Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place & Economic Growth
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
The purpose of this report is to seek
delegated approval to appoint TEP through the ESPO Framework to
carry out the Green Infrastructure Strategy which will form part of
the evidence base for the Local Plan.
Green Infrastructure (GI) is defined by NPPF as “a network of
multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of
delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life
benefits for local communities” . GI can include a range of
spaces and assets that provide environmental and wider benefits,
such as parks, playing fields, other areas of open space, woodland,
allotments, private gardens, sustainable drainage features, green
roofs and walls, street trees and ‘blue infrastructure’
such as streams, ponds, canals and other water bodies .
Oldham has a rich GI network and is developing various low carbon
and ecological projects through the ‘Green Oldham’
agenda to promote and enhance Oldham’s natural environment to
be the ‘greenest borough in Greater Manchester’ . The
council has also recently declared a climate change emergency.
However, there are also a number of pressures that may impact on
the borough’s GI assets and network in the coming years. It
is important that the Local Plan policies are informed by an
extensive evidence base to ensure the ongoing protection and
enhancement of this key strategic network.
The Green Infrastructure Strategy will:
•Review and update the open space audit – this will
guide the protection and enhancement of open space within the
borough, including providing guidance on developer contributions
towards open space provision;
•Identify the surplus and deficiencies in the provision of
open space and GI – this will guide funding and investment to
the areas which need it the most, ensuring Oldham’s GI
network is enhanced and supported;
•Make recommendations for open space and GI standards –
these will inform policies and requirements within the Local
Plan;
•Produce an action plan for creating a sustainable, accessible
and integrated GI network – to ensure delivery and
appropriate monitoring; and
•Make policy recommendations for inclusion as part of the
Local Plan review, including reviewing the draft GI ‘Greener
by Design’ checklist – to ensure GI is embedded
throughout local planning policy.
This work will form part of the evidence base for the Local Plan,
assist in the determination of planning applications and feed into
work and other council projects associated with the protection and
enhancement of the borough’s GI network.
To appoint TEP through the ESPO Framework to
carry out Oldham’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, including
an Open Space Audit.
Option 1 - To appoint TEP through the ESPO
Framework to carry out Oldham’s Green Infrastructure
Strategy, including an Open Space Audit.
Option 2 - To not appoint TEP through the ESPO Framework to carry
out Oldham’s Green Infrastructure Strategy. It is considered
that this would result in less robust evidence base for the Local
Plan. NPPF requires policies to be based on up-to-date local
evidence, as such it could impact on the application of new
policies within the updated Local Plan. It could also have an
impact on the ability to protect and enhance the borough’s GI
network in the future, and the protection of the borough’s
open spaces.
Option 2 - To not appoint TEP through the ESPO
Framework to carry out Oldham’s Green Infrastructure
Strategy. It is considered that this would result in less robust
evidence base for the Local Plan. NPPF requires policies to be
based on up-to-date local evidence, as such it could impact on the
application of new policies within the updated Local Plan. It could
also have an impact on the ability to protect and enhance the
borough’s GI network in the future, and the protection of the
borough’s open spaces.
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Not applicable.
Contact: Lauren Hargreaves, Planning Officer Email: lauren.hargreaves@oldham.gov.uk Email: lauren.hargreaves@oldham.gov.uk.
Publication date: 22/06/2021
Date of decision: 18/06/2021
Accompanying Documents: