Natural England

Greening the Green Belt for people to value and enjoy - 5th October 2005

“We know that the Green Belt has protected the countryside from house building on the edge of major urban areas such as London,” says Terry Robinson, The Countryside Agency’s director for growth areas. “But it has not actively supported farming, nor encouraged new and appropriate ways of using and managing the land. Therefore, in places farming has declined, land is underused and there is less public open space or access than there might be.

“We are looking at work that realises the potential of the rural urban fringe. The land between countryside and town has huge potential as a recreational resource on the urban doorstep. There is potential for nature reserves, allowing wildlife to thrive in and around our towns and cities, as well as other functions such as an outdoor classroom. This is where we should be forging new landscapes and communities that are a showcase for sustainable development.”

Addressing the PURPLE conference on Greening the Green Belt, at Sandown Park this week Mr Robinson will outline the opportunities offered by the Government's plan to create sustainable communities. “Around towns and cities there is an area of land with a haphazard mix of struggling agriculture, water treatment plants, pony pastures and light industry. With sensitive planning and attention to local needs, we can make these areas a rewarding place for future generations.” 

This year (2005) sees the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Green Belt in the United Kingdom and the Sandown Park event is reviewing the lessons learnt in the Green Belt and other peri-urban areas across Europe, and considering how it can be maintained in the future. 

The conference will also hear about the Green Arc concept in the north east of London, including Epping Forest, the Lea Valley and Thames Chase Community Forest, a concept now being applied in Surrey. These are designed to bring wild open spaces closer to where people live, making them more accessible, pleasant and enjoyable.

ENDS
Please contact the Countryside Agency press officer Beth Rose on 01242 533306 or 07900 608052 for further information or interviews. Alternatively call the regional PR advisers John Rennie on 07976 666969 or Shirley Mann on 01283 840695. 

Notes to editors
1. This major conference is organised under the UK Presidency of the European Union by Surrey County Council on behalf of the South East England region, a founder member of the PURPLE (Peri-Urban Regions Platform Europe) network, and the event is part of the PURPLE programme.
2. Following publication of the draft Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill in February, English Nature, the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division are working towards integration as a single body: Natural England. It will work for people, places and nature with responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public wellbeing, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed – so they can be enjoyed now and for future generations.
3. English Nature is the independent Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England.
4. The Rural Development Service is the largest deliverer of the England Rural Development Programme and a range of advisory and regulatory rural services. With the administration of a multi-million pound grant budget for schemes which support land management, rural businesses and rural communities, the Rural Development Service is the single largest organisation working for the benefit of rural areas in England. Its walking and riding leaflets can be downloaded from www.defra.gov.uk/rds/se/access.htm or requested by telephoning 01233 813667.
5. The Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the countryside – protecting natural landscapes; and encouraging access to, enjoyment of and sustainable management and use of the countryside. 
6. Groundwork is a leading environmental regeneration charity making sustainable development a reality in many of the UK’s poorest communities. It has more than 20 years experience of working with residents to improve ‘community spaces’ on their doorstep. Its website is at www.groundwork.org.uk
7. According to the Vision document published by the Rural Urban Fringe Partnership earlier this year, the countryside in and around towns has ten key functions:

• A bridge to the country:  Networks of footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways form continuous green corridors between town and country;  
• A gateway to the town:  The countryside in and around towns creates a powerful first impression and needs to be managed and maintained to be attractive and welcoming;
• A health centre:  Green space close to where people live and work provides an invaluable respite from the stresses of urban living; 
• A classroom:  Hands-on learning in a variety of ‘outdoor classrooms’, supporting all parts of the national curriculum with a particular relevance to environmental education and rural studies; 
• A recycling and renewable energy centre:  Woodlands absorb large quantities of atmospheric pollution, especially ‘particulates’. Flood plains and water meadows protect urban residents from flooding;
• A productive landscape:  Farmers close to urban areas are close to their markets. Towns and cities benefit from farmers’ markets – cutting down ‘food miles’ and promoting healthy eating; 
• A cultural legacy:  The countryside in and around towns can be rich in history, buildings and structures, archaeology and landscapes, can all tell a story of the area; 
• A place for sustainable living:  The need for new development, especially for affordable homes, means the area around towns can be a prime location for the selective expansion of urban areas; 
• An engine for regeneration:  Residents in the urban edge can be involved in creating and managing environmental improvements to make their neighbourhoods more ‘liveable’; 
• A nature reserve:  Woodlands, wetlands, meadows and a broad array of other natural habitats have produced a marked increase in biodiversity both around and within urban areas. People are better able to appreciate nature, encountering more wildlife, more often.