Emerging National Framework of GI Standards

Tender description

Purpose The purpose of this contract is to make recommendations for a small set of key GI benchmarks / indicators and associated mapping datasets for use by local authorities and other GI stakeholders to support the emerging National Framework of Green Infrastructure Standards. Background to Contract Delivering a National Framework of GI Standards is a commitment in the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan (25YEP) and Natural England is leading a two-year project to develop, test and refine the Standards and Guidance for launch in Winter 2020/Spring 2021. The aims of the GI Standards Project are: • to mainstream GI as essential infrastructure in place-making, and in associated planning and land use decisions. • to deliver more good quality, interconnected GI, at a local and landscape scale, that provides the multiple benefits communities need and want, consistently across England, and in particular for disadvantaged urban populations. Contract Aims The aim of this contract is to develop/refine a small set of simple, effective and evidence-based benchmarks or indicators that give a high level indication of: a. level of ‘greenness’ of urban areas, based on composite indicators such as the urban greening factor (UGF); b. access to greenspace/ natural greenspace (including a particular focus on woodland given the range of benefits woodland provides), based on Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards and Accessible Woodland Standards