Page 4 - The Hidden Value of our Green Spaces - Jan 17

GREEN SPACES… HAVE AN ECONOMIC VALUE

Natural capital accounting helps us demonstrate the benefits of well maintained green space in
physical and monetary terms.

Using two different parks, Silverdale Country Park (estimated to be worth £32m based on a 10 year
in the Midlands and Beam Parklands in London, period). Beam’s natural capital value, based on a
we can demonstrate the social and economic 99 year period has been valued at £42m.
benefits of green space based on their natural The values identified highlight that green spaces
environments, their services, how they are used can generate significant benefits, provided that
and managed. there is the long term investment to manage them
Silverdale’s current natural capital value - £2.6m and that they are well maintained.
- is based over the 12 month period of 2015

SILVERDALE COUNTRY PARK ei nvveersyt e£d14

A former colliery in West Midlands, this space is now an 85 returns £35
hectare country park. Since 2009, the site has been under
the Land Trust’s ownership, with day to day management TO THE WIDER ECONOMY & SOCIETY
by Groundwork West Midlands.
This vast green space comprises the former spoil heap, AN INCREASE OF
now transformed to mature trees, woodlands, hedgerows,
grassland, wildflower areas, large waterbodies and £2 million
wetlands, paths, tracks and trails.
from 2009
Silverdale’s annual value is3
THROUGH IMPROVED MANAGEMENT
£2.6 MILLION

BEAM PARKLANDS

A 53 hectare wetland park in East London, Beam Parklands
has been under the Land Trust’s ownership since 2011, with
day to day management by London Borough of Barking
and Dagenham.
Its primary function is as a flood defence, but it is also a
vital asset as a community park with wildlife rich habitats,
made up of rivers, ponds, woodlands, hedgerows,
grassland, wildflower areas, paths, trails and play areas.

Beam’s total value is5 AN INCREASE OF6

£42 MILLION £21 million
from 2009
4
THROUGH IMPROVED MANAGEMENT