Community led GBI toolkit
Introduction
Many assets of community value contribute towards the Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) network within Carmarthenshire. Whilst being a significant hub for social wellbeing, sites such as public parks, greenspaces, and community growing facilities also help meet the needs and interests of the present generation whilst also benefiting the environment, nature, and economy for future generations. Both community assets and GBI are intrinsically linked to sustainable development and must be considered in promoting the principles of placemaking.
The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the key considerations needed for community groups, third sector organisations and Town and Community Councils alike to engage in the process of safeguarding, managing, and creating GBI at a neighbourhood level.
As a toolkit, this resource may be used as a starting point for those looking to provide community led GBI within their local area. It is not intended to be used as an exhaustive resource. Whilst this resource has specifically focused on the delivery of GBI assets at the neighbourhood level, it may also be useful for those seeking to provide community assets more generally too.
There are two key organisations which are referenced throughout, they have a number of extensive resources and services related to setting up green spaces which are likely to be extremely helpful for those seeking to establish a new space:
The Community Land Advisory Service Cymru
Background
GBI refers to the network of multifunctional green and blue spaces that are interwoven into urban, peri-urban and rural areas. It has significant strengths in alleviating social, economic, and environmental challenges by sustainably enhancing the use of land and managing conflicting pressures. GBI assets can vary significantly but they can includes gardens, play spaces, allotments, orchards, and hedgerows.
Community involvement plays a vital role in the success of such assets which rely upon understanding (and being designed to meet) the needs of the communities they are intended to support. Community-led GBI has the ability to deliver a number of social and environmental benefits including encouraging community participation in decision making, social cohesion, placemaking, and stronger community stewardship through active volunteering.
Setting up a Community Space
Engagement & Consultation
All community-led GBI should be created alongside proactive engagement of the local community. This ensures that the space has a sense of shared ownership and is purposefully created to meet the needs of those who will be using it.
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Key Considerations
There are some key elements which must be considered when looking to deliver community-led GBI. Per Step 2, it is vital that a Core Group is established to support the implementation of the project, this working group will need to agree upon the following at an early stage:
- Accessible method of communication. This could include emails, WhatsApp, face to face meetings, or a
combination of a number of methods. - What the overarching aims of the group and subsequent space will be?
- The beneficiaries of the site, how they will be engaged and how the space will be promoted?
- How any personal information will be managed and safely stored?
- How will the project be funded. How much is needed?
- How the site will be managed and maintained in the future. Ask yourselves, will it require ongoing funding? Will volunteers be needed? How will any repairs or equipment replacements be funded?
- How will you ensure equity? For example, if there is communal growing, how will produce be distributed
equally? How will you minimise produce waste sustainably? Can surplus produce be donated to a local charity? Are there opportunities to facilitate cooking classes or share information?
Obtaining a Space
Identifying & Securing the Site
For some, identifying and securing a site may be one of the more challenging elements of the project, or, for others it may be the identification of the site which sparks the initial idea for
the project.
When looking for land, in the first instance you'll need to decide if you are seeking to purchase or lease it. Once this has been decided, you may find it helpful to ask the surrounding community if they are aware of any land which might be suitable. This could include speaking with local landowners or businesses. It might also be helpful to contact other projects/organisations delivering similar interventions within the county as they may be aware of land available.
Social Farms and Gardens also have resources on finding suitable land.
If you identify a site but are not sure who owns the land, you can search for land and property information.
If you are seeking to use land owned by your local Town or Community Council, it would be best to contact them first to establish whether they would be interested in leasing or selling the land. Please note that such land may be subject to restrictions, and they may be limited to what can be done with the land depending on how it was obtained and the conditions surrounding it. For land owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, our website which has a number of resources including information on community asset transfer.
If you find a site you would like to lease, you will need to make sure that the correct type of lease is signed and contains all relevant information. This is important as it guarantees you the use of the land and provides the landowner with reassurances on what has been agreed. It may be beneficial to seek legal advice. For further information, see Social Farms and Gardens guide on leases.
When seeking an appropriate site, it is important to consider the need for planning. Certain sites may have constraints which preclude building so you will need to think carefully about the site and the type of infrastructure you may want to include at an early stage.
Registration of Land as a Town or Village Green
Unlike other ports of the UK, Wales does not currently have a designation for Assets of Community Value. However, some land may be eligible for protection as a Town or Village Green. Registration can safeguard land from development and provide a right for open access and recreation.
There may be fees associated with the registration of common land. Please find further information, including contact details for Carmarthenshire's Common Land Officer on our website.
Welsh Government has produced guidance for the completion of an application for the registration of land as a Town or Village Green.
The Open Space Society also has a step-by-step guide on how to decide whether a space is eligible for registration and the application process.
Designing Community Spaces
Once you have secured the land and have a full understanding of the site, you can begin designing the space. When developing designs, you may need to consider the following topics:
- Materials
- Drainage
- Accessibility
- Planting
- Designing for Biodiversity
- Sanitation & Waste Management
- Sheltered areas
Planning Permission
Once you have begun developing your designs and have an idea about the type of elements you might want to include, you will need to identify whether planning permission is required. Whether or not you will need planning permission is dependent upon the scale of the changes, the current use of the site, and where the project is located.
Please note the following section has been created to provide an overview of planning policy at the time of writing and is not exhaustive. This is subject to change and should be checked directly with your Local Planning Authority (LPA) or a planning professional.
Social Farms and Gardens have made resources on this topic:
Examples of possible planning considerations related to GBI assets follow:
Resources and Support
There are a number of resources to support communities. The following table collates the resources previously mentioned along with other additional resources which may be useful.
Information for Community Groups
Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services
Community Land Advisory Service Cymru
Information for Allotment Holders and Association
The National Allotments Society
Information for Community Growing Groups
Community Land Advisory Service, CLAS Cymru
Non-Native Species Secretariat
Social Farm and Gardens, Growing resource pack
The National Allotments Society
The National Botanic Garden of Wales
Funding Opportunities
Carmarthenshire Community Bureau
Wales Council for Voluntary Action
Other resources
Summarised Checklist
Identify need for a specific space.
Formalise a core group of people to work towards the creation of the space and agree on the governance structure.
Engage as many people as possible to ensure the type of space and design reflect the wishes of the community.
Identify an appropriate site.
Speak with the landowner and agree which option you would like to proceed with.
Prepare and negotiate a lease agreement or prepare the purchase of the land.
Set up a bank account and purchase insurance.
Seek funding if required.
Design the space in collaboration with the community.
Identify whether planning permission is required, communicate with the Local Planning Authority, and obtain permission.
Coordinate and undertake work at the site.
Organise the long-term maintenance and stewardship of the space.
Officially open the site to the community.
Regularly review site success and identify any areas for improvement.
