Greenspaces Strategy 2025 to 2035
Pages in Greenspaces Strategy 2025 to 2035
- 1. Part 1: Introduction
- 2. Part 2: Vision and themes
- 3. You are here: Part 3: Strategic priorities and actions
- 4. Part 4: Monitoring and review
- 5. Appendices and background documents
3. Part 3: Strategic priorities and actions
Theme 1: Health and wellbeing
Many of the priorities and actions under this theme reflect Objective 1.2.2 (Leisure, sports and cultural services that support wellbeing) and Objective 1.2.3 (Greenspaces that deliver health, recreation and nature benefits) of our Corporate Plan. These highlight the need to provide facilities and activities that meet the needs and match the interests of residents. They also recognise the significant benefit greenspaces provide to the health and wellbeing of residents.
You can read our corporate plan here.
The proportion of people with sedentary lifestyles who are inactive, and/or who are struggling with their mental wellbeing, is a major heath concern. Furthermore, the importance of site quality/features, connectivity, and the role of greenspaces in providing healthy lifestyles is highlighted throughout the community engagement. For example, in the community survey, exercise is cited as the most common reason for someone to visit a greenspace.
| Priorities | Actions |
|---|---|
| 1.1 Encouraging more active lifestyles within our greenspaces |
1.1.1 Work with key partners, private operators, and communities to nurture a joined-up events/activities programme at suitable sites, such as a social prescribing programme which utilises greenspaces and the opportunities they provide. 1.1.2 Promote greenspaces and playgrounds as places to be active. 1.1.3 Support ‘activity’ focused events to encourage active lifestyles. 1.1.4 Encourage more active lifestyles via provision of appropriate features (e.g. waymarking, bike storage, etc) and promote active travel networks. |
| 1.2 Provide and develop appropriate facilities and opportunities for activities. |
1.2.1 Ensure that recreation sites are well presented and accessible, providing an environment to encourage physical activity. 1.2.2 Utilise existing evidence base studies, including the borough’s Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Facilities Study and Open Space Study to inform deficiencies and future needs. 1.2.3 Develop and/or enhance sites identified for informal or formal sports, or recreational needs of different users. |
| 1.3 Continue to support allotment holders to effectively and sustainably manage their allocated plot. |
1.3.1 Work with allotment stewards to regularly review demand for allotments and to better understand levels of plot availability. 1.3.2 Improve the application and waiting list system. 1.3.3 Encourage allotment holders to adopt sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting and peat free compost use. 1.3.4 Undertake regular inspections of allotments to ensure plot holders are maintaining their plots in line with agreements. 1.3.5 Introduce regular training and information sessions for allotment site stewards |
Theme 2: Nature and biodiversity
This theme supports the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment, including creating nature rich habitats.
The significant benefits that greenspaces provide in supporting nature/biodiversity, absorbing carbon and helping to mitigate the impact of a changing climate are at the core of Objective 1.2.3 (Greenspaces that deliver health, recreation and nature benefits) of our Corporate Plan. This also highlights that offering a range of different types of greenspaces which support different activities and habitats can maximise the positive community impact of greenspaces.
You can read our corporate plan here.
It is also important to link and reflect the suite of associated strategies which relate to these topics. For example, ecological enhancement, minimising environmental impact and pollution prevention are key priorities as part of our Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Emerging documents and requirements such as the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will also influence and shape our greenspaces moving forwards. As part of the community engagement sessions and survey, enhancing and placing more emphasis on biodiversity were highlighted as key themes.
You can read our Environmental Sustainability Strategy here.
| Priorities | Actions |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Strengthen measures to protect and enhance local biodiversity, develop the size of wildlife populations, and contribute to the broader ecological network. |
2.1.1 Work with stakeholders to access, promote and encourage opportunities to enhance biodiversity and nature. This will include joining up areas by using corridors, linkages and biodiversity opportunity areas, and work to limit the presence of invasive plant species 2.1.2 Ensure individual management plans reflecting the need to conserve and enhance areas of high ecological value are available for designated sites. 2.1.3 Explore options for, and where appropriate deliver, alternative grass cutting schemes/wilding, promotion of pollinators, planting of climate resilient species, as well as nectar producing plants and other wildlife measures such as bat boxes, bug hotels and swift boxes. 2.1.4 Incorporate sustainable practices in maintenance regimes such as the avoidance of using peat; minimising the use and environmental impact of pesticides, and the electrification of tools and vehicles in line with net zero targets 2.1.5 Actively avoid causing a negative impact on the wider environment (i.e. pollution and habitat loss resulting from activities) and introduce areas for wildlife sanctuary. 2.1.6 Establish a biodiversity baseline and targets (alongside key partners) to inform benchmarking and ensure we maximise biodiversity benefits. 2.1.7 Pilot trial areas for rewilding projects before committing to costly, larger improvements that may have a detrimental impact on existing areas. |
| 2.2 Enhance adaptation and resilience of our greenspaces to the impacts of a changing climate. |
2.2.1 Regularly review operations in light of climate change risks and impacts. 2.2.2 Support our Environmental Sustainability Strategy by implementing the actions towards its stated objectives, summarised as:
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| 2.3 Implement and support delivery of key objectives within existing and emerging strategies and incorporate policies to inform best practice. |
2.3.1 Work with partners to help address and deliver the relevant duties of the Council, currently including Green Infrastructure Strategy, Biodiversity Net Gain, Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, and Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy. 2.3.2 Support the delivery of ‘Surrey Adapt: The Surrey Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategy’. |
| 2.4 Increase the use of educational tools to inform and engage. |
2.4.1 Identify opportunities to provide further educational material and insight. 2.4.2 Support the Council’s school holiday programme activities. 2.4.3 Explore options for educational biodiversity projects and initiatives to include schools, churches, community and voluntary groups |
| 2.5 Effectively and safely manage the tree stock. |
2.5.1 Develop a Tree Strategy. 2.5.2 Review tree stock to ensure we understand existing provision and identify planting opportunities. 2.5.3 Finalise and maintain an ash die back management plan. 2.5.4 Set a target for planting additional trees. This should support carbon capture and enhance local biodiversity (whilst being mindful of ‘right tree, right place’ principles). |
Theme 3: Thriving communities
This theme reflects the importance of taking a joined-up approach, working across council departments and with stakeholders to deliver effective greenspaces.
Community engagement and communication are two of the common themes highlighted through the engagement exercises as part of this strategy. Participants emphasised the desire for opportunities to get more involved with greenspaces; whether through volunteering or understanding more the role/work of the Council. Linked to this are topics such as enforcement and the introduction of different grass management practices for example.
The priorities and actions also link to many of our Corporate Plan objectives relating to safety and anti-social behaviour (Objective 1.1.2), strong and inclusive communities (Objective 1.2.1), supporting wellbeing (Objective 1.2.2) and the opportunity to shape and influence our services (Objective 3.4.2). This also relates to Objective 1.2.3 (Greenspaces that deliver health, recreation and nature benefits) which recognises that maximising the positive impact of greenspaces can be achieved through offering a range of different types of provision which supports different activities. Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy also identifies community engagement as a key element.
You can read our corporate plan here.
| Priorities | Actions |
|---|---|
| 3.1 Enable access to our greenspaces, balancing recreational and biodiversity considerations. |
3.1.1 Deliver a maintenance programme – including plans for how we manage specific areas (for example grasslands, wetlands and ponds) - to ensure high standards of maintenance across all greenspaces (including waterways). 3.1.2 Benchmark existing processes against recognised industry and national best practices to inform improvement plans (e.g., explore utilising the Green Flag Award and other award schemes). 3.1.3 Communicate and raise awareness about reasons for different practices adopted in relation to maintenance regimes (e.g. grass cutting, wild flowering, etc.) and the benefits derived from this. 3.1.4 Promote sites including their accessibility and inclusivity features through appropriate websites, social media, signage and interpretation boards. 3.1.5 Regularly review parking at sites, especially in respect of supporting and encouraging sustainable travel. |
| 3.2 Actively participate with communities and partners to enhance local spaces. |
3.2.1 Support, encourage and actively pursue existing and new community participation to design and maintain local greenspaces and greenspace projects (such as tree planting and pond maintenance). 3.2.2 Signpost to outdoor volunteering opportunities. 3.2.3 Work with stakeholder organisations to support bids for investment in greenspace related activities and projects. 3.2.4 Promote successes in the shared delivery, management and enhancement of the borough’s greenspaces. 3.2.5 Work closely with elected members to improve knowledge of greenspaces practice, management of issues and community participation. |
| 3.3 Work collaboratively to support community safety in our greenspaces to encourage appropriate behaviours that support everyone's enjoyment. |
3.3.1 Regularly review measures, alongside our partners, to address community concerns such as litter bin and bench provisions, fly tipping, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour across our greenspaces. 3.3.2 Promote existing methods of reporting anti-social behaviour and fly tipping, to ensure ease of use and community confidence. |
| 3.4 Create calm and peaceful memorial spaces. |
3.4.1 Provide dedicated areas to promote wellness and time for reflection. 3.4.2 Introduce management plans for cemeteries and The Garden of Remembrance which promote sensitivity and calmness. 3.4.3 Explore potential sites to increase capacity. |
| 3.5 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. |
3.5.1 Work with community groups to understand the breadth of events/activities that could be delivered to enrich the community social fabric. 3.5.2 Balance opportunities for commercial activities, whilst recognising the potential impact on other users. 3.5.3 Promote events through appropriate websites, social media and signage. 3.5.4 Ensure third-party events on Council- owned land embrace environmentally sustainable principles. |