Council unveils plan to protect its green spaces

FIVE-YEAR COUNTRYSIDE STRATEGY IS PUBLISHED

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

A NEW five-year countryside strategy has been published by Redcar and Cleveland Council in a bid to “protect and enhance” parts of the largely rural borough.

A foreword to the strategy acknowledged the demand for development and growth through housing and industry but said green spaces and accessible corridors for people and wildlife also needed to be safeguarded.

It said: “They can play a key role in reducing physical and mental health issues and have the potential to save the NHS millions of pounds each year.

“Green spaces also provide opportunities for reducing flooding, cutting carbon emissions, increasing biodiversity and protecting nature.”