The Environment Agency’s London Rivers Action Plan won first place in the Climate Change category of the Royal Town Planning Institute annual planning awards
The Environment Agency’s London Rivers Action Plan won first place in the Climate Change category of the Royal Town Planning Institute annual planning awards yesterday (Thursday).
The Green Roofs Toolkit, another initiative by the Environment Agency, was also shortlisted in the same category and received a commendation. The awards are designed to encourage and promote outstanding achievement and improvement of quality of life through planning.
The London Rivers Action Plan was launched in January 2009 and aims to restore15 kilometres of London’s most damaged waterways to their natural states following years of confinement to concrete channels. Restoring London’s rivers has many benefits including naturally improving flood risk, supporting sustainable regeneration, improving wildlife habitat and helping London adapt to a changing climate.
The Royal Town Planning Institute said it was a worthy winner because the “innovative and imaginative plan” is helping to dispel the myth that flooding of public open space reduces amenity value. The judges said that the plan supports the idea that making space for water creates more natural flood plains and wetland habitats. It shows that everyone can benefit if rivers that are currently lost beneath the streets and open spaces of London are released from their subterranean world to flow on the surface once more.
The plan helps to raise the profile of river restoration as a key feature of sustainable development by providing a one-stop-shop of advice for planners, landowners and others.
The Environment Agency worked in partnership with the Greater London Authority, Natural England, Thames River Restoration Trust, London Wildlife Trust and the WWF to launch the plan.
Dave Webb, Environment Agency Biodiversity Team Leader, said: “We are delighted that the Royal Town Planning Institute have recognised the importance of the planning process in restoring rivers. River restoration is an important factor in adapting London to climate change.”
Alison Barnes, Natural England’s Director for London, said: “This award is great news for London’s rivers and we are extremely proud to be part of the London Rivers Action Plan steering group taking the work forward. Rivers are an important part of London's natural landscape, they provide habitats for wildlife and places for Londoners to experience nature right on their doorsteps. By giving this award, the Royal Town Planning Institution are helping to raise the profile of the benefits of river restoration.”
Jenny Mant, Science and Technical Manager at the River Restoration Centre, said: “To win this award is a fantastic development and recognition that looking for river restoration opportunities in the context of planning procedures could be beneficial for local communities and ecological gain especially in the context of climate change.
“It is a project that could be easily rolled out in other towns and cities and I was delighted to have been involved with this initiative.”
Carlo Laurenzi OBE, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust says: “London Wildlife Trust is delighted to be part of the award winning London Rivers Action Plan. The capital’s rivers - restored to their natural state - could and should be teeming with wildlife, an attraction for Londoners and help us adapt to climate change.
‘In fact, this important conservation work has already begun. In south- west London, through our collaborative work along the Rivers Crane and Wandle, we have begun to create a better environment for the endangered water vole and also for local people. London Wildlife Trust looks forward to working with its partners to help bring all of the capital’s rivers back to life.”
The awards were presented on 4 February 2010 at the London Hilton.
Ends
Notes for editors
- Photographs are available from the press office.
- The awards look beyond purely physical outcomes of planning achievements to recognise innovative plans, processes, techniques, information systems, programmes of community involvement and improvements to public services.
- Visit RTPIs website http://www.rtpi.org.uk/events_awards_and_networking/awards/
- The London Plan comprises a summary document of river restoration providing, background information on the benefits, a description of the website and case studies of existing schemes. The website at www.therrc.co.uk/lrap.php contains maps, a directory of projects including completed and developing projects detailed case studies and links to best practice and policy documents
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Environment Agency news releases, both national and regional, can be found on its web site: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
