PRESS RELEASE

Strategic Leisure to undertake major Green Infrastructure project in Northumberland

Northumberland County Council has appointed Strategic Leisure to deliver a major piece of green infrastructure,
outdoor space and playing pitch analysis across the authority.

The County Council (which is a unitary authority, formed in 2009 as part of the structural changes in local government across England) requires the production of a suite of green infrastructure, open space and sport and recreation documents to provide the evidence base to support the development and preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF) and to address the requirements of the emerging South East Northumberland Growth Point (SENGP).

The work will consist of four major strands: a Green Infrastructure Strategy for Northumberland; a Green Infrastructure Strategy specifically for the South East Northumberland New Growth Point; a consolidated and updated PPG17 Assessment for the whole of Northumberland; and a Five Year Playing Pitch Strategy for Northumberland.

The strategy will identify the key ways in which the council can maximise natural resources across the county, through routeways, bridleways and green corridors, to provide a network of green spaces, and encourage active and sustainable forms of transport, as well as providing opportunities for the population to get the most from their natural surroundings.

The South East Northumberland Growth Point is a major development area which is set to be reinvigorated through the construction of homes, businesses and leisure facilities. Sustainability, both in terms of the construction of new homes, as well as the overall masterplan, is a key factor, hence the commissioning of a more detailed strand of work to put in place a robust strategy to protect and enhance the role of green spaces in the new communities.

Additionally, the team, consisting of Strategic Leisure and Scott Wilson specialists, will be undertaking a county-wide revision, review, amalgamation and update of existing PPG17 studies (which set local standards for open space and sports facilities), and undertaking a county-wide playing pitch strategy, to explore the current supply and demand of outdoor sports facilities.

The project will involve a substantial programme of consultation with key partners from a variety of sectors, including county and regional bodies such as Natural England or Sport England, local authority officers, sports development teams, grounds maintenance teams, schools and sports clubs.

Russell McDonnell, Associate Director at Strategic Leisure, and Project Director, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to produce this substantial programme of work for Northumberland County Council.

“We feel that the integrated skills and experience in our team, which includes planning, environmental assessment and site management, which are available through Scott Wilson and Strategic Leisure, gives us a strong platform to deliver.