Following their appearance at the Artisan Market last month, where they asked passers by to identify local areas or routes where they liked to walk, or where it was difficult to walk, students from Manchester University will be returning to the market on Saturday, 18th May, to share the results of a project to create a Green Infrastructure plan for Wilmslow and the neighbouring areas of Handforth and Styal.
Jean Hill of Transition Wilmslow said. "The students are doing an excellent job in assessing the wide variety of green spaces (parks, play areas, playing fields, allotments, and community gardens etc) and the routes which link these areas and the surrounding countryside. They have also identified the important contribution which private gardens, trees and other open areas have in the built up areas and town centres.
"It is widely acknowledged that access to green spaces and recreational facilities contributes significantly to peoples' health and psychological wellbeing. Wilmslow has an ageing population. Forecasts show that the Wilmslow area has more people between 40 and 60 than the national average and by 2017 the number of people over 60 is projected to increase by 9%. This, together with the increasing health issues of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease affecting young and old means that it is essential that we maintain and improve green space provision and associated walking and cycling routes."
Jean added "The character of our towns and the areas in which we live is also important. The many gardens, tree lined streets in residential areas and in town centres and areas such as the Rectory Fields provide a pleasant environment to live and work in. Together with the other green spaces they also make an important contribution to the increasing important environmental effects of climate change such as higher temperatures increased incidences of flooding. Trees provided shade to help keep us cool and reduce carbon emissions while trees, green spaces and gardens absorb water and reduce water runoff. This must be taken account of in any proposals for new development.
"The production of this report is very timely. Transitions Wilmslow believes that the report will provide valuable local information to inform the development of local planning issues with regard to the Cheshire East local plan any future proposals for town centre development in Wilmlsow."
For more information visit transitionwilmslow.co.uk or email [email protected].
