Background
The Cambridgeshire green infrastructure strategy provides a clear vision for how green infrastructure can augment and support the development of a minimum of 73,300 homes over the next 20 years.
Governance arrangements
The Cambridgeshire green infrastructure strategy is led by
- Cambridgeshire Horizons - a not-for-profit company responsible for co-ordinating growth plans
- Cambridgeshire County Council.
These organisations work in partnership with national and regional agencies such as Natural England, nature and conservation charities such as the RSPB and National Trust and the five second-tier local authorities in Cambridgeshire.
The green infrastructure strategy is overseen by a partnership forum and a green infrastructure manager. Projects are delivered via planning obligations, the Housing Growth Fund and individual stakeholders.
Masterplanning approach
The non-statutory status of the Cambridgeshire green infrastructure strategy is a major challenge in terms of the planning process. However a strong masterplanning approach ensures that green infrastructure is fully integrated into all major development proposals and delivery plans.
This approach is illustrated by the Cambridge Green Necklace, which will develop a series of six major green space and access projects around Cambridge. The Necklace will not only improve access between these green spaces, but also to the city and the new urban extensions.
Future plans
A second version of the green infrastructure strategy will be published in early 2010, to greater reflect the importance and multi-functional nature of green infrastructure. This will strengthen:
- the relationship with local area agreements and the local development framework process
- the links to climate change, health and wellbeing, social equity, environmental services and the changing use of land in Cambridgeshire.
