North West (London) Green Arc

This is about bringing the great outdoors closer to people through the creation and protection of an extensive, attractive and valued recreational landscape of well connected and accessible countryside around London, for people and wildlife.

Aims:

• Promote uses for the Green Belt that improve the quality and accessibility of the land while maintaining its strategic objectives
• Improve the contribution of the Green Belt to the quality of life of local residents, visitors and people beyond the outer boundary
• Conserve and enhance biodiversity
• Improve the links between existing and potential accessible open land for people and wildlife
• Create attractive destinations for daytrips and holidays
• Support initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, including renewable energy, floodwater retention and water gathering areas
• Provide burial space 'green' or 'woodland' burials in natural environments

Why it is important

Research carried out by government bodies including Natural England and local authorities has identified growing pressure on the countryside around London and a decline in the quality of the Green Belt landscape. 

This is due to:

• Major development proposals
• Transport development eg airport expansion,motorway widening
• Incremental development and land use change
• Decline of agriculture, including the non-farming use of smallholdings
• Mineral extraction and landfill
• Lack of integrated management approaches