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The National Planning Policy Framework 2012 (NPPF), which guides the development of Local Plans and policies, recognises the importance of strategically planned GI both as an implicit objective in itself and as an aid to delivering the National NPPF’s wider objectives towards sustainable development – such as healthy communities and economic prosperity.
This study was commissioned by Sunderland City Council to inform and support Sunderland’s Core Strategy and Development Plan (CSDP) 2015-2033. It builds upon a wealth of work already conducted by the Council, in assessing the quality and quantity of greenspace provision in local neighbourhoods across the city and identifying a set of district and inter- district Green Infrastructure Corridors.
The importance of these Corridors in protecting and enhancing the existing GI assets that provide multiple benefits to people and wildlife across Sunderland is highlighted in this study. They define our settlements, whilst providing a connected landscape within which biodiversity, natural processes and ecosystem services can function. The natural capital we derive from these functions will become increasingly important to support sustainable growth alongside climate change and population expansion.
This study also builds upon the Council’s Greenspace Audit and utilises a range of wider socioeconomic and environmental indicators, relevant to the NPPFs objectives, in order to map where there is greatest area-based need for the public benefits that GI brings. The evidence base is then combined in order to highlight where there is greatest potential for economic, social, environmental and multi-functional outcomes from green infrastructure interventions. The resulting maps provide an overview of where enhancements to promote GI could deliver the greatest benefits for wildlife and people.
The study recognises that certain indicators require further refinement and that the mapping outputs must be considered only as an aid to strategic planning. Local knowledge and conditions; political and community values; ownership, partnerships, access and stewardship are all amongst further factors which must be considered and brought to bear in order to sustainably enhance and connect GI appropriately across the City.
Finally, a set of priorities is defined for GI delivery in Sunderland with a summary of recommended next steps to take the strategy forward. This includes the production of a Delivery and Action Plan, to identify projects, resources and partners, overcome barriers, and deliver the Council’s aspirations for green infrastructure on the ground.
