Delivering an Ecological Network in Cheshire - Making the Environmental, Social & Economic Links
A key element of the delivery of the ecological network for Cheshire is to make explicit the links between biodiversity and social and economic benefits. With the support of the North West Development Agency and Forestry Commission, a Feasibility Study was undertaken by consultants Scott Wilson and County Council officers between December 2003 and July 2004 to describe and quantify the economic, social and environmental benefits of the first phase of Cheshire's Ecological Network along the Sandstone Ridge. The Study was also supported by a Board of local stakeholders chaired by David Pickering.
Key conclusions
The Feasibility Study has demonstrated that the creation of an ecological network will have significant socio-economic benefits to the local and wider regional economies in terms of wealth generation and employment creation and quality of life improvements. This complements the scientific case for a network already proven during the Life ECOnet Project (1999 - 2003).
The project has a strong fit with environmental, planning and socio-economic policy objectives at national, regional and local levels, and will make a major contribution towards achieving them. An ecological network will raise the profile and attractiveness of Cheshire and help regenerate the rural and sub-regional economies.
The Study provides evidence that the project is workable and realistic and will help to persuade future funders and the people of Cheshire that the project is worth investment. ECOnet will provide a unique project in England and the UK, based on the integration of economic, social and environmental objectives.
The Study, its methodology, findings and conclusions will be of interest to a wide range of other land use and regeneration initiatives in Cheshire and the Northwest, particularly those attempting to demonstrate linkages between the natural environment, economy and society. It must be used, however, with caution. It was prepared for a specific project with the particular objective of creating an ecological network for a defined geographic part of Cheshire - the Sandstone Ridge, using local demographic, social, economic and environmental information. Its findings will not be directly transferable to other initiatives that will have their own objectives and circumstances, but may help inform their own processes.
Full Feasibility Study Summary
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