Part Two: Centres and Site Allocations (Regulation 18)

Green Infrastructure

Justification

1.35 Brierley Hill and its surrounds contain a rich diversity of wildlife, much of which is directly attributed to its industrial past. The Dudley Canal works its way through the area in a general north to south direction providing a valuable ecological/recreation corridor. The remnants of the no longer navigable Pensnett Branch Canal form an undisturbed waterbody with heavily wooded margins. Just outside the inset plan boundary, rich veins of underlying natural resources such as coal, fireclays and ironstones were heavily mined at Saltwells National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve (LNR), both of which have, over time, been reclaimed by wildlife. Saltwells NNR forms part of the Black Country Global Geopark as a Geosite with three Sites of Special Scientific Interest, two of them being geological. The site is heavily wooded and is species rich with locally rare fauna and flora. These wildlife rich sites and the avenues for movement of species between them need to be protected and enhanced within the wider landscape context of all new development to combat the combined challenges of climate change and past habitat fragmentation.

Tree planting

1.36 While the Strategic Centre is heavily urbanised, there is a 17.2 % canopy cover within the Brierley Hill Ward^[4]. That figure is slightly above that of 16% canopy coverage for urban areas within the UK, however, falls below the average for the borough of 18.2%.             

1.37 The benefits of having more trees include combatting potential future problems with flooding, air pollution and reducing the heat island effect. It is considered that every new development should incorporate trees and, where appropriate, include the creation of hedgerows (for boundary treatment), woodland, meadows and ponds, including natural Sustainable Drainage Systems. These measures can play a significant part in reducing the impact of climate change and reducing air pollution, as well as providing an uplift in biodiversity and creating valuable habitats. If a site is located within an important strategic location, such as adjacent to a wildlife corridor, wildlife friendly landscaping (including green roofs) should form a significant important element of the scheme.

1.38 The lack of green spaces and parks in the centre has been identified as an issue. A target number of new trees to be planted within the plan boundary during the plan period is considered an effective way of making a significant contribution towards the greening of Brierley Hill. However, it is recognised that new tree planting would need to be carried out in a structured and planned way so as for instance to create wildlife corridors and other open space networks as well as greening footpaths, cycleways and roads (as boulevards).

1.39 It is proposed to have a target of 5000 new trees to be planted within the plan area over the plan period. This is as this figure approximately represents 1 tree for every resident currently under 20 years of age and living within the Brierley Hill Ward ^[5] .

Wildlife Corridors

1.40 To ensure that essential connections are made between key green spaces it is necessary to identify the wildlife network. This will create a vibrant network of local wildlife sites, linked by corridors which enable wildlife to thrive and move freely through the area and out into the wider environment. Wildlife Corridors have been identified on the Brierley Hill Strategic Centre Inset Policies Map.

1.41 The Wildlife Corridor network provides a series of pathways, some of which exist and others which require creation habitat creation (such as along areas of the Pedmore Road and Harts Hill). They are designated to provide efficient routes which would allow species to move between Fens Pool and Saltwells. This strategic network will provide the focus for biodiversity enhancements, including through Biodiversity Net Gain measures and through the Local Nature Recovery Network where appropriate.

1.42 The specifications for each section of the Wildlife Corridors would be based on its position in the network and the habitats required for the relevant species. The routes have been designated to accommodate the requirements of both aquatic and terrestrial species.             

1.43 The corridors are required to be a minimum of 10 metres in width combined with wider bays of suitable habitat and other larger wildlife sites at frequent intervals to provide space for suitable landscaping design and habitat for the area's key species. Canal based corridors, due to their character, will need to be wider than 10 metres. Breaks along the corridor must be minimised and connectivity increased if they are to function effectively. Existing roads will create significant obstacles to certain species, such as Great Crested Newts, and actions to reduce these barrier effects should be carried out over time and measures put in place that may aid their movement such as Newt grids.

Saltwells Nature Reserve

1.44 Brierley Hill has a lack of green open space, yet nearby Saltwells Nature Reserve is one of the UK's largest urban nature reserves, covering 100 Ha (247 acres). The nearest part of Saltwells Nature Reserve to the Merry Hill Centre has been incorporated within the Inset Plan boundary.             

1.45 Currently the heavily trafficked Pedmore Road (A4036) restricts the movement of pedestrians between the Merry Hill Centre and Saltwells Wood. Despite having a long frontage to Pedmore Road, the pedestrian access into Saltwells Wood goes largely unnoticed. To give the site more of a presence along Pedmore Road, it is proposed that a prominent entrance feature is created, and a clearer route created to encourage pedestrian movement between the nature reserve and the Merry Hill Centre. This will enable the nature reserve to be the main area of open space within the Strategic Centre, as a unique central park with significant nature conservation and heritage assets.

1.46 Associated with this feature, there is scope to enhance the pedestrian crossing across Pedmore Road as well as providing a landscaped area on the western side of this route. The potential to realign and accommodate the footway on the eastern side of the carriageway through to the Saltwells Wood would be welcomed, to increase pedestrian movement and accessibility.

Fens Pool Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

1.47 Fens Pool Nature Reserve is located to the north-west of the inset plan boundary, opportunities exist to increase pedestrian access to it and enhance the connection between the two nationally/internationally recognised nature conservations sites of Fens Pool and Saltwells Nature Reserve, through the creation of green infrastructure improvements and wildlife corridors.

1.48 The land around the Canal Street Metro Stop offers the opportunity to create a new green pedestrian corridor to Fens Pool, utilising the redundant section of the Pensnett Canal arm to Stourbridge Road where a footpath leads into Fens Pool.             

1.49 This route will not only provide more people with the ability to gain access to Fens Pool but would also utilise part of an existing green corridor and increase its length in the northern section of the plan area. New development sites within the proposed green corridor are encouraged to set aside land to facilitate such a link and to contribute towards its creation.             

Brierley Hill High Street

1.50 Dudley has been successful in securing funds via the High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HAZ) scheme, which aims to find ways to champion and revive our historic high streets. Administered by Historic England and partnered with Dudley Council, projects are currently being developed particularly centred on improvements to the historic urban fabric located within the Brierley Hill High Street Conservation Area.

1.51 The High Street itself is relatively lacking in vegetation and as such it has a rather harsh urban appearance. Opportunities exist therefore to build upon the regeneration potential of the High Street HAZ by making improvements to the public realm here.             

1.52 Traffic along the High Street is two-way with laybys for parking on the western side. Opportunities should be explored to adjust parking bays in order to provide opportunities for tree planting, creating an attractive avenue of trees along the High Street. This would also be beneficial for air quality locally and for carbon capture. Work on this has already commenced thanks to funding through the Future High Street fund – new street trees should be in-place by March 2024 in the High Steet and in the Civic Hall Green. An attractive High Street has the potential to encourage more shoppers, and therefore increase the vitality of this part of the centre.