In Councillor Lorna Fielker's Leader's Corner email green plans are laid out...
In January 2024 we adopted a Green Infrastructure Strategy and a Biodiversity Strategy to support our commitments to the Corporate Plan and Green City Plan and set out how the council will meet its enhanced Biodiversity Duty under the Environment Act, 2021.
Examples of our green infrastructure include the Common, Central Parks, the Greenways (such as Lordsdale and Shoreburs), River Itchen, Riverside Park.
These strategies will aim to make our city more resilient to climate change effects by enhancing and re- connecting green spaces, addressing the continued loss of Green Infrastructure and halting the decline of nature. They emphasize the importance of green and blue infrastructure in Southampton, for both wildlife and people and they set clear objectives, along with timeframes, on how we will re-connect and improve green and blue spaces and biodiversity.
The Green Infrastructure Strategy Delivery Plan has been drafted and is ready for implementation. Some of the highlights of the plan include:
- Focusing the work of our new ranger team in improving the condition of our semi-natural habitat
- Protecting and extending our green infrastructure through well-designed development
- Improving infrastructure and access to our green and blue spaces so that everyone can enjoy them
- Improving and promoting the River Itchen, as well as;
An exciting opportunity to create a new and much needed Local Nature Reserve (working in partnership with Southampton National Park City).
We aim to strengthen and create green links - a ‘green grid’ - interlinking tree-lined streets and green spaces. Ensuring we have well-designed development that makes space for nature such as swifts and pollinators, development that incorporates green roofs, addressing issues such as surface water flooding and the urban heat island effect.
The Green Infrastructure Strategy Delivery Plan will be adopted and publicly available this autumn.
Work on the Biodiversity Strategy's Delivery Plan is in progress and is expected to be adopted in 2025.
