Environmental success for RNRP.....

30 November 2007, 4:46pm

Suite environmental success for RNRP at National Awards

Northamptonshire based Community Interest Company, River Nene Regional Park (RNRP), received national recognition this November. Short listed for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards; Highly Commended by the Association of Geographic Information and Commended by the Landscape Institute Awards 2007 for their Environmental Character Assessment and Green Infrastructure suite.

The pioneering work of Jason Longhurst, former RNRP Director and now Director of Environment at Black Country Consortium, led to the innovative development of the Environmental Character Assessment and Green Infrastructure (ECA & GI) Suite.

Designed through River Nene Regional Park (RNRP) and the Northamptonshire Landscape Partnership, the ECA & GI Suite is a unique, interactive tool that is leading the way in sustainable environmental planning. Users include urban and rural planners, private sectors developers, environmentalists, special interest groups and the general public.

This objective planning tool offers an integrated approach to environmental management; providing clear and authoritative strategy and guidance. Developed using a number of academically sound methodologies, cutting edge techniques for digital mapping, survey and analysis and endorsed by a peer to peer review.

Benefits to users include transferable, objective and transparent methodologies tailored to their requirements; a digital toolkit for recording visual survey field notes and photographs, all linked to geographical information system (GIS) via GPS grid references. As well, it is designed for future proofing with periodic updates to maintain accuracy and integrity of the suite.

Jason Longhurst, Executive Director of Environment at Black Country Consortium also former RNRP Director commented with Michel Kerrou, RNRP Programme Manager that:

“After winning the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Environmental Award for RNRP’s work on sustainable community and ecological projects earlier this month, we are delighted with acknowledgement of RNRP’s work at a national level.

What makes ECA & GI suite such a leading and innovative resource is that it moves on strategic environment planning and delivery, making this a bench mark in sustainable planning for growth. Endorsement from the Landscape Institute positions RNRP as a genuine model for tackling sustainable growth planning and regeneration challenges within the UK.

Through the groundbreaking Environment suite, RNRP can share knowledge and best practice with regional, national, European and even international developers, planners and partners. This tool informs the economical and social benefits that are stimulated by the environment and by transparent planning.

The model is already being piloted with new EU and UK partners to support its use as a transferable approach to environmental planning and tangible delivery for urban and rural regeneration, growth and sustainability for future generations”.

www.rnrpenvironmentalcharacter.org.uk

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