Cherwell District Council commissioned LUC to craft its Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Strategy, to help underpin the District’s emerging Local Plan.

This forward-thinking initiative identifies opportunities to enhance Cherwell's network of parks, waterways, and natural spaces.

The aim: To create a thriving natural environment that benefits both people and wildlife.

The Cherwell Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy delivers a clear and accessible roadmap for the district to achieve its environmental goals, in the face of significant projected development as part of the emerging Local Plan.

This user-friendly format empowers informed decision-making for future development and investment.

By implementing the Strategy's recommendations, Cherwell can ensure a thriving natural environment for local communities and meaningfully address the twin biodiversity and climate emergencies through a plan-led approach.

LUC revolutionised the traditional planning report by crafting an interactive website.

This user-centric approach empowers residents to take an active role in understanding Cherwell's GBI strategy.

Users can explore data at their own pace, delve into specific areas of interest, and discover the multitude of benefits that GBI can provide for their community and the environment.

LUC identified five key focus areas to maximise the impact of investment in Cherwell's GBI network. These targeted zones encompass:

• Major urban areas undergoing development: Here, the strategy prioritises integrating GBI solutions into new development plans to ensure a harmonious relationship between growth and the natural environment.
• Strategic corridors with high ecological value: These crucial zones will benefit from targeted investment to enhance their ecological value and connectivity, creating a healthier network of natural spaces.

The Cherwell Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy outlines a suite of targeted initiatives to address the district's environmental goals.

These initiatives focus on mitigating flood risk in urban areas, revitalising waterways for improved biodiversity and sense of place, and promoting the creation of a new generation of ‘greener’ towns with enhanced air quality and public health benefits.

Woodland expansion is another key focus, creating new habitats and recreational opportunities.

The strategy also prioritises walking and cycling links to connect existing parks and open spaces.

Finally, our team helped Cherwell Council shape their Local Plan with GBI at the heart of it by providing a series of recommendations for each proposed allocation for new development.

This helped to raise the benchmark for the incorporation of green and blue features into the built fabric as Cherwell’s towns grow.