National recognition for the River Nene Regional Park's work supporting the "East Midlands Green Infrastructure Network"
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RNRP received national recognition for its work on "Strategic Landscape Policy" at Thursday's Awards ceremony at the Brewery, London, which was held by the Landscape Institute, the professional organisation for Landscape Architects. The Highly Commended award was presented by Nicholas Crane, a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, adventurer, author, film maker and advocate of the English Landscape, for RNRP's development and branding of the East Midlands Green Infrastructure Network (EMGIN). This, through its website and partnership working, provides a focus and valuable source of information for planners and decision makers involved in the development, integration and delivery of Green Infrastructure.
The submission included the development of a Public Benefit Mapping evidence and data base, commissioned from TEP and Alison Millward Associates. This addressed and presented in a clear and simple way, the results of survey work on the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the East Midlands region, and highlighted areas with the highest levels of deprivation or need. This information was then considered against the potential to contribute to GI objectives, in the Integrated Regional Strategy, and used to identify areas that would achieve the greatest benefit from investment in Green Infrastructure.
Christopher Davidge, Chair of RNRP said "The Board and I are delighted that RNRP's support for the East Midlands Regional Assembly has been nationally recognised by the Landscape Institute. This confirms the lead role taken by RNRP in the strategic management of the wider environment of Northamptonshire, and the East Midlands."
Michel Kerrou, Chief Executive, said "Our work with the East Midlands Regional Assembly on EMGIN has been a unique opportunity to support the development and delivery of Green Infrastructure at a regional as well as a sub regional level. With Northamptonshire having been at the forefront of the designated growth areas, we were pleased to contribute to the quest for excellence in sustainable development throughout the region."
Alison Hepworth, the project's client as Policy Officer for the East Midlands Regional Assembly client added "I am delighted that RNRP's pioneering work has been recognised in this project, which supports the Assembly's role in promoting best practice and developing GI skills across the region through EMGIN. This award recognises the innovation and added-value that RNRP and its partners bring to Northamptonshire and the East Midlands".
Notes to editors
Green Infrastructure (GI) is a term which has evolved in recent years within Government social and regeneration policies to describe the network of greenspaces and natural elements that intersperce and connect our cities, villages and towns. In urban situations, GI complements and balances the built environment; in rural settings it provides a framework for sustainable economies and biodiversity. In between, it links town and country and interconnects wider environmental processes. GI is an holistic approach to viewing the natural environment which acknowledges the multiple benefits and vital functions it provides for the economy, wildlife, local people, communities and cultural assets alike.
Green Infrastructure is defined as "Networks of multi-functional green space which sit within and contribute to, the type of high quality natural and built environment required to deliver sustainable communities. Delivering, protecting and enhancing these networks require the creation of new assets to link with river corridors, woodlands, nature reserves, urban green spaces historic sites and other existing assets".
The River Nene Regional Park (RNRP)
RNRP is a Community Investment Company that is hosted by Northamptonshire County Council and can hold assets and land on behalf of the community. It is an independent organisation that was constituted under the framework of the Treasury's Green Book and is recognised as a Treasury model for the environment in relation to sustainable growth area funding delivery.
RNRP Vision
"By 2016 the RNRP partnership will be an independent, inclusive, reciprocal and beneficial partnership of public, private and third sector members. It will be nationally and internationally recognised as the centre of excellence for the piloting, co-ordination and delivery of regional sustainable development, addressing strategic issues such as Climate Change, the enhancement of local biodiversity and the innovative development of the environment as an asset for social development, education, leisure & recreation, heritage and cultural activity, and as a primary vehicle of economic regeneration."
Contact details:
Michel Kerrou, Chief Executive, River Nene Regional Park
Tel: 01604 236331 e mail: mkerrou@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Website: www.rnrp.org
Alison Hepworth, Environment Policy Officer, East Midlands Regional Assembly
Tel: 01664 502555 e mail: Alison.hepworth@emra.gov.uk
Website: www.emgin.org