Green and Blue Infrastructure

Green and Blue Infrastructure

Green infrastructure includes a range of spaces and assets including parks and gardens, playing fields, woodlands, wildlife habitats, street trees, amenity greenspace and other open spaces. 

Green infrastructure networks also include ‘blue infrastructure’ features, such as ponds, rivers, canals and other water bodies and may subsequently be referred to as Green and Blue Infrastructure. 

A variety of benefits can be gained from the inclusion of more green open space, waterways and corridors, connecting people and spaces. All green infrastructure provision works better when they are made safe and accessible by footpaths and cycleways. 

Green spaces contribute to quality of place, together with buildings, urban spaces and the wider public realm. Quality of place is a key factor in attracting investment, jobs and growth to an area. It is also important in making an area an attractive place to live, work and spend leisure time. So green spaces have real economic value to the surrounding area, in addition to supporting healthy lifestyles and community-wellbeing.

Green and Blue Infrastructure is essential to the success of the county, given its multi-functional benefits. These include the promotion of health and wellbeing through opportunities for recreation, exercise and social interaction. 

The environmental benefits are multiple and include mitigation against climate change and flooding, the protection of water quality and the provision of sustainable drainage systems; the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity through better ecological connectivity and the enhancement of local landscape character. 

This will assist economic growth through the creation high-quality environments. 

The review of existing policies looks to go further to protect the network of green infrastructure across the county, as well as ongoing requirements for new developments to provide green space in accordance with adopted standards. 

View Green and Blue Infrastructure Policy Options

Go to Policy Options Questions