Essex County Council lead the way in developing an exemplar Green Infrastructure Strategy

 Jayne Rogers, Environment Officer at Essex County Council explains how Essex developed a Building with Nature “Excellent” Green Infrastructure strategy.

Over the last 12 months a bright light has clearly been shone on the importance of our green infrastructure – from parks and gardens to allotments and woodland – to our mental health and wellbeing.

 But well before the start of the pandemic, Essex County Council had recognised the need to develop a plan to protect and grow green spaces within the county.

 Back in 2017, the importance of developing quality green spaces across Essex was the subject of discussion at a meeting of the Authority’s leadership team, where they agreed there was a need to develop a Strategy for Essex. This was in line with the planned growth in Essex for the next twenty years.

 According to the Office of National Statistics 2018, the population of Greater Essex is projected to increase by over 18% to approximately 2.1 million by 2040. With a projected population growth of nearly twenty per cent over the next two decades, as well as a desire to enhance the quality of life for existing residents, the plan to develop a Green Infrastructure Strategy for Essex was born.

 As well as improving the environment for current and future residents, the strategy would support the work of the Essex Climate Action Commission and help the county adapt and to mitigate against the effects of climate change.

 In recent months, many areas of the county saw extensive flooding over a sustained period and more recently, very heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. Such extreme weather events look set to increase as the effects of climate change worsen. The Green Infrastructure Strategy sets out how we can protect, create, improve and connect the county’s Green Infrastructure to tackle climate change and improve the environment.

 As the Authority took steps to put together its strategy, it became a real collaborative affair. In addition to an internal steering group the Council developed an online partnership platform to share information and live drafts of the strategy for partners to comment on. Residents were asked to take part in an extensive consultation to share their views.

 The Council worked with over 60 different partners from University of East Anglia, local planning authorities and Government public sectors, such as the Forestry Commission, Environment Agency and Natural England. Community groups and third sector organisations such as the RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust were also heavily involved. Each was able to contribute their different areas of expertise to help shape and structure the strategy.

 With the Strategy, the Council sought to create a way to protect and improve the county’s green spaces and create a network of areas which could play a key role in residents’ health and wellbeing, protect the environment and bring a host of economic benefits.

 Having seen a presentation on the Building with Nature accreditation and, convinced it would be a good framework to guide the Essex Green Infrastructure Strategy, the Council then sought accreditation.

 The subsequent Building with Nature endorsement of ‘Excellent’ serves to strengthen the Council’s commitment to delivering and sustaining a thriving place for people and wildlife alike.

 To further develop the Green Infrastructure Strategy, Essex County Council will now be exploring the establishment of a Green Essex Network and fund, building on the online partnership to develop project focus areas and oversee the rollout and delivery of the strategy’s plan.

 There are also several projects in the pipeline such as the Essex Forest Initiative to plant 375,000 trees and Make Rainwater Happy – a flood prevention project in Canvey Island where the Council has worked in partnership with Anglian Water. Working closely with Building with Nature and the University of Northumbria, the Authority has also been trialling Natural England's National Green Infrastructure Standards framework to develop Green Infrastructure standards and principles for Essex to embed into planning,

 One of the most exciting projects underway is the ‘Path to Prosperity’ which will promote the Essex coastline, developing the coastal path and providing sustainable access to it whilst supporting tourism experiences and creating apprenticeships to ensure an improved visitor experience.

 Commenting on the Strategy, Gemma Jerome, Director of Building with Nature said: “This strategic policy document represents a national exemplar in the design, delivery and maintenance of high-quality green infrastructure for the benefit of people and wildlife, now and long into the future.”

 Without a doubt, developing a Green Infrastructure Strategy and achieving the highest level of accreditation have helped ensure Essex County Council is well on its way to achieving its vision of a greener Essex and reaching its target of becoming a net zero county by 2050.

Building with Nature are currently developing a one-day online green infrastructure training product to support local authorities in utilizing the Standards, due to be launched in June 2021. For further information please contact Sophie Jones, Programme Manager at Building with Nature.

e. sophie@buidingwithnature.org.uk t. 07485 307237