Communities to designate protected "green space" in neighbourhood plans

Communities will be able to designate local “green space” land for protection as part of neighbourhood plans, ministers have proposed in the Natural Environment White Paper launched today.

The government said the land could be earmarked “whether its value is in its natural beauty, its historic resonances, its recreational value, its tranquillity or its importance as wildlife habitat”.

Ministers insisted that the planning system’s ambitions to protect the natural environment and promote sustainable growth were mutually compatible and would form the basis of government planning policy reforms.

Details on the new Green Areas Designation come ahead of a formal consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. The power is expected to come into force by April 2012.

“Given the importance of green spaces to the health and happiness of local communities the government considers the new designation should offer suitably strong protection to localised areas that are demonstrably special and will consult on that basis,” the White Paper – called The Natural Choice – says.

However, the government said protected sites should complement and not undermine investment in homes, jobs and other essential services.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "Green spaces are incredibly important to local life which is why this government is committed to protecting them. These are special areas that invigorate communities like local beauty spots, wildlife habitats or even local playing fields so important for healthy activities.

"By giving local people greater control over much loved green spaces we are placing the strongest emphasis on the protection of the environment and local communities' interests. We are also making sure that what we decide today leaves a positive and sustainable legacy for future generations."

The White Paper sets out how the government expects the planning system to contribute to its objective of no net loss of biodiversity as part of sustainable development. Local authorities will be invited to take part in a pilot of biodiversity offsetting, working with developers to deliver compensation for unavoidable habitat loss.

Other significant proposals in the White Paper include:

• The establishment of Nature Improvement Areas “transforming rural and urban areas and providing bigger, connected sites for wildlife to live in and adapt to climate change”. A £7.5m fund will be put aside to create the first 12 NIAs
• The creation of Local Nature Partnerships to strengthen joined-up action. £1m in funding will be made available this year
• A new Nature Capital Committee, an independent body reporting to the government’s economic affairs committee, that will advise on the best way of securing the country’s natural assets for the future.

The White Paper “does not pose any additional burdens on local authorities but it recognises that success in protecting and improving the natural environment will depend on action taken at local level”, according to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. “Local authorities possess the strategic overview, local knowledge and statutory powers required to make the vision set out in this White Paper a reality.”

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Giving communities the power to protect green spaces in towns and cities important to their local environment will benefit the wellbeing of people and wildlife. The natural environment matters to all of us, we all have an interest in protecting it and making it better.”

The Natural Environment White Paper, ‘The Natural Choice’ can be downloaded here.

Philip Hoult