1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Coventry
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
The Living Environment Trust
Short description of the intervention
“The Living Environment Trust is an environmental charity based in Coventry, which aims to promote environmental and sustainability awareness within local communities. Accordingly, the Trust uses the restoration of neglected inner-city green spaces as a way to engage a range of community groups, whilst also serving to enhance and expand the existing biodiversity and develop important community and educational resources.” (Ref. 1) “The Living Environment Trust was formed in 2007 to transform the neglected land around the Alan Higgs Centre into a community ecological and leisure resource.” (Ref. 2)
Address

Allard Way
Coventry
CV3 1HW
United Kingdom

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Previous derelict area
Website of the intervention
https://cvlife.co.uk/functions/narrowboat-hire/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2007
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2007
End date of the intervention
2018
Present stage of the intervention
Completed
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
“The Living Environment Trust was formed in 2007 to transform the neglected land around the Alan Higgs Centre into a community ecological and leisure resource.” (Ref. 2)
Goals of the intervention
“The Living Environment Trust aims to promote environmental and sustainability awareness within local communities. The Trust uses the restoration of neglected inner-city green spaces as a way to engage a range of community groups, [especially youth], whilst also serving to enhance and expand the existing biodiversity and develop important community and educational resources.” (Ref 1)
Another key aim is “maintaining and restoring the 5 ½ mile stretch of the Coventry Canal (an invaluable educational resource, as well as crucial habitat for wildlife, within an urban context). (Ref. 1)
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Unknown
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Water management (SDG 6)
Improvements to water quality
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social interaction
Environmental education
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Means for conservation governance
Raise public awareness
Public engagement
Implementation activities
- The Trust (which is responsible for the environmental management at The Alan Higgs Centre) has undertaken measures such as plantation of the swales present on-site with local reeds, in order to reduce the impact of the leisure activities onto the surrounding environment (a key element to the development of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems that have been integrated into the site).
- Other measures include A Sensory Garden (implemented at The Alan Higgs Centre) to enable people with disabilities to experience nature. (Ref. 3)
- Measures undertaken with the aim to enhance biodiversity include a Butterfly Garden and Wildlife Pond at The Alan Higgs Centre; and the Trust has involved in habitat improvement works for key species along the Coventry canal. (Ref. 4, 1)
- A natural play area (i.e. Xcel Natural Play Area) has been installed (aiming to maximize the usage of greenspaces in Canley). (Ref. 5)
- Operating a clean-up boat along the Coventry Canal to clean water on a weekly basis (Ref. 1)
- Informal and semi-informal environmental programmes including educational packages in schools and children’s ‘green parties’ (Ref. 1)
Type of NBS project
Maintenance and management of urban nature
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Community gardens and allotments
Other
Green areas for water management
Swales and filter strips
Sustainable urban drainage systems
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Green playgrounds and school grounds
Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"
A Sensory Garden (implemented at The Alan Higgs Centre) to enable people with disabilities to experience nature. (Ref. 3)
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
A Sensory Garden (implemented at The Alan Higgs Centre) to enable people with disabilities to experience nature. (Ref. 3)
What is the level of innovation / development of the NBS related to water management?
Medium / High: sustainable urban drainage systems which include water storage and diverts water flooding
Vegetation Type
Garden beds
Other
Amenities offered by the NBS
Playgrounds
Sports areas and equipment
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Water purification / filtration
Pollination
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Recreation
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Marginalized groups
People with functional diversities
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Other
Please specify other non-government actors involved
Charity/ Trust (Ref 3)
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The Living Environment Trust is responsible for the environmental management at the Alan Higgs Centre. (Ref. 3) The Trust places a significant emphasis on the value of community partnerships and engaging local people both consultatively and practically in the delivery of community based environmental projects. (Ref. 1) The Trust collaborates with different partners, including Coventry City Council, Prince’s Trust, National Probation Service, Fresh Start, Students with Severe Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. (Ref. 3, 5)
(with regard to the Xcel Natural Play Area): Funding obtained by Coventry City Council thorough Playbuilder, a funding scheme run by Play England that seeks to develop outdoor play areas that encourage unstructured play within the natural environment. (Ref. 9)
Sensory Garden project: Coca Cola donated £350 for the purchase of all of the plants. (Ref. 3)
Key actors - initiating organization
Non-government organisation/civil society
Land owners
No information found
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
Students with Severe Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. (Ref. 3, 5)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Private foundation/trust
Other
Land owners
No information found
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
With regards to the sub-project ‘Wildlife Pond at The Alan Higgs Centre’: “Wetlands are classified as key habitats under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Accordingly, the Trust recognised the potential for the The Alan Higgs Centre to contribute to achieving BAP’s targets, developing a wildlife pond. (Ref. 4)
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
The Alan Higgs Centre and its planned extension are located within the Green Belt and are thus affected by e.g. the 'Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Green Infrastructure Study 2011', (through Coventry Local Plan 2016 Examination Library: Green Belt and Green Environment). (Ref. 6, 7)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific green space strategy or plan
Biodiversity strategy or plan
Please specify other vegetation type
"a Butterfly Garden and Wildlife Pond at The Alan Higgs Centre (Ref. 4, 1)"
"plantation of the swales present on site with local reeds" (Ref. 3)
"A Sensory Garden (implemented at The Alan Higgs Centre) to enable people with disabilities to experience nature" (Ref. 3)
"natural play area (i.e. Xcel Natural Play Area)" (Ref. 5)
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
National Association of Boat Owners (in connection to the maintenance of Coventry Canal), aiming to promote the interests and concerns of boaters on Britain's Canals and Rivers. (Ref. 8)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Funding obtained by Coventry City Council thorough Playbuilder, a funding scheme run by Play England that seeks to develop outdoor play areas that encourage unstructured play within the natural environment (with regard to the Xcel Natural Play Area). (Ref. 9) ; Sensory Garden project: Coca Cola donated £350 for the purchase of all of the plants. (Ref. 3)
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€50,000 - €100,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
All funding obtained from the hire of the Coventrian (a narrow boat, donated to the Trust) goes to the 'The Living Canals’ project. (Ref. 1, 10) Also, the first project has already been implemented on the Xcel Leisure Centre grounds, with the development of a £50k natural play area (i.e. the Xcel Natural Play Area). The funding was obtained by Coventry City Council through Playbuilder. (Ref. 5, 9) Sensory Garden project: Coca Cola donated £350 for the purchase of all of the plants. (Ref. 3)
Source(s) of funding
Corporate investment
Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)
Other
Please specify other source of funding
Funding obtained from the hire of the Coventrian. (Ref. 10)
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Donations
Other
Please specify other type of fund used
Funding obtained from the hire of the Coventrian. (Ref. 10)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of goods
Provision of labour
Other
Please specify other type of non-financial contribution
A 25m long narrow boat, the ‘Coventrian’, was donated to the Trust. (Ref. 1, 10) ; Sensory Garden project: Coca Cola donated £350 for the purchase of all of the plants. (Ref. 3)
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Other
Business models
Green densification model
Green education model
Please specify other environmental impact
Creation of semi-natural blue areas (Ref. 1,4), Enhanced urban habitats (Ref. 1,4)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer)
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Development of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. (Ref. 3)
Please specify social innovation
The Trust places a significant emphasis on the value of community, this approach ensures that communities develop a sense of ownership that will prevent such improvements from being vandalized or neglected in the future.
Also, The Trust delivers a range of informal and semi-informal environmental programmes.
(Ref. 1) Other measures include A Sensory Garden (implemented at The Alan Higgs Centre) o enable people with disabilities to experience nature. (Ref. 3)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is completely new without connections to previous initiative(s)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
“The Living Environment Trust was formed in 2007 to transform the neglected land around the Alan Higgs Centre into a community ecological and leisure resource.” (Ref. 2)
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown.
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Increased protection against flooding
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Enhanced support of pollination
Other
Description of environmental benefits
Expected Impacts:
- habitat improvement for key species along Coventry Canal (Ref. 1,4)

Achieved Impacts:
- improved water quality on Coventry Canal through weekly boat clean-ups (Ref. 1,2)
- development of green/blue spaces/enhanced support of pollination: Butterfly Garden, Wildlife Pond (Ref. 1,4)
- reduction of impact of leisure activities into surrounding environment using swales/ local reeds (Ref. 3)
-Creation of semi-natural blue areas (Ref. 1,4), Enhanced urban habitats (Ref. 1,4)
Economic impacts
Unknown
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
reduced anti-social behaviour (Ref. 5)
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Health and wellbeing
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Safety
Decreased crime rates
Other
Please specify other environmental justice issue
- increased access to NBS by engaging with youth (Ref. 1) and those with functional diversities (Ref. 3)
Description of social and cultural benefits
Expected Impacts:
- providing real benefits to people of all ages in the area, promoting a healthy lifestyle, greater community cohesion and reduced anti-social behaviour (crime included) (Ref. 5)

Achieved Impacts:
- enhanced use of greenspaces through development of natural play area (Ref. 5)
- engagement with community through weekly canal clean-up (Ref. 1,2)
- creation of "informal and semi-informal environmental programmes" (Ref.1)
- increased access to NBS by engaging with youth (Ref. 1) and those with functional diversities (Ref. 3)
-promoting a healthy lifestyle, greater community cohesion and reduced anti-social behaviour. (Ref. 5)
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
E.g. regarding maximizing the usage of the green space in Canley: providing real benefits to people of all ages in the area, promoting a healthy lifestyle, greater community cohesion and reduced anti-social behaviour. (Ref. 5)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Water management (SDG 6)
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Environmental quality
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Work for rehabilitation (e.g. for mental health, prisoners, older people)
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Other
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of August 24, 2020
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Unknown
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
An 'Ecological Appraisal' was conducted in connection to the Alan Higgs Centre (the Trust which is responsible for the environmental management). The Ecological Appraisal analyses e.g. habitats within the site. (Ref. 11)
Link to the output of assessments
http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName…
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
"The Trust places a significant emphasis on the value of community partnerships and engaging local people both consultatively and practically in the delivery of community based environmental projects." (Ref. 1)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
Ref. 9
Ref. 10
Ref. 11
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Ref. 7 (2.1 MB) 2.1 MB
Ref. 11 (6.54 MB) 6.54 MB
List of references
Ref. 1. Coventry Sports Foundation (n.d.) The Living Environment Trust. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 2. Coventry Telegraph (2011) The team that are keeping Coventry Canal clean. Griffin, M. Sep. 2011. Available at: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/team-keeping-coventry-canal-clean-3038138 [Accessed 24 August 2020].
Ref. 3. Coventry Sports Foundation (n.d.) Environmental Community Projects. The Living Environment Trust. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 4. Coventry Sports Foundation (n.d.) Habitat Creation and Restoration. The Living Environment Trust. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 5. Coventry Sports Foundation (n.d.) Environmental Masterplanning. The Living Environment Trust. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 6. Coventry City Council (2016) Committee Report. Land adjacent to the south of Alan Higgs Centre Allard Way. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 7. Warwickshire Museum and Natural Environment (2011) Sub-regional Green Infrastructure Strategy. Warwickshire, Coventry & Solihull. [Document provided].
Ref. 8. Coventry City Council (n.d.) Coventry Canal. Available at: http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/116/coventry_canal/341/coventry_canal [Accessed 24 August 2020].
Ref. 9. Coventry Sports Foundation (n.d.) Environmental Project Management. The Living Environment Trust. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 10. Heritage Open Days (2017) Coventrian Narrow Boat operated by the Living Environment Trust. [Not available in 2020].
Ref. 11. WASPS RFC (2016) Ecological Appraisal, Alan Higgs Centre. Coventry. [Document provided].
Comments and notes
Additional insights
As of August 2020, there's not much new information I could find (most referenced website links were broken), so I worked with the existing text in the questionnaire (from 2017).

The intervention has been listed as having ended (since no updated information can be found related to charity in 2020. I selected 2018 as the end date, as that was when the formerly affiliated Coventry Sports Foundation changed its name to CV Life.

All links from project website redirect to CV Life website.
About CV Life: (https://cvlife.co.uk/about-cv-life/): renamed from Coventry Sports Foundation (as of September 2018)
Only existing 'official' page with any mention of The Living Environment Trust is through a page related to the Conventrian Narrowboat project (https://cvlife.co.uk/functions/narrowboat-hire/) -- currently used as NBS intervention website
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/coventrian_ref_10.jpg
Public Images
Living Environment Trust 1
Source: Ref. 2
Living Environment Trust 2
Source: Ref. 2
Living Environment Trust 4
Source: Ref. 2
Living Environment Trust 5
Source: Ref. 2
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
Unknown