Green Guarantee scheme protects almost 100 sites from development
Telford & Wrekin Council is set to approve the protection of almost 100 sites from development as part of its Green Guarantee scheme when it meets at cabinet on Thursday, 31 May.
The 96 sites put forward in this, the second round of the Green Guarantee included Council-owned, locally important green spaces such as allotments, playing fields and woodlands amongst others.
By including the additional sites, a further 160 hectares of protected space will be added to the borough’s green network, bringing the total to 546 hectares under the Green Guarantee Scheme alone.
This strengthens the network of protected sites across the borough that includes 13 Local Nature Reserves, 47 wildlife sites and eight Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Councillor John Minor, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Green Spaces & Parks, said: “These new Green Guarantee sites mean approximately 60 per cent of the total green network for the borough being protected and builds on the legacy of Telford being a green town and a fantastic achievement to leave a lasting legacy of the 50th birthday celebrations.
“We’re looking forward now to working closely with each site to deliver the enhancements in a way that suits the community and ensuring each site gets its share of the £50,000. Thank you to everyone who took part.”
Combined, these areas exceed the Council’s Green Guarantee commitment in the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan to safeguarding green spaces valued by local communities for the wildlife they support and the positive impacts access to these sites can have upon health and wellbeing.
Further to this, through the Telford 50 Legacy Fund, £50,000 has been made available to enhance the top 50 sites which were decided upon during ‘The Big Green Vote’ – a public consultation where residents chose their favourite sites through a voting system.
The top 50 sites with the highest votes, are set to receive an investment of £1,000 each through the legacy fund. When voting closed, votes were tied at 50th place so an additional £2,000 will be made available for the sites in 51st and 52nd place.
Some 807 people registered, resulting in almost 2,000 votes being cast. Registered users posted 118 photographs on the website and left comments about their favourite sites.
Once approved by Cabinet, a series of consultation events will take place to decide upon how each site will be enhanced. These consultations will involve local residents, councillors, and local “Friends Of “ groups.
Options for sites include provision for wildflower planting, bird and bat boxes, and site signage or access enhancements.
It is hoped that the new protected status of sites under the Green Guarantee will support Friends and other volunteer groups in bids for future funding with support available from council officers and Telford’s Green Space Partnership.
Contact biodiversity@Telford.gov.uk for further information.
