In response to the First Conversation consultation you told us that biodiversity and green spaces were a high priority. You wanted us to ensure that development supports on and off-site enhancements for biodiversity, and to protect and link up green spaces for nature, in particular protecting the river Cam and increasing tree cover. You also wanted us to provide more green spaces that are accessible to people.
Our aim for our biodiversity and green spaces policies
Increase and improve our network of habitats for wildlife, and green spaces for people, ensuring that development leaves the natural environment better than it was before.
How has this influenced the shape of the plan?
To inform the overall strategy for the plan we have been considering the best locations to restore our area’s habitat networks and provide more green spaces for people to enjoy. Our evidence has identified 14 strategic green infrastructure initiatives to help achieve this. Our preferred development strategy including draft allocations has been informed by and incorporates our green infrastructure initiatives. In addition, together with partner local authorities we have agreed a set of Environmental Principles, which have informed our approach to this Theme.
How does this intersect with the other themes?
Our green spaces provide many varied benefits for wildlife, people and planet, and this theme therefore connects with most of the other themes, including for example Climate Change, which included policies requiring urban greening and sustainable drainage systems (CC/DC and CC/FM), Great Places, which require our green spaces to respond to their landscape context (GP/LC) and form part of the overall design of development (GP/PP), and infrastructure (I/ST), in that green spaces form essential infrastructure to support successful development.
Topic paper
Further information on the policy areas, including their national, regional and local context, and further information on the evidence that has informed the proposed policy direction, can be found in the topic paper which accompanies this theme:
- Greater Cambridge : Topic paper 3: and Green Spaces
Tell us what you think
Our consultation for this phase is now closed.
What policies are we proposing?
The following policy areas have been identified under this theme: