The network has been produced and mapped by the Greensand Trust with supporting information from Bedfordshire and Luton Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre (BRMC) and Natural England.

Green and Blue Infrastructure is a term that covers a wide range of ecological and often biodiverse features. The Network comprises assets of high nature conservation value including rare and threatened heathland habitats, wildflower rich meadows, ancient semi-natural and secondary woodland, trees, hedgerows and water bodies – all assets of high biodiversity value. Also included are those areas of recreation and amenity value including children’s play areas, allotments, recreational playing fields, and off street footways and cycleways in and around Leighton Linslade. In most cases assets have multi-functional, nature conservation, recreational and amenity value.

In areas such as Leighton Linslade, mapping this rich ecological value, does not just illustrate where they are currently located, but also to point to where the network may be improved to be better connected if or when land is developed or redeveloped. It also requires new development to maximise the opportunities available for tree canopy cover including tree retention and planting or the provision of other Green Infrastructure (e.g. green roofs, walls, rain gardens, ponds, interconnected wildflower strips and hedgerows).

The Biodiversity Opportunities mapping layer has been built from:

• Existing biodiversity; either the enhancement of existing sites, through habitat restoration, or locations that would benefit from ‘buffering’ (habitat created around existing rich habitats to provide protection.)
• Local Nature Recovery Strategy Draft Local Habitats Map which has been through public consultation.
• Local stakeholder input – especially South Beds Friends of the Earth information on wildflower planting areas on verges and green spaces.
• Previous ‘Biodiversity Opportunity Areas’ identified in the 2015 GI Plan, which were derived from an exercise called ‘Rebuilding Bedfordshire’s Biodiversity’ (2007) which took into account existing habitats, soils, geology etc.

In addition to the projects detailed in the policy, the Neighbourhood Plan recommends the following wider Green and Blue Infrastructure recommendations:

• Continue to support local ‘Citizen Science’ activity which contributes knowledge of the GBI network, identifies issues and monitors species, habitats and projects.
• Continue to develop and expand road verge management that supports biodiversity, with ‘cut and collect’ regimes timed to benefit appropriate flowering species.
• Encourage tree and woodland creation and hedgerow planting where this enhances connectivity and buffering of existing woodlands and does not compromise other habitat objectives.
• The encouragement of BNG registration of land within the parish by a range of partners and landowners, ensuring that locally suitable and beneficial options for BNG receptor sites are available to developers.
• Targeted control of invasive non-native species where these are having an impact on local biodiversity.
• Work with the Environment Agency, IDB, UBOCP and others (including adjacent parishes) to target Natural Flood Management delivery where it will have the greatest impact in flood risk reduction, while also delivering benefits for nature.
• Ensure any new infrastructure created to reduce flood risk in the parish (including any new reservoirs) delivers multiple benefits for biodiversity, access and recreation.