Greenspaces Strategy appendices
Pages in Greenspaces Strategy appendices
- 1. You are here: Appendix one: policy review
- 2. Appendix two: consultation findings - phase 1
- 3. Appendix two: consultation findings - phase 2
- 4. Appendix three: case studies
1. Appendix one: policy review
National Context
National Planning Policy Framework
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the planning policies for England. It details how these are expected to be applied to the planning system and provides a framework to produce distinct local and neighbourhood plans, reflecting the needs and priorities of local communities.
It states that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. It establishes that the planning system needs to focus on three themes of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. A presumption in favour of sustainable development is a key aspect for any plan-making and decision-taking processes. In relation to plan- making the NPPF sets out that Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs.
A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment (2018)
This sets out government action to help the natural world regain and retain good health. It aims to deliver cleaner air and water in cities and rural landscapes, protect threatened species and provide richer wildlife habitats.
Chapter 3 focuses on connecting people with the environment to improve health and wellbeing. This outlines a vision to 'green our towns and cities by creating green infrastructure (GI) and planting one million urban trees'.
The document supports the promotion of access to the natural environment and extension of wildlife corridors into towns and cities using GI networks, improved provision of GI in new developments, upgrading existing GI and retrofitting new GI into areas of poor provision.
As part of a commitment to refresh the plan every five years, the Environmental Improvement Plan (2023) reinforces the intent of the 2018 plan. It uses the goals originally set out to detail progress to date and the work needed to continue delivering them.
Green Infrastructure Framework (2023)
Launched by Natural England, the Green Infrastructure Framework (GIF) provides a structure to analyse where greenspace in urban environments is needed most. It aims to support equitable access to greenspace across the country, with an overarching target of everyone being able to reach good quality greenspace in their local area.
The GIF comprises principles, standards, mapping tools, planning and design guides.
A wide range and extensive series of national and local policies frame the work and delivery of greenspaces. Some of the most relevant are listed in the appendices.
Figure 1: Green infrastructure principles
Local context
Corporate Plan 2030
Our corporate plan sets out our vision and priorities for the council from 2025 and 2030 and explains how we will focus our resources and deliver services to those living, working and spending time in the borough.
You can view the corporate plan by visiting: reigate-banstead.gov.uk/rbbc2030
Current Local Plan (2012-2027)
For Reigate & Banstead, the local plan (development plan) comprises the following:
- Core strategy (adopted 2014 and reviewed 2019).
- Development management plan (adopted 2019).
- Policies map.
It establishes the vision and objectives for the Council until 2027 and key delivery policies to achieve this. The vision and objectives for the Council are:
Vision: Reigate & Banstead will be one of the most desirable and attractive areas in the region. To achieve this, the objectives are that:
- People who live in, work in and visit the borough enjoy the benefits of a prosperous economy.
- Neighbourhoods are renewed, improved and supported by effective services, infrastructure and transport options.
- The wellbeing of communities is supported by accessible health, leisure, education and information services.
- People take personal responsibility, and enjoy active, healthy and diverse lifestyles.
- The environment, and greenspace, is maintained and enhanced for the future.
To ensure the Authority’s greenspace and the environment is well maintained and enhanced, the key policies are to:
- Create an easily accessible greenspace network which links existing and planned communities, while respecting the ecological and cultural heritage of the Borough.
- Increase opportunity to pursue a healthy lifestyle, by maintaining and enhancing recreation facilities which encourage walking and cycling.
- Maintain and enhance the borough’s valued landscapes, historic, built and natural environment including habitats and species and heritage assets.
- Retain and enhance the identified character and separate identities of the borough’s towns and other urban areas.
- Safeguard and promote biodiversity and wildlife corridors at a local level, as well as on designated sites, through responsible and positive design and management.
- Ensure that the design of new development makes best use of the site, integrates effectively with its setting, promotes local distinctiveness, maximises accessibility and minimises the opportunities for crime.
- Require that developments conserve natural resources, minimise greenhouse gas emissions and help to reduce waste, and are adaptable to climate change (including the risk from flooding)
Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a new spatial strategy to identify locations to improve nature and provide other environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration, flood regulation and access to nature-rich spaces where this is most needed for health and wellbeing.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy will:
- Set out priorities for nature's recovery
- Map the most valuable existing areas for nature
- Map specific measures for creating and improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals
- Required by law under the Environment Act 2021, every county in England will produce a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. These strategies will work together to restore, create and connect habitats across England.
Decisions about where and how to recover nature will be reached through consultation with a wide range of people and groups in each county, from ecologists and community groups to health professionals and local businesses.
It is anticipated that Local Nature Recovery Strategies will help to direct future funding streams including agri-environment funding. They will also link with Biodiversity Net Gain, which is a new planning requirement to ensure habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development.
Healthy Surrey: Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2019-2030)
Surrey’s Health and Wellbeing Board latest strategy, sets out its commitment to the County being a uniquely special place where everyone has a great start to life, people live healthy and fulfilling lives, are enabled to achieve their full potential and contribute to their community and no one is left behind.
- Children and young people are safe and feel safe and confident.
- Everyone benefits from education, skills and employment opportunities that help them succeed in life.
- Everyone lives healthy, active and fulfilling lives, and makes good choices about their well-being.
- Everyone gets the health and social care support and information they need at the right time and place.
- Communities are welcoming and supportive, especially of those most in need, and people feel able to contribute to community life.