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The Strategy has been prepared on behalf of the Haven Gateway Partnership by a Steering Group representing local authorities, government agencies, Suffolk and Essex Wildlife Trusts and the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Unit. It was launched by the Partnership on 19 June 2008, and the Council will be asked to endorse it at the Strategy Committee meeting on 31 July 2008.
The Partnership has the challenging task of delivering the growth targets in the East of England Plan within the Haven Gateway Growth Point in accordance with the objectives contained within the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan. A key component of achieving sustainability will be in the provision of green infrastructure.
Green infrastructure is a connected system of protected sites, nature reserves, greenspaces and greenway linkages. By providing for multi-functional uses, e.g. wildlife, recreation, and cultural experience, green infrastructure contributes to quality of life whilst also delivering landscape, historic and ecological benefits. Green infrastructure will be particularly important in settlements and surrounding areas proposed for regionally or sub-regionally significant development.
Opportunities for the provision of green space were identified by involving a wide range of stakeholders in the process, which has resulted in a large number of schemes being put forward for consideration. These were measured against existing levels of provision and the adopted standards, and have been rolled out on an Opportunities Map, with further detailed maps for the larger settlements. A Concepts Map identifies key assets, and links in with the Opportunities Map, showing how the identified schemes relate to the overall strategy.
The proposals have resulted from detailed investigation and incorporate the aspirations of stakeholders. They are long term objectives dependent on other factors which may or may not see them realised. The Strategy is a useful indication as to where new green infrastructure provision could be made, and should be seen as a framework for delivery. Some sites are identified in the Babergh Local Plan, and the Strategy will also provide part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework. In addition, it will be useful in complementing the Open Space Strategy to be drawn up for the district, based on the requirements of PPG17 Open Space and Sport & Recreation.
Implementation of the Strategy will rely on the efforts of stakeholders, and can also happen through the planning system, ie. the development control process. Funding is a major issue and a range of possible sources can include Section 106 contributions, grants, bids through the Haven Gateway Partnership and securing external finance on the strength of the Strategy being endorsed by stakeholders .
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