Natural England wants to ensure green infrastructure is delivered as an integral component in all development and regeneration. Across England we are working in partnership with housing developers, planning authorities and regeneration partnerships to plan, design and deliver green infrastructure that provides multiple benefits for people and wildlife.

The Natural Development Project, launched on 3rd November in London to demonstrate how both large and small scale development can incorporate green infrastructure in practice. Poul Christenson, Acting Chair of Natural England says ... "The launch of this partnership initiative signals a new chapter in the relationship between developers and the environment sector."

About the Project

Natural England and key players in the development sector are forming a vital partnership to understand how to value, design and create quality green infrastructure. The partnership aims to demonstrate how – at different scales and locations – the contribution of the natural environment in regeneration can move from that of traditional landscaping to one of providing vital spaces for people, wildlife, health, wellbeing, and climate change adaptation.

The Natural Development project will provide a focus for our engagement with real sites and enable us to practically demonstrate positive planning with developers. It will work to highlight opportunities and overcome barriers to success and enable sharing of best practice to support the mainstreaming of green infrastructure in development and regeneration.

Over the coming months and years the project will collect and share:

• Case Studies, focusing on a range of sites – initially in the Thames Gateway, and widening out as the project progresses.
• Commentary on problems, opportunities, and issues for large and small scale developments. To share a comment, email Brian.McDonald@naturalengland.org.uk
• Technical information relating to our work with developers across the country.

We will facilitate dialogue through a variety of seminars, demonstration projects and interactions – our first seminar in January will be promoted with Construction Industry Research and Information Association; the second we are planning to hold at the Eco-Build event in 2010.

Peter Head, Director at Arup’s and Innovation Champion for the Thames Gateway has agreed to champion the project . Peter says ... "I am very supportive of developing understanding of how important green infrastructure is for economic vitality, good health and happiness.We can bring these benefits to existing communities as part of improved low carbon place making and enable people to live in harmony with and enjoy the natural world.This should be central to all low carbon housing retrofit." Peter is the Project Champion for the Natural Development Project.

The natural development partnership has the potential to combine knowledge and resources to deliver new standards of design in development and regeneration.

To register interest in the partnership email Brian.McDonald@naturalengland.org.uk or visit the website by following this tempting hyperlink - www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/planningtransportlocalgov/greeninfrastructure/naturaldevelopment/default.aspx