial Concept
Operational Status
Acknowledgements
The Stepping Stones Project would like to both thank and
acknowledge the considerable effort and contribution
made by stakeholders in the development of this Green
Infrastructure Delivery Plan. In particular special thanks
are to be given to the Project Steering Group who has
helped guide the Stepping Stones Project on this exciting
journey.
The work on this document has been financially supported
by Natural England, Leicestershire County Council, Blaby
District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough
District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council,
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and Leicester City.
The Stepping Stones Project would like to thank these
organisations for their ongoing support.
Foreword: Creating a Green and Prosperous Future
- A 20 year vision for Green Infrastructure
The Stepping Stones Project has been running successfully
since 1992, however, it is felt that this is the time for a
step change in activity in response to the considerable
changes and challenges to be faced by Central
Leicestershire1.
Leicester and Leicestershire are set to benefit from a
share in Government funds to support future housing
growth as part of the Three Cities, Three Counties (6Cs)
New Growth Points initiative. The Central Leicestershire
area is one of the largest urbanised areas in England; the
1
Within this document, the terms Central Leicestershire and the Stepping
Stones Project area are used interchangeably to refer to the area covered by
the Stepping Stones Project
need to ensure that this growth is sustainable is
imperative to deliver communities which are thriving,
vibrant and experience a high quality of life – making our
cities and towns more liveable.
Ensuring the strategic impacts and pressures of growth on
the environment are clearly understood is critical to
safeguarding the natural environment: ‘our life support
system’. Creating a multi-functional green infrastructure2
network of linked greenspaces, landscapes and natural
elements within and between our cities, towns and rural
settlements will provide a focus and attraction for the
increased population proposed within the New Growth
Point.
We also know that climate change is perhaps the most
significant challenge that we will face in the coming
century. The recent Stern Review3 highlighted that taking
a reactive view, i.e. dealing with the issues of climate
change later compared to taking action now, would be
both dangerous and costly: “there is still time to avoid the
worst impacts of climate change if we take strong action
now”. As the effects of climate change on our towns and
cities are beginning to be more clearly understood
(warmer wetter summers, with periods of sudden heavy
rainfall and flooding becoming more common) measures
to both mitigate and adapt to these effects will become
increasingly important. Green infrastructure is seen as a
key component in addressing the issue of climate change,
and is supported by the East Midlands Climate Change
Programme of Action which identifies that:
2
3
Refer to Page 6 for green infrastructure definition
Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change
“We can improve our resilience to climate impacts by
creating green infrastructure to support biodiversity,
better managing coastal processes and enhancing the
region’s water quality, soils and natural water resources.”
This Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan provides guidance
for the activity of the Stepping Stones Project and its
partners (where applicable) for the next 20 years. It will
allow for a more proactive approach to landscape scale
planning and enable better integration and joined up
thinking with other agendas to ensure that the benefits of
growth are secured wherever possible.
The Stepping Stones Project is an expression of a wider
partnership that will look to achieve the vision for the
Central Leicestershire area. This vision belongs to the
partnership and it will be the role of the Project to help
the partnership by bringing together and coordinating
resources to help achieve the vision faster and more
efficiently than if it did not exist.
“Working in partnership we will create a multifunctional, biodiverse and resilient network of
countryside and urban green infrastructure that
supports a vibrant and competitive economy so that
everyone living in, working in and visiting the area may
enjoy and participate in a high quality of life.”
This section of the Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
(hereby referred to as ‘the Plan’) gives a brief introduction
to the background of the Stepping Stones Project and sets
the context as to why we feel a Plan is both necessary and
relevant to the Central Leicestershire area4.
Background
The Stepping Stones Project was born out of the Leicester
Urban Fringe Countryside Management Project established
in 1992. The initial purpose of the Project was to
encourage the proactive management of the countryside
surrounding Leicester City, addressing the needs of both
people and wildlife within the Central Leicestershire area.
The Stepping Stones Project covers an area of
approximately 294 square kilometres, with a widely varied
landscape comprising heavily urbanised areas (such as
Leicester City, Oadby, Wigston, Glenfield, Blaby,
Narborough and Thurmaston) surrounded by large tracts
of open farmland (covering over 43% of the Project area).
During 2005, an opportunity arose with the Countryside
Agency (now Natural England) to submit a proposal for
the development of a regional exemplar project for their
‘Countryside In and Around Towns’ programme. The
Stepping Stones Project was successful in its application
for funding and in October 2005, consultants were
appointed to undertake a Feasibility Study5 to examine the
4
5
Within this document, the terms Central Leicestershire and the Stepping
Stones Project area are used interchangeably to refer to the area covered by
the Stepping Stones Project
Feasibility Study for the creation of a Community Forest in the Central
Leicestershire Area, May 2006, TEP & Alison Millward Associates for
Leicestershire County Council
potential to establish a Community Forest in Central
Leicestershire.
Following stakeholder consultation and review of land-use
patterns it became apparent that planting significantly
more woodland than the current English average6 would
be very difficult based on the intensive agricultural land
use practices and patterns. In response, the scope of the
Project was broadened to include greenspace.
A core objective of the Feasibility Study was to identify as
a next step “…key organisations within the Project area,
how the Project interacts with them and how these
organisations and the Stepping Stones Project can work
alongside each other, complementing the work of each
organisation.”
As a result in 2006, an ‘Influencing
Strategy’7 was commissioned. The Influencing Strategy
highlighted the strong policy linkages and stakeholder
support for the Stepping Stones Project.
Since the initial Feasibility Study in 2006, the political
climate nationally and regionally has shifted, with the
development of New Growth Points and increasing
understanding of the impacts of climate change both
placing stronger emphasis on the need for sustainable
growth. Green infrastructure is seen within the New
Growth Points as a key principle of sustainable growth and
as a response to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Development of the Stepping Stones Project as a green
infrastructure deliverer will place the Project in a good
6
7
8.4% woodland cover in 2001
Stepping Stones Community Woodland and Greenspace Project: Developing an
Influencing Strategy, June 2007,TEP & The Mersey Forest
1.0 Introduction
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
1.0 Introduction
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
position to drive green infrastructure forward in
partnership with other organisations within the sub-region.
The Feasibility Study, Influencing Strategy and outcomes
of stakeholder consultation have been used to inform the
development of this Plan, and it therefore sits within a
wider suite of documents. In addition, this Plan is
complemented by and should be read in conjunction with
the associated Stepping Stones Action Plan which provides
further detail on the activities of the Project and its
partners.
This Plan provides information and guidance on
conserving, enhancing and extending the green
infrastructure resource within the Stepping Stones Project
area focusing on green infrastructure delivery, to create
multi-functional networks which will deliver public benefits
in conjunction with achieving the vision for the Project
area.
The Plan will also function as a source of
information and guidance for Local Authorities preparing
Local Development Plan Documents for their borough’s
Local Development Frameworks.
The Stepping Stones Project and 6Cs New Growth
Point
In autumn 2007, the Three Cities, Three Counties (6Cs)8
Board successfully bid to Central Government for support
with the delivery of its ambitious four-strand housing
programme. The Stepping Stones Project area is within
the Leicester and Leicestershire part of the New Growth
Point, which has been identified to receive 3,780 new
Three Cities of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby and three Counties of
Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
8
homes per year. This growth will predominantly be within
the Principal Urban Area9 of Leicester City as identified
within the draft Regional Spatial Strategy10, securing ‘quick
wins’ on sites already allocated, and supplemented by a
further sustainable urban extension in Blaby District (West
of Leicester). Figure 1.1 shows the relationship between
Leicester and Leicestershire and the other Cities and
Counties which comprise the 6Cs New Growth Point.
Figure 1.1:
Relationship between
Three Cities and Three
Counties (Diagram
from Draft East
Midlands Regional
Spatial Strategy, 2006)
9
Principal Urban Areas (PUAs) are identified within Regional Spatial Strategy as
settlement conurbations that can develop into sustainable urban communities
where people will wish to live work and invest. There are five PUAs centred on
Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton & Nottingham.
10
Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands, EMRA, 2006
One strand of the 6Cs Housing Programme covers the
delivery of strategic green infrastructure across the whole
of the 6Cs area, which will be managed by the newly
established Strategic Green Infrastructure Programme
Board. The Board will oversee both the distribution of
money and co-ordination of strategic green infrastructural
policy development across the 6Cs area. Further to this,
the individual Housing Management Area Boards for the
6Cs area will also have their own funding for local green
infrastructure work (the Leicester and Leicestershire
Housing Management Area Boards cover the Stepping
Stones Project area).
New Growth Point funding is conditional on ensuring that
new growth is sustainable. Centrally, the Department of
Communities and Local Government (CLG) has
acknowledged that there should be a strategic approach
to green infrastructure developed at an early stage within
the New Growth Points.
The production of green
infrastructure strategies for each of the New Growth
Points is seen as important to ensuring a coordinated and
sustainable approach to development, and funding from
CLG will support both a Green Infrastructure Development
Coordinator post and the production of a 6C’s Green
Infrastructure Strategy.
The Stepping Stones Project sits on the Strategic Green
Infrastructure Programme Board with an officer from the
Project attending meetings. In addition, the regional
Green Infrastructure Development Coordinator will be
appointed by Leicestershire County Council on behalf of
the Programme Board and will be located within the same
Environmental Action Team as the Stepping Stones Project
providing
working.
significant
opportunities
for
coordinated
It is important that the activities of the Stepping Stones
Project, its partners and this Plan are embedded within the
6Cs green infrastructure agenda including the emerging
Sub Regional Green Infrastructure Strategy as a principle
delivery framework for green infrastructure within the
Leicester and Leicestershire area. The Sub Regional
Green Infrastructure Strategy should be informed by this
Plan, conversely provisions should be put in place for the
findings of the Sub Regional Strategy to both inform and
refine this Plan and the activities of the Stepping Stones
Project and the wider partnership.
The ‘3 Cities and 3 Counties’ vision is: “…to harness ‘the Power
of Three’ to fulfil the economic potential of the 3 Cities as a
location for growth in the knowledge economy, in so doing
increasing the contribution the Tri-City region makes to
regional and national economic growth and prosperity.”
“The Power of Three”, Tri-City Regional Development Programme and
Business Case, Sept 2006.
“Becoming a New Growth Point will help us to realise this
vision. We will maximise the complementary offer of our cities
and connected hinterlands, our central location and the strong
quality of life offer we share. We will provide a more cohesive
and connected choice of communities for enterprise, residence
and culture – to deliver attractive housing, great quality of life
and ample opportunities demanded by sustainable, cohesive
and employed communities.
We are delighted that
Government supports our ambition.”
Councillor Roger Blackmore, Leader of Leicester City Council on behalf
of the leaders of Leicestershire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby
and Derbyshire.
1.0 Introduction
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
1.0 Introduction
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
The Project Area
The Stepping Stones Project area lies within the East
Midlands region at the heart of England. The Project area
covers six Local Authorities11 within Leicestershire County
and has a population of approximately 489,300 of which
280,000 live within Leicester City, the main urban area.
Agriculture is the predominant land use within the area.
Although generally perceived as ‘green’, much of the
landscape suffers from a marked ecological deficit,
predominantly as a consequence of intensive agricultural
practices resulteding in the loss of features such as
hedgerows, woodlands and ponds. The area has one of
England’s lowest levels of woodland cover at just over 3%.
Despite the lack of high quality ecological sites, the
Stepping Stones Project area has significant environment
assets which provide good opportunities to enhance the
natural environment through a planned and managed
approach to green infrastructure.
Figure 1.2 illustrates the Stepping Stones Project area.
The current operational boundary of the Project is
identified in black however this is not seen to be definitive,
and projects outside the Stepping Stones Project area that
help to achieve the vision will be welcomed.
Within figure 1.2, the arrows represent that fact that the
Project boundary will be responsive to change and will
consider future expansion of the Project boundary to cover
areas of need and growth.
11
Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth, Oadby & Wigston and
Leicester City
Fig 1.2: The Stepping Stones Project
Why have a Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan?
“…Green infrastructure differs from conventional approaches to open space
planning as it looks at conservation values and actions in concert with land
development, growth management and built infrastructure planning, whilst
other conservation approaches are typically undertaken in isolation from - or
even in opposition to - development.”
Green Infrastructure: Smart Conservation for the 21st Century, Mark A. Benedict &
Edward T. McMahon, The Conservation Fund, 2000
Green infrastructure integrates socio-economic and
environmental evidence with environmental protection and
urban development policy, enabling an understanding of
the needs and opportunities of both existing and future
populations and informing policy and strategy for the
protection, enhancement and extension of green
infrastructure resources.
Green infrastructure is recognised by Government as an
integral component of sustainable growth, further to this,
the draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands
includes specific policy supporting green infrastructure,
with the concept identified as a key priority for the East
Midlands Regional Assembly.
To date the Regional
Assembly has supported an initial green infrastructure
regional scoping study12, followed by a Public Benefit
analysis report13 on the potential for green infrastructure
within the region. Within these reports the area around
Leicester was identified as a high priority area which
would benefit from a green infrastructure approach, this
East Midlands Green Infrastructure Scoping Study Final Report, EMRA &
Partner, Sep 2005
13
Green Infrastructure for the East Midlands: A Public Benefit Mapping Project,
EMRA, July 2006
Plan builds on that work to present a delivery framework
for green infrastructure within Central Leicestershire.
This Plan will inform the development Local Development
Frameworks and Area Action Plans along with other local
plans and strategies, and assist in the implementation of
those plans by providing baseline evidence and
information for policy formulation, project development
and delivery.
It presents guiding principles for green infrastructure
activity to help Local Authorities be outward looking considering the effects of land use planning (through Local
Development Frameworks) on the wider ‘environmental
support’ network.
The protection, enhancement and extension of Central
Leicestershire’s landscape and natural environment will be
central to achieving the vision set out within the
Leicestershire Community Strategy14 for a Leicestershire
that, in 2026 is recognised for:




its engaged, informed and opportunistic people;
a strong (Leicester and Leicestershire) economy that
plays to its strengths including its location, culture,
specialist products and services, and tourism and
the environment;
its attractiveness as a place to live and work;
a full contribution to the sustainable future of the
world; and
12
14
Leicestershire Sustainable Community Strategy: Second Draft, Leicestershire
Together, Jan 2008
1.0 Introduction
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
1.0 Introduction
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan

a high quality, responsive, efficient and accessible
public services.
In particular, there are key priority outcomes that relate
specifically to improved green infrastructure (Outcome 21)
and an enhanced accessible natural environment
(Outcome 22).
Leicestershire’s Local Area Agreement (LAA) identifies how
the priorities in the Leicestershire Community Strategy will
be tackled as the delivery framework.
Green
infrastructure can contribute to a number of the key
themes within the LAA such as cleaner, safer, greener and
healthier communities.
The LAA recognises the
importance of the environment, stating that:
“We need to conserve and enhance the local historic
natural and built environment for the well-being and
enjoyment of Leicestershire people and the economic
prosperity that it brings. The thread that runs through this
theme is the need to create well managed, high quality,
working rural landscapes and urban environments for the
mutual benefit of both people and wildlife.”
Purpose of the Delivery Plan
The Plan is a visionary document guiding the activities of
the Stepping Stones Project and its partners (where
applicable) in the delivery of landscape-scale green
infrastructure over the next 20 years. This Plan will both
complement and support the planned growth ensuring
that the quality of life and quality of place for those living
in, working in and visiting the Central Leicestershire area
is protected and improved.
By planning and managing the multi-functionality of green
infrastructure at the landscape-scale a number of
important benefits can be realised. These benefits set the
context for sustainable prosperity:








providing an inspiring setting for economic progress
and investment;
creating a focus for social inclusion, education,
training, recreation, health and well being;
reinforcing and enhancing landscape character;
reversing habitat fragmentation and increasing
biodiversity;
developing a multi-functional landscape and
greenspace resource that meets local needs;
providing attractive and sustainable options for flood
control and management;
safeguarding and enhancing natural and historic
assets, between, in and around major communities;
and
inspiring cohesive partnership working across a
range of disciplines and sectors.
In short, green infrastructure can make a significant
contribution to the ability of the Stepping Stones Project
area to live and prosper within environmental limits.
Planning for green infrastructure through this Plan will
inform the development of emerging policy and strategy
(such as Local Development Frameworks and Area Action
Plans) to ensure consistency in approach. The delivery of
this Plan will be undertaken in partnership. This Plan is
complemented by and should be read in conjunction with
the Stepping Stones Action Plan which provides further
detail on the activities of the Project and its partners.
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
What is green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is a term that can mean different
things to different people, and there is no single widely
agreed definition. However, there are a number of
definitions nationally and sub-regionally all of which cover
much common ground. This Plan adopts the definition as
laid out within the Leicestershire Community Strategy as
the delivery document for the Leicestershire Local Area
Agreement which will be embedded within Local Delivery
Frameworks.
“Green infrastructure is the network of green spaces
and natural elements that intersperse and connect our
cities, towns and villages. More than this, it is a holistic
approach to viewing the natural environment that
acknowledges the multiple benefits and vital functions
it provides for the economy, wildlife, people and
communities alike.”
Green infrastructure represents a planned approach to the
natural environment, akin to that taken for road and rail
(grey) infrastructure, ensuring that opportunities to secure
advances in sustainability are maximised. However, ‘grey’
and ‘green’ should not be considered in isolation: both can
contribute to the wider functioning of the other, for
instance, bus routes should be integrated with green
infrastructure to secure opportunities to travel sustainably.
Thus, it is a technique for planning greenspace through
times of change, ensuring that developments include new
open spaces that are linked to existing and enhanced
greenspaces and greenways – ensuring ‘net gain’ by
meeting the needs generated from growth and the
deficiencies in existing communities.
Green infrastructure is multi-functional in nature and can
deliver multiple environmental, social and economic
benefits, such as employment, recreation, physical health
and mental well being, social interaction, education, flood
management and climate change mitigation and
adaptation. Generally multi-functionality is desirable as
integration and interaction suggests an efficient and
sustainable use of land, especially where pressures on
land are acute.
However, some areas have single
functions of over-riding importance which might be
compromised by multi-functional use, and the Plan
responds to the need/desire to manage these key areas
for their single purpose, intrinsic value – often in the face
of unintended or inappropriate multi-functional use15.
Green infrastructure is a concept which is realised at
different geographies according to the different functions
it has. Green infrastructure planning must respect these
geographical boundaries, most of which do not follow
political boundaries. For example, green infrastructure
flood management functions need to be planned in terms
Page 15 provides further information on the green infrastructure functions
within the Stepping Stones Project area
15
2.0 Why Green Infrastructure and What is it?
This section of the Plan provides information on the
functions a well managed green infrastructure resource
can deliver in terms of social, economic and environmental
benefits providing for sustainable growth. It also looks to
establish the policy context of the Stepping Stones Project
within national, regional and local policy identifying
opportunities for it to contribute to policy objectives and
targets.
2.0 Why Green Infrastructure and What is it?
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
of catchments and floodplains; its social regeneration
functions must be planned in terms of neighbourhoods; its
contribution to distinctive image and character must be
planned in terms of different landscape character zones;
and so on.
and recreation, flood management, climate change
adaptation and many others), and green infrastructure can
be 'multi-functional' where different functions or activities
occur on the same piece of land.
Figure 2.1: Green infrastructure assets and functions
Green infrastructure may be publicly or privately owned.
This is of particular significance within the Stepping Stones
Project area as much of the land use is agricultural and,
therefore, in private ownership, so many decisions relating
to the appearance and use of the land are made by
individuals. This Plan will be an organising framework that
both informs and guides the activities of these individuals
by providing a more holistic approach to viewing the
natural environment.
Green infrastructure is considered in three parallel ways:
The green infrastructure resource is the collective area of
all landscapes, green and open spaces, natural elements,
rivers and coasts; and the corridors between such places.
Green infrastructure assets are areas which, by virtue of
their location, use, management or intrinsic value serve
one or more functions of social, economic or
environmental public benefit. Assets can be defined sites,
or equally can be landscapes or other broader
environmental features.
Green infrastructure functions are roles that land can
play if managed in an appropriate way.
Numerous
environmental or socio-economic functions are possible
(e.g. biodiversity, local distinctiveness, public health, sport
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
in regard to the functions and benefits it can provide, and
its value to supporting delivery of sustainable growth.
Figure 2.2: Occurrence of Policy Drivers
Drivers
250
200




community demands for green infrastructure;
enhancing quality of life for all;
restoring a healthy environment; and
sustaining economic growth and competitiveness.
A total of 82 documents were reviewed (a full list of which
can be found within Appendix 1), and the information
gathered was collated and stored within a database. This
database also provides a tool for the long-term monitoring
and review of the policy environment, and can be used by
the Project and its partners as a resource to support the
justification for green infrastructure interventions with
policy makers and funders.
Each policy was reviewed in turn, identifying those which
were supportive of the primary drivers.
Figure 2.2
illustrates the occurrence of primary drivers within
national, regional and local policy and strategy. The
alignment of the primary drivers for change with policy
targets and objectives is strong, showing there is good
policy support for an initiative such as the Stepping Stones
Project. The review also identified that many policies and
strategies promote the concept and values of green
infrastructure (or more broadly, the natural environment)
150
100
50
0
Community Demands for
Green Infrastructure
Enhancing Quality of Life
for All
Restoring a Healthy
Environment
Sustaining Economic
Grow th and
Competitiveness
Since the initial review of policy/strategy, the political
climate has shifted with the emergence of the New
Growth Points Policy. These areas of proposed large-scale
sustainable growth must be compatible with the
underlying proposals of the current/proposed RSS in terms
of its growth strategy and housing capacity and must
deliver a minimum of 500 new homes per year. New
Growth Points must also set out their local and strategic
impact on the environment, with green infrastructure
considered to be a coordinated and robust approach to
achieving this.
2.0 Why Green Infrastructure and What is it?
The Stepping Stones Project in its Strategic Policy
Context
An analysis of the strategic policy context for the Stepping
Stones Project was carried out within the Influencing
Strategy to demonstrate the alignment of the Stepping
Stones Project’s primary drivers for change with policy
objectives/targets and highlight where it could contribute
to the delivery of policy and strategy, these primary
drivers being:
2.0 Why Green Infrastructure and What is it?
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
To ensure that emerging (social, economic and
environmental) policy and strategy and revisions to
existing documents consider green infrastructure and that
this is undertaken in a clear, consistent and coordinated
manner, there will be a clear advocacy and influencing
role for the Stepping Stones Project. Further, to increase
policy support the Project will need to actively promote
how it can act as a deliverer (or component of delivery)
for policy and strategy outcomes and also demonstrate
how it may ‘add value’ to existing initiatives.
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Figure 3.1: Multiple Deprivation 2007
Much of the initial development through the New Growth
Point will be focussed within the principal urban area of
Leicester City and its immediate surrounds.
This
densification of the urban environment is in line with
Government objectives as this provides many benefits
including supporting the efficient use of resources through
reduced travel to work times and conserving high quality
countryside through reducing development within rural
areas.
Renaissance of these urban areas is imperative as this is
where a high proportion of the population within the
Stepping Stones Project area already lives and will be
encouraged to live in the future.
There is a need to redress the issues facing these urban
communities to ensure that future growth does not
exacerbate existing issues and that high quality of life is
experienced by all.
Despite a generally prosperous
economy, urban communities particularly within and
surrounding Leicester City have a comparatively high
proportion of residents experiencing poor health,
education and open space deficiency, with pockets of
multiple deprivation predominantly focused within and
around Leicester City according to the 2007 Indices of
Deprivation as shown in figure 3.1.
The Central Leicestershire area also has a diverse
population with over 40% from ethnic minority
communities. The tolerance and harmony between the
communities is strong, this may be an outcome of the
strong community sector within Central Leicestershire
providing opportunities for volunteering and social
interaction. It is essential that any new developments
respect and strengthen these community links – using
green infrastructure interventions where appropriate.
3.0 Green Infrastructure in Central Leicestershire
Socio-economic Profile
Set within the wider sub-regional context of Leicestershire,
the Central Leicestershire area forms part of the second
largest economy within the East Midlands, with Leicester
City as the sub-region’s primary economic driver.
3.0 Green Infrastructure in Central Leicestershire
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Environmental Character
The Stepping Stones Project area is predominantly rural in
character. Although only just over 19% of the landscape
is built, the area has few habitats of biodiversity priority
and is one of the poorest areas for biodiversity within the
Country. This large green resource does however provide
opportunities to enhance the variety of habitats and
species through restoration of denuded landscapes and
improvement in the management of existing assets.
Even though biodiversity value and in particular woodland
cover within the area is low, the majority of the landscape
is perceived as having a wooded character, created by
mature hedgerows and hedgerow trees, localised copses
and woodland blocks. This characteristic landscape varies
throughout the Project area, being predominantly located
within the mature hedgerow boundaries in the western
part of the study area, changing to smaller copses and
larger scale woodlands to the north and east. The most
significant area of woodland cover is located within the
north western area where the National Forest partially
overlaps the Stepping Stones Project area.
River valleys are also a common feature, with the River
Soar flowing south to north to roughly divide the County.
The area is also characterised by other water features
including the River Mease, River Sence, and Grand Union
Canal. These water corridors often feature a marked
increase in ecological diversity, most likely as a
consequence of the unsuitability of these areas for
agricultural cultivation. They also provide key recreational
routes for local communities, and there is a need to find a
balance between recreational and ecological demands.
The Project area has a diverse historic character, which
has a strong influence on landscape character, local sense
of place and the visitor economy. Traditional ridge and
furrow agricultural practices also provide a valuable
historic resource, illustrating how agricultural practices
have shaped and changed the landscape.
Pressures of development from the principal urban area of
Leicester and other urban settlements remain a significant
threat to the landscape and historical character –
particularly from smaller local changes where cumulative
effects are not always immediately realised. In addition
with development presenting an urbanising effect on the
rural landscape, in some areas the influence of road and
power transmission infrastructure is dominant, overriding
the rural character. Developments and their associated
infrastructure should look to retain existing landscape
features to ensure a more sympathetic integration with
landscape character.
Green
infrastructure
Functions
for
Central
Leicestershire
Building on the findings of the Feasibility Study and
Influencing
Strategy,
and
through
stakeholder
consultation,
the
following
functions
of
green
infrastructure and its associated benefits have been
identified for the Stepping Stones Project area:
Biodiversity
 safeguards priority habitats and species;
 increases opportunities for land improvement through
habitat management schemes; and
 reverses
fragmentation
and
restores
habitat
connectivity providing opportunities for species
interaction and migration.
Climate Change
 provides
opportunities
for
renewable
energy
production;
 provides attenuation of the urban heat island through
vegetation shading and cooling; and
 buffers/breaks flooding, providing space for SUDS and
soft flood defences.
Community Participation
 provides opportunities for communities to be involved
in local decision making;
 provides a setting and focus for community
engagement e.g. festivals, training events and design
of outdoor spaces; and
 outlet for community instincts for stewardship of the
local environment.
Culture & Historic Environment



raises awareness and understanding of cultural and
historic assets;
conserves historic landscapes, archaeological assets,
built and cultural heritage; and
contributes to local distinctiveness and quality of place.
Economic Prosperity
 provides an attractive setting for business to
encourage inward investment;
 sustains a productive rural economy providing
opportunities for business diversification and
expansion;
 provides opportunities for businesses to demonstrate
their environmental credentials (Corporate Social
Responsibility);
 encourages retention of graduates; and
 provides a setting and market for land based tourism.
Education
 increases awareness of the social, economic and
environmental value of green infrastructure resources
within local communities and business communities;
 provides a setting for formalised and informal
education activities for educational establishments,
community groups and local communities; and
 provides opportunities for low skilled and unemployed
to gain practical experience.
Landscape
 safeguards the openness of the green wedges; and
 encourages beneficial use of local landscape resources.
Recreation & Health
3.0 Green Infrastructure in Central Leicestershire
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
3.0 Green Infrastructure in Central Leicestershire
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan





improves mental well-being by providing opportunities
to escape from the stresses of urban living;
provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles through
recreation, sport and play;
provides links between both local food producers and
local communities, and local communities and
allotments to encourage healthy eating;
improves local air quality through capturing of
particulates, reducing the effects of other pollutants
receptive to heat within urban areas through
cooling/shading and provides increased opportunities
to travel sustainably (via walking/cycling); and
increases accessibility within the urban and rural
landscape for walking, cycling and riding.
These functions particularly take account of the key
environmental and socio-economic issues outlined above,
and set the foundation for the aims and objectives of the
Stepping Stones Project.
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
strongly addressed within a broader ‘green infrastructure’
vision for the Project, moving away from the community
woodland focussed vision developed for the Feasibility
Study. Full details on the consultation and its findings are
included in Appendix 2.
Building on these findings, and to provide focus to the
Stepping Stones Project, a ‘Logical Framework Approach’16
was taken to:
From Feasibility to Delivery
This draft vision was put forward for the Feasibility Study
by the Stepping Stones Project:






“The Central Leicestershire area will become a mosaic of
woodlands, farmland, open spaces and settlement that
contributes to a dynamic and energetic multi-functional
landscape for people and wildlife now and for the future.”
Since the initial Feasibility Study in May 2006, the issues
facing the Stepping Stones Project area have moved on
with the announcement of the New Growth Points and the
issue of and need to address climate change through
mitigation and adaptation.
This has provided an
opportunity for the Stepping Stones Project to be
identified both as a key component of delivering
sustainable growth and as part of the response to climate
change.
Detailed consultation undertaken in October 2007
suggested a broad list of objectives for the Project that
accounted for the wide socio-economic and environmental
functions green infrastructure interventions can address –
including sustainable growth and climate change. That
consultation identified that such issues needed to be more
clarify the purpose of and justification for the
Project;
identify information requirements;
clearly define the key elements of the Project;
analyse the Projects setting at an early stage;
facilitate communication between parties; and
identify how success or failure of the Project could
be measured.
In this approach, the development of a project is seen as
a linked sequence of events. If the project inputs (team
and resources) are available then activities can take place,
if activities are delivered then project outputs will be
achieved, if outputs are achieved then this will contribute
to attaining the objectives (Figure 4.1). In the long-term
the successful achievement of the objectives will
contribute to the fulfilment of the higher level aims and
long-term vision.
The Logical Framework Approach (LFA): Handbook for objectives-orientated
planning, fourth edition, Norad, 1999
16
4.0 A vision for Green Infrastructure in Central
Leicestershire
This section introduces the vision for green infrastructure
within the Central Leicestershire area, developed from the
findings of the Feasibility Study and discussion and
consultation with key stakeholders received during 2007.
This vision provides the headline for a hierarchical
framework of aims, objectives and outputs which will
guide the activity of the Stepping Stones Project and its
partners (where applicable).
4.0 A vision for Green Infrastructure in Central
Leicestershire
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Figure 4.1: ‘Logical Framework’ Process
By clearly understanding the linked nature of the aims,
objectives, outputs and activities as illustrated in figure
4.2, a realistic programme of what the Project can achieve
individually and in partnership and how likely it is to
succeed can be developed. Some activities will be within
the direct control of the Project whilst others will rely on
outside influences/actions of partners.
Incorporating
indicators within this Framework introduces a means of
monitoring project activity.
Figure 4.2: Hierarchical Framework
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
The Vision
“Working in partnership we will create a multifunctional, biodiverse and resilient network of
countryside and urban green infrastructure that
supports a vibrant and competitive economy so that
everyone living in, working in and visiting the area may
enjoy and participate in a high quality of life.”
The Stepping Stones Project is part of a wider partnership.
This vision is the vision of the partnership and it will be
the role of the Stepping Stones Project to help the
partnership achieve the vision by coordinating roles and
activities and securing additional resources for green
infrastructure delivery.
Developed from the findings of the Feasibility Study and
stakeholder consultation through the Logical Framework
analysis, this is a long-term partnership vision which sets
out how and what it will look to achieve. This Plan
identifies the role the Stepping Stones Project can play in
the delivery of the vision and how they will achieve it.
The development of a shared and aspirational vision for
the Stepping Stones area ensures ownership and buy-in
from those who will, in partnership with the Stepping
Stones Project Team, be responsible for delivering green
infrastructure on the ground.
This vision will help contribute to the wider vision for the
area as set out within the Leicestershire Community
Strategy in particular securing a strong (Leicester and
Leicestershire) economy that plays to its strengths
including its location, culture, specialist products and
services, tourism and the environment and its
attractiveness as a place to live and work (other aspects of
the Leicestershire Community Strategy vision are listed on
page 6).
Strategic Aims for Green Infrastructure
The strategic aims for green infrastructure within Central
Leicestershire are:
i)
Working in partnership, there will be opportunities
for community action and participation in green
infrastructure issues;
ii) Everyone will enjoy well planned, managed and
biodiverse landscapes that are resilient to the
effects of climate change;
iii) Everyone will be able to participate in vibrant and
competitive rural and urban economies; and
iv) Everyone will have opportunities to participate in a
healthier lifestyle.
The aims set out in more detail how the Stepping Stones
Project and its partners will achieve the long-term vision.
Alongside stakeholder consultation, these aims have been
developed from analysis of the strategic policy context
within the Feasibility Study which identified where the
socio-economic and environmental benefits of green
infrastructure could deliver policy outcomes.
4.0 A vision for Green Infrastructure in Central
Leicestershire
The main components of the Framework are introduced
below, and discussed in detail in the accompanying Action
Plan.
4.0 A vision for Green Infrastructure in Central
Leicestershire
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
These aims are interlinked, and the objectives, outputs
and activities required to achieve them will help deliver
aspects of other aims e.g. actions to create well planned
and managed landscapes will also improve the image and
perceptions of an area.

Strategic Objectives for Green Infrastructure
The strategic objectives for green infrastructure within the
Central Leicestershire area are embedded within the vision
and relate directly to the strategic aims. The outputs and
activities required to achieve the objectives will contribute
to the vision’s achievement – these are discussed in more
detail in the accompanying Action Plan.
Aim III: Everyone will be able to participate in vibrant and
competitive rural and urban economies
Aim I: Working in partnership, there will be opportunities
for community action and participation in green
infrastructure issues
Strategic Objectives:
 involvement of local communities and businesses in
the planning, provision and management of high
quality green infrastructure;
 individuals and communities participating in green
infrastructure activities.
Aim II: Everyone will enjoy well planned, managed and
biodiverse landscapes that are resilient to the
effects of climate change
Strategic Objectives:
 create new and improve existing green infrastructure
resources;

improve infrastructure to support climate change
mitigation and adaptation;
increased integration within planning system to
promote green infrastructure and networks of
landscape and local scale.
Strategic Objectives:
 diversify rural and land based businesses;
 develop training programmes associated with green
infrastructure to increase countryside and rural skills;
 create attractive settings within which businesses and
high quality tourism can thrive.
Aim IV: Everyone will have opportunities to participate in a
healthier lifestyle
Strategic Objectives
 increase the access and raise awareness of the
benefits of green infrastructure for education, health
and leisure.
From Vision to Delivery Plan
For each of the strategic aims this chapter sets out:
 the challenges for the Stepping Stones Project and
its delivery;
 the context of the aim in relation to the Stepping
Stones Project; and
 the response: approaches/strategies to address the
issues and maximise opportunities.
For each of the strategic aims, the role that the Stepping
Stones Project itself can play is addressed i.e. where they
may lead, support/facilitate or influence activities. This
Plan has principally been developed to guide the activities
of the Stepping Stones Project although it may also be
used to guide the wider partnership where appropriate.
It is acknowledged that Local Development Frameworks
will have a role to play in providing both local political
support to the role of the Stepping Stones Project within
the wider partnership and its delivery of green
infrastructure interventions. To reflect this, an indication
of the potential policy interventions Local Authorities could
adopt within their Local Development Frameworks is
provided at the end of each strategic aim.
Many of the aspects in the strategic aims overlap with
other aims (as referred to in the text): the components of
this Plan are inseparable and must be read in combination.
In addition, this Plan should be read in conjunction with
the accompanying Stepping Stones Project Action Plan.
Recommendations within this Plan are deliberately
illustrated at a ‘county’ rather than a local scale to
illustrate the Central Leicestershire scope of the Stepping
Stones Project.
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Aim I: Opportunities for Community Action and
Participation in Green Infrastructure Issues
green infrastructure to deliver the strategic socioeconomic and environmental benefits are truly realised.
This aim addresses both residential and business
communities, focusing on their involvement within green
infrastructure interventions in the local community and on
business landholdings.
The Leicester LAA has a key theme of ‘stronger
communities’ where people are involved, engaged and
play a role in decision making. The success of the LAA will
be measured against the outcomes and targets contained
within and as the delivery plan for the Sustainable
Communities Strategy, it is important that these targets
are achieved. The strong community emphasis of the
Stepping Stones Project means this could be a key
mechanism in supporting the achievement and monitoring
of this target.
The Challenge
The Central Leicestershire area has a large number of
existing environmental initiatives and interest groups
active within its boundaries, including many Parish
Councils, Green Wedge Forums, a vibrant Tree Warden
scheme and initiatives such as the SHIRE Grant scheme.
The Stepping Stones Project already has strong links with
many of these groups, however changing socio-economic
and environmental factors such as increasing pressures on
land for growth, changing patterns in land ownership and
climate change will influence how people engage and
interact with green infrastructure. The need for support
and guidance on dealing with complex issues will be
required to ensure community needs and aspirations are
both understood and met.
Within the Stepping Stones Project area there is a
continued desire from local communities to be involved in
the planning, provision and management of green
infrastructure resources.
There is a need for an
organisation to act as a central point of contact offering
consistent and reliable advice and support to ensure these
interests are met and safeguarded. Further to this,
ensuring both large and small scale projects are delivered
consistently across the area will ensure that the value of
In addition business can have a significant impact on the
local and global climate and local quality of place, through
their operations and their approach to managing and
developing their landholdings.
The Context
A review of key organisations within the Project area
identified how the Stepping Stones Project interacts with
them, and how these organisations and the Stepping
Stones Project could work in partnership to benefit the
planning and delivery of green infrastructure activities.
A wide range of potential stakeholders were identified
including potential funders, policy/decision makers,
planners, landowners, community groups, political and
advocacy organisations. The specific needs of the Project
area were reviewed from the Feasibility Study and used to
define seven key green infrastructure work areas,
highlighting those aspects where organisations could
influence or contribute to the Stepping Stones Project and,
therefore, the wider partnership vision.
Figure 5.1: Number of Stakeholders by Thematic Sector
Number of organisations with involvement in each sector
120
Number of organisations
100
80
60
40
20
Sector
Ec
on
om
ic
ab
le
s
Re
ne
w
Fa
rm
in
g/
es
ou
rc
e
R
er
ita
ge
H
So
ci
al
Bi
od
iv
er
si
ty
G
re
en
sp
ac
e
0
Figure 5.1 shows that each of the thematic sectors are
well represented.
It is positive to see the number of
organisations involved in community greenspace and
recreation, social regeneration and cultural and historic
heritage, as these groups in particular are essential for the
delivery of a healthy and robust green infrastructure
within Central Leicestershire.
It is important to encourage businesses to both undertake
improvement on their own landholdings and participate in
wider green infrastructure activities. The benefits of
businesses engaging in green infrastructure activities are
significant: companies are facing a new market place
where transparency and accountability are increasingly
important. Consumers increasingly expect companies to
do whatever they can to ensure the products and services
they supply come from environmentally and socially sound
sources.
“Today, corporate social responsibility goes far beyond the
old philanthropy of the past – donating money to good
causes at the end of the financial year – and is instead an
all year round responsibility that companies accept for the
environment around them, for the best working practices,
for their engagement in their local communities and for
their recognition that brand names depend not only on
quality, price and uniqueness but on how, cumulatively,
they interact with companies’ workforce, community and
environment.”
Gordon Brown, as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Adopting an environmentally sound approach can give
businesses a competitive advantage as research shows
such businesses are viewed more favourably by
consumers - directing consumer choice. It can also
provide cost saving opportunities, be a factor in attracting
and retaining the best workforce and can make a positive
contribution to company reputation, building trust and
credibility.
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Green infrastructure can provide a number of Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) benefits and opportunities for
companies from one off donations to a more hands on
approach such as tree planting days with employees possible interventions should be tailored to the needs of
businesses involved.
Participation of specific target groups such as children,
young and older people will be a priority of the Project, in
line with those of the Leicestershire Local Area Agreement.
This said, opportunistic projects when they arise should
not be overlooked even if they do not address identified
target groups.
The Response
Local Development Frameworks should have regard
to the importance of community involvement and
stewardship in the planning, creation and management of
green infrastructure resources, and - where relevant should identify the Stepping Stones Project as an initiative
to support this.
An annual partnership forum should be hosted by the
Stepping Stones Project.
This forum will provide
opportunities for the Stepping Stones Project to
communicate the Project’s and the partnership’s successes
to a wide audience, be a means of acknowledging the
contribution that partners have made and communicate
the priorities for the Project for the coming year. Hosting
the forum will ensure partners remain informed on the
activities of the Project and have greater ownership of its
achievements.
Involvement with community groups such as
Community Forums and Parish Council should be actively
pursued. Those groups and forums with which the Project
is already actively involved such as the County’s Tree
Warden Scheme, Parish Councils (through supporting
delivery of Parish Plans) and Green Wedge Forums should
continue to be supported. Involvement in new and
emerging groups e.g. ‘friends of’ Stepping Stones Group
should be encouraged, however a balance is required to
ensure that these activities do not impact on the overall
running of the Project by becoming overly time
consuming. Co-ordinating and organising events such as
the annual ‘wildlife on your doorstep’ to promote
community based green infrastructure activities should
also be supported and championed by the Project.
Consistency in the messages used to engage with local
communities is important.
Certain methods of
engagement are more applicable to certain groups, and
participation needs to be tailored to the receiving
audience. The development of best practice guidance
to inform and direct the consultation, planning,
management and participation of communities would be
valuable. Further to this, the Stepping Stones Project
could also be used as a conduit, connecting different
organisations with different skills to ensure that
knowledge and best practice are shared across the Project
area.
The Government vision for Corporate Social
Responsibility is ‘to see UK business taking account of
their economic, social and environmental impacts, and
acting to address the key sustainable development
challenges based on their core competences wherever
they operate – locally, regionally and internationally’17. In
a recent survey18, increasing pressure for social
responsibility was ranked as the second most important
business challenge for companies, reflected in the findings
of the MORI survey below. The benefit to businesses
participating in green infrastructure interventions to raise
environmental awareness within their companies and to
mitigate for some of their activities is clear.
In 2002, 44% of the British public believed that when
buying a product, it was very important that the company
showed a high degree of social responsibility – an increase
of 20% since 1997.
Business should also be encouraged through financial
incentives secured from adjustments to existing Stepping
Stones Project grant schemes and other sources to attract
landowners to enhance their own landholdings improving
their green infrastructure resource. Businesses should
also be encouraged to contribute to the Stepping Stones
Project activities either financially or through staff
resources in the delivery of green infrastructure
interventions which result in local improvements.
Activities of the Stepping Stones Project
Annual CSR Study, MORI 2002
Activity
A number of activities under the Stepping Stones Project
could provide opportunities for businesses to become
engaged in green infrastructure interventions to meet CSR
targets. For instance, the Stepping Stones Project could
facilitate the organisation of CSR events such as tree
planting days, identifying suitable sites and delivery bodies
to oversee such events. Company employees could be
paired with local community groups to use or develop their
project management skills and knowledge to help deliver
green infrastructure interventions on the ground. The
Stepping Stones Project should look to develop a CSR
‘menu of services’ to be marketed to businesses interested
in developing their ‘green’ credentials.
Annual
Partnership
Forum
Involvement
with community
Target groups
Local
Development
Frameworks
Best practice
guidance
Corporate Social
Responsibility
Financial
incentives
17
Corporate Social Responsibility: A Government Update, May 2004
Financial Times / PricewaterhouseCoopers “Most Respected Companies
Survey”
18
Stepping
Stones
Project to
Lead
Stepping Stones
Project to
Support/Facilitate
partners
Stepping
Stones
Project to
Influence







5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Local Development Frameworks should look to support both
the Stepping Stones Project and the wider delivery of green
infrastructure interventions by:

Promoting importance of community involvement within the
planning, creation and management of greenspaces;

Championing community stewardship of local greenspace
with focus on existing community forums and parish council
etc; and

Identifying target groups for community involvement to
meet targets set within the Leicestershire Local Area
Agreement, identifying the Stepping Stones Project as a
initiative able to contribute to this.
Aim II: Well planned, managed and biodiverse
landscapes that are resilient to the effects of
climate change
expansion of urban areas, major road and motorways and
active mineral extraction sites have all added to the
stresses placed on the ecological resource.
This aim focuses on the creation of new green
infrastructure resources targeted to areas of greatest
need, and the restoration and management of existing
environmental and cultural resources for the benefit of
those living in, working in and visiting the Central
Leicestershire area.
This section also addresses
opportunities for green infrastructure to contribute to the
mitigation and adaptation of the effects of climate change.
The scale of ecological deficit is particularly apparent when
comparisons are made with ecological indicators on a
national and regional level. Woodland cover is four times
less than that of the England average19 making it one of
the least wooded areas within in the Country, while less
than 0.5% of the land is protected by statutory ecological
designations. It is imperative that these designated sites
receive the highest level of protection.
The Challenge
Biodiversity means ‘the variety of life on earth’. It includes
common and rare species of plants and animals as well as
the habitats that support them.
Hedgerows and hedgerow trees are particularly important
as they give the perception of a wooded landscape. The
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Landscape and
Woodland Strategy20 highlights a 13% loss of hedgerows
in Leicestershire and Rutland between 1969 – 1991, with
many of these hedgerows being lost through a
combination of removal and Dutch Elm disease (English
Elm is a dominant hedgerow tree species in most rural
areas in Leicestershire). Some of these hedgerows and
hedgerow trees are now slowly returning to the landscape
with the help of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
Just over 19% of the Stepping Stones Project area is built
development, thus there is a large landscape resource
available which can make a positive and valuable
contribution to biodiversity.
Past land use and management practices within the area
have resulted in the loss of much of the area’s natural and
semi natural habitats, making Central Leicestershire
relatively poor in terms of biodiversity. Farming is the
principal land use, accounting for over 43%. Changes in
agricultural practices over recent decades (largely driven
by production-led Common Agricultural Policy incentives)
have resulted in intensive agricultural practices and
consequently massive losses of ecologically important
habitats.
These insensitive land use and land
management patterns coupled with unsympathetic
The historical and cultural environment is also at risk from
insensitive land use and land management practices.
Cultural and heritage resources have a strong influence on
landscape character, contributing to quality and sense of
place. Although there are many recorded features within
19
20
8.4% woodland cover in 2001
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Landscape and Woodland Strategy,
Leicestershire County Council, 2001
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Central Leicestershire, there are also many features which
remain unrecorded: the area has fine examples of
traditional ‘ridge and furrow’ which are difficult to record,
therefore, these features are often lost or damaged
through activities such as ploughing or agricultural
improvements. There is a lack of understanding of
cultural and historic issues which is compounded by poor
interpretation at many of the features.
The significant landscape resource available within the
area can contribute to the mitigation and adaptation of
climate change effects. Our climate is already changing:
global average temperatures rose by 0.6oC in the 20th
Century21. Green infrastructure can form an integral part
of the response to climate change mitigation, particularly
on those sectors with the potential to become increasingly
sensitive to its effects such as public health and water
resources. Many people spend much of their time living
and working in urban areas and there is a need to secure
the ‘liveability’ of these urban areas in future years,
encouraging residents to remain in the towns and cities
and supporting the Government drive for urban
densification and regeneration.
Ensuring that the planning system actively promotes green
infrastructure as a concept embedded within Core
Strategies and Local Development Frameworks will ensure
that the multiple benefits of a well planned and managed
green infrastructure are realised e.g. protection of existing
quality of place in the face of development and promotion
of sympathetic new developments that will enhance the
local environment and add to local landscape character.
21
Climate Change Strategy for Leicestershire, ENABLE, March 2005
The need for the project to interact positively with local
planning authorities to both influence and guide green
infrastructure development and activity within the Project
area will be a key element to ensuring that sustainable
prosperity is realised.
The Context
Figure 5.2 illustrates the current ecological resource of the
Stepping Stones Project Area. The area has a low number
of nationally designated sites, with the majority of habitats
designated as Local Wildlife Sites. The River Soar and its
tributaries form a significant ecological resource providing
‘green fingers’ into the urban environment. Creating
stronger ecological links out into the rural landscape will
aid the development of a more robust ecological network.
Figure 5.2: Current Ecological Resource
Although the Stepping Stones Project remit is broader
than woodland, increasing the amount of woodland within
the Project area is still seen as a key activity for the
Project. The woodland resource is scattered sporadically
throughout the Project area, with sizeable blocks of
woodland being relatively sparse. In the north west of the
Project area the success of the National Forest programme
in transforming the landscape can be
clearly seen, with the larger blocks of
woodland and the increased number of
statutory and County level designations
as a testament to its achievements.
natural essence fall within areas identified with either high
or moderate scope for woodland planting, and these
should be the key areas of search for increased woodland
planting.
Figure 5.3: Capacity for Woodland Planting within each
Landscape Character Area23
Large scale woodland planting is felt to
be unachievable within a vast
proportion of the area due to the
productive nature of the landscape, and
in these areas linear woodlands along
field boundaries and small copse
woodlands should be secured. Areas of
greenspace of natural essence22 have
been
identified,
highlighting
opportunities where woodland planting
may be increased. The Feasibility Study
assessed the capacity of the landscape
for increased woodland planting based
on landscape character areas as shown
in figure 5.3 (this assessment did not
include Leicester City). Many of the
more significant areas of greenspace of
22
Natural essence includes woodland, grassland, derelict land and agricultural
land under Environmental Stewardship Schemes, in addition this also
includes active quarries/landfill for their potential to provide future
greenspace of natural essence
23
Numbers and letters within figure 5.3 provide references to landscape
character areas as identified within the Feasibility Study
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
In creating new woodland and other green infrastructure
resources,
opportunities
for
providing
increased
community access should be considered linking to the
‘healthy lifestyles’ aim. Figure 5.4 identifies areas (in
white) which are within 300 meters of accessible
greenspace (in accordance with Natural England
Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGSt)) - all
areas outside of this white area can be said to be not
receiving appropriate access to greenspace and are
therefore a priority for the creation of green infrastructure
resources.
Leicester City can be seen to be the
principal area suffering from access
deficiency particular to the east of the City
Centre. In many of these inner city areas,
creating
new
greenspace
may
be
unfeasible, due to lack of or competition for
space.
In
such
circumstances,
opportunities
to
link
these
urban
communities into the wider landscape
through high quality access routes should
be secured. Providing local user routes that
also encourage people to travel sustainably
to their local greenspaces and countryside
via walking, cycling and riding can also
reduce dependence on the car, providing
benefits through reduced emissions and
consumption of fossil fuels and improved
health.
Large areas of the rural landscape are
identified as inaccessible. This is due to the
high levels of private ownership and
productive nature of much of the land, reducing
opportunities for access. A proposed change in emphasis
on the application of Higher Level Stewardship may
provide opportunities to address this: the focus is likely to
be directed more strongly to urban fringe locations than
has previously been the case, recognising that these areas
can provide maximum opportunity to improve the
landscape, biodiversity and access closest to where people
live thus delivering greatest public benefit.
Figure 5.4: Priority Areas for Increasing Greenspace Provision
Within urban areas, populations are increasingly
vulnerable to the effects of climate change: highly
reflective surfaces, increased air pollution and little shade
leave certain groups susceptible to the heat island effect.
Figure 5.5 identifies those areas which are most likely to
be at risk from or vulnerable to the effects of increased
heating within the urban environment through poor
health, age (older or younger people) and high density of
population. The figure illustrates in red where all three
indicators overlap, identifying priority areas for green
infrastructure interventions which contribute to the
mitigation of these effects.
communities and the economy. The agricultural sector
has particularly suffered where flood waters have done
considerable damage to the potential crop harvest.
Figure 5.6: Vulnerability to Flooding
Figure 5.5: Vulnerability to Urban Heat Island Effects
5.0 Green Infra
Green infrastructure can reduce surface run off through
increased surface friction and water storage capacity, and
can also provide soft flood defences by planting in river
catchments. Figure 5.6 highlights those areas which are
in Flood Zones 2 and 324 and the proportion of greenspace
within the Flood Zone – showing the potential to provide
some flood storage and attenuation function. Critically, it
24
2007 and 2008 saw many areas experiencing
unprecedented flooding having disastrous effects on both
Floodzone 3: land assessed as having a 1 in 100 or greater annual probability
of river flooding (>1%) or a 1 in 200 or greater annual probability of flooding
from the sea (>0.5%) in any year. Floodzone 2: land assessed as having
between a 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 annual probability of river flooding.
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
can be seen that many of those areas located within a
Flood Zone have limited greenspace and high population
density meaning high proportion of the population may be
affected if city centre flooding were to occur.
The use of fossil fuels is a key contributing factor to
climate change therefore the use of alternative energy
sources should be promoted. The potential for biomass
on lower grade agricultural land within Central
Leicestershire is significant. Grade 4 agricultural land in
Flood Zone 2 and 3 is shown in Figure 5.7; biomass
planting within these areas would provide additional
functionality as a soft flood defence (although this should
be subject to an ecological assessment prior to
establishment).
The Response
The ecological resource within Central Leicestershire
needs to be more precisely defined to enhance and
safeguard sites of natural importance (particularly those
which have statutory protection), alongside those areas
which may form key linkages and buffers between such
sites - critical to ensuring that landscapes are robust and
resilient to the effects of climate change. Islands of
biodiversity are particularly vulnerable to effects of climate
change, and a network of connected sites and corridors
will promote species migration and interaction making
these landscapes more able to deal with climatic effects.
Opportunities to reverse the fragmentation of the
landscape and improve management of existing habitats
should be secured at every opportunity.
Figure 5.7: Opportunities for Biomass
Improved landscape connectivity for ecological
purposes will provide opportunities to increase
connections between people and wildlife; this may be
facilitated through the Stepping Stones ‘Connecting People
and Wildlife’ grant. In addition, the Stepping Stones
Project should work in partnership with Local Authority
Rights of Way Improvement teams and those responsible
for Local Transport plans to include routes for walking,
cycling and riding within landscape corridors where this
will not compromise any sensitive ecological values. A
more defined ecological resource will ensure that
information is communicated consistently at a sub-regional
level down to the districts ensuring that individuals and
Once defined, the ecological resource should be used by
partners to:



inform development control decisions in LDFs;
guide
the
targeting
of
habitat
creation,
enhancement and management funds;
integrate into the business plans of major
landowners including public and private sector
organisations to ensure a consistent approach; and
guide delivery plans of agencies concerned with
housing growth and built infrastructure including the
Highways Agency.

Green infrastructure resources should be created and
enhanced through partnership in areas identified as
deficient in resources, taking into consideration
opportunities to enhance biodiversity. Activities should be
guided by documents such as the Green Wedge
Strategies, Landscape Character Assessments, Local
Development Plan Documents and Biodiversity Action
Plans. This can be achieved by:




ensuring that green infrastructure resources are
seen by planners as an integral component of any
new development, and that local interventions
take account of the wider strategic network targeted
at areas of greatest need to ensure that maximum
benefits are secured from S106 investments through
on or off site contributions;
redevelopment of brownfield land takes into
consideration use of the land for public open space
tructure Priorities






Infrastructure
5.0 Green
Priorities
Infrastructure
5.0 Green
Priorities
organisations are fully aware of the potential implications
of their activities.
or as a minimum includes accessible greenspace
where proposed for hard end use development
working with local businesses to contribute to
improvement of their landholdings and local
environments with the added benefit of improving
their environmental credentials;
identifying with partners appropriate grant
schemes to be distributed or enabled by the
Stepping Stones Project to facilitate habitat creation
and restoration of neglected habitats in
collaboration with landowners;
provide advice to farmers on involvement in
Environmental Stewardship Schemes;
continuing the successes of existing schemes and
initiatives delivered by the Stepping Stones Project
such as ‘free tree scheme’ and ‘plant a parish’;
providing practical conservation opportunities to
educate and involve local communities in simple
conservation measures (bird boxes, composting,
utilising rain water);
raising awareness with landowners on the benefits
of landscape management, particularly where
they are responsible for protected sites and
Biodiversity Action Plan priority sites and species,
providing help in developing landscape management
plans and Biodiversity Action Plans Creating
for theira Green and Prosperous
landholdings;
working with Natural England, Forestry Commission
and other funding bodies to align land
management support towards biodiversity
outcomes; and
building ‘biodiversity by design’ into publicly
funded infrastructure which can cause significant
environmental change (particularly transport) to
mitigate potential impacts.
Within the urban environment planning for shade
should be advocated to ensure that the shading and
cooling effects of urban vegetation are considered in the
design of new and regeneration of existing urban areas.
With the Government drive for urban densification this
needs to be planned for now to ensure that towns of the
future are ‘liveable’ and do not become unbearable heat
islands.
Including sustainable urban drainage
schemes and sensitive landscaping (including porous
surfaces and features such as green roofs) within these
harder urban environments will serve to reduce the rate of
surface water runoff and the potential for flooding, and
provide welcome shade within these environments.
Planning for shade and incorporating sustainable urban
drainage schemes within developments will require a
rethink in how they are designed. This should not
just apply to housing developments but also to town
regeneration schemes and other built infrastructure such
as roads. Conflict between the requirement to increase
development density and also provide greenspace should
be carefully balanced based on an understanding of the
likely impacts of development.
Local Development
Frameworks should advocate the inclusion of green
infrastructure within all new developments and
regeneration schemes.
Within urban environments the effects of climate change
are likely to be more amplified than those experienced
within surrounding rural landscapes. Trees within urban
environments are subjected to many stresses and,
therefore, the capability of these urban trees to cope with
and adapt to climate change should be considered.
Awareness of species adaptability to conditions and
outcomes of emerging scientific studies will ensure that
the project is responsive to these issues and the most
suitable species that deliver long-term benefits to the
urban population are selected.
Improving the quality of the street scene can be achieved
by taking the ‘home zones’ approach to design: making
the car less of a focus, prioritising pedestrian access and
greening streets to provide a more pleasant walking and
cycling environment. In areas where regeneration is
being undertaken, this method of re-imagining the public
realm will help secure the multiple benefits of green
infrastructure.
In areas where such whole scale
regeneration is not either an option or priority, the value
of street trees to contribute to quality of place and
encourage walking and cycling will be realised.
Opportunities to work in partnership with Local Authorities
and those responsible for transport planning should be
secured.
Footpaths and cycle ways should be created and
enhanced to provide safe routes which link urban and
rural areas, encouraging those living within towns and
Creating
a Green
and Prosperous
A Green
Infrastructure
Delivery Plan
cities
to visit
‘countryside
on theirFuture:
doorstep’
rather
than
driving to visit other resources further afield. Linking into
the ‘vibrant and competitive economies’ aim will
encourage business diversification, providing a destination
‘in mind’ to those using these routes e.g. local farm shop.
In rural areas where access deficiency is high these areas
often have significant greenspace resources available.
Here it is more of a question of the Project working with
landowners to open up access rather than creating new
resources. The proposed changes to Higher Level
Stewardship are likely to benefit Project aspirations for
increased access to local countryside.
Floodplain grasslands of the Soar represent some of the
most biodiverse areas within Leicestershire. With the
potential for increased flooding there is an opportunity to
positively adapt the landscape to enhance biodiversity
within the river floodplains. The creation of wetland
areas within floodplains would provide multiple benefits:
providing a haven for wildlife, contributing to water quality
enhancement within river catchments and reducing flood
risk.
The creation of soft flood defences, particularly
upstream of urban flood zones will increase the holding
capacity of flood plains and reduce the rate of water
runoff through interception.
Habitat creation within
floodplains should be sensitive to both landscape character
and ecological diversity and should not be at the detriment
of either asset.
tructure Priorities
Low grade agricultural land should be a priority for
biomass plantations where it can serve local markets,
reducing the need to transport the product long distances.
Biomass planting on low grade agricultural land within
flood zones and river catchments may also provide flood
management functions. Introduction of biomass crops
into low grade agricultural land and river catchments
should be subject to an assessment of the possible
ecological effects and any other impacts e.g. on riverside
recreational routes.
Working in partnership it will be important to raise
awareness of the benefits of this alternative energy source
with local communities and developers to both develop the
local market and to support local farmers in the
practicalities of delivering a biomass crop. The markets
within this sector are likely to prosper as the Government
push to increase the proportion of renewable energy
within new developments picks up pace within the Code
for Sustainable Homes and the desire for zero carbon
developments. In addition new rules have been passed by
Government which now requires that all petrol and diesel
which is sold at UK pumps will now have to include 2.%
biofuels with a target to rise this to 5% by 2010 – this
may provide new markets for farmers however any
plantations should be subject to an appropriate ecological
assessment to ensure no detrimental effects on the wider
environment.
Integration of the green infrastructure concept and the
Stepping Stones Project within regional/local policy and
strategy will build a political imperative to ensure delivery
of green infrastructure within Central Leicestershire.
Consistency in the approach led by this Plan and informed
by subsequent guidance such as the 6C’s New Growth
Points Green Infrastructure Strategy will ensure cross
Creating a Green and Prosperous Fu
boundary coordination between different organisations
including Local Authorities. Further to this, a coordinated
approach to practical on the ground delivery will need to
be established between the Stepping Stones Project and
the 6Cs wider strategic objectives to ensure there is
effective communication and joined up activity.
Activities of the Stepping Stones Project
Activity
Enhance &
Safeguard
Landscape
connectivity
New
developments
Local businesses
Grant scheme
Advice to farmers
Existing schemes
Practical
conservation
Landscape
management
Align land
management
support
Publicly funded
infrastructure
Planning for shade
SUDS schemes
Re-thinking design
Species
adaptability
Homezone
approach
Provide local safe
routes
Create wetlands
Soft flood
defences
Local biomass
Stepping
Stones
Project to
Lead
Stepping
Stones
Project to
support
partners
Stepping
Stones
Project to
influence




















Local Development Frameworks should look to support both
the Stepping Stones Project and the wider delivery of green
infrastructure interventions by:
 Ensuring that new developments and regeneration schemes
secure positive contributions to the green infrastructure
network through developer contributions in either on or off
site interventions;
 Safeguarding existing assets;
 Contributing to establishing a connected network of habitats
for people and wildlife;
 Incorporating biodiversity measures in the design, layout and
landscaping of development and redevelopment schemes in
line with regional and local Biodiversity Action Plan;
 Promoting the use of renewable energies in particular
biomass within residential developments and community
facilities;
 Requiring all new developments/regeneration schemes to
demonstrate how healthy urban surfaces can be provided
within developments ensuring a net gain in urban surface
vegetation cover, porosity and flood storage including soft
flood defences;
 Securing
increased
urban
shading
from
new
development/regeneration schemes and public infrastructure
projects;
 Promoting improvements to the ‘street scene’ to encourage
increased walking and cycling; and
 Promoting the implementation of urban tree strategies
through planning obligations and greening through public
infrastructure projects.
Aim III: Vibrant and competitive rural and urban
economies
The ‘vibrant and competitive rural and urban economies’
aim addresses the benefits that a healthy green
infrastructure can provide in attracting business into the
area and retaining graduates from Central Leicestershire
Universities. It also focuses on the opportunities for green
infrastructure resource to provide training in rural and
countryside skills and its contribution to the tourism and
visitor economy.
The Challenge
Leicestershire has a strong economy, with good business
survival rates, a skilled workforce and is home to a
number of successful international companies including
Alliance & Leicester, Astra Zeneca and Walkers. Data
shows that although the economy is prospering it is not
achieving its full potential in terms of Gross Value Added
(GVA), as the economy is in a period of transition moving
from traditional manufacturing to high tech manufacturing
and the service sector.
The knowledge based sector is currently underrepresented within the area. There are a number of
successful Universities and the high quality of life that
Central Leicestershire can offer is an aspect in
encouraging graduates to remain in the area.
Ensuring that quality employment land in an attractive
environment is available will attract business investment,
contributing to the area’s ability to retain skilled
graduates. As most business start ups are within the
urban area, associated green infrastructure interventions
will also have benefits in regard to amelioration of the
urban heat island, climate change and flood attenuation if
targeted appropriately.
Within the Project area there are areas of deprivation,
with high levels of economic and educational deprivation
evident particularly within Leicester City. Priorities for ‘up
skilling’ the population by providing opportunities for
training, and the need to attract businesses for local
employment opportunities should be addressed.
With its high levels of deprivation, Leicester City is eligible
for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. Open spaces are
often overlooked in favour of other issues such as housing
condition and anti-social behaviour, yet the benefits of
enhancing existing open space will help increase the
amenity value of the area. Involving local communities
within their local spaces can also foster a sense of pride,
reducing issues such as anti-social behaviour. Further to
this the combined effects of these green infrastructure
interventions may also serve to raise the value of house
prices within the area.
A strong rural economy is essential to the sustainability of
rural areas in terms of income, wealth and employment.
Support for the diversification of businesses within rural
areas - particularly in sectors such as the forestry
economy, land based sector and tourism - will meet the
priorities of the Leicestershire Community Strategy.
Green infrastructure is a key component in addressing
these economic issues, helping to meet the aims of the
Leicester Shire Economic Partnership to achieve
sustainable development and sustainable and equitable
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
communities for present and future generations, aspiring
to achieve economic growth that can:



Figure 5.8: Rural Diversification Opportunities
help to reduce present inequalities between
differing part of the area;
improve the quality of the built and rural
environment; and
create economic advantage using the sub-region’s
great diversity.
The Leicestershire Community Strategy sets itself the
target that ‘Leicestershire will be at the forefront of
innovation with a prosperous and ‘dynamic economy’ green infrastructure will be a key means of supporting this
target.
The Context
There is a vibrant rural sector with opportunities to build
on prosperity within the rural economy. Figure 5.8
identifies the location of farms within the Central
Leicestershire Area: these farms could potentially benefit
from establishing stronger links with local communities as
a local food producer, which could be achieved by more
active promotion to inform communities of their presence
and educate communities on the benefits of ‘going local’.
Figure 5.8 also identifies those farms that are within 300m
of a strategic access route – here, business diversification
opportunities such as accommodation and refreshments
could be provided to cater for and encourage more users
onto the routes.
Opportunities to enhance the image of Central
Leicestershire’s green and prosperous landscape will be an
important factor in sustaining and enhancing economic
growth, and contributing to attracting inward investment.
Attracting knowledge based industries will ensure that
there are opportunities for graduates of Central
Leicestershire Universities to remain in the area. Greening
of existing and new employment areas will provide
attractive places for people to work.
Ensuring that
residents have a high quality environment in which to live
will further encourage people to remain/relocate to the
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Figure 5.9 identifies those green areas (along strategic
transport corridors), where there are opportunities for
green infrastructure enhancement – this will also have the
added benefit of providing improvements to air quality.
Derelict land along strategic corridors can give the image
of a degraded landscape and just as a green landscape
Improvements to existing employment areas should also
be encouraged, and green infrastructure should be viewed
as a key component in the creation of new employment
areas.
Green infrastructure resources can also be used to run
land based training events to ‘up skill’ the population, in
particular those communities which are most deprived in
regard to education, skills and training. Figure 5.10
identifies those areas which are 20% most deprived in
regard to education, skills and training and highlights
possible accessible sites within these areas which may be
used to run training or education events with the local
community.
Creating a Green and Prosperous Fu
5.0 Green Infra
cture Priorities
Figure 5.9: Opportunities for Green Infrastructure to Create an
Attractive Setting for Business
gives the perception of a prosperous economy a ‘brown’
landscape gives the image of a struggling area. These
derelict sites will be key areas for green infrastructure
interventions by creating an attractive and memorable
‘gateway’ into the area.
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
area. In addition many people travel through areas along
these strategic routes by improving the image of an area
this will encourage people to stop and visit the area
contributing to the tourism economy of the area.
Figure 5.10: Opportunities for Green Infrastructure to Enhance
Training, Skills and Education
making a direct financial contribution back to their local
economy.
Awareness of existing initiatives that connect people to
suppliers should be raised within local communities and
more widely supported with suppliers. This includes
initiatives such as ‘Go Leicestershire’ which identifies
restaurants and shops etc. that sell local produce and
provides information on Local Farmers Markets across
Central Leicestershire such as those held in Hinckley and
Leicester City. The ‘Leicestershire Produce’ label should
also be promoted as a means of certifying products
produced within Central Leicestershire.
The Response
Linking local communities to local producers will ensure
a better deal for farmers, support local economies
ensuring investment is returned to the locality, and reduce
the distance food has to travel before it reaches the plate
– reducing the food miles. Buying food locally also makes
food more traceable, provides health benefits of fresher
food based on time from field to plate and generally has
less packaging so reducing the amount of waste going to
landfill. Stronger links between producers and consumers
will raise confidence in the food supplied allowing people
to ask questions, get closer to the producer and establish
relationships. This also provides financial benefits to
farmers and the rural economy with local communities
Opportunities for rural businesses to diversify to
contribute to the tourism network and to support local
tourism on people’s doorstep should be actively
encouraged.
Destinations should be linked to
communities by sustainable transport routes for walking
and cycling wherever possible, ensuring routes are well
promoted, designed and safe to encourage local
communities to use these routes (linking to measures
under Aim II). Support for rural diversification through
available grant schemes should be supported where
available.
Green infrastructure resources can be utilised as a
platform for land based training opportunities to
increase countryside and rural skills. There are many
active organisations within Central Leicestershire area
already involved in the delivery of green infrastructure
interventions on sites; partnering with these organisations
will connect those with the knowledge to those who are
looking to improve skills and gain practical experience.
Joint working with the Learning & Skills Council to identify
opportunities for basic skills development should be
promoted.
Linking into the ‘community action and
participation’ aim, corporate training events should also be
promoted with the aim of providing environmental training
opportunities within businesses.
Gateway projects focussing on derelict land sites should
be initiated, using public art and the natural environment
at key arrival points and general greening of strategic
transport corridors. In line with the ‘community action
and participation’ aim, businesses should be encouraged
to green their own landholdings and contribute to
environmental
improvements
within
their
local
environment.
Greening of the business environment will provide
attractive places in which people can work and businesses
can invest. Ideally these business environments will also
provide links into the wider landscapes providing
opportunities for workers to ‘escape’ the work place along
local user routes. Further to this, campuses and retail
parks can also sustain areas of biodiversity and built and
cultural heritage. These areas can change use frequently,
therefore, a master plan approach should be promoted to
ensure uplift in green infrastructure when refurbishing and
re-designing these areas and secure multiple benefits.
Activities of the Stepping Stones Project
Activity
Local Producers
Existing
initiatives
Diversify
Land based
training
Improve skills
Gateway projects
Stepping
Stones to
Lead
Stepping
Stones to
support
partners
Stepping
Stones to
influence






Local Development Frameworks should look to support both
the Stepping Stones Project and the wider delivery of green
infrastructure interventions by:
 Supporting the development of visitor facilities which
encourage greater use of the green infrastructure network
for sport, leisure and recreation linked to urban areas;
 Promoting the use of environmental assets to provide a
venue for acquisition of new skills at all stages of life;
 Promoting a vibrant, distinctive and high quality environment
at points of high visibility focusing effort on high priority key
gateway projects;
 Acknowledging the contribution a high quality environment
can make to sustaining a prosperous economy;
 Encouraging positive connections between rural businesses
and urban residents; and
 Acknowledging the contribution that green resources make
to the tourism sector within Central Leicestershire.
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Aim IV: Opportunities to participate in a healthier
lifestyle
This aim focuses on increasing community participation in
green
infrastructure,
providing
opportunities
for
communities to develop healthy, active lifestyles. In
addition it also acknowledges the educational benefits of
community involvement in green infrastructure.
The Challenge
The Leicestershire Community Strategy includes a top
level outcome for ‘improved health outcomes… including a
reduction in health inequalities’. This will be achieved
through a number of interventions including improved
access to sport, recreation and cultural activities,
improvement in air quality, improved mental health and
well-being and ensuring more people are physically active
at a level that makes them healthier. It also identifies that
97% of people living in the area believe that parks and
greenspaces help create a nicer place to live and provide
opportunities for active lifestyles.
However, a recent lifestyle survey25 identified that 1 in 5
respondents within the area take little or no exercise with
‘lack of time’ being the main reason. There are also areas
suffering from health deprivation within the project area,
and these generally correlate within those areas suffering
multiple deprivation. The multi-functional nature of green
infrastructure means that interventions within these
deprived areas can help to address both the issue of
health and other socio-economic and environmental
factors.
Research in the Feasibility Study identified that provision
of publicly accessible greenspace within most of the
project area is low (based on the Accessible Natural
Greenspace Standard that ‘everyone should live within 300
meters of a local greenspace’). Increasing the amount or
functionality of green space on people’s doorstep will
encourage local communities to use these resources.
Further, increasing the quality of access to these sites is
also important. There is an extensive coverage of public
rights of way within the area but the majority of these
comprise public footpaths with limited coverage of
designated routes for other users groups such as cyclists
and horse riders. The Rights of Way Improvement Plan26
highlights a number of issues:




The Rights of Way Improvement Plan also identifies a fall
in the number of walking journeys by a quarter in the last
25 years, stating that promoting walking, cycling and
horse riding is fundamental to reversing this trend.
Increasing walking and cycling can also benefit air quality
through decrease in car use.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Leicestershire 2006 – 2011,
Leicestershire County Council, Sep 2006
26
25
Lifestyle survey, Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT, August 2007
existence of local areas of deficiency in the
provision of public rights of way;
fragmented nature of bridleways and cycle routes
throughout the County;
increased use and promotion of the County’s rights
of way network, with particular focus in areas that
maximise benefit; and
need for improvement of the ‘quality’ of the
County’s rights of way network.
The Context
Figure 5.4 identified those areas of priority for greenspace
provision based on access to greenspace, whilst figure
5.11 identifies those areas suffering from health
deprivation. It can be generally seen that those areas
which are a priority for access based on population density
are also experiencing the greatest health deprivation.
Figure 5.11: Health Deprivation, IMD 2007
inequality.
Figure 5.12 identifies those areas where
woodland planting would be a priority to improve air
quality (Woodland and Trees can reduce particulate levels
by capturing of particulates). Areas of high particulate
concentrations are predominantly centred on Leicester City
and the M1 motorway corridor, however there is a
localised area of poor air quality within the south west of
the project area which relates to a large active quarry
between Croft and Huncote.
Improvement in air quality is a key outcome in the
Leicestershire Community Strategy for reducing health
5.0 Green Infras
cture Priorities
Figure 5.12: Air Quality, Particulates
5.0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Creating a Green and Prosperous Fu
Figure 13 highlights opportunities for schools to become
actively involved in their local greenspaces, either within
the schools’ own landholdings or outside of the school
grounds. There are a number of schools within the
project area which have very limited access to
greenspace, and projects should be developed with these
schools to introduce them to the natural environment for
health and educational benefits linking them to local
greenspaces.
Figure 5.13: Opportunities for Schools to use Greenspaces as
an Outdoor Classroom
up the level of access within currently restricted open
spaces such as school grounds in areas of deficiency. This
activity should be responsive to the specific local
requirements including size, type and design of facility as
identified within Planning Policy Guidance 17: Sport and
Recreation. Benefits from development via developer
contributions for creation of new and/or enhancement of
existing greenspace on or off site should be secured
wherever possible.
The Stepping Stones Project should take a partnership
approach with those responsible for Local Transport
Plans and Rights of Way Improvement Plans to guide and
influence the implementation and management of the
access network and to explore opportunities for ‘walking
the way to health’ initiatives (in line with measures under
previous Aims).
Design standards for the creation and enhancement of
the access network should be produced in partnership
with organisations responsible for delivery and potential
future users of the network. The guidelines will ensure
that routes are designed so that users feel safe. These
routes should be signposted and categorised clearly so
that local communities know what to expect and what
they are likely to encounter when using a route.
The Response
The creation of new areas of accessible greenspace
should be targeted to those areas of greatest
need/deficiency, and Local Authorities could look to open
Improvements to the street scene as identified within the
‘landscape and climate change’ aim should be promoted in
the development, regeneration and improvement of public
infrastructure to encourage local communities to walk and
cycle. Reducing the dominance of the car in these areas
through traffic calming and giving priority to walking
and cycling will aid this, coupled with the greening of the
Appropriate planting of trees along strategic road and rail
corridors and on adjacent sites will have benefits for
reducing the number of particulates within the atmosphere
providing benefits for air quality. Facilitating and enabling
initiatives that support the Leicestershire Highways Free
Tree Scheme alongside other initiatives such as the Tree
Warden Free Tree Scheme and Stepping Stones
Landscape and Wildlife Grants can make a contribution to
increase tree cover along strategic routes. This action will
also contribute to improving the image of the Central
Leicestershire Area as identified within ‘vibrant and
competitive urban and rural economies’.
ructure Priorities
New routes should link people to key destinations
such as business parks, countryside on the doorstep,
tourism destinations and local food producers. New
developments and regeneration schemes should be
encouraged to link into the existing network and provide
sustainable transport options to access local facilities.
This action should also be coordinated with providers of
public transport to ensure a ‘whole route’ approach e.g.
cycle routes to train stations should be accompanied with
provisions for bike storage at the station or for carriage of
the bike on trains as a whole route multi-modal response.
Many communities are unaware of the routes that already
exist within their area, so the promotion of available
access routes and the benefits of using them is
important. Providing consistent standards and educating
local communities on this standard will encourage
increased use.
Carrying out consultation (potentially
through the Stepping Stones website) to obtain a greater
understanding of local community perceptions will provide
opportunities to overcome barriers to access.
Community groups, educational establishments and the
general public (through site information boards) should be
encouraged to utilise greenspace as an outdoor
classroom. Facilitating links between groups and those
bodies who have the relevant expertise to deliver
educational programmes on site such as the ‘Wildlife
Trusts Forest Schools’ will be a role for the Stepping
Stones Project. The large number of higher education
facilities within the area will also provide opportunities for
the project to link students to sites to undertake research
projects.
0 Green Infrastructure Priorities
landscape e.g. street trees to provide a green and
pleasant environment through which to walk or cycle,
whilst reducing car journeys will be beneficial in reducing
fossil fuel consumption and emissions, thus providing
benefits for air quality.
Green infrastructure
interventions can also serve to reduce the chemical
activity of pollutants which are responsive to heat by
reducing the urban heat island effect.
Involving children within greenspaces will be beneficial in
developing healthy and active lifestyles. Further to this,
these children will be the future stewards of the Central
Leicestershire landscape: in addition to the health benefits
involving local children in greenspaces will encourage a
Creating
a Green and Prosperous
new respect for their local landscapes, reducing
the
incidence
of
anti-social
behaviour
within
local
greenspaces.
Links should be established between Primary Care Trusts
and organisations and initiatives such as BTCV ‘Green
Gym’ programme to promote the benefits of green
infrastructure for increasing activity and health of
local communities. Existing initiatives such as ‘Walking the
Way to Health’ should continue to be supported.
A component of healthy lifestyles is healthy eating.
Connecting local people to local producers will help sustain
both the local economy and ensure people have access to
fresh local food. In addition, the benefit of allotments
should also be promoted.
Allotments provide
opportunities for local communities to grow their own
food, adopt active lifestyles, increase biodiversity and
provide urban greenspace. Many people feel unable to
take on an allotment in their own right and, therefore, the
Stepping Stones Project could provide support in linking
up people who may be interested in ‘sharing’ a plot.
The Project should look to work with landowners to
encourage them to open up access to their land,
particularly in areas where there is access deficiency
through Environmental Stewardship or for school groups
through Educational Access. Opening up access to the
land may also provide opportunities for farm diversification
as addressed under ‘vibrant and competitive urban and
rural economies’.
Activities of the Stepping Stones Project
Activity
Accessible
greenspace
Partnership
approach
Design standards
Priority for
walking & cycling
Air quality
Link people to
destinations
Promotion
available
access
routes
Outdoor
classroom
Increasing active
& healthy lives
Healthy eating
Encourage to
open access
Stepping
Stones to
Lead
Stepping
Stones to
support
partners
Stepping
Stones to
influence











Local Development Frameworks should look to support both
the Stepping Stones Project and the wider delivery of green
infrastructure interventions by:
 Encouraging walking and cycling for daily tasks and
recreational activities;

Requiring
new and
developments
contribute
to the
green
Creating
a Green
ProsperoustoFuture:
A Green
Infrastructure
Delivery Plan
space resource and access network, and contribute to the
removal of existing barriers to such connection e.g. lack of
signage;
 Requiring new developments to contribute to the
management of the green space resource and access
network;
 Promoting ‘secured by design’ or other such design standards
within the creation of new routes to ensure they are safe and
useable for local communities;
 Safeguarding existing rights of way;
 Maximising opportunities to enhance outdoor recreation;
 Promoting facilities for a variety of outdoor sports;
 Improving the quality of facilities within existing parks and
greenspace to encourage communities into these sites;
 Acknowledging the benefits of green infrastructure for
health;
 Being responsive to the requirement for cross boundary
working to deliver long distance strategic routes
Figure 6.1 (at the end of this section) shows an outline
spatial concept for green infrastructure, identifying broad
areas of priority based on information collated from the
Feasibility Study and mapping work to inform this Plan.
This map provides an initial framework on which to take
the Stepping Stones Project forward, however it will
require further refinement as the Project develops and
new initiatives and partners come on board. As the
Project begins to deliver projects on the ground and as
and when projects come forward under the banner of the
Stepping Stones Project then this to will develop and
inform the strategic concept.
The development of the 6Cs Sub-Regional Green
Infrastructure Strategy should take account of this initial
framework within the development of the strategic green
infrastructure resource. Further to this, the baseline
should also be informed and refined by the outcomes of
the Sub-Regional Strategy to ensure alignment between
the two documents.
The high quality landscape situated in the north west
of the Stepping Stones Project area is the National Forest.
The Stepping Stones Project should look to work with the
National Forest Company where the two project
boundaries overlap to ensure the value of this landscape is
protected
and
maintained
through
appropriate
management and green infrastructure interventions. The
Stepping Stones Project should also be outward looking
within this area, creating links for walking, cycling and
riding from communities within the Stepping Stones
boundary (such as Groby and Cropston) to this high
quality landscape providing local tourism opportunities
(see Intervention Area 3).
Key housing sites within Leicester City required to meet
the housing allocations for the New Growth Point have
also been identified. A number of these are located within
the area identified as Intervention Area 1. Development
within this area should look to secure improvements within
the intervention area delivering wider socio-economic and
environmental benefits. The Draft RSS (2006) identified a
need for a Sustainable Urban Extension in Blaby District
(West of Leicester) which has been identified within the
plan; opportunities to secure improvements to the green
infrastructure network as a direct consequence of
development within the area should be secured e.g.
providing improved access into the sub regional corridors.
The housing sites as detailed on figure 6.1 are:
Key Housing Sites
A. Waterside
B. St George’s North
C. Abbey Meadows
D. Ashton Green
E. Hamilton
Potential Sustainable Urban Extension
A. Blaby District (West of Leicester)
Potential Eco-town
A. Pennbury Eco-town
The key multi-functional assets within the Central
Leicestershire area should be safeguarded and enhanced
to ensure their strategic value is maintained, and
opportunities should be secured (where possible) to link
these assets into the Strategic and Local Corridors to
6.0 The Strategic Green Infrastructure
Concept
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
6.0 The Strategic Green Infrastructure
Concept
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
provide key hubs for both wildlife and people along these
networks. The assets are:
Proposed Initiatives and Projects
Stepping Stones Project Area
within
the
1. Wistow Country Park
2. Knighton Park
3. Carlton Park
4. The Park
5. Braunstone Park
6. Victoria Park
7. Western Park
8. Abbey Park
9. Watermead Country Park
10. Bradgate Country Park
11. Sheet Hedges Wood Country Park
12. Groby Pool
13. Thornton Reservoir
14. Narborough Bog
15. Glen Hills Nature Area
16. Brocks Hill Country Park
17. Castle Hill Country Park
18. Beaumont Park
19. Spinney Hills Park
20. Evington Park
21. Humberstone Park
22. Monks Rest
23. Scraptoft LNR
Intervention Areas
Intervention Areas are priority areas of activity for the
Stepping Stones Project. Activity within each of the
intervention areas may vary based on the needs and
opportunities of the local communities. A careful balance
must be struck between maintaining the momentum of
existing initiatives already delivered by the Project whilst
increasing the scope and level of activity to address these
intervention areas. The Project will need to be clear on
the commitment they can make to both existing initiatives
and these additional intervention areas to ensure that they
do not over-commit resources and then be unable to
deliver.
1. This area is experiencing several difficulties: it has high
population density, high levels of deprivation, poor
health, limited greenspace resources, a high number
of poor quality employment areas and is located within
a flood zone. Green infrastructure interventions within
this area may include requirements for provision of
greenspace within all new developments (both
residential and commercial) and improved linkages to
existing green infrastructure assets, reduction in the
use of impermeable surfaces in favour of sustainable
urban drainage schemes including green roofs and
planting within employment areas to improve the
image and quality of employment land.
2. This area has a reasonable level of greenspace
provision, however the area is facing several issues
including high levels of deprivation and poor health
and alongside relatively poor levels of education, skills
and training. Interventions within this area would
have a strong community focus and look to involve
communities within local greenspaces and encourage
healthy and active lifestyles.
3. This area is a priority area for increasing community
access to the high quality greenspace within and
outside the Stepping Stones Project area, particularly
to the National Forest. There are opportunities to
improve the area’s currently limited ecological resource
through biodiversity enhancements including linkages
to those high quality resources just outside the Project
boundary.
In addition interventions such as the
creation of wet woodlands could also provide flood
management benefits as the area is within a flood
zone.
4. This area is a priority for increasing biodiversity and
community access. The area has the potential to
function as a key sub-regional corridor providing links
into the wider landscape. The community situated to
the north of the area is suffering from high levels of
deprivation, poor health and limited access, and
opportunities to provide links from this community into
the network should be encouraged. There are also
currently a small number of ecological sites dotted
along the corridor although these require expansion
and linkage to develop a robust ecological corridor.
The often conflicting functions of biodiversity and
recreation will have to be carefully balanced within this
area to ensure that any adverse effects are identified
and mitigated where appropriate.
Sub regional corridors should be managed as
continuous
tracts
of
accessible,
multi-functional
greenspace. The River Soar forms the principal green
corridor through the Central Leicestershire area, acting as
its ‘green backbone’. Much of this corridor passes through
heavily urbanised areas with limited greenspace resources,
and opportunities to link communities to these Sub
Regional Corridors should be secured where possible. The
development of key housing sites along River Soar should
look to both improve access to the corridor and improve
the quality of the green infrastructure resource.
The multi-functionality of the Grand Union Canal Sub
Regional Corridor should be maximised. Opportunities for
increased access, in particular linking communities to
Wistow Country Park as a key recreational hub, and the
development of local tourism markets in this area should
be secured. These links should also increase landscape
connectivity which will have benefits for the migration and
interaction of species along this corridor with links to key
biodiversity hubs created where possible.
Local corridors will interconnect the area providing
opportunities for local residents to access the network
along local multi user routes. New developments should
be encouraged to contribute to the route either through
the creation of new links or the improvement of existing
routes and networks (where appropriate).
The local corridors include two disused railway lines; one
providing a key link between Broughton Astley and
6.0 The Strategic Green Infrastructure
Concept
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
6.0 The Strategic Green Infrastructure
Concept
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Countesthorpe to the Grand Union Canal Sub Regional
Corridor, providing opportunities for increased access and
social interaction between the different communities. The
second disused railway line starts south of Cosby travelling
up to Whetstone again linking into the Grand Union and
River Soar Sub Regional Corridors providing improved
access and linking communities.
A final local corridor links the community of Croft and
Narborough into the Sub Regional and wider network
again providing community and access links. This corridor
broadly follows the line of the River Soar, therefore,
opportunities to enhance this ecological corridor should
also be considered.
The Local corridors (existing cycling) identify those
areas which are already served by cycle routes linking
them to the Sub-Regional Corridors and the wider
landscape. Again opportunities through development and
green infrastructure projects should be secured to
contribute to the extension of this network increasing the
permeability of the Central Leicestershire landscape. The
creation of ‘green’ rather than roadside routes within the
urban areas will be a key component of ensuring that
these routes are safe and well used by local communities.
Figure 6.1: Strategic Concept
6.0 The Strategic Green Infrastructure
Concept
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Role of the Stepping Stones Project
The Stepping Stones Project will have several key roles as
a:






Facilitator;
Partnership liaison/enabler;
Advocate and Champion;
Grant Distributor;
Funding support; and
Project Management and Review.
The principal role of the Stepping Stones Project will be as
the ‘green infrastructure facilitator’ for the Central
Leicestershire Area.
The Project will take a
complementary role, working with and on behalf of the
partnership to enable the delivery of green infrastructure
interventions on the ground - making a step change in the
quality and quantity of the green infrastructure resource
within Central Leicestershire.
The Project will not duplicate the roles of other
organisations and will signpost other strategies and
organisations, identifying opportunities where green
infrastructure interventions could add value by
contributing to the aims of partner organisations,
particularly where these organisations may also contribute
to the Project and the partnership’s vision.
Through the Partners Forum, the Stepping Stones Project
will channel information, advice, queries and resources as
appropriate – one role may be the linking of community
groups requiring help and support with ‘partner’
organisations that have the necessary knowledge and
expertise. A clear understanding of the activity and role of
the partner organisation will be required to ensure suitable
pairings are made.
Research undertaken in the
Influencing Strategy which identifies activities of possible
partner organisations will be subject to further refinement
by the Stepping Stones Project in its early foundation
years, and clear terms of involvement should be agreed
with partner organisations.
The Stepping Stones Project will work closely with the 6Cs
Green Infrastructure Development Coordinator (who will
sit within Leicestershire County Council) to ensure synergy
between the activities of the Project and those activities at
sub-regional level. This will be achieved through the
clarification of the role of the Stepping Stones Project as a
principal green infrastructure delivery facilitator (within the
Leicester and Leicestershire part of the 6Cs programme)
and by establishing clear protocols on the working
relationship between the two organisations. Building and
clarifying this relationship will be a principal area of
activity within the first year of Project delivery.
The role of the Stepping Stones Project in advocating a
consistent green infrastructure message and acting as a
first port of call for green infrastructure advice will ensure
greater understanding and consistency of approach across
the Project area.
Championing green infrastructure with policy planners at
local and regional level will be critical to ensuring it is
given the appropriate consideration required within Local
Development Frameworks and in planning for future
growth. The Stepping Stones Project will look to inform
and comment on green infrastructure policy development
within planning policy documents, strategies and action
7.0 Delivering the Plan
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
7.0 Delivering the Plan
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
plans where opportunities arise. In addition, the Project
should look to comment on individual development control
applications to ensure that the necessary quality and
quantity of green infrastructure is being provided.
Reference to the Stepping Stones Project as a principle
facilitator of green infrastructure for the area within policy,
strategy and action plans will help to build the Stepping
Stones Project brand and raise the profile of the Project
with funders.
The Stepping Stones Project currently undertakes the role
of grant distributor; this role should continue and look to
be expanded through securing additional funding. The
Project will also have a role within a much bigger funding
community of signposting to other funding agencies e.g.
Natural England for Agri-Environment schemes and Parish
Councils for potential local environmental improvement
funds.
The Stepping Stones Project has well established
relationships with a number of community groups within
the area, including Parish Councils and Green Wedge
Forums. However, its involvement with other sectors is
limited, and there is a need for the Stepping Stones
Project to look to build on the positive reputation and
brand they have already established by:


refining the corporate image of the Project;
producing a communications plan to promote the
message of the Stepping Stones Project both
within and outside the area to local communities,
funding partners and decision makers;





developing a clear marketing message so that
visitors know when they are entering the Stepping
Stones project area;
working with partners to promote the green
infrastructure concept, its benefits and identity
within the Central Leicestershire area;
producing and maintaining a Project website;
developing campaigns and delivering local
promotional events; and
lending support to other strategic initiatives which
help secure a positive socio-economic and
environmental image for the Central Leicestershire
area.
Encouraging and enabling landowners, particularly
farmers, to diversify their landholdings for the
improvement of biodiversity and access is a key aim for
the Project, and negotiating with landowners in
partnership with organisations such as National Farmers
Union will be a key role. The Stepping Stones Project will
also provide advice and support to landowners, utilising
the specialisms within the Partners Forum where needed
to ensure that landowners get the help and
encouragement required to undertake diversification
activities. Such advice and support will also be given to
local community groups developing green infrastructure
projects.
Community development is a strong theme within the
aims and objectives, the Project should look to secure
opportunities for community capacity building, increasing
skills and knowledge.
The policy database developed under the Influencing
Strategy holds valuable information that could be used to
support funding applications or identify policies/strategies
of relevance to a specific theme. The Stepping Stones
Project will continue to maintain this database, adding
new documents where appropriate to provide a robust
information base which can be used by partner
organisations to support documents and funding
applications.
The Stepping Stones Project will annually monitor and
review its progress, with a formal review on a tri-annual
basis. The Logical Framework Approach used to develop
the vision, aims, objectives, outputs and actions hierarchy
for the Project will be used as a tool for monitoring.
Attainment of the lower level activities and outputs
through partnership and team action will be monitored
and recorded. As these lower level activities are achieved
this will contribute towards the attainment of the higher
level strategic objectives, aims and vision for the area.
Governance
The Stepping Stones Project has been operational since
1992 and has been successful in establishing and
maintaining community networks concerned with the
management of both Green Wedges and neighbourhood
open spaces.
Formal Status
The Stepping Stones Project is currently ‘unincorporated’ –
i.e. a loose partnership between County, City and Districts.
This arrangement has been successful and is seen to be
capable of managing the Project in the near future as it is
a tried and tested structure. There are however benefits
of adopting a more formal semi-autonomous partnership
(such as that of Greenwood Community Forest) or full
charitable status, in terms of attracting additional funding,
increased flexibility of working, greater freedom from
political pressures and increased attractiveness to the
private sector. As such, once a step-change in the activity
of the Project has been achieved, it will be appropriate to
review the ‘form’ of the organisation.
Operational Status
The framework for the operation of the Project builds on
the existing structure and uses the findings and
recommendations from the Feasibility Study and
subsequent consultation in October 2007.
Partner’s Forum
The Stepping Stones Project will continue to deliver
existing on the ground projects currently administered by
them, such as the ‘Free Tree’ Scheme. However, to meet
the required step change in the level of activity a Partner’s
Forum will be established which will function as the
principal delivery and enabling body and as a network for
green
infrastructure
development,
increased
understanding, co-operation and cross sector working.
A major role for the Project will be the coordination of
activities and projects through the Partners Forum. The
Project will serve to function as a ‘hub’ for the partnership,
channelling information, advice, queries and resources.
The Partner’s Forum will be open to all organisations who
wish to be involved in the Project, however to a certain
extent participation will be guided by those key
organisations identified in the ‘Influencing Strategy’ who
7.0 Delivering the Plan
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
7.0 Delivering the Plan
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
can facilitate delivery of green infrastructure interventions
e.g. funders and delivery bodies.
The terms of engagement and roles of individual groups
will need to be clearly established at the outset to ensure
that everyone is clear of their position, role and
involvement within the Forum. The Partner’s Forum will
function predominantly as a ‘virtual’ network hosted
through the Stepping Stones Project, although
opportunities for formal networking will be made available
to all partners during the Annual Partnership Forum and
possibly more regularly during its early formation.
The size of the Partner’s Forum will be a consideration,
and it may be appropriate to divide the Forum in to
specific work areas (e.g. community involvement or
economic prosperity). Alternatively the Partner’s Forum
may be sub divided into those groups who would have
Project wide, district level or local involvement as
identified from the ‘Influencing Strategy’, and illustrated in
the diagram below. The list of organisations included
within the diagram is not meant to be definitive and the
confirmation of member organisations within the Partner’s
Forum will be a key work area for the Project within Year
1.
Steering Group
The Steering Group will comprise of elected members
from the Partner’s Forum including those organisations
who contribute financially to the operational running of
the Project. The Steering Group will actively guide the
business development of the Project through a number of
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
formally programmed meetings each year which will focus
on the progress of the Project and any issues raised
during operation.
Advocate
The role of Advocates will be to raise awareness of the
Stepping Stones Project, acting as influential ‘champions’
for the project at a senior political level across the range
of agendas the Project can deliver against. Advocates
should be selected from social, economic and
environmental sectors.
Figure 7.1 shows how these groups may interact together.
Figure 7.1: Operational Status
This operational structure will be formalised within year 1
activity of the Project as part of the initial establishment
phase.
Embedding Green Infrastructure within the
Planning Process
The Planning System aims to maximise design quality and
the environmental sustainability of development, while still
enabling the developer to achieve his objectives. The
draft new PPS1227, sets out government policy on Local
Development Frameworks (LDFs): a ‘portfolio’ of local
development documents which present the spatial
planning strategy for an area. Crucially, the guidance
notes state that LDFs must create a strong relationship
between service delivery and planning for the built and
natural environment in order to create strong and
prosperous communities. Further to this, Section 40 of
the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
places a duty on every public authority which includes
Local Authorities to conserve biodiversity.
Protecting key green infrastructure assets (e.g. designated
sites) is a statutory requirement of the Planning System,
yet more needs to be done to protect and enhance the
wider green infrastructure resource and the many
functions it can deliver. Detailed policy within LDFs should
look to ensure that:




27
existing assets and functions are safeguarded;
existing assets and functions are enhanced;
new assets and functions are created in areas of
need contributing to the overall functioning of the
green infrastructure network; and
built development should be sympathetic to the
local landscape and should not result in a net loss
of natural resources/greenspaces.
Published on 21 November 2007
Local Development Frameworks within the Stepping
Stones Project area should clearly advocate the need to
safeguard and uplift green infrastructure functions as a
consequence of development, having a positive
promotional policy for green infrastructure within Core
Strategy which includes broad spatial priorities and areas
of deficiency.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) should be
used to give guidance to developers and planners as to
how the impact of development on green infrastructure
can be assessed. SPDs should also provide developers
with a menu of options for safeguarding and increasing
green infrastructure in and around the development
footprint.
Box 1 suggests a four stage process that could be used
within the LDF process to ensure the integration of green
infrastructure principles within the Stepping Stones Project
area:
8.0 Plan Realisation
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
8.0 Plan Realisation
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Box 1: Embedding Green Infrastructure in the LDF
Process
Step 1 Audit

identify green infrastructure assets (on and off site)
which may be affected. This includes vegetation,
biodiversity, access, soil porosity, distinctive
landscape and heritage.
Step 2 Plan

have regard to Growth Development Plans,
Landscape Character Surveys, Historic Landscape
Assessments, Landscape Capacity & Sensitivity Study
and Open Space Studies (PPG17);

consider design and sustainability codes that apply to
the development type and location;

consult local planners, environmental bodies and
community to understand neighbourhood priorities;

assess how the development might impact on areas
of opportunity and/or deficiency in green
infrastructure.
Step 3 Site Design

safeguard green infrastructure assets on site;

if asset loss is inevitable: recreate green
infrastructure to ensure “no net loss” of the functions
and where possible secure additional multifunctionality;

create new assets on site in line with local and
strategic priorities.
Step 4 Reinforce strategic green infrastructure
functions

address deficiencies (both pre-existing in the
neighbourhood and those caused by the new
development);

ensure linkages to the green access network;

contribute to the strategic green infrastructure
network;

ensure long-term management and governance
arrangements are in place for green infrastructure on
site and (where relevant) off site.
Robust planning policy will enable refusal of development
which does not deliver high standards of green
infrastructure both on and off-plot. This will require
commitments in Core Strategy and in Local Development
policy, while supplementary guidance can provide the
flexibility needed to guide and control delivery across a
broad range of development locations, footprints and
types.
The graphic on the next page shows the different
documents and processes associated with development
planning, indicating how green infrastructure might be
promoted as a policy objective, and delivered through
planning decisions.
8.0 Plan Realisation
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Embedding Green Infrastructure into Local Development Frameworks and Planning Decisions
Development
Plan Documents
Defines and promotes GI concept for the area, referring to sub-regional strategy and national/regional planning context
Illustrates broad areas of GI priority in the area
Commits to considering GI during planning decisions, describing how this will be done, and evidence base to be used
Includes a reference to GI functions and assets in the area in over-arching “sustainable development” policy
»
o
o
o
o
»
o Allocates and maps sites, initiative areas, corridors which collectively make up the Green Network (at an appropriate level of detail)
o Identifies and maps areas of GI deficiency; probably on a functional basis e.g. ANGSt deficiency, rivers of low quality, impermeable catchments,
areas of fragmented biodiversity.
o Identifies relevant strategies and plans which will inform planning decisions e.g. the sub-regional green infrastructure strategy, local greenspace
strategy, biodiversity plans, landscape character assessment
o Includes development-related policy for all GI functions relevant to the area. This could be achieved through policies on biodiversity, landscape,
open space, heritage etc (rather than as bespoke GI policy)
o Refers to SPD for detailed guidance on how developers and planners can assess GI and design for its enhancement
»
Provide guidance on which design and sustainability codes are to be used for different types and locations of development
Provide guidance on how to assess the impact of development on GI, and how to (re)build GI in conjunction with development proposals
Provide guidance to developers on how to present the GI assessment in supporting statements.
Describe how planning conditions can be used for GI, and details how financial contributions (by obligation or tariff) for green infrastructure
provision and management will be calculated
»
o
o
o
o
»
Supplementary
Planning
Documents
»
Supporting
Statements
»
o Produced by developers to demonstrate how they have considered green infrastructure, their impact on it, and their proposals to (re)build it in
the area affected by their proposal. This could be presented through the medium of established design and access statements, supporting
planning or sustainability statements, or a bespoke “Environmental Standards Statement”
»
Design &
Sustainability
Codes
»
o Produced at national/regional level by external specialist bodies, or may be locally written and adopted
o Set standards and guidelines for layout, design quality, biodiversity impact offsetting, sustainable drainage etc
o Planning conditions can require compliance with all or part of codes and ensure design meets guideline standards
»
Environmental
Impact
Assessment
»
o EIA considers development impacts on a set of topics required by statute (human beings, flora and fauna, air, water, soil, landscape, material
assets and the cultural heritage; and interactions between these). The EIA process seeks to optimise design and minimise effects. By thorough
scoping and holistic EIA, better outcomes for green infrastructure associated with the locale in which the development occurs can be achieved.
Guidance to developers and planners on how to achieve favourable GI outcomes through the EIA process is needed.
»
Habitats
Regulation
Assessment
»
o Habitats Regulations require planners to consider development effects on the Natura 2000 network of European nature conservation sites and
the species therein. Guidance to developers and planners on how and when contributions to creating and maintaining the Green Network (which
includes Natura 2000 sites) can offset negative effects is needed.
»
Green Infrastructure Implementation
Core Strategy
8.0 Plan Realisation
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Funding
The Stepping Stones Project itself has some grant funding
available to support green infrastructure projects in its
area. However, the Project will also need to facilitate
funding from other bodies. There is a range of available
options for funding green infrastructure interventions through increased public and private sector contributions,
from development gain and by tapping into existing and
emerging funding streams.
Ensuring that green infrastructure is embedded within
local and regional policy will provide stronger justification
for funders to support green infrastructure interventions
and ensure that green infrastructure is included as a
component within funding criteria.
Further to this,
embedding green infrastructure into local planning policy
will ensure that robust planning conditions can be
developed in response to policy: by providing clear
justification and reasoning for the condition, requirements
can be placed on developers to provide and manage green
infrastructure for current and future needs within
developments.
The following section provides an overview of the key
funds that may be available. This assessment of funding
opportunities, is not meant to be a definitive list of all
funding available for green infrastructure projects, it is
however meant to give an indication of the variety of
funds and options available to support green infrastructure
creation and management works. In addition to these
existing funding streams the Stepping Stones Project
should be responsive to emerging funding streams and
where possible work with funders to influence funding
criteria to ensure ‘hooks’ are available for green
infrastructure projects; ensuring funders are included on
the Partners Forum will help in this.
Traditional Local Authority Funding
Funding for green infrastructure interventions can be
secured by working in partnership with Local Authorities.
With many demands for funding across competing
priorities, green spaces are not generally seen as being a
core funding requirement within Local Authorities,
therefore ring fencing of funds for green infrastructure is
unusual. The Stepping Stones Project – and particularly
its Ambassadors - should look to promote the social,
economic and environmental benefits that can be secured
from green infrastructure interventions to raise the
concept up the political agenda, and encourage greater
consideration of green infrastructure within Local Authority
funding allocations.
New Growth Point Funding
As a designated New Growth Point, Leicester and
Leicestershire (as part of the wider 6Cs New Growth Point)
will benefit from increased funding from central
Government to put into place the infrastructural
requirements associated with growth point housing
development – including green infrastructure. This funding
is essential particularly because of the need for “frontloaded” investment ahead of development for major
capital projects and for the continued revenue support for
the planning and organisation of green infrastructure
delivery.
Planning Obligations
Planning Obligations (or ‘Section 106’ agreements) are
monies paid by developers to offset any possible negative
effects of development. These developer requirements
should be directly related to Local Authority policy and
published standards, reiterating the importance of
embedding green infrastructure within policy documents.
Early discussions with developers at the master planning
stage should be encouraged to ensure effective
integration of green infrastructure within developments,
ensuring that it is not just seen as an after thought fitted
into those areas which are leftover from development.
Within both local and strategic scale green infrastructure,
the requirements for long-term management should be
addressed to ensure the long-term quality is maintained.
This may be achieved via a commuted sum which will
function as an income generating fund to assist with the
costs of management and maintenance.
Opportunities for the pooling of Section 106 monies to
deliver large scale strategic cross-boundary green
infrastructure projects should also be investigated.
Agri-Environment and Woodland Grant Schemes
Natural England and Forestry Commission are responsible
for the ‘Natural and Cultural’ Assets theme within the
Rural Development Programme for England. The Stepping
Stones Project should work with Natural England and
Forestry Commission to champion for alignment of their
land management funds (such as England Woodland
Grant Scheme and Environmental Stewardship) towards
wider green infrastructure outcomes, allowing funds to be
targeted to operations which actively build the green
infrastructure network. The proposed change in emphasis
of the Higher Level Stewardship fund towards urban fringe
locations will provide strong synergy between the actions
and objectives of the Stepping Stones Project and those
outcomes of the Stewardship Fund.
These agri-environment and woodland grant schemes
have the potential to increase the ecological resource
within the Stepping Stones Project area and provide
improved access to land. Targeting of landowners within
specific locations where biodiversity and access to
greenspace are low will ensure maximum benefit from
investment. There will be a requirement for the Project
(in partnership with other organisations) to actively
engage and encourage private landowners to join these
schemes.
Natural England also administers the Energy Crops
Scheme, for the establishment of miscanthus and short
rotation coppice. The uptake of this fund within the
Central Leicestershire area will contribute to a number of
Project objectives, therefore, the Stepping Stones Project
should look to actively encourage landowners to take up
this scheme where it is appropriate to the landscape and
other green infrastructure functions (particularly
agriculture and biodiversity).
Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) & Aggregates
Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF)
Tax on landfill waste was introduced in 1996 as a means
to reduce the amount of land-filled waste and to promote
a shift towards more environmentally sustainable methods
of waste management. The Landfill Communities Fund
enables operators of landfill sites to contribute up to 6.6%
of their landfill tax liability to registered Environmental
Bodies and reclaim 90% of this contribution as a tax
credit.
This money is then made available through
8.0 Plan Realisation
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
8.0 Plan Realisation
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Environmental Bodies to carry out projects which meet the
environmental objectives of the Landfill Tax Regulations.
Similarly, a levy on aggregate extraction was introduced in
April 2002. Part of the money raised by the levy finances
the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF), which
supports projects to reduce the effects of aggregate
extraction on local communities and the natural
environment. Projects supported deliver benefits in one of
the following themes: landscape and nature conservation,
access and informal recreation, communities, education
and understanding and evidence gathering.
Lottery Funding
Raised by money generated from the National Lottery, the
Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is committed to bringing real
improvements to communities and the lives of those who
need it most. BIG has a remit covering several agendas
which meet a number of green infrastructure functions
including environment, education and health. A fund of
around £630 million is available annually to a range of
projects and bodies.
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) concentrates on the
conservation and enhancement of heritage assets
(including parks and nature reserves) and increasing
access to and involvement in heritage issues.
Stepping Stones Project will have a role to both support
individual submissions and facilitate group and cross
boundary bids to ALSF, LCF and Big Lottery.
Case Study: Arkwright Meadows Community Garden
The community garden is based in the ‘Meadows’ area of Nottingham
– an inner city area with few open green spaces. The project came
about when a plot of land near to a local primary school became a
dumping ground and potential health hazard. Residents applied for
funding and were helped with over £122,000 from BIG allowing them
to transform this neglected open space to a green oasis.
The garden now boasts a fruit orchard, herb-garden, seating and
planting as well as wildlife and educational areas. It has established
links within the local school and children are often involved in helping
out at the site from learning how to grow fruit and vegetables to just
enjoying the green space.
The project has also created a greater sense of community in a highly
deprived area, regularly holding community events such as family
barbeques and volunteer days.
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Access to Nature
Access to Nature is a £25 million grant scheme joint
funded by BIG and Natural England. The scheme focuses
on three broad themes which are strongly aligned with the
proposed activities of the Stepping Stones Project
connecting people to wildlife: community awareness and
active participation; education, learning and volunteering
and welcoming and well managed and wildlife rich places.
Projects can be supported in rural, urban and coastal
communities which make a positive change to an areas
social, economic and environmental deprivation. Funds
start from £50,000 and applications are available from
voluntary, community and public sector organisations.
n Realisation
Endowments
Interest gained from assets such as property can be used
to generate funds for the enhancement, management and
maintenance of green infrastructure. This has been
achieved with success within Milton Keynes.
Creating a Green and Prosperous
Income Generating Opportunities
Case Study: Leices
Owners and managers of green infrastructure assets
should look to make the most of possible incomegenerating opportunities to fund their management and
maintenance.
This may include letting of on-site
concessions, franchising, entry fees or sponsorship –
which may also provide a means of encouraging business
involvement within green spaces.
Voluntary/Community Volunteering
there are a number of funds targeted towards local
community and voluntary groups for the creation,
improvement and management of green infrastructure
resources that others may not be able to access. These
groups can also contribute “in kind” support through
contributing their time and labour.
The early activities of the Stepping Stones Project will lay
the foundations for the following years, working towards
the attainment of the long-term vision for the Central
Leicestershire area. The programme of activities identified
below gives initial guidance on potential activity and is
guided by the Stepping Stones Action Plan which provides
further information on the operational activity of the
Project in subsequent years.
In addition to those activities listed here, the Project must
also be alert and flexible to any new opportunities which
may arise, for example through the New Growth Points,
and must ensure that it is in a position to be able to
respond to these opportunities appropriately whilst
developing the broader Project context. In particular,
opportunities to secure a ‘flagship’ project should be
pursued.
Communications
Plan:
Develop a Communications Plan to
raise awareness of the activities of
the Stepping Stones Project and its
vision, aims and objectives.
Develop Monitoring
System:
Build on the ‘Logical Framework’ to
determine indicators to monitor
progress.
Identify
appropriate
information to monitor progress and
methods to collect information from
partners.
Establish a
Baseline:
Identify
(through
information
collated within the Feasibility Study,
Influencing Strategy and other
information) an appropriate baseline
on which to show the “year 0
position” as a monitoring tool to
demonstrate change in subsequent
years.
Policy Database:
Continue to maintain and update the
Policy Database produced as part of
the Influencing Strategy.
Identify Projects:
Identify projects which would
contribute to the objectives of
Stepping Stones, utilising a project
proforma.
Prioritise the list of
potential projects to identify those
which would have greatest public
benefit e.g. through a scoring
system.
This programme will be subject to further refinement as
the Project progresses.
Year 1 Programme
Partners Forum:
Building on the work of the
Influencing Strategy, establish the
Partner’s Forum including terms of
reference, working procedures and
scope of the first year programme
establishing thematic or area
specific working groups if needed.
Steering Group:
Appoint
the
Steering
Group,
establishing terms of reference,
working procedures and programme
and funding requirements.
9.0 Next Steps
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
9.0 Next Steps
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Implement
Projects:
Implement
greenspace
programme
target areas
projects including a
survey and a planting
for Parishes and key
within the project area.
Funding Package:
Identify
suitable funders and
develop a marketing brochure
specifically aimed at potential
funders.
Existing Projects:
Continue the implementation of
existing projects and initiatives
already being delivered by the
Stepping Stones Project
Best Practice:
Begin to develop the ‘best practice’
portfolio
Networking:
Attend key conferences, seminars
and events to aid networking
Team Training:
Develop and implement a team
training plan
Annual Reporting:
Run an Annual Forum for members
of the Steering Group, Partners
Forum and any other agencies who
may have expressed interest or may
benefit from understanding the
activity of the Project. This event
will provide opportunities for the
Project to publicise its successes and
to gain consensus/understanding of
its focus for the coming year.
Annual Budgeting
Exercise:
Establish annual budgets based on
team running costs and project
portfolio.
The Stepping Stones Project is already recognised for its
many successes. With the development of the New
Growth Points and the rising issue of climate change, the
time has now come for a step change in Project activity to
become the principle green infrastructure facilitator leading delivery within the Leicester and Leicestershire
area.
The Stepping Stones Project firmly believes that a high
quality green infrastructure is a prerequisite of sustainable
growth.
Although the Stepping Stones area is not
recognised for its high ecological value the significant
landscape resource available presents many opportunities
to enhance existing and create new ecological resources.
The landscape although ecologically deprived is perceived
by many as green, the Project will look to enhance this
providing increased opportunities for those living in,
working in and visiting the Central Leicestershire area to
enjoy and experience high quality landscape on their
doorstep. This will provide many additional benefits
including improved health of the Leicester and
Leicestershire population.
The Project will work together in partnership to achieve
the vision for the Central Leicestershire area that by:
“Working in partnership we will create a multifunctional, biodiverse and resilient network of
countryside and urban green infrastructure that
supports a vibrant and competitive economy so that
everyone living in, working in and visiting the area may
enjoy and participate in a high quality of life.”
10.0 Overview
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Appendix 1: List of Policy Documents Reviewed
Organisation
Document / Policy
Assembly
Policies and Actions for the East
Midlands Environment
Organisation
Document / Policy
Forestry
Commission
Space 4 Trees
Leicester City
Council
City of Leicester Local Plan
River Nene
Regional Park
Initiative
North Northamptonshire Green
Infrastructure
Oadby and
Wigston Borough
Council
Oadby and Wigston Adopted Local
Plan
Natural England
Natural England Strategic Direction
Leicester City
Council
Leicestershire
County Council
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
structure plan 1996 - 2016
Leicester Climate Change Strategy
Leicestershire Community Strategy
Leicester City
Council
Leicestershire
County Council
Environmental Strategy for Leicester
Harborough District Local Plan
DEFRA
England Woodland Strategy
Harborough
District Council
Harborough
District Council
Harborough District Local Development
Framework Core Strategy - preferred
options report
Blaby District
Council
Blaby District Council Local Plan
DCLG
Planning Policy Guidance 17: Planning
for open space, sport and recreation
Leicestershire
Together
Leicestershire Together - Local Area
Agreement
Leicestershire
County Council
Leicestershire Urban Fringe
Countryside management project
East Midlands
Regional
Assembly
Regional Spatial strategy for the east
midlands
Office of the
Deputy Prime
Minister
Planning Policy Statement 7:
Sustainable Development in Rural
Areas
Hinckley and
Bosworth Borough
Council
Hinckley & Bosworth – The Shape of
things to come: 2026 Local
Development Framework - Core
Strategy Preferred Options - Public
Consultation Draft
Government
Office for the East
Midlands
East Midlands Rural Delivery
Framework
Leicestershire
County Council
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
Landscape and Woodland Strategy
East Midlands
Regional
East Midlands Regional Environment
Strategy - Part 1 & 2, Objectives,
East Midlands
Regional
Assembly
Putting Wildlife Back on the Map - a
Biodiversity Strategy for the East
Midlands
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Organisation
Document / Policy
DCLG
Planning Policy Statement 9:
Biodiversity and Geological
Conservation
Organisation
Document / Policy
Strategy and Delivering the Strategy
Blaby District
Council
Sence and Soar Green Wedges
management strategy
Oadby & Wigston
Borough Council
Oadby and Wigston Local
Development Framework - Core
Strategy - Preferred Options Presubmission Consultation Paper
National Forest
National Forest Local BAP
Leicestershire
Rural Partnerships
Leicestershire Rural Strategy
Oadby & Wigston
LSP
Oadby and Wigston Community
Strategy
HM Treasury
STERN REVIEW: The Economics of
Climate Change
Natural England
Nature for People: the importance of
green spaces to East Midlands
communities
East Midlands
Regional
Assembly
East Midlands Integrated Regional
Strategy
Hinckley &
Bosworth LSP
Hinckley and Bosworth Community
Plan 2007-2012 (Draft for Public
Consultation)
Charnwood
Borough Council
Charnwood Green Space Strategy
(Draft for Cabinet Consideration)
East Midlands
Regional
Assembly
Charnwood Biodiversity Action Plan
Draft East Midlands Regional Plan
Parts 1 & 2
Charnwood
Borough Council
East Midlands
Development
Agency
Destination East Midlands - The East
Midlands Tourism Strategy 2003 2010
Leicestershire and
Rutland Wildlife
Trust
Biodiversity Challenge: An Action Plan
for Leicester, Leicestershire and
Rutland
Leicestershire
County Council
Leicestershire Walking and Cycling
Strategy
Charnwood
Borough Council
Charnwood Borough Local Plan 1991 2006
Sherwood Forest
Trust
Sherwood Forest Trust Annual Report
Blaby District
Council
Blaby District Council Local
Development Framework - Draft Core
Strategy (Preferred Options)
Leicestershire
County Council
Rights of way Improvement Plan Consultation Draft for Leicestershire
2006 - 2011
Forestry
Commission
UK Forestry Standard
Stepping Stones
CMP
Stepping Stones Countryside Project
Annual Report, 2005 - 06
National Forest
The National Forest 2004-14 - Concise
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones Annual Report, 2004 -
Organisation
Document / Policy
Organisation
Document / Policy
CMP
05
County Council
2008
Blaby District
Council
Rothley Brook Meadows management
Strategy
Investment for Health - A public health
strategy for the East Midlands
Stepping Stones
CMP
Anstey Green Wedge - Landscape,
Recreation, Land Use, Biodiversity and
Future Management.
East Midlands
Regional
Assembly
Harborough
District Council
Harborough District Community
Strategy
Forestry
Commission
United Kingdom Woodland Assurance
Scheme
DCLG
The Woodland
Trust
Woodland - Its contribution to
sustainable Development and the
Quality of life
Consultation - Planning Policy
Statement: Planning and Climate
Change - Supplement to Planning
Policy Statement 1
Charnwood
Together
Charnwood Community Strategy
Charnwood
Borough Council
Charnwood 2021: Planning for Our
Next Generation - Core Strategy
Preferred Options
Blaby District
Council
Blaby Community Plan
HM Treasury
Barker Review of Land Use Planning
Nottinghamshire
County Council
Sherwood Strategy
Northamptonshire
County Council
River Nene Regional Park
Natural England
What About Us? - LAR Research Note
- CRN95
ODPM
Sustainable Communities: People,
Places and Prosperity
ODPM
Sustainable communities in the East
Midlands: Building for the future
Advantage West
Midlands
Smart Growth: The Midlands Way
ODPM
LIVING PLACES Cleaner, Safer,
Greener
ODPM
Creating Sustainable Communication in
the East Midlands
DEFRA
Securing the future: Delivering UK
sustainable development strategy
Leicestershire
Leicestershire Cultural Strategy 2003-
DCLG
Planning Policy Statement 7:
Sustainable Development in Rural
Areas
East Midlands
Development
Agency
East Midlands Urban Action Plan 2005:
Consultation Document
Leicester City
Council
The Strategy for Leicester
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Organisation
Document / Policy
Leicester City
Council
Leicester's Local Area Agreement
2006-2009
Leicester City
Council
Leicester Environment City
Leicestershire
County Council
Guided Walks in Leicestershire and
Rutland
Leicester City
Council
Biodiversity in Leicester
Environment
Agency
Green Infrastructure - Sustainable
Communities in Milton Keynes and
South Midlands
Leicestershire
County Council
Visitor Guide To The Country Parks of
Leicestershire
Leicestershire and
Rutland Wildlife
Trust
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife
Trust
Sport England
East Midlands
Change 4 Sport in England’s East
Midlands: A Regional Plan for Sport
2004-2008
Commission for
Rural
Communities
State of the Countryside 2005
Leicestershire
County Council
Medium Term Corporate Strategy to
2009: Improving Life in Leicestershire
Countryside
Agency
Use and Demand for Rights of Way
Appendix 2: Consultation
During October 2005, consultation was undertaken on the
vision, aims, objectives, governance and staff structure of
the Stepping Stones Project.
This consultation was
undertaken via a combination of telephone interviews and
e-mail questionnaires focussing on 13 Key Questions.
Each of these questions are identified in turn below and
the general views expressed by consultees. All views were
considered in the development of the Green Infrastructure
Delivery Plan and Project Action Plan however, not all
were incorporated.
Q1. Is the vision acceptable to you?
Consultation response summary:
 Does not reflect urban strongly enough and needs to
put more emphasis on the growth points and the
contribution of the project to address this;
 Economic sector is not really reflected here;
 Remove the term ‘energetic’ from the vision; and
 Should green infrastructure be brought out more
within the vision.
Q2.
Do you agree with the aims?
Consultation response summary:
 Sustain conveys the image of ‘static’ need to look to
use terms more like encourage;
 Aim on climate change is too succinct and does not
include reference to mitigation only adaptation;
 Strategy will need to ensure it does not just duplicate
other Strategies;
 Acknowledge within the strategy that the achievement
of some of the aims will be long-term;




Reinforce the concept of Partnership working and
clearly identify those aspects were the Stepping Stones
Project will be taking a supporting role rather than
leading delivery;
Healthy environment does not put enough emphasis
on biodiversity needs to be more strongly brought out
– Can links be made here to Biodiversity Action Plan;
Due to the importance of the 6C’s New Growth Point
the contribution of the aims to delivering GI in the
New Growth Point needs to be clearly made; and
Emphasis needs to be more on encouraging
community involvement rather than meet community
demand which give the impression that this relates
more to provision.
Q3.
Are there any aims missing?
Consultation response summary:
 More strongly draw out biodiversity, this could be
achieved through rewording of existing aims rather
than creation of new; and
 Community consultation and involvement needs to be
more explicit.
Q4.
Do you agree with the objectives?
Consultation response summary:
General Comments:

Terminology needs to be simple so everyone can
understand, avoid jargon;

Large number of objectives, need to make it clear
that these will not all be ‘core’ responsibility of the
Stepping Stones Project and that will support others
in achieving some of the objectives;
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan

Emphasis of terminology needs to be clear some say
tone down use of words such as ensure/transform
whilst others ask the project to be bold;

Should timescales for achievement of some of these
activities be included either within objectives or
strategy as a whole.
Aim 1

Use walkable distance, or easy to reach; and

Should this be more ambitious and reflect 300m
ANGST target?.
Aim 2

Woodland average to English average is not seen as
reaching far enough, England is well behind Europe
and, therefore, should be aiming more towards these
levels;

Transform is a strong term, which gives idea of large
scale interventions is encourage/enhance more
appropriate;

More emphasis on Biodiversity Action Plan;

Reference to landscape connectivity;

Air quality is a difficult objective as there are a lot of
factors outside projects control; and

Contribution that can be made to river catchment is a
little unclear.
Aim 3

Needs more emphasis on rural skills; and

Refine what support is being offered to landowners
within the Strategy text.
Aim 4

More focus on community involvement and linking
into existing forums and networks e.g. Community
Forums.
Aim 5


Climate Change needs more objectives e.g.
contribution to mitigation of heat island etc; and
As stated previously needs to make reference to both
adaptation and mitigation.
Q5.
Can we add to the objectives?
Consultation response summary:

Reference to contribution of woodlands in air quality
management areas;

Reinforce benefit of farming to the landscape and
biodiversity of the area;

Need to add more in regard to climate change;

Should the objectives have targets?;

Should the objectives include something on green
wedges based on existing involvement of the project
in them?;

Should target audiences be identified e.g. Vulnerable
people; and

Bring out stronger references to active community
engagement and volunteering.
Q6.
Should we remove any of the objectives?
Consultation response summary:

Need to be clear about what objectives will be
delivered by the project ‘core objectives’ and consider
what if any targets should be set for these.
Q7.
Are these the right roles for the Stepping
Stones Project?
Consultation response summary:

Need to demonstrate added value of project beyond
that which is already occurring;






Must compliment rather than undermine work of
others, will need to have clear roles for key partners
and know when to refer projects on to others;
Signposting not duplicating;
Emphasis is more on facilitating than delivery;
Need to make reference to its contribution to the 3
cities growth;
Landowner work will be key, but need to complement
other existing funding initiatives; and
Mores specific about databases and what type of
service this would be.
Q8. Which roles to deliver directly & which to
enable others to do?
Consultation response summary:

Focus must be on delivering change; and

Must clearly identify where will deliver themselves
and where will complement others e.g. landowner
negotiations etc, are already being done by a
number of organisations.
Q9. Will any of roles, complement, enhance,
duplicate or undermine the work of other partners?
Consultation response summary:

Should play an advocacy role for green
infrastructure particularly in regard to New Growth
Points;

Complement work of other funding schemes;

Policy development is area where roles could
duplicate need to be explicit about the Stepping
Stones position;

Communication is key to avoid duplication; and

Should refer onto others where roles overlap and
identified as not within the Stepping Stones Project
main remit.
Q.10 Are there any roles missing?
Consultation response summary:

Commenting on planning applications possibly in
regard to green infrastructure in new development;

Work with local authorities to find solutions to the
problems within urban fringe;

Training;

Role in policy development of other organisations;

First port of call for green infrastructure advice; and

Representation/influencing role.
Q11. Is this an appropriate basis on which to go
forward?
Consultation response summary:

Needs to be inclusive, by having a fuzzy boundary
means people do not feel excluded, also this will
allow for future flexibility;

Work with this boundary for now but set it within
the context that expansion is likely to encompass
initiatives such as 6C’s and EcoTowns, need to be
resourceful and ensure project area is taking
advantage of all opportunities;

Interventions should be targeted at need within the
area; and

Use term Parish Council Boundaries.
Q.12 Is this the right structure to deliver the aims
& objectives?
Consultation response summary:
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan
Appendix
Creating a Green and Prosperous Future: A Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan







Structure is too big, need to start small and build up
– there is currently duplication in the roles;
Steering group should be small and focussed;
Idea of patrons is good however, may take a role of
having a network of specialist advisors rather than
one individual;
Need to make clear the legal status of the
organisation;
Some brief indication of likely job descriptions and a
comparison of these to the objectives would be
good;
Support for positions on Steering Group and Patrons
Forum; and
Idea of Annual forum meeting is good.
Q13. What might be the strengths and weaknesses
of the structure?
Consultation response summary:

Strengths seen to be, permanent professional staff
who are committed and dedicated, tried and tested
organisation structure used within the County
Council; and

Weaknesses where seen as the size of the structure
and the possibility of duplication within it and the
high running costs associated with such a structure.
The possibility of the programme becoming just a
‘talking shop’ was identified, this needs to avoided.