In October 2023, the Welsh Government updated the national planning policy for biodiversity (referred to as Chapter 6) (see our blog post on these changes here). One of the main elements of this update was a request for all planning authorities in Wales to place stronger emphasis on taking a proactive approach to green infrastructure, identifying key outputs of green infrastructure assessments with planning applications. These updates are included in chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales (version 12), which was published in February 2024.
Acer Ecology have gathered the key information to help you understand this change.
What is Green Infrastructure?
In Planning Policy Wales paragraph 6.2.1., green infrastructure is defined as:
“The network of natural and semi-natural features, green spaces, rivers, and lakes that intersperse and connect places. Green infrastructure can function at a range of different scales; from entire ecosystems such as wetlands and rivers to parks, fields and gardens at the local scale and street trees, hedgerows, roadside verges, and green roofs/walls at the micro scale.”
The NRW guidance acknowledges that, unlike the grey infrastructure network (i.e., roads and electricity), the environment has been considered on a piecemeal basis rather than approached at a strategic level to ensure that the right benefits are delivered in the right places. This has contributed to a loss of biodiversity and ecological resilience, as development sites are considered in isolation rather than as part of a wider ecological network. The introduction of this new ask for commitments to green infrastructure when developing land aims to challenge this and ensure that the green infrastructure network is given due consideration as early as possible in the development planning process. This will enable applicants to proactively explore all opportunities for enhancing the environment and delivering ecosystem services as part of the development, instead of needing to think about this further along the project timeline where risks and costs may be higher, and benefits may not be as great.
Examples of green infrastructure include:
- Sustainable drainage systems
- Green and blue roofs
- Green walls
- Private domestic gardens
- Public parks
What are the benefits of including Green Infrastructure in your development?
The benefits of green infrastructure are manifold and good green infrastructure provides multiple benefits at the same time. As well as supporting environmental resilience, it also delivers social, economic, and cultural benefits. These can include flood management, improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, improved social cohesion, and climate change mitigation. These benefits are particularly important in urban areas where they play a big role in supporting health and well-being and cultivating a sense of place for residents. Therefore, whether your development is contained within the footprint of your own home, focused on creating homes for others, or falls under another category, there is potential to significantly improve your plans through the implementation of green infrastructure. The benefits that you wish to provide should be thought through, and the types of green infrastructure subsequently chosen to best deliver those within the development whilst contributing to the wider green infrastructure network.
What’s the Ask?
The Green Infrastructure Assessments, which the Welsh Government has asked all planning authorities in Wales to undertake, should help planning authorities take a strategic approach to building the green infrastructure network. Therefore, planning applicants are now asked to produce a statement that details the way in which green infrastructure has been incorporated into their proposed development. What this looks like will depend on the development proposed as it should be proportional to the scale and nature of the proposed works, in other words, the smaller/simpler the development, the shorter the description. The statement should draw upon the constraints and opportunities provided by the development to ensure that the most appropriate and beneficial outcomes are being pursued. In most cases, this statement should make note of any baseline data considered and any surveys and/or assessments undertaken. These include, but are not limited to:
- Habitats and species surveys
- Arboricultural surveys and assessments
- Sustainable drainage statements
- Landscape and ecological management plans (LEMPs)
- Open space assessments
- Green space provision and active travel links
Development proposals should also ensure that they consider the priorities identified by the local green infrastructure assessments and planning guidance. The Building with Nature green infrastructure standards provide the UK’s first green infrastructure benchmark which is centred around 12 standards developed with the themes of ‘Core’, ‘Wellbeing’, ‘Water’ and ‘Wildlife’ in mind. These standards will help applicants deliver environmentally conscious development and demonstrate this commitment to the Local Planning Authority.
It will be necessary for the statement to demonstrate that a step-wise approach has been followed to maintain and enhance biodiversity, build resilient ecological networks, and deliver net benefits for biodiversity. This is undertaken by ensuring that adverse environmental impacts are firstly avoided, then minimized, mitigated, and as a last resort compensated for. Enhancement must be secured by delivering a biodiversity benefit primarily on site or immediately adjacent to the site, over and above that required to mitigate or compensate for any negative impact.
The development will be refused permission where its adverse impacts on the natural environment clearly outweigh the other material considerations.
How can we help?
Acer Ecology can help you with your green infrastructure statement – we have a wealth of experience developing reports for projects varying in size and complexity. We will work with you to determine site-appropriate green infrastructure measures that deliver ecosystem services that benefit your development, as well as the wider community and environment.
Green Infrastructure Statements on Small-Scale Developments
For small-scale developments such as an extension or new build of a single plot a degree o f landscaping will be required, although the level required will be proportionate to the scale and size of the project. To be able to complete the Green Infrastructure statement we would need to see a copy of the soft planting plan or at least have a description of what landscaping is proposed.
If you would like us to proceed with completing the Green Infrastructure statement without using a landscape architect we would need a steer from you as to what landscaping can be provided. This could include an area of new hedge planting or use of some landscape borders planted with wildlife-friendly plants. Ideally, you would provide a marked up sketch showing where these areas can be located on the site.
If you would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 02920 650 331 or drop us an email at enquiries@acerecology.co.uk.
