Background
Green infrastructure is a network of multifunctional green space, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities. It is widely acknowledged that high quality environs with high quality green infrastructure promotes economic growth and health and wellbeing as well as increasing biodiversity and helping to mitigate against climate change.
However, a shortage of green infrastructure, particularly in the inner area and town centre compounds the public health deficit in the town. Nine out of the 21 wards in Blackpool fall significantly short of the 4 hectares per 1,000 population standard, where the open space assessment confirms that there are few opportunities for providing additional open space in the Inner Area due to the high density of development. It is important that green infrastructure is considered early on in the design process and is central to the design and layout of a development.
The Greening Blackpool SPD provides direction on the importance for new development to fully consider landscaping and green infrastructure, including open space, sports and play facilities, amenity greenspace, public art, biodiversity and trees. This document is a material consideration when assessing relevant planning applications.
Greening Blackpool SPD - Adopted May 2022
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