Section 3.1 Module 1 - Green and Blue Infrastructure Assets

3.1.1 Combined Green and Blue Infrastructure Assets layer.

What is this layer?

This layer (map 1.1) is the core Green Infrastructure dataset that fuels the other assessments and maps. It brings together a wide suite of spatial datasets on Green Infrastructure assets into one map using an integrating Green Infrastructure Typology (see method statement).

What data was used?

Incorporated into the combined green and blue infrastructure assets layer are the following data:

• OS Greenspace (Open)
• OS Woodland
• OS Open Water
• OS Open Rivers
• OS Woodland
• Natural England LNR/NNR/Access Land/DG/MG/Country Parks - NE open
• National Forest Inventory
• Ancient Woodlands

What are the layer attributes?

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

This layer does not categorise every land parcel in England. In this version only those parts of England covered by the source data are provided with a Green Infrastructure Typology.

The accuracy of the data is that inherited from the source data. Reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the map accurately represents the input from the source data, but all source data will contain error and the existence of a polygon and its associated attributes on the map does not necessarily match circumstances on the ground. When using the map, ground truthing of the data will be required.

Note on treatment of "Playing Fields"

The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 defines "Playing Fields" as;

"the whole of a site which encompasses at least one playing pitch".

In addition "playing pitches" are described as;

"a delineated area which, together with any run-off area, is of 0.2 hectares or more, and which is used for association football, American football, rugby, cricket, hockey, lacrosse, rounders, baseball, softball, Australian football, Gaelic football, shinty, hurling, polo or cycle polo".

In the Green Infrastructure Mapping V 1.1 (and now inherited by V 1.2), source data from the OS Open Green Space data has been retained to identify both "Playing Fields" and "Other Sports Facilities" which are defined in the OS Technical Specification as follows;

Playing Fields - Large, flat areas of grass or specially designed surfaces, generally with marked pitches, used primarily for outdoor sports, i.e. football, rugby, cricket.

Other Sports Facilities – Land used for sports not specifically described by other categories. Includes those facilities where participation in sport is the primary use of the area.

Please note that Other Sports Facilities may include or be made up wholly of buildings (identifiable using the "percent man-made surface" attribute).

The OS depictions of Playing Fields may thus not be entirely in accordance with the TCPA definition and the Green Infrastructure mapping has used the data as provided by the OS source. The use of typology descriptions "Playing Fields" or "Other Sports Facilities" in the mapping is purely for the purposes of typological differentiation of spaces and in the event of any discrepancy, the depiction of Playing Fields and/or Sports Facility in the mapping does not override the definition in the TCPA (Development Management Procedure) 2015 or that used in the National Planning Policy Framework which should be followed in any formal, policy or legal consideration of "Playing Fields".

For Version 1.2, Sport England "£Active Places" data has been incorporated. This data is "point" data not polygon. The Active Places data provides more comprehensive information about sports, active recreation and play spaces but does not necessarily match the same locations as the OS Open Greenspace data. When considering provision for sport, active recreation and play, it is important to consider the content of both the Sport England and OS data together.

For version 1.2 Sport England data has been imported as a new layer to compliment and refine the data on Playing Fields and Sport Facilities in the OS data. The Sport England data is "point data" only but provides considerably more attribute detail and context beyond the OS data. The Sport England Data is likely to provide more recent and accurate information on the existence of sports and active spaces provision.

3.1.2 Accessible Green Infrastructure

What is this layer?

This layer (map 1.2) displays all Green Infrastructure assets that have been regarded as accessible green spaces for the development of Version 1.2 (see method statement for Version 1.2).

Map 1.2 is a subset of Map 1.1

Polygons from Map 1.1 were retained based on an accessibility flag (mapping attribute). This means that private greenspaces such as golf courses, allotments, private sports facilities, gardens are not included in Map 1.2

Definitions of accessible greenspace used in Version 1.2 of the Green Infrastructure mapping.

The approach to assigning a polygon the attribute of being publicly accessible was done typologically (see method statement). A greenspace was defined as publicly accessible if (on the usual balance of probability) was intended specifically to provide public access, or one to which the public would usually expect to have reasonable access (such as a cemetery), or one over which there is a public right to open access (this does not include spaces over which there may be a Public Right of Way only). Spaces deemed publicly accessibility are likely to be accessible to the public at any reasonable time, free to entry and available for a range of pastimes (subject to bylaws and/or restrictions). However, because the approach to assigning public accessibility was typologically driven, some spaces may be incorrectly coded. Some spaces shown as accessible may in fact not be whilst others missing from the map may in fact be accessible.

Natural greenspace was defined as a sub-set of the wider "accessible green spaces". The approach to determining a polygon to be "natural green space" was based on that set out in "Nature Nearby" (Nature Nearby PDF). Typologies assigned a "naturalness factor" of levels 1 and 2 were mapped as "natural". This therefore excludes all polygons assigned a naturalness factor of 3 (such as playing fields and cemeteries).

In the England Green Infrastructure mapping context ‘accessibility’ and ‘access to greenspace’ is used to describe the proximity to greenspace experienced by people living within specified distance parameters (buffers). It is however recognised that ‘access’ and ‘accessibility’ have much wider connotations and local expressions than those set out above.

Accessibility should not only be seen in terms of distance from people’s houses and access into and within a site. Places should be available to all, meaning that every reasonable effort is made to comply with the requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA 1995). We have not been able to incorporate these considerations in the V 1.2 mapping.

All polygons given an ‘accessible’ flag (attribute) during the construction of Map 1.1 were dissolved to create a single vector dataset and each dissolved polygon was assigned the attributes detailed below. This dissolving process removed the problem of overlapping polygons from different datasets seen in Map 1.1 as it joins adjacent greenspace polygons and creates a single, larger polygon where two or more polygons intersect. Finally, the polygons created by this process were intersected with the manmade surface dataset and a percentage of each greenspace area that is manmade surface was calculated based on this intersection.

Determination of publicly accessible green space using typology and source data

Note on exceptions

Some typologies deemed normally not accessible were included as accessible if they formed part of a wider typology deemed accessible. For example, woodland has been classed as not accessible but included as accessible if it forms part of a public park. Likewise, Tennis Courts and Bowling Greens which on their own are deemed not accessible but accessible if within a public park.

What data was used?

The source data is set out in table 1.

Data to identify accessible green infrastructure was derived from Map 1.1

What are the layer attributes?

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The assignment of an "accessibility flag" to a polygon was typologically driven.

Assignment of accessibility was done on the basis of the expected likelihood of access to the general public to a given typology. Accessible GI is expected to be usually accessible to the general public at will (people able to enter at will), free of charge and open at any reasonable time (or at least during day light hours).

However, there will always be exceptions where a specific space, despite its general expected typological characteristics; is not usually accessible to the public or may be permanently closed or private. The inclusion of a space on the Accessible Green Infrastructure Layer does not create any forms of access.

Likewise, there may be a range of spaces that are accessed by the public but to which formal access provision is either permissive, limited (formally limited to identified individuals, groups or residents etc), or may be tolerated or incidental or even trespass.

In Version 1.2 a start has been made to collate data on sites that provide permissive access. Such data must be provided by the land owner and be compatible with Open Government License terms and conditions to enable publication as part of the England Green Infrastructure Database. Only very limited data was possible to include in Version 1.2. However, future contributions on such data by organisations permitting access to their estate can be incorporated to expand this element of the database over time.

More accurate mapping of spaces accessible to the public or accessed under some form of permissive/incidental arrangements would require local determination by ground truthing and addition of local data and knowledge.

The existence of a polygon on this map flagged as accessible does not create any form of legal access.

3.1.3 Woodlands and access

What is this layer?

This layer (map 1.3) extracts woodland data from layer 1.1 and applies an initial sift for likely public accessibility (see method statement).

The assessment of access to woodlands is initial and limited. Woodlands were sifted on the basis of fulfilling one of three criteria to assign an accessible flag as either;

Accessible Woodland is mapped as accessible if it intersects accessible green space polygons on Map 1.2 (Accessible Greenspaces).

Non-Accessible All other woodland (this may include woodland that is accessible but for which access arrangements were unknown for the purposes of mapping in V 1.2).

Linear Accessible Woodland that is either crossed by a Public Right of Way or has one along at least part of its edge have a corridor of arbitrary width 20m depicted on the map that follows the line of the Public Right of Way. This identifies the likely presence of such a linear route that has a woodland character. The linear corridor does not imply or create access to any of the woodland except that along the route of the Public Right of Way. The Public Rights of Way data was derived from map 3.1 (Public Rights of Way Network Map) which is subject to the accuracy and date of the source data from the individual Highway Authorities. Where no Public Rights of Way data has been possible to source for V 1.2, such linear corridors cannot be identified.

What data was used?

The Woodlands and Access layer uses the following data;

• OS Woodlands
• National Forest Inventory
• Ancient Woodland Inventory
• PRoW Network (Map 3.1)
• Accessible Green Infrastructure (Map 1.2)

What are the layer attributes?

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The assessment of accessibility solely looks at whether a woodland polygon is accessible as a consequence of being a part of an accessible green space and/or contains a Public Right of Way (or has one along at least part of it’s edge).

Linear accessibility is depicted as a buffer of 20 metres width along the route of the Public Right of Way to show a corridor providing a woodland experience. Where the Public Rights of Way data is out of date and there have been changes to the Definitive Map, these will not show on the Woodlands and Access map. The local Definitive Map should be consulted to establish the legal route of any recognised Public Right of Way. The depiction of Public Rights of Way in the Green Infrastructure mapping neither creates nor affects the existence or location of the legal route.

Where Public Rights of Way data were not available, woodlands accessible by PRoW could not be mapped and any linear access corridors will not show up on the layer.

The layer does not contain any information on permissive or incidental access. Woodlands classed as "Not accessible" on this map may in fact be accessible because of permissive agreement or toleration. Equally, a woodland flagged as "Not accessible" on this map may in fact be private.

The inclusion of a woodland classed as accessible on the map does not create any right of access.

The Woodlands and Access layer does not include data on trees outside of woods or urban trees/tree canopy. It is intended to incorporate tree data in due course.

3.1.4 Greenness Grid

What is this layer?

This layer (map 1.4) provides a 250m square grid (aligned with OS grid) based assessment of the percent "manmade surface" (not vegetation, water or soils) within the grid squares covering all England. The grid is aligned with the OS grid and depicted in colour coded 10% deciles.

What data was used?

The "manmade surface" was derived from manmade surface dataset for the whole of England which was extracted from the topography layer from Ordnance Survey’s (OS) ‘Master Map’ data. The OS data used is not open data and the Greenness Grid is thus a derived product.

What are the layer attributes?

The grid squares come with simple attribute data on percent of the grid square that is "manmade surface" (not vegetation, water or soils).

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Greenness is a measure of percent "manmade surface" but does not take account of trees or small green features such as street planters, green walls etc. In urban areas, this will impact on this measure of greenness as the presence of urban trees introduces a canopy level greenness not represented in the OS Topography layer source data.

It is intended to include data on urban trees in a future iteration of the Green Infrastructure mapping.

3.1.5 Private Gardens

What is this layer?

This layer (map 1.5) displays the amount of private garden space at LSOA level in urban areas. The LSOA are coded by decile of number of records for the amount of garden space within the LSOA area (each decile thus representing the range of garden space provision for a 10% slice of the total number of LSOA in England).

What data was used?

This layer is derived from the OS Mastermap Green Space Premium data (Gardens extract). This data is not open data and the map presented is a derived product.

What are the attributes?

The attribute box simply displays a location descriptor (name) alongside the total amount (Ha) of Private Garden Space (from the OS data) in each LSOA and the Ha Private Garden Space per 1000 population. The data is depicted in colour coded deciles (by number of records not equal interval).

What are the caveats and limitations to content?

Because the data is derived from OS Mastermap Green Space data, the coverage is restricted to the urban areas covered by the OS Mastermap Green Space Premium data. The "Not recorded" category covers areas where there is no OS Mastermap Green Space data and does not mean there are no gardens.

In addition, there is a distortion in the data for "Hectares of private garden space per 1000 population" that occurs on the urban fringe where LSOA can incorporate large areas that are effectively rural. OS Private Gardens data may only exist for a small part of such an LSOA, but the amount per 1000 people will use the total LSOA population figure. This can lead to amounts per 1000 population being artificially low.

3.1.6 Accessible Green Space

What is this layer?

This layer (map 1.6) displays the total amount of "Accessible Green Space" at LSOA level for all areas. Accessible green space was identified using the attribution approach set out in table 1.

What data was used?

This map uses the accessible green space polygons from the Combined Green and Blue Infrastructure layer in combination with the LSOA population data.

What are the attributes?

The attribute box simply displays a location descriptor (name) alongside the total amount (Ha) of Accessible Green Space in each LSOA and the Ha of Accessible Green Space per person. The data is depicted as colour coded deciles (by number of records not equal interval).

What are the caveats and limitations to content?

This is a measure of accessible green spaces supply using the typologies identified as accessible in table 1. Accessible green spaces that are missing from the data will generate an underestimate. Polygons that have been identified as accessible but that in reality are not will result in an over-estimate of amounts.

The amount of greenspace in an LSOA may be affected by the size of that LSOA. LSOA vary considerably in size and larger LSOA may on average contain more greenspace simply because they are a larger area. The amount of green space per 1000 population is an attempt to provide a more statistically moderated measure allowing better comparison between LSOA than simply looking at total amounts between the non-standard areas that LSOA are.

3.1.7 Access Points layer (New for Version 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer provides point data information on the location of designated or official points of access to accessible Green Infrastructure.

What data was used?

OS Access Points were extracted from the OS Open Greenspace Data.

Access points to Access Land were generated by locating the points where the edge of Access Land polygons was crossed by 1 or more Public Rights of Way.

Greenspaces without access points represent those for which no data was found.

What are the attributes of this layer?

The attributes provide information on the "type of access" and "mode of accessibility" (who would normally use the access point).

The "types" of access are;

• Path (this may be a Public Footpath or other designated access path to a greenspace)
• Bridleway
• Byway Open to All Traffic
• Restricted Byway
• Track

The modes of access are (these may be listed in combination as an access point may be designated for different modes of access together);

• Pedestrian
• Cycle
• Horse
• Motor vehicle

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Some access points may be missing from the data.

Access Points shown for "Access Land" are assumed when there is an intersection between the polygon edge for Access Land and a Public Right of Way that crosses it. There may be other official access points off roads and tracks etc that are not marked. No national dataset of all access points to Access Land exists.

Some access points within broader greenspaces may be the designated access points to specific facilities within the greenspace such as sports or play provision.

3.1.7 Permissive access (new for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer shows land that is accessed through a permissive agreement with the landowner. Land such as this can become inaccessible should the landowner revoke the land access agreement.

What data was used?

Incorporated into the Permissive access layer are the following data:

• Cheshire Wildlife Trust reserves public access
• Open Access Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Reserves
• Kent Wildlife Trust Reserves
• Essex Wildlife Trust Reserves with public access
• Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) Accessible Nature Reserve Boundaries
• National Trust Open Data: Land – Always Open

What are the attributes?

The polygons include attributes for site name, land owner and size (in hectares).

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The accuracy of this data is inherited from the source data. Reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the map accurately represents the input from the source data, but all source data will contain error and the existence of a polygon and its associated attributes on the map does not necessarily match circumstances on the ground. When using the map, ground truthing of the data will be required.

This layer does not categorise every land parcel in England which is accessible through a permissive land agreement. Although every effort was made to contact major landowners there are areas of England not covered by this data set.

This layer will be updated as more land owners provide publishable data contributions.

3.1.8 Sports and active spaces provision (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer is a point data set showing sports facilities open to the public that offer outdoor recreation.

What data was used?

Sport England Active Places Power – data relating to grass pitches, artificial grass pitches, golf courses and outdoor tennis courts was extracted.

What are the layer attributes?

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

This data set does not represent all sports facilities across England and focuses only on outdoor recreation.

While the sports facilities are accessible to the public, access to some may be through membership of sports clubs or organisations. Furthermore, there may be limitations to sport facility access through seasonality or time of day.

Sport England update the Active Places Power dataset regularly; such regular updates will not be reflected in the Green Infrastructure output as the Green Infrastructure mapping is not updated at the same time as change occurs to the Sport England data.

Section 3.2 Module 2 - Access to Natural Greenspace Standards Assessment for England

This module is a full Access to Natural Green Space Standards assessment for England.

The assessment was undertaken using a subset of the data for map 1.s (see list of typologies used for the assessment set out in Table 1) and utilised a system of six Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGSt) as set out in table 2 below.

Note that Version 1.2 has employed a "Straight Line Buffer" method to delineate buffers that should be considered "zones of proximity" to associated greenspaces. The use of "straight line" as opposed to "network" analysis was dictated by the practicalities of being able to process large volumes of data for household locations and access points to greenspaces. In addition, there may be gaps int eh access point data that would inhibit comprehensive network analysis.

Walking distances within the buffers (from home to greenspace access point) may be longer than the actual buffer width itself. Actual walking routes may be 50% longer than the straight-line distance due to barriers such as railways and rivers and due to the position of access points to greenspace with respect to the local roads and paths network (see method statement for note on use of straight line versus network analysis).

Note on origin of distance and walking times

The Chartered Institution for Highways and Transportation reports that average walking speed is approximately 60 metres per minute. 90 metres per minute is fast and 30-40 metres is slow. On the basis of 60 metres a minute:

• 5 mins is 300 metres
• 10 mins is 600 metres
• 15 mins is 900 metres
• 0 mins is 1200 met
• 35 mins is 2 km

Note on the origin of cycling times

The Department for Transport (Local Transport Note 2/08) reports that the average speed of cyclists on a level surface is around 12 mph.

Transport for London assume an average cycle speed of 15 kilometres per hour.

Caveats and limitations to content

For the England Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards (ANGSt) assessment, "accessible" refers to the creation of distance buffers around publicly accessible green spaces. The buffer thus creates a zone of proximity to the relevant spaces. However, the ability of people to physically access the space will be affected by a range of factors including physical barriers and those created through personal circumstances such as personal health issues. Proximity to a space may thus not lead to an ability physically access it.

In addition, on this occasion no corrections were done to understand the impact of major barriers (such as motorways, railways or rivers etc) on local buffers. More detailed assessment would understand the impact of major barriers on buffers and the impact of existing bridging points on network analysis.

However, for Version 1.2 a new layer (map 2.8) identifying the route of major barriers linear has been included. For V 1.2 this includes the routes of all railways and motorways in England. Used as an overlay to the ANGSt Buffer maps, these can be used to detect where significant barriers may disrupt access routes across the buffer area.

When used in association with the Blue Infrastructure Network layer (map 4.1) the potential existence of barriers created by water courses can also be detected.

Note on the Accessible Natural Greenspace buffer layers (maps 2.1 to 2.6)

The Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards Assessment process identified all those greenspaces in Map 1.1 which were flagged to be included in the ANGSt assessment (see table 1). All features flagged as ANGSt were dissolved to create a single feature to avoid distortions that could be created if polygons overlapped (as they do on map 1.1). The area of each of the spatially isolated polygons was calculated to determine the size of the buffer that should be created around them based on the standards set out in the table 2.

These ANGSt buffers were applied to the accessible natural greenspace (ANGSt) polygons in a straight line (as crow flies) distance analysis. Maps were produced to show the zones created by each of the buffer analyses separately, representing areas that meet each of the ANGSt size and distance criteria.

The Accessible Natural Greenspace Buffers layers (maps 2.1 to 2.6)

3.2.1 ANGSt Doorstep Standard

This layer (map 2.1) presents the Doorstep ANGSt assessment (A green space of at least 0.5 ha within 200m). Buffers of 200m have been created around all "Natural Green Spaces and Playing Fields" (see method statement). The incorporation of Playing Fields is unique to the 200m buffer and results in a more general Accessible Green Space measure for the most local level of ANGSt assessment.

3.2.2 ANGSt Local Standard

This layer (map 2.2) presents the Local ANGSt assessment (A natural green space of at least 2 ha within 300m). Buffers of 300m have been created around all "Natural Green Spaces" of at least 2 ha in size.

3.2.3 ANGSt Neighbourhood Standard

This layer (map 2.3) presents the Neighbourhood ANGSt assessment (A natural green space of at least 10 ha within 1 km). Buffers of 1 km have been created around all "Natural Green Spaces" of at least 10 ha in size.

3.2.4 ANGSt Wider Neighbourhood Standard

This layer (map 2.4) presents the Wider Neighbourhood ANGSt assessment (A natural green space of at least 20 ha within 2 km). Buffers of 2 km have been created around all "Natural Green Spaces" of at least 20 ha in size.

3.2.5 ANGSt District Standard

This layer (map 2.5) presents the District ANGSt assessment (A natural green space of at least 100 ha within 5 km). Buffers of 5 km have been created around all "Natural Green Spaces" of at least 100 ha in size.

3.2.6 ANGSt Sub-Regional Standard

This layer (map 2.6) presents the Sub-Regional ANGSt assessment (A natural green space of at least 500 ha within 10 km). Buffers of 10 km have been created around all "Natural Green Spaces" of at least 500 ha in size.

3.2.7 ANGSt Profile

What is this layer?

This layer (map 2.7) brings together the full set of ANGSt assessments into one "combined buffer" map to allow an understanding of the ANGSt Profile of buffers covered for any given location. This gives some indication of which ANGSt Standards are likely to be met although network analysis may be required to confirm detail at local level.

What data was used?

This layer was generated by bringing together the single buffer layers for maps 2.1 to 2.6

What are the attributes of this layer?

The attribute box simply identifies the buffers that cover any one location and lists them.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

This layer provides information on the range of different ANGSt Standards that are likely to be met at any selected location. It does not however provide information on how significant the meeting of any benchmark is at any given location or provide information on significance of any location not meeting any ANGSt Benchmark. Such significance will be affected by a range of variables (including presence or absence of population) that will require local determination to understand whether the ANGSt profile for any given location is or is not likely to be meeting the green space proximity needs of that location.

3.2.8 Major Barriers layer (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 2.8) presents information on major linear features that may be significant barriers to accessing greenspaces.

This layer may be overlain over the Accessible Natural Greenspace buffers layers (maps 2.1 to 2.6 or 2.7) to identify places where such barriers may restrict or even prevent movement across the buffer area thus restricting the actual greenspace catchment. The access points layer (map 1.7) may also be used to help understand the spatial relationships between green spaces, barriers and access points.

In addition, the Blue Infrastructure Network map can also be used to identify watercourses that may be operating as barriers in addition to the railways and motorway routes included in map 2.8 alone.

Information on bridging points is not included and may require local addition.

What data was used?

The layer was generated by extracting information on the railway and motorway network for England from Ordnance Survey Open Map Local.

What are the attributes for this layer?

The layer only includes very simple attributes identifying a depicted feature as either a railway or motorway.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The layer only shows the route of railways and motorways. No bridges are shown which may mitigate for the barrier effect of these features.

The layer does not specifically include water courses as these are identifiable using the Blue Infrastructure Network layer in associated with Major Barriers.

Section 3.3 Module 3 - Linear Access Network

This module presents information about linear access rights (Public Rights of Way - PRoW).

3.3.1 – The Public Rights of Way (PRoW) Network Map (Expanded coverage for V 1.2)

Please note there is an error on the Public Rights of Way Density maps where the areas of Liverpool and Halton local authorities has not been removed (data for these areas not being present). This means that these areas are not blanked out and have density squares within them (usually showing zero results). This error will be corrected during 2023.

What is this layer?

This layer (map 3.1) is a compilation of data from Local Highway Authorities of their Public Rights of Way networks. Highway Authorities have provided digital data derived from their Definitive Maps (which are the legal document recording the routes of known Public Rights of Way). Map 3.1 is not a Definitive Map and nor is the digital source data. The depiction of a route on map 3.1 does not create, vary or extinguish the route of any Public Right of Way. The most up to date data on the Public Rights of Way for any Highway Authority will be that held by the authority on its Definitive Map which should be consulted to establish the legal route and status if required.

Please note that not all authorities have published data in digital form. Some authorities are exempt from maintaining a Definitive Map and no data for these areas could be included. Some authorities have published data in "raster" image form which could not be incorporated with the digital data from which map 3.1 is derived. It is also possible that some authorities only maintain Public Rights of Way data in paper form as the Definitive Map. These latter areas are also missing from map 3.1.

For V 1.1 data could not be sourced for 53 Highway Authorities. For Version 1.2 data has been sourced from an additional 6 Highway Authorities filling some of the gaps that existed in V 1.1 of this layer.

Those authorities for which data could not be sourced this time round are listed below in table 3. Please note that this includes Inner London authorities that are not required to produce Definitive Maps.

The Public Rights of Way layer contains openly available Public Rights of Way (PRoW) data. These were obtained from all Local Authorities where this data was downloadable from their websites or on request from the appropriate Highway Authority.

What data was used?

Data was sourced for every Local Highway Authority via download from their website subject to data being available at time of creating the layer (Autumn 2020 for V 1.1) For V 1.2 further data was provided directly by Highway Authorities for inclusion in map 3.1 (up to August 2022).

The data provided by Highway Authorities on their rights of way network is based on their individual Definitive Maps. However, the published data does not constitute or amend the Definitive Map itself and the representation or omission in the data of any right of way does not constitute evidence of any legal status of any route.

To establish the legal status or accurate and up to date route of any right of way in any Local Authority area, it is the respective Definitive Map that should be consulted.

What are the attributes?

Name Unique route identification code provided by the source data.

Type The type/status of the Public Right of Way.

• Public footpaths
• Bridleways
• Byways open to all traffic
• Restricted Byways
• No category recorded - where no information was provided

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Please note there is an error on the Public Rights of Way Density maps where the areas of Liverpool and Halton local authorities has not been removed (data for these areas not being present). This means that these areas are not blanked out and have density squares within them (usually showing zero results). This error will be corrected during 2023.

Data for the PRoW Network map could not (on this occasion) be sourced for the following Local Authority areas (48).

Note that the list includes the Inner London authorities that do not maintain Definitive Maps.

3.3.2 – Public Rights of Way Density Map (Expanded coverage for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 3.2) uses a 1 km grid (aligned with the OS Grid) to assess the density of Public Rights of way (of all classes) based on the measure "km length of PRoW per square km". Please note that not all grid squares are covered as data may not be available. Where this is so, the squares have been removed, showing the base map.

A 1 km grid covering whole of England, in alignment with the 250 m grid (and thus the OS grid) was used.

Public Right of Way (PRoW) network data (from map 3.1) was used to assess the density of PRoW within each 1 km grid square (km of PRoW per km2) by measuring the length of each PRoW type per 1 km grid square. Each grid square was assigned a decile rank using a system by number of records. The length intervals are thus not equal but the approach avoids the impact of the relatively small number of "outliers" that have very high density (in decile 10) on the more common levels for most grid squares. Each decile thus sets out the density range for 10% of the total number of grid squares.

Calculations were made for all PRoW and each PRoW type (footpath, bridleway etc.) as well as total length. The lengths of National Trail and (where designated at time of map 3.2 production – August 2022) Coastal Trail have been included in the grid square statistics but are not port of the density equation (to avoid double counting).

A ‘Data Available’ field was added to the 1 km grid dataset and, where no PRoW data was available within a grid square, the grid square was assigned ‘no’ in this field. This was done in order to distinguish these grid squares with no PRoW from those without data.

What data was used?

Data compiled for map 3.1 was used.

What are the attributes?

• Total length of all Public Rights of Way
• Total length of Public Footpath
• Total length of Bridleway
• Total length of Byways Open to All Traffic
• Total length of Restricted Byway
• Total length of National Trail
• Total length of designated Coastal Trail (up to August 2022)
• No category where PRoW status is uncertain

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Please note there is an error on the Public Rights of Way Density maps where the areas of Liverpool and Halton local authorities has not been removed (data for these areas not being present). This means that these areas are not blanked out and have density squares within them (usually showing zero results). This error will be corrected during 2023.

Unless also mapped as a Public Right of Way (such as Bridleway or Byway) designated cycleways are not included in Version 1.2 of the mapping.

Data for the PRoW Network map could not (on this occasion) be sourced for all Highway Authority areas (see layer 3.1), this has resulted in there being grid squares for which there is no current data. These are identified as block grey in colour with attribute box "no data available".

No data availability was determined by selecting grid squares whose entire area was within a Local Authority boundary for which no PRoW data has been obtained. This leaves some grid squares along boundaries subject to edge effect statistical distortions.

No permissive access routes are included in the PRoW mapping.

3.3.3 Higher Rights Network Map (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 3.3) extracts data on so called "higher rights" from map 3.1 (PRoW Network Map). Map 3 includes data for Public Bridleways, Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATS) and Restricted Byways only. In other words map 3.3 does not include Public Footpaths.

The map is intended to show PRoW routes available for at least walking, cycling and horse riding.

What data was used?

Data for map 3.3 was extracted from map 3.1

What are the attributes?

Route sections include attribute data for the unique route name, status (Bridleway etc) and length of route segment (in metres).

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Unless also mapped as a Public Right of Way (such as Bridleway or Byway) designated cycleways are not included in Version 1.2 of the mapping.

Data for the PRoW Network map could not (on this occasion) be sourced for all Highway Authority areas (see layer 3.1), this has resulted in there being gaps on the map for which data is not available.

No permissive access routes are included in the PRoW mapping.

3.3.4 Higher Rights Density (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 3.4) uses a 5 km square grid (aligned with the OS Grid) to assess the density of "Higher Rights" Public Rights of way based on the measure "km length of "Higher Rights" PRoW per square km". Please note that not all grid squares are covered as data may not be available. Where this is so, the squares have been removed, showing the base map. Public Rights of Way (PRoW) network data (from map 3.1) was used for map 3.4. PRoW that were class Public Footpath were removed and the density of remaining PRoW within each 5 km grid square was assessed by measuring the length of each residual PRoW type per 5 km grid square.

Each grid square was assigned a decile rank based on the total Higher Rights length within each 5 km square. Deciles were assigned using a system by number of records. The length intervals are thus not equal but the approach avoids the impact of the relatively small number of "outliers" that have very high density (in decile 10) on the more common levels for most grid squares. Each decile thus sets out the density range for 10% of the total number of grid squares.

Calculations made relate to lengths of Bridleway, Byway Open to All Traffic and Restricted Byway only.

Where no PRoW data was available within a grid square, the grid square was assigned ‘no data’ in this field. This was done in order to distinguish these grid squares with no PRoW from those without data.

What data was used?

Data for map 3.4 was extracted from map 3.1 (PRoW Network) by removing routes with a Public Footpath status.

What are the attributes?

The attributes for this map give information on which decile the grid square is, total length of Higher PRoW and length by PRoW class.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Please note there is an error on the Public Rights of Way Density maps where the areas of Liverpool and Halton local authorities has not been removed (data for these areas not being present). This means that these areas are not blanked out and have density squares within them (usually showing zero results). This error will be corrected during 2023.

Unless also mapped as a Public Right of Way (such as Bridleway or Byway) designated cycleways are not included in Version 1.2 of the mapping.

Data for the PRoW Network map could not (on this occasion) be sourced for all Highway Authority areas (see layer 3.1), this has resulted in there being grid squares for which there is no current data. These are identified as block grey in colour with attribute box "no data available".

No data availability was determined by selecting grid squares whose entire area was within a Local Authority boundary for which no PRoW data has been obtained. This leaves some grid squares along boundaries subject to edge effect statistical distortions.

No permissive access routes are included in the PRoW mapping.

3.3.5 Public Rights of Way Experiential Terrain Mapping (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 3.5) provides information on the probable physical experience likely to be encountered along the route of Public Rights of Way.

The physical experience is defined by two parameters.

Parameter one. Likely ground cover conditions based on the Living England Habitat Probability data.

Parameter two. Physical and topographic terrain likely to be experienced based on Landscape Description Unit data.

The data seeks to provide information on the probable ground conditions of a route and set that within the context of the physical geography of a given route.

What data was used?

The PRoW experiential Terrain mapping (map 3.5) was created using the following data:

• Map 3.1. Public Rights of Way Density Map
• Living England Habitat Probability Mapping. Living England Habitat Map (Phase 4)
• Landscape Descriptor Unit data. This data is held by Natural England but is not Open Government Licensed. Data is incorporated as a derived product.
• Moorland Line

What are the attributes?

• Public Rights of Way class
• Terrain Class (Aggregated Living England Habitat Probability)
• Landform description
• Physical description. This attribute relates to the underlying geology of the area in question. The classes provided by the data are: Soft (Mesozoic) rocks; Hard (Caledonian) rocks; Glacial lowlands; Fluvial lowlands; High Hills (above 300m)
• Route section length

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Data for all Public Rights of Way (PRoW) could not be sourced for all local authorities. A list of Local Authorities where data could not be sourced can be found in section 3.3.1

Updates to local authority definitive maps that take place after the GI database is published will not be reflected in the Green Infrastructure output.

Living England is a habitat probability map created using machine learning. The habitat probability map displays modelled likely broad habitat classifications trained on earth observation data from 2021 as well as historic data layers. The Living England data should not be seen as a definitive habitat survey.

The habitat probability map has some known "under mapping" of urban areas, with major roads, airports, car parks and dockland areas being classified under a number of other habitat types. This mainly affects habitat predictions around urban areas for the following broad habitat types: Broadleaved, Mixed and Yew Woodland; Coastal Sand Dunes; Bare Sand; Dwarf Shrub Heath; Acid, Calcareous and Neutral Grasslands).

Section 3.4 Module 4 - Blue Infrastructure

This module concerns water courses and water bodies (including Tidal and coastal) and presents an Access to Waterside Assessment.

3.4.1 – Blue Infrastructure Network (Surface water bodies, Surface line and tidal)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.1) presents the full Blue Infrastructure Network map used to undertake subsequent assessments. It brings together surface water bodies and line data with tidal water bodies. For detailed description of the method used to create this layer, see the method statement.

What data was used?

The Blue Infrastructure Network map was created by combining data from three datasets:

• Ordnance Survey OpenMap Local Surface Water Area
• Ordnance Survey OpenMap Local Surface Water Line
• Ordnance Survey OpenMap Local Tidal Water

What are the attributes?

The attribute box simply identifies to source data.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Whilst some more detailed data on surface water exists in the OS MasterMap Topographic Area – Surface Water dataset, this data set is not available as open data and is thus not included. This means some of the smaller water bodies will not appear on this layer.

3.4.2 – Inland Waterside Distribution Maps

This layer (map 4.2) displays the location of "waterside" extracted from Layer 4.1 source data that was used to undertake the Access to Waterside Assessment and is purely for reference.

3.4.3 – All accessible waterside (by proximity to PRoW and Accessible Green Infrastructure)

What is this layer?What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.3) uses the 4.2 data to identify the location of the total waterside resource that is more likely to be publicly accessible because it is either in proximity to a Public Right of Way and/or is a waterbody adjacent to Accessible Green Infrastructure (Derived from map 1.2).

The Ordnance Survey (OS) OpenMap Local Surface Water (polygon and line) and Tidal Water (polygon) datasets were used to define the Blue Infrastructure (BI) to which access is measured. This includes rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, canals and tidal waters.

Coastal access is not included in this assessment but forms part of the new (for Version 1.2) Coastal Module.

What data was used?

• The Blue Infrastructure All Waterside (map 4.2) which is derived from map 4.1
• The Accessible Green Infrastructure map 1.2
• The Public Rights of Way Network map 3.1

What are the attributes?

The attribute box simply identifies the depicted waterside as likely to be accessible either by PRoW and/or Accessible Green Infrastructure.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The access to waterside assessment only maps the likelihood that the edges of water bodies and course are accessible. The accessibility is created purely by proximity of water edge to publicly accessible green infrastructure and/or a Public Right of Way. Circumstances on the ground might mean that some sections marked as likely to be accessible are in fact not. The identification of waterside as accessible is thus indicative not definite.

The access to waterside maps do not consider any access to the actual water body itself and the existence of accessible waterside does not create or imply any such rights of access to the water for any purpose.

The PRoW dataset was compiled using data made openly accessible by Local Authorities across England. For this assessment the version of the PRoW data was that for V 1.1 which has gaps for 53 local authority areas. The lack of data for these areas is highlighted on the resulting maps.

Access to waterside was assessed using proximity buffers which may contain local barriers not picked up in the assessment. Not all of the waterside mapped as accessible may therefore be actually accessible on site. This could include topography or structures resulting in the waterside not being visible.

Other potential access infrastructure includes footpaths that are not designated as PRoW and small/quiet roads that are suitable for walking. However, these are not included in this assessment. These types of access infrastructure can vary greatly in their level of suitability (for walking). For example, a small lane in one location may be an acceptable walking route, however a small lane in another location may be unsuitable for walking, for instance if it experiences fast-moving traffic or poor visibility (blind corners). Footpaths that are not designated as PRoW may also be locally used viable access routes. Unfortunately, these are not mapped for most of the country and the conditions of access (assuming it is by some form of permissive agreement) are also unknown.

Waterside access created by permissive agreement or arrangements are not included in this assessment.

Accessible Green Infrastructure that is missing from map 1.2 will not be accounted for which may result in an under-estimation of accessible waterside.

3.4.4 – Waterside accessible by PRoW proximity

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.4) uses the 4.2 data to identify the location of the total waterside resource that is publicly accessible by proximity (using a 10m buffer) to a Public Right of Way.

What data was used?

• The Blue Infrastructure Waterside map 4.2
• The Public Rights of Way Network map 3.1

What are the attributes?

The attribute box simply identifies the depicted waterside as within the PRoW 10m buffer.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The access to waterside assessment only maps the likelihood that the edges of water bodies and courses are accessible. The accessibility is created purely by proximity of water edge to publicly accessible green infrastructure and/or a Public Right of Way.

The access to waterside maps do not consider any access to the actual water body itself and the depiction of accessible waterside does not create or imply any such rights of access to the water for any purpose.

The PRoW dataset was compiled using data made openly accessible by Local Authorities across England. For this assessment the version of the PRoW data was that for V 1.1 which has gaps for 53 local authority areas. The lack of data for these areas is highlighted on the resulting maps.

Access to waterside was assessed using proximity buffers which may contain local barriers not picked up in the assessment. Not all of the waterside mapped as accessible may therefore be actually accessible on site. This could include topography or structures resulting in the waterside not being visible.

3.4.5 – Waterside accessible by Accessible Green Infrastructure proximity

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.5) uses the 4.2 data to identifies the location of the total waterside resource that is likely to be publicly accessible because the waterbody is within or adjacent to Accessible Green Infrastructure.

What data was used?

• The Blue Infrastructure Waterside map 4.2
• The Accessible Green Infrastructure map 1.2

What are the attributes?

The attribute box simply identifies the depicted waterside as within the Accessible Green Infrastructure 1m buffer (ie – adjacent to accessible green infrastructure).

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The access to waterside assessment only maps the likelihood that the edges of water bodies and course are accessible. The accessibility is created purely by proximity of water edge to publicly accessible green infrastructure and/or a Public Right of Way. Actual conditions on the ground may mean that waterside is in fact not accessible.

The access to waterside maps do not consider any access to the actual water body itself and the existence of accessible waterside does not create or imply any such rights of access to the water for any purpose.

Accessible Green Infrastructure that is missing from map 1.2 will not be accounted for which may result in an under-estimation of accessible waterside.

3.4.6 – Water Quality (WFD Biological)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.6) presents water quality data using WFD Biological Water Quality data.

The layer uses WFD ecological status 2019 (for river, lake, canal and TraC water bodies) as a general descriptor of Blue Infrastructure (BI) water quality across England. This was because WFD ecological status is the most comprehensive dataset on water quality and considered to be probably the best overall indicator of water quality.

What data was used?

Map 4.6 uses the Environment Agency WFD Ecological Status 2019 data.

What are the attributes?

The attribute box identifies type of water body, it’s name and the WFD Biological Quality Class.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Limitations include the fact that it does not include smaller water bodies, monitoring frequency varies for water bodies, the range of parameters measured varies for water bodies.

3.4.7 Waterside Statistical Maps

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.7) presents statistical data on accessible waterside at County, Local Authority, MSOA and LSOA levels.

The main statistics calculated from these assessments are related to the length of accessible waterside (not area or length of the water body itself). Water bodies that were mapped as polygons were converted to lines (i.e. lines delineating their perimeter) in order to measure the length of the waters’ edge. The water’s edge data is presented in map 4.2

This method include allows the inclusion of both sides of a river if a PRoW is present on both sides. In addition, the method allows the generation of a clearer statistic for water bodies (e.g. lakes) that are only partially within an accessible area and provides a more accurate measurement of water’s edge (as opposed to river centrelines).

What are the attributes?

• A location name / identifier
• Total waterside in metres
• Total waterside that is likely to be accessible (PRoW and Accessible GI proximity) in metres
• Total accessible waterside within the 10m PRoW buffer in metres
• Total accessible waterside within the 1m Accessible GI buffer in metres

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

There are a number of limitations to the statistics.

Where PRoW data is missing, lengths of accessible waterside may be under-represented.

The PRoW dataset was compiled using data made openly accessible by Local Authorities across England. For this assessment the version of the PRoW data was that for V 1.1 which has gaps for 53 local authority areas. The lack of data for these areas is highlighted on the resulting maps.

Many urban areas have limited amounts of Public Rights of Way and waterside accessibility may be provided more by proximity to urban paths or road etc. Such accessibility will not be represented on maps 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5

When a PRoW is within close proximity of a narrow river/stream, both sides of the river fall within the 10m buffer zone and may be shown as likely to be accessible. This may result in a skewing any "length of waterside" analyses.

When a PRoW crosses a river, a 10m stretch of waterside is selected (5m upstream and 5m downstream) for both sides of the river.

For smaller streams that were mapped as lines (centreline of stream as opposed to a polygon), a statistic describing the length of the river only is generated, not the length of individual banks.

The Accessible Waterside maps should thus be regarded as indicative and actual accessible waterside should thus be established by local ground truthing when undertaking local assessments and the statistics adjusted.

Accessible Green Infrastructure that is missing from map 1.2 will not be accounted for which may result in an under-estimation of accessible waterside.

3.4.8 Flood risk from rivers and seas (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.8) is a flood risk zone reference layer showing places identified as at risk from flooding by rivers and seas.

What data was used?

This map uses the Environment Agency Risk of flooding from Rivers and Seas "Flood risk from rivers and seas data (August 2022).

What are the attributes?

Each identified area of flood risk is assigned a risk level in the data used. These are replicated in map 4.8

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Data is based on modelling undertaken by the Environment Agency.

3.4.9 Flood risk from surface water (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.9) is a flood risk zone reference layer and uses Environment Agency Risk of Flooding from Surface water extent: 3.3 percent annual chance Surface Water Flood Risk (1 in 30 year) data.

What data was used?

The Environment Agency Surface Water Flood Risk dataset was used (August 2022).

What are the attributes?

No specific attributes have been added.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Data based on Environment Agency modelling.

3.4.10 Accessible Urban Waterside Assessment (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.10) is a detailed assessment of urban watercourses and their likely accessibility. The map only looks at urban areas and expands the detection of likely accessibility by using a 10m buffer around urban paths as well as any PRoW and the 1m buffer around Accessible Green Infrastructure.

• Urban Major Conurbation
• Urban Minor Conurbation
• Urban City and Town

For the purposes of creating map 4.10 the urban domain was created by merging all LSOA with the above ONS classifications into one "urban domain".

What data was used?

• Inland Waterside Distribution map 4.2
• Public Rights of Way Network map 3.1
• Accessible Green Infrastructure map 1.2
• OS Paths data extracted from OS Mastermap Highways – Paths. This is a non OGL dataset.

What are the attributes?

The attributes simply assign "accessible" or "non-accessible".

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The Public Rights of Way Network contains data gaps where any accessibility created by proximity to a PRoW will not be included.

Accessible Green Infrastructure assets that are missing from the Accessible GI data will result in an under representation of accessible waterside.

OS Paths data identifies urban paths that are likely to be publicly accessible, but some may not be.

Access to waterside created by proximity to roads, pavements, bridges (unless they are for PRoW) and public realm (such as boulevards, shopping centres etc) is not represented in the mapping. This may result in an under representation of accessible urban waterside.

Because the assessment method uses a 10m buffer around urban paths to assess likelihood of accessibility, both sides of narrow water courses may be picked up as accessible even if only one side is aligned with the path. Thus, some waterside assigned "accessible" will in fact not be accessible. This will over-estimate likely accessible waterside.

Local circumstances on the ground, including physical barriers and the existence of buildings or structures may mean that some waterside assigned "accessible" may in fact not be.

The creation of the "urban domain" for the purposes of mapping results in the inclusion of 27,246 LSOA. There is a slight mismatch between the "urban domain" and the coverage of OS Paths data so that 644 LSOA have no paths data. This results in an under-representation of waterside likely to be accessible in the affected LSOA. However, OS Paths data does cover 97.6% of all LSOA included in the "urban domain".

3.4.11 Urban Waterside Statistics (New for V 1.2)

What is this layer?

This layer (map 4.11) is a statistical summary of all information on accessible waterside for LSOA within the "urban domain" (see 3.4.10 for explanation of which LSOA are included in the "urban domain").

What data was used?

Data was extracted and summarised from map 4.10

What are the attributes?

• Unique identification information for the LSOA
• Distance to nearest waterside. This is measured as the distance from the LSOA centroid point to the nearest accessible waterside. Where there is accessible waterside mapped within the LSOA, the distance to nearest waterside is given a zero amount. LSOA without accessible waterside will have a distance in metres to the nearest accessible waterside identified in the mapping.
• Total lengths of PRoW, paths, waterside
• The amounts (in metres) and % of total waterside length where accessibility is assigned due to proximity of accessible green spaces, Public Rights of Way and urban paths.
• Total amounts likely accessible combined (Green spaces, PRoW and paths)

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The Public Rights of Way Network contains data gaps where any accessibility created by proximity to a PRoW will not be included.

Accessible Green Infrastructure assets that are missing from the Accessible GI data will result in an under representation of accessible waterside.

OS Paths data identifie4s urban paths that are likely to be publicly accessible, but some may not be

Access to waterside created by proximity to roads, pavements, bridges (unless they are for PRoW) and public realm (such as boulevards, shopping centres etc) is not represented in the mapping. This may result in an under representation of accessible urban waterside.

Because the assessment method uses a 10m buffer around urban paths to assess likelihood of accessibility, both sides of narrow water courses may be picked up as accessible even if only one side is aligned with the path. Thus, some waterside assigned "accessible" will in fact not be accessible. This will over-estimate likely accessible waterside.

Local circumstances on the ground, including physical barriers and the existence of buildings or structures may mean that some waterside assigned "accessible" may in fact not be.

The creation of the "urban domain" for the purposes of mapping results in the inclusion of 27,246 LSOA. There is a slight mismatch between the "urban domain" and the coverage of OS Paths data so that 644 LSOA have no paths data. This results in an under-representation of waterside likely to be accessible in the affected LSOA. However, OS Paths data does cover 97.6% of all LSOA included in the "urban domain".

Section 3.5 Module 5 - Coast and Access

This module presents information on the England Coast and coastal access (some aspects of access to the coast are to be found in the Accessible Waterside Assessment which should also be consulted).

3.5.1 Designated Bathing Water

What is this layer?

This layer (map 5.1) uses point data for the location of English beaches that are designated Bathing Beaches or Bathing waters (inland).

The map depicts the location of the "point source" data for the bathing beach / water with an arbitrary 1km wide buffer around it.

For V 1.2 no national polygon data of bathing beach extents was found. The 1 km buffer is meant to represent the potential that bathing beaches have to be important recreational resources for coastal communities (in addition to any local tourism significance). Bathing Beaches are thus treated as being similar to the "Wider Neighbourhood" ANGSt class for green spaces where they are likely to have a regular user catchment of at least 1 km for local community daily usage.

Bathing Beaches / waters are not treated as green spaces as such and no actual ANGSt analysis has been attempted for them.

It should be noted that many of the beaches will have physical extents beyond the 1 km point buffer.

What data was used?

Environment Agency Bathing Water data (2022)

What are the attributes?

• Date (year) the beach / water was designated
• Local Authority District
• Local Sewerage Undertaker

What are limitations and caveats to content?

The 1 km point buffer is purely arbitrary and designed to emphasise the probable significance of beaches as community recreational assets in the own right in addition to any tourism significance.

3.5.2 England Coast Path and Margin

What is this layer?

This layer (map 5.2) presents the location and route of the England Coast Path and Coastal Margin where it had been designated and defined up to September 2022.

What data was used?

Coast Path attributes are the name of the Coast Path section and the "status" of the route. Status relates to the type of route over which the trail passes.

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

The England Coast Path and Margin are in the process of full designation and new sections will be added to the map over time. Sections shown are those that had been designated up to September 2022 only.

3.5.3 Foreshore

What is this layer?

This layer (map 5.3) depicts the extents of "foreshore" around the English coast. Some foreshore may have permissive access if Crown Estate. Foreshore is defined by the Ordnance Survey as land that is between the high and low tide watermarks.

What data was used?

Ordnance Survey Open Map Local foreshore data.

What are the attributes?

There are no attributes.

Section 3.6 Module 6 - Designated and Defined Areas (selected)

This module incorporates a selection of maps for a range of statutory designated areas or other areas that have been defined and are recognised in national and local policy.

Please note that the data presented on the website represents the most up to date version of the respective data sources at the time that Version 1.2 was completed (August 2022).

Some of the reference datasets change fairly frequently and for the most up to date actual version of the data it is advisable to go directly to the source data owner to download the most recent version.

The layers combine related data into themes.

3.6.1 Biodiversity (with Ancient Woodland) (Updated for V 1.2 – August 2022)

This layer (map 6.1) displays biodiversity related designated and defined areas (Sites of Special Scientific Interest - SSSI, Local Nature Reserves - LNR, National Nature Reserves - NNR, Ancient Woodland).

3.6.2 Historic Environment (New data for V 1.2)

This layer (map 6.2) displays Scheduled Monuments and Registered Historic Parks and Gardens, Registered battlefields and World Heritage Sites.

3.6.3 Landscape and Access

This layer (map 6.3) displays national landscape designations and defined areas (National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - AONBs and Heritage Coasts).

3.6.4 SPA/SAC/RAMSAR

This layer (map 6.4) displays international biodiversity designations and defined areas. Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), RAMSAR sites defined under the RAMSAR Convention.

3.6.5 Local Authority Districts Boundaries

This layer (map 6.5) displays Lower (District) Tier Local Authority boundaries (including Unitary Authorities). Note that in V 1.2, the Local Authority boundaries are those for Local Authorities at the 2011 Census. These will be updated for Version 2.1 when Census 21 data is imported.

3.6.6 National Character Areas

This layer (map 6.6) displays the boundaries of the England National Character Areas.

3.6.7 Access Land

This layer (map 6.7) shows section 15 and section 16 designated Access Land.

4.6.8 National Trials

This layer (map 6.8) shows the routes of all National Trails as designated at time of layer creation (August 2022).

Section 3.7 Module 7 - Access to Nature close to home

See method statement for a full explanation of how these maps were generated.

3.7.1 – Access to Nature Close to home

What is this layer?

The Nature Close to Home assessment aims to understand the supply of publicly accessible green spaces that are likely to be moderate to high in terms of biodiversity (nature rich) qualities and thus capable of providing a "contact with nature" experience on a regular, daily and local basis.

The "Nature Close to Home" assessment focusses on the supply of green spaces with a Naturalness rank of either 1 or 2. However, this is a general approach to assessing naturalness which means some of the level 2 spaces may not be that biodiverse at current time, although many may have potential for biodiversity enhancement.

To assess the supply of nature rich spaces close to home, a new Close to Home buffer was created around all green spaces ranked 1 or 2 for Naturalness and within the 200 and 300m buffer combined. Playing fields were excluded from the 200m buffer for the purposes of the Close2Home buffer.

The spaces included are thus those that are likely to be currently offering the most local opportunity to have contact with nature on a regular or routine daily basis.

The Close to Home buffer is thus a hybrid buffer incorporating ANGSt Doorstep and ANGSt Local Green Spaces minus Playing Fields (Naturalness 3 – Playing Fields were used in the ANGSt buffer 200 assessment but are removed from the Close2Home 300 buffer).

• •Children and young people under 16
• Older people 65+.

What data was used?

• ANGSt Buffers (maps 2.1 to 2.6)
• ONS Census 2011 population
• ONS Census 2011 age cohorts

What are the attributes?

• Area unique name identifier
• Total percentage population within the Nature Close to Home Buffer
• Total population of children 15 and under within area
• Estimated number of children cohort within the Nature Close to Home buffer
• Total population aged 65 and over in area
• Estimated number of older people cohort within Nature Close to Home buffer

What are the limitations and caveats and limitations to content?

In order to derive population figures for the "Nature Close to Home Buffer" it has been assumed that population is evenly distributed across output areas. This will introduce some skewing of the data, likely to be most acute at LSOA level (particularly rural LSOA).

The identification of "nature rich spaces" to create the "Nature Close to Home Buffer" is based purely on the application of "Naturalness Factors" to all "Accessible Green Infrastructure" assets of size 0.5 ha and above (extracted from map 1.1). The actual level of biodiversity and its condition is not depicted on the maps which purely identify spaces likely to provide reasonable access to nature.

Note on Modules 8 and 9. Accessible Natural Green Space Inequalities layers

See method statement for a full explanation of how these maps were generated.

This module is an assessment derived from the England ANGSt assessment that looks at relative inequalities of provision of access to natural green spaces.

These maps explore the spatial relationship between accessibility of green spaces (measured as % LSOA covered by the respective green spaces and their ANGSt buffer) across the range of ANGSt Benchmarks and compares with one other variable.

• Deprivation – as measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (MHCLG 2019)
• Population Density – Derived from ONS Census 2011

Note on Index of Multiple Deprivation

The Index of Multiple Deprivation, commonly known as the IMD, is the official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in England. It is the most widely used of the Indices of Deprivation (IoD).

The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranks every small area in England from 1 (most deprived area) to 32,844 (least deprived area). These small areas are a statistical geography called Lower-layer Super Output Areas.

• Income Deprivation (22.5%)
• Employment Deprivation (22.5%)
• Education, Skills and Training Deprivation (13.5%)
• Health Deprivation and Disability (13.5%)
• Crime (9.3%)
• Barriers to Housing and Services (9.3%)
• Living Environment Deprivation (9.3%)

The weights were derived from consideration of the academic literature on poverty and deprivation, as well as the levels of robustness of the indicators.

Information on the IMD can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019.

The resultant maps provide a relative measure of places with respect to potential issues concerning supply and demand for accessible natural green space.

In order to aid the display of inequalities, a bi-variate assessment grid was created with each sector of the grid shown below being assigned an alphanumeric code to represent it, creating a system of "Access Inequalities Categories".

Category L1 – represents the least favourable category of very low ANGSt buffer coverage and high level of IMD or population density.

Category H3 – represents the most favourable category with relatively high ANGSt buffer coverage and low level of deprivation or population density.

LSOAs which fall within each grid category (assessed using metrics set out below for figure 1) were then assigned the corresponding code for each angst buffer distance. These alphanumeric codes can be used to easily identify which sector of the grid each LSOA falls within.

• L = Less than 5% coverage
• M = 5% to under 50%
• H = 50 % and over

Codes 1, 2 and 3 are the relative bands for the other assessment variable.

• 1 = IMD decile 1 and 2 (Most deprived)
• 2 = IMD deciles 3 to 8
• 3 = IMD deciles 9 and 10 (least deprived)

• 1 = Population 10,000 people per square kilometre and above
• 2 – Population between 2500 and 10,000 people per square kilometre
• 3 = Population under 2500 people per square kilometre

The "Access to Natural Green Space Inequalities" maps only look at those green spaces that were used to run the England ANGSt analysis and were done only at LSOA level.

Assessments for modules 7 and 8 only look at green spaces included in the ANGSt assessment (Natural Green Spaces). LSOA may contain other green spaces whose presence will not be picked up in this assessment.

The maps present LSOA by decile for percentage population estimated within the "Nature Close to Home Buffer".

Section 3.8 Module 8. Accessible Natural Green Space Inequalities and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)

3.8.1 – Accessible Natural Green Space and Deprivation

What is this layer?

This layer (map 8.1) presents LSOA with respect to level of accessibility of natural green spaces compared with the IMD decile. Each output area is assigned an "access inequalities class" according to which of the boxes the statistics for ANGst Buffer coverage and IMD place it.

Maps are presented for all 6 ANGSt buffer sizes.

What data was used?

The ANGSt Buffer (including associated green spaces) was derived from the England ANGSt Assessment (maps 2.1 to 2.6).

Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019.

What are the attributes?

• LSOA name
• Access Inequalities class
• IMD decile
• Percent of LSOA population estimated to be within the Nature Close to Home buffer

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Green spaces used for this assessment were those used for the England ANGSt assessments. Accessible spaces that were not in the source data will not appear in the assessment which may affect the inequalities class attribution if actual amounts of green space are under-represented.

Note that the assessment for the "Doorstep" ANGSt level includes "Playing Fields" and is thus based on a broader set of green spaces thanthe other levels (which use those spaces assigned a naturalness factor of 1 and 2 only).

Section 3.9 Module 9 – Accessible Natural Green Space Inequalities and Population Density

3.9.1 – Accessible Natural Green Space and Population Density

What is this layer?

This layer (map 9.1) presents LSOA with respect to level of accessibility to natural green spaces compared with population density. Each LSOA is assigned an "access inequalities class" according to which of the boxes the statistics for ANGst Buffer coverage and population density place it.

What data was used?

ANGSt buffer coverage was derived from the England ANGSt Assessment.

Population density was derived from the ONS Census 2011.

What are the attributes?

• LSOA name
• Access Inequalities Class
• Population density (Census 2011)
• Percent of LSOA covered by the respective buffer

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

All population data used in V 1.2 is Census 2011.

Green spaces used for this assessment were those used for the England ANGSt assessments. Accessible spaces that were not in the source data will not appear in the assessment which may affect the inequalities class attribution if actual amounts of green space are under-represented.

Note that the assessment for the "Doorstep" ANGSt level includes "Playing Fields" and is thus based on a broader set of green spaces thanthe other levels (which use those spaces assigned a naturalness factor of 1 and 2 only).

Section 3.10 Module 10. Combined Green Space and Linear Access Inequalities

3.10.1 Green space and linear access inequalities

Please note there is an error on the Combined Green Space and Linear Access Inequalities maps where the areas of Liverpool, Halton and Darlington local authorities have not been removed (PRoW data for these areas not being present). This means that these areas are not blanked out and have grid squares with data within them. Grids for these areas should be ignored as they are not likely to be representative of the situation on the ground. This error will be corrected during 2023.

What is this layer?

This layer (map 10.1) is a 5 square km grid of England presenting the area of accessible Greenspace in each square compared to the total length of PRoW in that square. Each square is assigned an "inequalities class" according to which of the boxes the statistics for Access Greenspace area and total PRoW length place it.

The class thresholds used are as follows (GS = green space. PRoW = Public Rights of Way):

L1. Scenario low-low= "low GS – low PRoW". Thresholds = less than 12 ha green space and less than 22925m PRoW.

L2. Scenario middle-low = "Middle GS – Low PRoW". Thresholds = between 12 and 98 ha of green space and less than 22925m PRoW.

L3. Scenario high-low= "High GS – Low PRoW". Thresholds = Over 98 ha green space and less than 22925m PRoW.

M1. Scenario low-middle = "Low GS – Middle PRoW. Thresholds = Less than 12 ha green space and between 22925m and 41031m of PRoW.

M2. Scenario middle-middle = "Middle green space and middle PRoW" Thresholds = Between 12 and 98 ha of green space and between 22925 and 41031m PRoW.

M3. Scenario high middle = "High green space and middle PRoW". Thresholds = Over 98 ha green space and between 22925 and 41031m PRoW.

H1. Scenario low-high = "Low green space and high PrOW". Thresholds = Less than 12 ha green space and over 41031m PRoW.

H2. Scenario middle high = "Middle green space and high PRoW". Thresholds = Between 12 and 98ha of green space and over 41031m PRoW.

H3. Scenario high-high = "High green space and high PRoW". Thresholds = Over 98ha green space and over 41031m PRoW.

The threshold numbers were generated by the software used to undertake this assessment and for convenient quoting can be rounded up or down. The classes are designed to resemble those used in the other access inequalities assessments.

What data was used?

• GI database Accessible Green Infrastructure
• GI database England PRoW

What are the attributes?

• Inequality Class - The class into which that grid square falls
• PRoW length - The length, in metres, of PRoW in that grid square
• Greenspace Area - The total area, in hectares, of Accessible Greenspace in that grid square

What are the limitations and caveats to content?

Please note there is an error on the Combined Green Space and Linear Access Inequalities maps where the areas of Liverpool, Halton and Darlington local authorities have not been removed (PRoW data for these areas not being present). This means that these areas are not blanked out and have grid squares with data within them. Grids for these areas should be ignored as they are not likely to be representative of the situation on the ground. This error will be corrected during 2023.

Data for all Public Rights of Way (PRoW) could not be sourced for all local authorities. A list of Local Authorities where data could not be sourced can be found in section 3.3.1

Updates to local authority definitive maps that take place after the GI database is published will not be reflected in the Green Infrastructure output.

This is a measure of accessible green spaces supply using the typologies identified as accessible in table 1. Accessible green spaces that are missing from the data will generate an underestimate. Polygons that have been identified as accessible but that in reality are not will result in an over-estimate of amounts.

Because this assessment uses a 5 sq km grid, some grid squares will cover parts of the edges of districts for which there is no actual PRoW data in the mapping. These squares may have distorted classifications.

Section 3.11 Module 11 - Socio-economic statistics reference maps

This module presents a range of socio – economic contextual data that may of use for quick reference when consulting the Green Infrastructure Maps.

Please note that the data presented on the website represents the most up to date version of the respective data sources at the time that Version 1.2 was completed (August 2022).

Some of the reference datasets change fairly frequently and for the most up to date actual version of the data it is advisable to go directly to the source data owner to download the most recent version.

3.11.1 – IMD Decile

This layer (map 11.1) presents MHCLG (now DLUHC) open data on English Indices of Deprivation decile 2019. Decile 1 represents most deprived and decile 10 least deprived.

Note on the Index of Multiple Deprivation

What is the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)?

The Index of Multiple Deprivation, commonly known as the IMD, is the official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in England.

The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranks every small area in England from 1 (most deprived area) to 32,844 (least deprived area). These small areas are a statistical geography called Lower-layer Super Output Areas.

• Income Deprivation (22.5%)
• Employment Deprivation (22.5%)
• Education, Skills and Training Deprivation (13.5%)
• Health Deprivation and Disability (13.5%)
• Crime (9.3%)
• Barriers to Housing and Services (9.3%)
• Living Environment Deprivation (9.3%)

The weights were derived from consideration of the academic literature on poverty and deprivation, as well as the levels of robustness of the indicators. A fuller account of the Index of Multiple Deprivation is available from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019

3.11.2 – Population

This layer (map 11.2) presents Census population 2011 data (most up to date at time of assessment), population estimate 2018 (most up to date at time of assessment).

3.11.3 – Ethnicity

This layer (map 11.3) presents ONS 2011 Census data by ethnicity grouping.