Making Space for Nature, Cornwall Council

Public Health crises have always influenced public policy. In 1854, John Snow mapped the outbreak of Cholera, which led to policies enacting the building of sewer systems and clean water supplies, contributing to the current picture of epidemiology and public health that we see today. In 2022, the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, climate, and biodiversity emergencies are driving policies and strategies globally, nationally, regionally, and locally. People are observing and becoming more vocal about the condition of their outdoor environment - their streets and parks are also linked with health and well-being, the value of wildlife. Developing healthy, resilient, biodiverse, and thriving communities requires momentum and thinking, including an evidence-led, long-term vision, tangible actions and investment, and decision-making parameters.

Urban cities, towns and villages need multifunctional networks for well-being, water, and wildlife; green infrastructure[1] (GI). GI strategies and policies come in many shapes and forms - nature has no boundaries; it is part of our every day and is everywhere. For example, Nature Recovery Networks are local, regional and global. Therefore, a strategic view is needed to connect and look beyond particular sites, public and private land ownership definitions, and physical and administrative boundaries.

Evidence-led GI strategies can challenge perceptions, steer planning and implementation, and bring consistency, ensuring that action can be taken for the long term, enabling local responses to the global emergencies we face.

However, what does a strategy or policy for delivering ‘good’ GI look like? When ‘green wash’ is mainstream, strategies and policies need to be structured, tested, accountable and peer-reviewed[2]. GI is critical to the economy (no nature, no economy), to achieving the vision of COP27[3] (delivering mitigation and adaptation) and to have policies aimed at providing biodiversity gains. Building with Nature (BwN) is a national GI benchmark that offers a set of quality standards and accreditation to support developers and planners in delivering high-quality GI. BwN accreditation can be used as a tool and assessment, assuring clients, designers and planners, communities, investors and funders, politicians, and other interested parties that policy documents are robust, relevant, and accountable.

Sometimes a shortcoming of strategies and policies is language; it can create barriers; overly technical with the use of industry jargon can lead to misinterpretation and alienate stakeholders and decision-makers. Using the BwN Standards Framework can provide structure, assist in formatting, and communicate actions and statements. For example, increasingly in city centres, GI strategies are being led and financed by Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), which require an evidence-led approach, non-technical communication and peer review.

GI strategies and policies must be regularly reviewed to reflect the changing world and rapidly shifting policies over the last few years, including national legislation changes. For example, the National Planning Policy Framework and the Environment Act (2021)[4] with biodiversity net gain impact becoming mandatory and the emerging GI standards by Natural England[5]. Review, governance, and management are crucial to ensure that the strategy and procedures are relevant and confer with current legislation and guidance—for example, the LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design manual.

There is a legacy to policies and strategies; how they could be interpreted and bridged into deliverable projects. At times, they journey through a bumpy course of political support and governance which can change their method of existence. However, BwN Standards Framework is regularly updated to reflect current research, legislation change and guidance. The Standards are maintained by the BwN Standards Board, comprised of key professional bodies, leading experts in green infrastructure and representatives from industry and government across the UK, to ensure they are rigorously reviewed.

There are few peer-review assessments like Building with Nature for strategies and policies directly for green infrastructure. BwN validates GI strategies, commitment and buy-in from stakeholders, community, developers, and investors, which can help risk-proof future projects, guide delivery and add value environmentally, economically, and socially to the local area and beyond. BwN has accredited numerous projects and policies, including Making Space for Nature by Cornwall County Council[6], Our Health Meadow in Cardiff by Down to Earth[7] and West Dunbartonshire Council Local Development Plan in Scotland[8].

A common language is critical to empower people from all backgrounds to understand and commit. The BwN Standards Framework provides clear foundations for discussions between local authorities and developers in defining what ‘good’ looks like and assists in guiding the delivery of GI initiatives. In turn, this enables accountability and helps foster trust between developers, local authorities, stakeholders, and communities.

[1] A network of multi-functional green and blue spaces and other natural features, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits for nature, climate, local and wider communities and prosperity. NPPF 2021, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005759/NPPF_July_2021.pdf Accessed 26 April 2022

[2] What is peer review? https://authorservices.wiley.com/Reviewers/journal-reviewers/what-is-peer-review/index.html

[3] Egypt Goals and Vision, COP 27 https://cop27.eg/#/vision

[4] Environment Act 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/30/contents/enacted

[5] Natural England Green Infrastructure Standards https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/GreenInfrastructure/Home.aspx

[6] Making Space for Nature, Cornwall https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/making-space-for-nature/

[7] Down to Earth – Our Health Meadow – Ein Dôl Iechyd https://ourorchard.wales/down-to-earth/

[8] https://www.buildingwithnature.org.uk/project-list-blog/2022/9/29/west-dunbartonshire-council-local-development-plan-2

How can Green Infrastructure Support Public Policy and Local Priorities?