ELFHNP announces workshops for planners and developers
Spring 2009

ELFHNP is to be running a series of workshops aimed at planners and developers across the Lothians over the coming months.

The workshops, which are being organised internally with each of the four Lothian’s local authorities, aim to make planners and developers more aware of the importance of habitat networks when proposing or approving new developments.

Ian Whitehead the Forest Habitat Network Officer said “It is very important that planners and developers consider the location of their development in relation to the surrounding green infrastructure. A development in any locality provides both potential threats and opportunities in terms of our existing habitat networks. Poorly planned and badly located development will further fragment green corridors and lead to a poorer environment for both people and wildlife. At worst this can lead to localised threats and potential extinction of species”.

“Well planned and designed developments can add value to the existing green infrastructure through provision of quality landscaping which promotes habitat connectivity. This can provide additional social benefits including green routes to work and opportunities for people to walk and enjoy nature. The impact of this can  be to reduce stress and promote positive health benefits There is also growing body of evidence that suggests that quality green infrastructure attracts inward investment and can be a factor in the establishment of new businesses in an area.”

A particular challenge for ELFHNP is to ensure that the Region’s Core Development Areas (CDAs) are developed in a way which takes into account the location of existing habitat networks. The Region’s Structure Plan (now being developed as SESplan) makes provision for the construction of 87,000 new homes within the Lothians up to 2020.

The workshops will focus on some of the key issues around the Core Development Areas and will explore potential actions that planners and developers might undertake to mitigate the impact of development. In particular the positive opportunities that habitat networks might provide will be outlined and discussed.

For further information, please contact:

Ian Whitehead
Edinburgh & Lothians Forest Habitat Network Officer
Tel: 0131 654 1933
Email: ian@elfhnp.org.uk