Developing a green space strategy

The local area approach to green spaces should be based on evidence of local needs – which means auditing local provision of green spaces and consulting local people on what they want. A strategy makes it easier for different organisations to commit themselves and to pool responsibility, objectives, resources and actions. It should relate to the local development framework and provide the basis to maximise the opportunities of new development.

Parks and planning departments should work in partnership to prepare a green space strategy. This should set out a local authority’s objectives for using its green space, plus the resources, methods and time needed to meet these objectives.
Considering all aspects of the creation, design, care and use of all types of green spaces should be the first step when forming a strategy as this will help to:

Generate political and inter¬departmental support for green spaces
Develop shared objectives
Define the value and role of green spaces in meeting corporate and community aims
Create a comprehensive policy for creating
protecting and enhancing green spaces
Make sure that green spaces enhance the quality and diversity of the environment as well as promoting civic pride and including everyone in the community
Ensure that the green spaces network meets local people’s needs – now and in the future
Allocate resources in a way that maximises the value of capital investment and revenue expenditure
Involve voluntary and community groups in green spaces provision and management

A strategy for green spaces should be linked to local planning policies and we expect local planning authorities to take a strategic approach to the provision of green spaces.

When considering new developments, local authorities should look at the way they might affect existing green spaces and how this fits the authority’s overall green space strategy. This is an opportunity to ensure new developments provide the right type of space in the right location. It may also provide opportunities for existing spaces to be improved to cope with new demand. It is also necessary to ensure any new green spaces provided will be managed and maintained in the long term.

The local authority should also engage with regional bodies such as the Regional Assembly, Development Agency and Government Office to ensure that regional plans including green infrastructure are taken into account in developing a local green space strategy and plans.

The quality of green space is just as important as quantity. Quality will be determined by planning and design, management and maintenance, and use. Although PPG17 does not prescribe national standards for quantity, quality and access to green spaces, standards should be set locally based on identified needs and using guidance provided.

In considering quality, the Green Flag Award criteria can be applied to most types of green space, and act as a sign of quality.

The Green Flag Awards Scheme is a voluntary peer review scheme, widely accepted as a measure of quality in the management, operation and improvement of green spaces. Green Flags have been awarded to country parks, ecology sites, nature reserves, cemeteries and botanical gardens, as well as more traditional urban parks.