Protecting and enhancing Moorlands green spaces

Even the name of our District, the Staffordshire Moorlands, evokes open green spaces and time spent outdoors - and now the Council has launched a ten-year plan to protect and enhance the spaces it owns that help make this such a special place.

The Green Spaces Strategy has been developed to reflect the work and contributions of a wide range of partners, including organisations and community groups, councillors and council officers.

It sets out how, together, we will rise to the challenge of protecting, maintaining and improving these assets to ensure they meet the current and future needs of residents; respond to climate change; and meet the needs of wildlife through improved biodiversity.

As well as guiding the development of Council-owned green spaces, it will also provide a framework for others with similar aims to refer to.

Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, Cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said: "Our parks, recreation areas and open green spaces are treasured places to socialise, enjoy being active, connect with wildlife and nature, relax and reflect. That's why we love them so much - and why we're prioritising their development.

"Our aims is for vibrant, attractive and actively maintained places that remain at the heart of our communities and continue to support our physical and mental health and wellbeing for generations to come."

Five key priorities form the basis of the strategy:

• Invest in green spaces as a priority, protecting our heritage
• Use resources effectively and sustainably whilst maintaining and improving our amenities
• Contribute to climate change and biodiversity targets and aims through planting trees and managing sites for wildlife whilst improving flora and fauna
• Increase the use and accessibility of green spaces for all improving the health and wellbeing of our communities
• Work cooperatively with our communities and effectively with partners through positive community engagement

Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment, Councillor Nigel Yates, said: "As well as delivering better community spaces, it's equally important that our green spaces are able to stand up to the future challenges that this planet faces.

"So it's essential that, through our Strategy, we prioritise ensuring our sites can respond to climate change and meet the needs of our wildlife through improved biodiversity.

"It's a big challenge but one that we are up for - and working collaboratively with community and interest groups we're aiming to future-proof our green spaces for years to come."

Published on 28 October 2024