Natural England

£3.55m secured to improve and enhance green spaces northeast of London

Strategic initiative GreenArc today marked a successful first year by launching its first annual report followed by a tour of Hatfield’s medieval forest.  In this time, GreenArc has increased the amount of green space and given over five million people more access to over 400 square miles of the English countryside.

Green Arc is a strategic landscape partnership of Government and non-Government stakeholders that has been delivering projects in Hertfordshire, Essex and northeast London. It brings together green belt land, country parks, nature reserves and forests from north of Bishop’s Stortford, down to Thames Chase and across to Hatfield town.

Since its creation, GreenArc has:

• created 5.1km of access for the cyclists and pedestrians;
• acquired 90 hectares of land;
• helped to secure £2.3 million for projects through Communities and Local Government’s Growth Area Fund (GAF 2);
• secured £1.25 million of additional project funding by partner organisations through external funding sources;
• organised events and seminars for landowners, partners and farmers to encourage sustainable development and farming; and
• set up a fundraising sub-group, which bids strategically for regional, national and European funds to support work of delivery partners in the GreenArc.

Following the launch of the Annual Report, wildlife photographer and broadcaster, Simon King, took GreenArc’s partners on a tour around the ancient woodland of Hatfield Forest, to look at the wildlife and landscape that makes up the rare surviving example of a medieval royal hunting forest. Hatfield Forest is also within the North East GreenArc area.

Simon King, said:

“The GreenArc initiative is carrying the standard to bring people and green spaces together.  The effect of such a commitment to maintaining and increasing a core of wilderness on the edge of our urban areas is catalytic, for with it comes a better way of life for people and wildlife.  In this climate of change, GreenArc represents a change for the better; a responsible dedication from this generation to ensure a legacy for the next.”

Part of GreenArc’s role is to work with delivery partners to enhance, protect and conserve the green belt for public use. It also aims to increase and expand open space and green corridors to growth area populations by working with stakeholders to extend their land ownership and access.

At the launch of the Annual Report, Mary Parodi, Director of GreenArc, said:

“GreenArc is a highly successful partnership between Government and non-government organisations, delivering tangible results for both communities and wildlife through the greenbelt, north east of London, Essex and Hertfordshire, where development pressures will continue to be greatest.”

Minister for Communities and Local Government Baroness Andrews said:

“I would like to congratulate GreenArc on a highly successful first year in which they have helped visitors, both local and from further afield, to discover the joys of the English countryside. 

“We have always been clear that we have to build more houses for the next generation, but we also want to make sure there are green spaces for all to enjoy.  I am delighted that we have been able to fund so many green projects, such as the Amwell Nature Reserve, Theydon Bois and the Lee Valley Cycle Pathway.”

Chair of the GreenArc, Terry Robinson of Natural England, said:

“We know that people are happier and fulfilled if they live in decent surroundings. A quality green environment is a really important component of that and research has proved how efficient it is at making people healthier, more productive and positive about their lives.

“GreenArc is a big idea looking to provide these qualities over a broad swathe of land to the North East of London. It is already happening; at present through small beginnings but the effect over the long term promises to be huge and beneficial to millions of people."

Lord Hanningfield, Leader of Essex County Council, said:

“Essex County Council is proud to host GreenArc which represents the very best of the county in creating, protecting and enhancing green spaces for the communities of Essex, now and in the future.”

Just some of GreenArc’s projects include:

• Amwell Nature Reserve, Hertfordshire: purchased the 108-acre nationally important wetland area, to ensure it is accessible for generations to come;
• Theydon Bois: The Woodland Trust purchased the 79-acre site and planted 35,000 native trees to mitigate noise from the M11 – this site is part of the landscape link between Epping and Hainault Forest;
• Lee Valley Cycle Pathway: 2.8-mile pathway from Clayton Hill to Hayes Hill Farm, Waltham Abbey – aims to increase cycle access along the 26 miles in the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority;
• Seawardstone Marshes: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority worked to improve the biodiversity of this 15-hectare site, which forms part of the walking route around London – the ‘London Loop’;
• Horsewise: delivered by Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), this aims to introduce horses into an attractive landscape, addressing grassland management issues and introducing horse access and safe exercise areas in the GreenArc;
• Deerwise: This year, Deer Initiative will promote the sustainable management of deer throughout GreenArc; and
• Composting: Essex County Council and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers teach communities about composting, with the aim of reducing landfill sites and raising awareness of conservation volunteering.

For more information on GreenArc and for a copy of The North East GreenArc Annual Report, July 2006 to March 2007, visit www.greenarc.org

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Notes to Editors:

A map of the North East GreenArc area and a copy of the Annual Report is available via email from GNN East – call 01223 372784 to request a copy or email kelly.logan@gnn.gsi.gov.uk

Photographs from the launch in Hatfield Forest, Hertfordshire and pictures from the Annual Report are also available from GNN East.

• GreenArc has secured £2.3 million Growth Area Funding (GAF) 2, which is through the Department of Communities and Local Government (£588,506 of this was spent on projects from July 2006 to March 2007).From July 2006 to March 2007, £108,910 was secured through Natural England and partner organisations.
• GreenArc is hosted by Essex County Council and is made up of:
• Natural England
• Woodland Trust
• Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
• Essex Wildlife Trust
• City of London
• The National Trust
• Greater London Authority
• London Parks and Green Spaces Forum
• Groundwork
• BTCV
• Lee Valley Park Authority
• Thames Chase Community Forest
• Forestry Commission
• FWAG
• RSPB
• Epping Forest District Council
• Defra
• DCLG
• GreenArc is based at the United Business Centre, 3rd Floor, Endeavour House, Coopers End Road, Stansted, Essex, CM24 1SJ. Tel: 01279 669 452.
• The Annual Report has been printed on recycled paper.

For further information or to request an interview, please contact Kelly-Jo Logan, GNN East on 01223 372784 / 07980 786762. Issued on behalf of GreenArc by GNN East.