The exceptional green infrastructure network of Telford & Wrekin is a lasting legacy of the new town landscape plan for Telford, developed in the 1960s and 70s, and continually enhanced since. In this video they show us how they actively protect their natural environment and are incorporating the Urban Greening Factor into their Local Plan.
What was the vision?
Telford & Wrekin Council's vision for their borough is of a successful, sustainable place with vibrant, diverse communities living healthy lives and enjoying meaningful relationships with nature. When much-needed new homes are built, they are designed with nature at the heart, continuing the early new town vision of a forest community.
How did the Green Infrastructure Framework help to realise the vision?
Telford & Wrekin Council have embedded Natural England's Urban Greening Factor Standard and Urban Nature Recovery Standard into policy, providing a framework for measuring and improving green infrastructure across the borough. This requires a minimum Urban Greening Factor of 0.4 for major residential development, and 0.3 for non-residential. The Urban Nature Recovery Standard has aided the creation and protection of more areas for wildlife, and made sure the areas are better managed through the declaration of Local Nature Reserves.
What's been achieved?
Proactive tree and woodland management resulted in Telford being awarded Tree City of the World status by the United Nations in 2023. A 150 hectare green lung has been created in the middle of the town, where Southwater Square links the town centre to popular Telford Town Park, which has been voted one of the best parks in the country.
Telford & Wrekin have four times the national standard for Local Nature Reserves. With twenty+ sites close to where people live, where local authorities have committed to managing land for nature and for people to enjoy that nature. Existing open spaces have been enhanced for wildlife, for example by reducing intensive mowing and introducing wildflower seeding to create meadows that contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain.
89% of households are within 300 metres of greenspace. 77% of households have access to a protected woodland within 500 metres, with 26% tree cover across the borough.
What were the problems to overcome?
Satisfying the demand for development land, whilst protecting green spaces, has been successfully managed. Unique to Telford & Wrekin, is a Green Guarantee that protects areas of the council's land from any future development, along with Local Nature Reserves and SSSIs, Fields in Trust sites and Village Greens. And the Green Network, a local open space designation that protects connected green spaces throughout the borough, whether they be in private or public ownership. In addition, the Local Plan stipulates a Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10%, ideally 20%, for all new developments.
What lessons have been learnt?
The council's prioritisation of the natural environment has attracted inward investment, improved health & wellbeing, helped reduce flooding, improved air quality and protected biodiversity.
How was the green infrastructure strategy funded?
Financing of green infrastructure enhancement has been achieved through a mixture of revenue funding, capital investments and developer contributions.
How is the infrastructure being managed and funded going forward?
As a council, Telford & Wrekin have been creative in creating commercial opportunities that generate revenue, such as owning their own solar farm and house building company. This helps fund frontline services, including the maintenance of open spaces. Use of volunteer and 'friends of' groups has also been extremely successful.
In addition, new developments are required to submit a detailed, agreed and fully costed management plan, covering a period of at least 20 years, accompanied by a long-term commitment to undertake management or financial provision.