Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

Chapter 10. Green Infrastructure
Introduction
10.1 Green infrastructure is a concept that embraces a network of multi-functional green
spaces in urban areas, the countryside, in and around towns and the wider countryside.
It encompasses the full range of natural and historic landscape, including waterways,
woodlands, and green corridors. It brings many social, economic and environmental
benefits, attracting investment, jobs and people to areas.
10.2 Natural England promotes green infrastructure as an important component of the
infrastructure required to support sustainable growth. It also has an important role in
enabling landscapes to become more responsive to climate change, such as absorbing
CO2, heat and flood control, and possibly even enabling local food production.
10.3 A notable feature of Surrey is the extent and variety of woodland, including copses,
downland, wooded heath, hedgerows and Ancient Woodland. Not only are these
visually pleasing, but they can also be valuable for recreation and their ecological
variety. The Borough itself has a diverse array of green infrastructure including large
areas of open space, commons and woodlands to which the public have access, and
also formal parks and gardens. Wildlife is not confined solely to designated sites but is
found throughout the Borough.
10.4 In examining the provision of green infrastructure within the Borough, four separate
analyses have been undertaken on the following:
• Designated Nature Sites
• Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS)
• Natural and semi natural green space
• Amenity open space
Designated Nature Sites
Existing conditions
10.5 A number of internationally designated sites (those sites are afforded the highest level
of protection for both their habitats and species) and nationally protected sites (those
being designated for being areas of outstanding value for their plants, animals,
geological or physiological features designations) are located either wholly or partly
within the Borough’s boundaries (or on land adjacent to the Borough boundaries).
These sites are listed as follows:
10.6 Internationally Designated Sites: (please note SPA stands for Special Protection
Area and SAC stands for Special Area of Conservation)
• Thorpe Pit No 1 – Ramsar site
• South West London Waterbodies – SPA
• Thames Basin Heaths – SPA
• Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham – SAC
• Windsor Forest & Great Park - SAC
10.7 Nationally Protected Sites: (please note that SSSI stands for Site of Special Scientific
Interest and NNR stands for National Nature Reserve)
• Basingstoke Canal - SSSI
• Chobham Common - SSSI, plus NNR
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013