Green Infrastructure

Recent research work* commissioned by the Great Western Community Forest has helped to develop a fuller understanding of the concept and practice of Green Infrastructure (GI) Planning. The work is now being used to help guide the development of GI policies, strategies and plans for inclusion within Swindon’s Development Plan Documents. Work on a draft Supplementary Planning Document on Green Infrastructure for the Borough of Swindon is already underway. This will set a strategic framework for green infrastructure planning within Swindon Borough.

Swindon as a Principal Urban Area within the South-West continues to expand rapidly. In terms of housing provision, the draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the region indicates that Swindon should make provision for 35,000 houses, within and adjoining Swindon’s urban area over the period 2006-2026

In essence, the Great Western Community Forest Plan is a green infrastructure strategy and in the current planning context the principles and aspirations contained within the Forest Plan will be used to shape the above work. As the research report points out, the embedding of GI planning into the statutory planning system is essential for its success and the reform of the planning system ‘offers the best opportunity in 60 years to encompass the principles and practice of GI planning (and thereby the Forest Plan) as a normal part of its operation’.

*Green Infrastructure Planning in the Swindon urban-rural fringe, Countryside and Community Research Unit 2006, University of Gloucestershire. Report available on request from Jonathan Wilshaw, GWCF or download a copy of the report. which is availalbe as a pdf file:

Green Infrastructure Planning (195Kb)