Agenda item

Green and Blue infrastructure study

Minutes:

The Senior Planner introduced the report which set out the Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Strategy for Swale.  She said that it was recognised as critical infrastructure for the health of Swale’s residents, wildlife and habitats.

 

The Senior Planner said that the strategy looked at Swale’s current infrastructure resource, green and blue infrastructure priorities going forward, the multi-functionality of green and blue infrastructure and the opportunities in Swale.  She advised that the strategy would be part of the evidence base for the Local Plan review, would help to form policies for the emerging Local Plan and would be used to help determine planning applications.

 

Finally, the Senior Planner said many of the projects were long-term aspirations that would be delivered by collaborative working with a wide range of organisations and community groups through a variety of funding streams, as highlighted in the appendices to the strategy.  She asked if any typing errors could be highlighted to her to forward to the consultants to update the document.

 

A Member asked how the aspirations in the strategy were turned into reality?  In response, the Senior Planner said that there would be a lot of collaborative working with partner organisations such as Natural England, The Wildlife Trust, and Parish and Town Councils.  She said that there was a range of delivery mechanisms.  The Senior Planner added that it was always useful to have schemes in a strategy so that a bid for funding could be made when it became available.  She highlighted that it was a long-term plan that could be delivered through different teams and services throughout the Council.

 

The Chairman praised the good work carried out in the strategy and suggested an action plan to deliver the aims within the next 5 or 6 years.  The Senior Planner said that some work would be delivered through the Local Plan, and she would raise with members of the Green Grid Group the suggestion of an action plan at their next meeting.

 

In response to a Member’s question, the Senior Planner agreed to include Marine Coastal Zones in the strategy.

 

A Member supported the inclusion of Milton Creek Country Park but highlighted the lack of smaller spaces such as The Meads Woodlands and Iwade Country Park.  He also highlighted the lack of direct access from The Meads Community Woodland to Chalkwell as stated at paragraph 6.32 on page 331 of the report.  The Senior Planner advised that not all spaces were listed in the report due to the high number of spaces the Swale area was fortunate to have and because of budget constraints but they would be included in the in the maps in the Local Plan.

 

A Member requested that the final report from the consultants be circulated to all Members.

 

In response to a question from a Member, the Senior Planner advised that, due to budget constraints not all Parish and Town Councils were consulted on the Strategy but once agreed, it could be shared with local Members and would be circulated to Parish and Town Councils.

 

Recommended:

 

(1)         That the report and the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy for Swale in appendices I, II and III be noted.

Supporting documents: