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The Bench Latest UK News From The Parks and Green Space Sector
- 13 September 2012
This month we remember Octavia Hill, co-founder of the National Trust and one of the greatest pioneers of access for all to green space. A century has passed since Octavia’s death on 13 August 1912, yet still the social causes that Octavia campaigned for are still existent; a recent report by Demos entitled The Enduring Relevance of Octavia Hill explores just this. A two day centenary conference organised by the National Trust and University of Oxford will be taking place at the end of the month (see diary dates).
GreenPlaces Fund takes off!
Love Parks - sharing success
Wildlife-rich green space at heart of planning
Olympic legacy fail; playing fields at risk
Green space can revitilise high streets
Diary dates
GreenSpace News
GreenPlaces Fund takes off!
After a successful launch of the GreenPlaces Fund at the RHS Chelsea Show the first donations have taken place in Nottingham and Birmingham. To date, funding has come from a variety of sources including from individuals, companies and a legacy donation of over £40,000. Professor Carl Chinn has offered to donate all royalties from his book ‘Free Parks for People’ on the history of Birmingham Parks to the Birmingham Fund.
GreenSpace have commissioned Pedalo to develop an innovative GreenPlaces Fund website which will showcase projects in participating areas and be the main platform for fund donations.
In addition to work with Nottingham and Birmingham we have been talking to a number of other councils who are keen to adopt the Fund in the area, contact Simon Chapman, Regions Development Manager if you would like more information.
Love Parks - sharing success
We've been busy collecting a selection of Love Parks Week event stories, the variety is fantastic from tree listening to community games, phythons and reptiles to stylish gala days; proving that our parks are fantastic entertainment venues for the local communities. Don't forget that we are always looking for news on park/green space events, projects and success for our various news streams - please do share with us!
Sector News
New threats to England’s Green Belts
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has reacted strongly to reports that senior Ministers want to weaken the planning rules governing major infrastructure projects to allow building in the Green Belt. A new briefing and map published by the CPRE highlights England’s Green Belts major new threats, which include proposals for over 80,000 new houses. CPRE is encouraging people to take action.
Wildlife-rich green space at the heart of planning
New practical guidance for planners from the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and the Wildlife Trusts aims to provide local authorities with all they need to ensure local plans deliver a network of wildlife-rich places in their area. Endorsed by more than 30 organisations, it summarises the latest policy drivers; distils the best approaches and good practice; and signposts sources of further detailed information.
Olympic legacy fail; playing fields at risk
Ministers are scrapping a legal requirement stipulating how much outside space each school must provide for their pupils, and replacing it with non-binding guidance, undermining Camerons's pledge to boost competitive school sport to build on the success of the Olympic Games. Fields in Trust warned that playing fields could be cut by 15% because of the plans. The number of playing fields sold off since the coalition government came to power is 31.
Green infrastructure in demand
This month the Guardian showcased cities worldwide using green infrastructure to cut pollution; from green roofs and rain gardens to phytoremediation and permeable pavements. The article draws on a series of reports from American Rivers, including ‘Banking on Green’. Meanwhile scientists in the UK have found that adding trees, green walls, or even ivy, can cut two of the worst forms of pollution, by eight times more than previously thought.
Cemeteries for nature-loving urbanites
Addressing the challenge of providing access to quiet, natural spaces in a post-industrial landscape, Manchester City Council plans to give the largest cemetery in the UK, the official title of Nature Reserve. Natural areas within Southern Cemetery already contains a variety of wild flowers, including bluebells, lesser celandine, cuckoo flower and common dog violet and a bat survey found three of the UK's 18 bat species.
Green space can revitalise high streets
Trees, parks, gardens and other green spaces are vital ingredients to high street success says new Government report, prompted by the Portas Review. The report describes the many different ways in which these and other under-utilised assets can be used imaginatively to revitalise high streets and town centres - combating clone town syndrome, boosting economic performance and building community pride and social integration.
Diary Dates
Edible Open Gardens Day
15 September 2012
Various - London
Capital Growth
Octavia Hill and the Remaking of British Society
27-28 September 2012 London
Oxford University and The National Trust
The High Line Symposium
5-6 October 2012
London
Garden Museum
The Big Green Weekend
5-7 October 2012
Europe
The Conservation Volunteers
Source: HortiTrends News Room
