Larne Town Park Nature Recovery Action Plan p2
Strategic Policy Framework
Putting People First is the Community Plan for Mid and East Antrim and sets out a number of objectives to enhance the borough from 2017-2032.
The Borough’s Parks and Open Spaces contribute to delivering on many of the thematic objectives set out in the Community Plan.
The plan can be accessed on the Putting People First Community Plan webpage.
The themes and how parks help meet strategic objectives under each theme are set out below:
Our Environment
Parks in Mid and East Antrim contribute a great deal to the identity of local towns and villages.
Quality parks and green spaces help make our towns and villages places where people want to visit, live and invest in.
Parks are home to an abundance of mature, native trees, plants and wildlife.
Good Health and Wellbeing
Research demonstrates that exposure to quality parks and open spaces has a relaxing effect on humans, reducing stress and imparting a sense of well-being.
Progress in Education/Learning for Life
Parks can enhance a community’s sense of pride, and ownership.
Active involvement in parks programmes leads to a stronger sense of community and the promotion of environmental responsibility and ethics.
Sustainable Jobs and Tourism
Economic analyses have found that the value of homes near quality green spaces is 9 to 15 percent higher than homes without.
Research shows that shoppers linger longer along a shaded avenue than one barren of trees and are even willing to pay more for goods and services.
Community Safety and Cohesion
While using public spaces such as urban parks, people have more opportunities to connect with nature and their wider community.
By facilitating social interactions, urban green spaces contribute to greater social cohesion, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening bonds among residents.
Research also demonstrates that areas with quality green spaces have significantly lower crime rates than areas without.
Mid and East Antrim Corporate Plan 2024 - 2028
Our Corporate Plan is our statement of intent and describes our aims and ambitions for the Council and how we will achieve our vision - “Mid and East Antrim will be a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community where people work together to improve the quality of life for all”.
The themes and how parks help meet strategic objectives under each theme are set out below:
Place
Promotion of the borough as a leading visitor and cultural destination, using our natural and built heritage and assets.
People
Geen job creation, reduced stress, tree equity and community involvement in Parks and Open Spaces across the borough
Performance
Continuing to work alongside our partners to progress the delivery of the Community Plan and other Council Strategies, sharing knowledge, skills, and best practice to create synergy and influence decision making to achieve the best outcomes for the borough at an affordable cost.
Planet
Supporting local communities to create a environmentally resilient and sustainable borough that is equipped to deal with emergency situations, including climate adaption.
Protect our natural environment, enhance biodiversity, and retain or increase Council’s current levels of carbon capture.