Strategy
What do you need to know to produce a green space strategy? Below are links to articles and case studies that might help you.
How to...assess local needs and opportunities (pdf 186 Kb)
Cleaner, Safer, Greener, ODPM, 2005
Green space strategies (pdf 2 Mb)
CABE Space
Is the grass greener?
CABE Space, 2004
Case studies:
Park strategies
Green space strategy
Lambeth parks and green space strategic plan
New role for landscape architects
Park refurbishment programme
Site categorisation strategy
Sub-Regional Strategic Urban Forestry Programme
Trust management of urban green space
Health and safety
Health and safety management of direct services
Park strategies
Green space strategy
Partners:
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London Borough of Barnet
City-wide
Barnet, North London
The London Borough of Barnet produced a forward-thinking 'Your Green Spaces' strategy that incorporates local and national policies. The strategy puts the community first by being people-centred, and aims to create opportunities for community enjoyment of green space, whilst improving the management of green space in Barnet. In recognition of their efforts to improve green space, the Borough has been awarded Beacon Status.
David Dench (Green space Service Manager) T: 0208 359 431
City-wide
Barnet, North London
The London Borough of Barnet produced a forward-thinking 'Your Green Spaces' strategy that incorporates local and national policies. The strategy puts the community first by being people-centred, and aims to create opportunities for community enjoyment of green space, whilst improving the management of green space in Barnet. In recognition of their efforts to improve green space, the Borough has been awarded Beacon Status.
David Dench (Green space Service Manager) T: 0208 359 431
Lambeth parks and green space strategic plan
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Site name:
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London Borough of Lambeth
Borough-wide
Lambeth, South London
The London Borough of Lambeth produced an innovative parks strategy, entitled The Lambeth Parks and Greenspace Strategic Plan, and it was tested through a comprehensive public consultation exercise. As stewards for landscape in the Borough of Lambeth, it was important for the council to develop this strategy to ensure effective management and provision of resources for parks and green space, whilst incorporating the views of the local community.
Gideon Taylor (Landscape Manager) T: 0207 926 6216
Borough-wide
Lambeth, South London
The London Borough of Lambeth produced an innovative parks strategy, entitled The Lambeth Parks and Greenspace Strategic Plan, and it was tested through a comprehensive public consultation exercise. As stewards for landscape in the Borough of Lambeth, it was important for the council to develop this strategy to ensure effective management and provision of resources for parks and green space, whilst incorporating the views of the local community.
Gideon Taylor (Landscape Manager) T: 0207 926 6216
New role for landscape architects
Partners:
Site name:
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Site name:
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Oldham MBC
Local authority department
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Oldham’s landscape architects were formerly based in the planning department, at which time they were brought in by the parks department to design specific schemes, in a client and designer role. This was seen as disjointed and they have since moved into the Parks and Open Spaces section. The landscape architects are now fully involved in discussion about how parks and landscapes should be managed as well as the strategic planning of open spaces, providing a holistic view of the network of green space.
Steve Smith T: 0161 911 4642
Local authority department
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Oldham’s landscape architects were formerly based in the planning department, at which time they were brought in by the parks department to design specific schemes, in a client and designer role. This was seen as disjointed and they have since moved into the Parks and Open Spaces section. The landscape architects are now fully involved in discussion about how parks and landscapes should be managed as well as the strategic planning of open spaces, providing a holistic view of the network of green space.
Steve Smith T: 0161 911 4642
Park refurbishment programme
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
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Site name:
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Oldham MBC
Various
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Oldham MBC developed a replacement for their 1995 parks strategy in 2001. As part of this, the council has followed an innovative rolling programme of park regeneration, designed to create a comprehensive network of accessible, high quality and sustainable greenspace. They comprehensively refurbish a minimum of one park a year by focusing all capital monies on one park at a time. Twelve of their twenty-three parks across the ‘green estate’ have been completed, a direct result of the forming a single unit in the council, the ‘Operational Services Unit’ which has responsibility for the development, improvement and maintenance of all open space under the authority’s control. It is a rare example of a parks service having a strategic planning role in an authority.
Steve Smith T: 0161 911 4642
Various
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Oldham MBC developed a replacement for their 1995 parks strategy in 2001. As part of this, the council has followed an innovative rolling programme of park regeneration, designed to create a comprehensive network of accessible, high quality and sustainable greenspace. They comprehensively refurbish a minimum of one park a year by focusing all capital monies on one park at a time. Twelve of their twenty-three parks across the ‘green estate’ have been completed, a direct result of the forming a single unit in the council, the ‘Operational Services Unit’ which has responsibility for the development, improvement and maintenance of all open space under the authority’s control. It is a rare example of a parks service having a strategic planning role in an authority.
Steve Smith T: 0161 911 4642
Site categorisation strategy
Partners:
Site name:
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Site name:
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Sheffield City Council
City-wide
Sheffield
This system was developed as a means to make efficient use of scarce resources as well as to provide a rational base for allocation of additional resources and bringing in of external funding. Sites were categorised into City Sites, District Sites or Local Sites, and then as one of ten types of green space. This has helped a restructure of the organisation, and the transfer of permanent maintenance staff back into city and district sites (these are the priority areas, with local sites being supported according to need and opportunity as part of the city’s regeneration planning process).
Liz Neild-Banks (Development Team Manager) T: 0114 273 6956
City-wide
Sheffield
This system was developed as a means to make efficient use of scarce resources as well as to provide a rational base for allocation of additional resources and bringing in of external funding. Sites were categorised into City Sites, District Sites or Local Sites, and then as one of ten types of green space. This has helped a restructure of the organisation, and the transfer of permanent maintenance staff back into city and district sites (these are the priority areas, with local sites being supported according to need and opportunity as part of the city’s regeneration planning process).
Liz Neild-Banks (Development Team Manager) T: 0114 273 6956
Sub-Regional Strategic Urban Forestry Programme
Partners:
Site name:
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Site name:
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Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendel, River Valley and Rossendale authorities
Various
Elwood, Lancashire
This is a sub-regional strategic urban forestry programme involving extensive surveys. Each individual project is assessed for ecological, archaeological and social importance, and the information is stored in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The information can then be accessed for strategic green space management. There is a strong partnership of local authorities and NGOs, underpinned by widespread engagement of multi-cultural communities, reflecting the history of regional land use and cultural issues.
Judy Walker (National Urban Forestry Unit) T: 01902 828 600
Various
Elwood, Lancashire
This is a sub-regional strategic urban forestry programme involving extensive surveys. Each individual project is assessed for ecological, archaeological and social importance, and the information is stored in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The information can then be accessed for strategic green space management. There is a strong partnership of local authorities and NGOs, underpinned by widespread engagement of multi-cultural communities, reflecting the history of regional land use and cultural issues.
Judy Walker (National Urban Forestry Unit) T: 01902 828 600
Trust management of urban green space
Partners:
Site name:
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Milton Keynes Parks Trust
City-wide
Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire
MKPT is almost entirely self-funded from the income generated from its commercial property, investments, tenants, graziers and events, receiving no annual revenue aid from the local authority. The policies are set by a board of trustees drawn from the local community who can provide the heritage, conservation and landscape management, property and business management, recreation and other specialist skills. The Trust has conducted innovative and sustainable landscape management techniques, including wildflower seeding into grassland and young woodlands on a large scale, with over 80ha of parkland being managed as hay meadow. Green space has been successfully integrated into new development to complement residential, business and recreational spaces with a combination of landscape, amenity and wildlife values.
Switchboard 01908 233 600
City-wide
Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire
MKPT is almost entirely self-funded from the income generated from its commercial property, investments, tenants, graziers and events, receiving no annual revenue aid from the local authority. The policies are set by a board of trustees drawn from the local community who can provide the heritage, conservation and landscape management, property and business management, recreation and other specialist skills. The Trust has conducted innovative and sustainable landscape management techniques, including wildflower seeding into grassland and young woodlands on a large scale, with over 80ha of parkland being managed as hay meadow. Green space has been successfully integrated into new development to complement residential, business and recreational spaces with a combination of landscape, amenity and wildlife values.
Switchboard 01908 233 600
Health and safety
Health and safety management of direct services
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
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Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Basingstoke and Deane DC
Local authority department
Basingstoke, Hampshire
The parks department (Direct Services Organisation – DSO) aimed to achieve best practice in health and safety by culture rather than compulsion. Comprehensive risk assessments have been drawn up, acting as working documents which are constantly updated in the light of new experience. Training is given in risk assessment at each new employee's induction, and a programme of awareness training now exists for all staff. All employees also receive a comprehensive manual (fire training, defensive driving techniques, general awareness training), as well as a code of practice booklet, resulting in a safer working atmosphere within DSO, fewer accidents and increased staff awareness and involvement.
Vic Lee (Head of Direct Services Organisation) T: 01256 845 657
Local authority department
Basingstoke, Hampshire
The parks department (Direct Services Organisation – DSO) aimed to achieve best practice in health and safety by culture rather than compulsion. Comprehensive risk assessments have been drawn up, acting as working documents which are constantly updated in the light of new experience. Training is given in risk assessment at each new employee's induction, and a programme of awareness training now exists for all staff. All employees also receive a comprehensive manual (fire training, defensive driving techniques, general awareness training), as well as a code of practice booklet, resulting in a safer working atmosphere within DSO, fewer accidents and increased staff awareness and involvement.
Vic Lee (Head of Direct Services Organisation) T: 01256 845 657