Greenspaces Strategy

The Greenspaces Strategy 2025 to 2035, which was adopted by the Council's Executive on 23 October 2025, recognises the pivotal role that parks and open spaces play in the quality of life for local residents and in improving environmental sustainability. You can:

• Read the Greenspaces Strategy 2025 to 2035 here.
• Download the Greenspaces Strategy 2025 to 2035 here (PDF)
• Find the report for Council's Executive, including background documents, and webcast of the meeting here 

Introduction

The Greenspaces Strategy is a long-term strategy that:

• provides a clear and structured approach to managing the green spaces that are maintained by the council
• balances the current and future recreational needs and aspirations of the local population; while enhancing biodiversity.and environmental sustainability
• prioritises activities that can help to address many of the key challenges facing the borough - such as improving mental and physical health or climate change resilience.

Vision, themes and priorities

Vision: Our greenspaces enable local communities and the natural environment to thrive.

Work will be aligned under three key themes and each theme is supported by a number of priorities.

1. Health and wellbeing

• Encourage more active lifestyles within our greenspaces.
• Provide and develop appropriate facilities and opportunities for activities.
• Facilitate the role of parks and open spaces in hosting diverse and sustainable community events and fostering cultural engagement, enhancing the borough's social fabric.
• Continue to support allotment holders to effectively and sustainably manage their allocated plot.

2. Nature and biodiversity

• Strengthen measures to protect and enhance local biodiversity, contributing to the broader ecological network.
• Enhance adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• Implement and support delivery of key objectives within existing and emerging strategies, and incorporate policies to inform best practice.
• Increase the use of educational tools to inform and engage.
• Effectively and safely manage our tree stock.

3. Thriving communities

• Enable access to our greenspaces, balancing recreational and biodiversity considerations.
• Actively participate with communities and partners to enhance local spaces.
• Work collaboratively to support community safety in our greenspaces and encourage appropriate behaviours that support everyone's enjoyment.
• Create calm and peaceful memorial spaces.

Overarching principles

To achieve our priorities we will:

• Employ efficient, effective, adaptable, and high-quality management practices and processes.
• Ensure finite resources are appropriately prioritised and pursue external funding and income generating opportunities which enhance impact.
• Review and adapt maintenance regimes to support nature rich places.
• Continue to incorporate environmental sustainability practices that help us achieve our net zero targets, benefit biodiversity, and strengthen local climate adaptation and resilience.
• Carefully balance recreational and biodiversity priorities across our green spaces.