Katie Daubney, Planning, 15 May 2009
A specific planning policy on green infrastructure is to be produced as part of a cross-government strategy for improving quality of place launched this week.
The strategy, unveiled by communities secretary Hazel Blears and culture secretary Andy Burnham, stresses that green infrastructure such as parks and waterways is not a luxury that can be dropped in difficult economic times.
It says that while guidance in PPS9 on biodiversity and PPG17 on open spaces is still valid, there is now more understanding of the role green infrastructure could play in response to climate change.
The DCLG will "revise and consolidate" this guidance to provide a clearer message of what is expected of councils in its provision.
Natural England welcomed the move. Chief executive Helen Phillips said: "Green spaces are the lifeblood of our cities and providing access to high-quality, well-designed green infrastructure needs to be a central part of the way that our cities are planned and evolve.
"We would never think of leaving grey infrastructure such as sewerage and mains water out of developments. Why should it be acceptable to leave out green infrastructure when it is proven to improve people's health and quality of life?"
Planning consultancy TEP partner Francis Hesketh said that further guidance would be very welcome as there is still confusion among local authority planners on how to set and enforce standards.
But he added: "It cannot be too prescriptive because in a deprived urban area the focus should be on cleanliness and safety, whereas in an eco-town there is an opportunity to create a new structural landscape."
The government also pledged revised heritage policy (see story, left) along with commitments covering minimum design standards for all new public buildings. An action plan will be published at the end of the summer, which will outline delivery plans and timetables.
World-Class Places is available at PlanningResource.co.uk/docNews
