Green Infrastructure – Monlife

Green Infrastructure and Monmouthshire

In April 2023, Monmouthshire County Council published the Community and Corporate Plan 2022-2028, which aims to take Monmouthshire forward, working together for a fairer, greener, more successful county.

The objectives of the plan include making Monmouthshire a “green place” to live work, with reduced carbon emissions, and making a positive contribution to addressing the climate and nature emergency.  These pages provide more information on how we are working to achieve this goal.

Strategy and Guidance
Strategy and Guidance

Checkout our strategic plans and guidance documents for GI planning and management.

Landscape Setting
Landscape Setting

Monmouthshire landscape has several designations to protect the unique historic and aesthetic features.

Resources and Training
Resources and Training

Checkout all of our helpful resources so that you can help us make a positive impact.

GI and Nature Projects
GI and Nature Projects

Find out more about all the GI associated projects making a positive impact across Monmouthshire.

Gwent Green Grid
Gwent Green Grid

The GGG is a regional partnership, aiming to improve and develop green infrastructure across Gwent.

Nature Isn’t Neat
Nature Isn’t Neat

Nature Isn't Neat is our celebrated approach to managing our parks and open spaces.

Climate and Nature
Climate and Nature

Discover more about the impact that climate change can have on our general well-being.

Biodiversity in Monmouthshire
Biodiversity in Monmouthshire

Find out more about the habitats and species of Monmouthshire and what we are doing to protect them.

Monmouthshire Local Nature Partnership
Monmouthshire Local Nature Partnership

Join the Local Nature Partnership in order to help nature across Monmouthshire.


What is Green Infrastructure (GI) ?

Green Infrastructure is a term used to describe all the trees, plants, green spaces, grasslands, sustainable urban drainage systems, orchards, hedgerows, woodlands, ponds, rivers and lakes (all the green and blue features in a landscape). They can provide multiple benefits for the environment, society and the economy.

GI functions are the roles that assets can play if planned, designed and managed in a way that is sensitive to, and includes provision for, natural features and ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are defined as the benefits provided by Green Infrastructure that contribute to making life both possible and worth living.

Landscape Setting and Quality of PlaceGI improves townscapes, landscape quality and reinforces the local landscape character.  GI supports heritage preservation and cultural expression, and makes places more interesting to live in.

Click here find out more about the landscape character in Monmouthshire
Habitat Provision and ConnectivityGreen Infrastructure provides habitats for wildlife and encourages connectivity between sites to promote ecosystem resilience.

Click here to find out more about biodiversity in Monmouthshire
Green Space Provision and ConnectivityGI provides green spaces for residents to use and non-vehicular travel routes to reduce carbon emissions  

Click here to find out more about countryside access and public rights of way in Monmouthshire  

Click here to find out more about Active Travel routes
Sustainable Energy UseGI provides and promotes sustainable energy use to reduce our carbon footprint.  

Click here to find out more about the Climate Emergency  
Local Food ProductionGreen Infrastructure can include local food production including community orchards which has benefits for well-being and pollinators.   Community food growing is provided as part of the Community Nature Spaces scheme.  
Flood Attenuation and Water Resource ManagementGreen Infrastructure can be designed to absorb heavy rainfall and provide surface water storage in times of peak flow.  

Click here to find out more about Sustainable Drainage Systems  

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