Report of Strategic Director, Development and Deputy Chief Executive

This report provides the annual update on the delivery of the G&BI implementation plan together with information on the delivery of the Tree Action Plan. The important role of our green and blue infrastructure in responding to the Council’s climate emergency declaration and helping Manchester achieve a zero carbon target is also addressed in this report.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director, Development and Deputy Chief Executive that provided the annual update on the delivery of the Green and Blue Infrastructure (G&BI) implementation plan together with information on the delivery of the Tree Action Plan.

The Principal Policy Officer referred to the main points and themes within the report which included: -

·         Providing a general introduction and background to the G&BI Strategy and Implementation Plan;

·         Information on the Tree Action Plan;

·         The importance of our green and blue infrastructure in responding to the Council’s climate emergency declaration;

·         Key delivery highlights from the G&BI Strategy and progress in 2019, including case studies; and

·         Key delivery highlights from the Tree Action Plan 2019.

The Committee heard from Julie Ryan, Friends of Ryebank Fields. She spoke to the Committee and stated that the Ryebank Fields area of land did not appear on the published Brownfield Land Register and therefore it was their assertion that any plans to build housing on Ryebank Fields was contrary to local and national planning policy. She stated that this land was green belt land with similar status to other protected locations within the area, and as such should not be used for development. She stated that they had attempted to obtain clarification on this issue by writing to senior officers within the Council but had not received any reply to date. She stated that following recent correspondence with the Manchester Metropolitan University the group had concerns that attempts would be made to reclassify this area of land to brownfield status and she called upon the Committee to scrutinise this issue.

The Committee then heard from Stephen Bergquist, Community Engagement Manager (North West), Canal and River Trust and Hilary Wood, My Wild City, The Wildlife Trust who described the range of engagement events and initiatives that their respective organisations were involved with to support the G&BI Strategy.

The Committee were shown a video presentation, created by The Wildlife Trust entitled ‘My Wild City’ that showcased a local park and described the many benefits of green spaces.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Acknowledging the improvements delivered within the city by the Canal and River Trust and requesting that similar improvements were delivered in other areas of the canal network, commenting upon the dedication and important work of local volunteers;

·         Recognising the importance of green space and the many benefits that these delivered within neighbourhoods;

·         Recognising the importance of partnership working to deliver and improve green and blue spaces;

·         Developers needed to share the vision for the city and the planning service should use their influence to maximise the delivery of green and blue schemes, including the delivery of green walls in urban areas to encourage bio diversity;

·         Recognising the importance of trees to capture carbon;

·         Social Housing providers should be encouraged to promote and coordinate a programme of tree planting;

·         The number of trees lost over the previous two decades had been calculated to be significant and enforcement action should be taken against anyone responsible for the illegal felling of trees; and 

·         How trees located on the highway were inspected.

The Tree Officer confirmed that trees located on highways were regularly inspected and maintained. He further described that enforcement action would be taken against the illegal removal of a tree that had Tree Preservation Order status.

The Chair informed the Members that a report on Planning and Compliance was scheduled to be considered by the Committee at their meeting of 5 February 2020. She advised that this would be an opportunity to discuss the role of planning and how this could be used to influence this area of activity in further detail.

In response to the comment regarding the Canal and River Trust supporting projects in other areas of the canal network within the city, she requested that the representative meet with the Member following the meeting to discuss this further.

Decision

The Committee note the report.