1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Wakefield
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Nine Lakes Project
Short description of the intervention
"The proposal is to create a leisure landscape in the countryside to the south of Wakefield, Featherstone and the South East Rural Renaissance areas. The project looks at integrating a series of existing environmental and historic attractions such as Nostell Priory Estate, Newmillerdam Country Park, Haw Park and Anglers Country Park in a landscape that is shaped by reclaimed open cast mining, and features e.g. an innovative forest planting scheme". The proposal is part of the ‘Strategic projects’ to deliver Wakefield’s vision for green infrastructure. (Ref. 1, 2)
Address

Wakefield
United Kingdom

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Total area
32000000.00m²
NBS area
32000000.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Public Greenspace Area
Other
Please specify “other type of area” before implementation of the NBS
The countryside to the south of Wakefield, Featherstone and the South East Rural Renaissance areas. (Ref 2)
Website of the intervention
http://www.ninelakesct.com/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2009
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2009
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
The proposed park is to be developed over 10 or more years in discrete phases-each of between 3 months and 12 months duration. (Ref. 3)
Current status in 2020 is unknown.
Goals of the intervention
The overall aim is to help deliver Wakefield’s vision for green infrastructure (through the ‘Wakefield forest’ project). According to the Green Infrastructure Plan, "the project also creates the opportunity to integrate the ’Wild Went Water Voles’ project, which aims to secure and expand the population of water voles”. This has, in turn, the potential to contribute to the Nine Lakes project, “as improvements to the environment will enhance habitats and biodiversity and can, in turn, form attractive surroundings to visit”. (Ref. 1)
The project aims to create “a major sports, leisure and tourism destination across Wakefield and Featherstone could boost regeneration and create 500 jobs”. The project features an innovative forest planting scheme (in connection strategic projects mentioned above). (Ref. 2)
Quantitative targets
To create an approximately 32 square kilometres, or 3200 hectares or 8000 acres, park. (Ref. 1, 2, 4) Project managers “believe it could attract 10 to 15 million people a year”. (Ref. 2) boost regeneration and create 500 jobs (Ref 2)
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of square kilometers of park created; number of people visiting the park a year; number of jobs created (Ref. 1, 2, 4)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Green space creation and/or management
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
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)
Environmental education
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Tourism support
Real estate development
Employment/job creation
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore valued species
Restore ecological connectivity
Implementation activities
The ‘Core outcomes’ of the project are: “Increasing investment into the region; Strengthening the platform for knowledge exchange through exhibition and demonstration of woodland related technologies and products; Enhancing the recreational offer in the district for the community as well as attracting more tourists; Opportunities for habitat expansion; Creating opportunities to contribute to local biodiversity gain and to reducing flood risk through the management of tributaries to the Calder; Creating new job opportunities; Overall improvements in health and well-being and reduced health inequalities”. (Ref. 1)

Regarding the status of the project:: The proposed park is to be developed over ten or more years in discrete phases-each of between 3 months and 12 months duration. (Ref. 3)
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Improved governance of green or blue areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Vegetation Type
Trees
Please specify how many trees were planted
woodland mentioned, no specification (Ref 1)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Raw materials
Regulating services
Flood regulation
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Tourism
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Mental and physical health and wellbeing
Please specify "other cultural service"
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Other
Please specify "other primary beneficiary"
Tourists. (Ref. 1, 2)
Please specify other local relevant strategy
The Ninelakes concept (which is owned by the Ninelakes Partnership). (Ref. 5) --“The Ninelakes Partnership, a private sector organization made up of a group of businesses and professionals from around the Ninelakes area. The intention is that the partnership will shortly become the Ninelakes Company Ltd, a private limited company that will develop and manage the park.” (Ref. 5)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Private sector/Corporate/Business
Coalition with multiple of the above
Other
Please specify other non-government actors involved
landowners (Ref 5)
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
“The land within the Ninelakes area is owned by a range of individuals [landowners] and organizations including Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Nostell Estates, The National Trust, and Metcalfes. The land will continue to be owned by them, but each participating landowner will enter into an agreement to allow their land to be included in the project, on a commercial basis, if and when it is needed for one of the park projects.” (Ref. 5)

The’ Lead Partners’ are Wakefield Council, Nostell Priory Estate, UK Coal (as land owners) and Forestry Commission. The ‘Delivery Partners’ are Environment Agency, British Waterways, Natural England. (Ref. 1)
Key actors - initiating organization
National government
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Private foundation/trust
Other
Please specify other key actors – Initiating organization
landowners (Ref 5)
Land owners
Private sector or company
Public space owned by the city
Utility company
Other
Please specify other Key actors - Other stakeholders involved
landowners (Ref 5)
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Business association or network
Private foundation/trust
Other
Land owners
Private sector or company
Public space owned by the city
Utility company
Other
Please specify other land owner
“The land within the Ninelakes area is owned by a range of individuals [landowners] and organizations including Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Nostell Estates, The National Trust, and Metcalfes. The land will continue to be owned by them, but each participating landowner will enter into an agreement to allow their land to be included in the project, on a commercial basis, if and when it is needed for one of the park projects.” (Ref. 5). The’ Lead Partners’ are Wakefield Council, Nostell Priory Estate, UK Coal (as land owners) and Forestry Commission. The ‘Delivery Partners’ are Environment Agency, British Waterways, Natural England. (Ref. 1)
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Please specify other landowner
“The land within the Ninelakes area is owned by a range of individuals [landowners] and organizations including Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, Nostell Estates, The National Trust, and Metcalfes. The land will continue to be owned by them, but each participating landowner will enter into an agreement to allow their land to be included in the project, on a commercial basis, if and when it is needed for one of the park projects.” (Ref. 5). The’ Lead Partners’ are Wakefield Council, Nostell Priory Estate, UK Coal (as land owners) and Forestry Commission. The ‘Delivery Partners’ are Environment Agency, British Waterways, Natural England. (Ref. 1)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Wakefield Council’s Local Development Framework Core Strategy (with its overall spatial vision) and Wakefield Council's Green infrastructure plan. (Ref. 1)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Spatial planning guidance
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Wakefield Council's 'Green infrastructure plan' and Wakefield Council's 'Local biodiversity action plan' (with regards to habitat creation, and connection to the Water Vole project). (Ref. 1)
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 Ninelakes concept (which is owned by the Ninelakes Partnership). (Ref. 5)
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
Other
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
“The Ninelakes Partnership, a private sector organization made up of a group of businesses and professionals from around the Ninelakes area. The intention is that the partnership will shortly become the Ninelakes Company Ltd, a private limited company that will develop and manage the park.” (Ref. 5)
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
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
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
More than €4,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
70 million (reF 6)
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)
“If all the ideas contained in the initial vision are realized, then the estimate is around £65 million [around 70 million EUR].” “Projects with a commercial risk associated with them will be funded by the private sector. A proportion of the development profit will be transferred to the Ninelakes Community Trust for investment in park related community projects. Projects that are not intended as e.g. commercial enterprises may be financed from a variety of public funding bodies.” (Ref. 6)
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Corporate investment
Private Foundation/Trust
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Please specify other Business model
economic development: "“Increasing investment into the region;" (Ref 1)
Business models
Green densification model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Other
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)
Type of innovation
Technological
Process innovation
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Reducing flood risk through the management of tributaries to the Calder river. (Ref. 1) innovative forest planting scheme (Ref 2 )
Please specify social innovation
Enhancing the recreational offer in the district. (Ref. 1)
Novelty level of the innovation
Ambiguous (e.g. multiple interpretations)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The project will “integrating a series of existing environmental and historic attractions such as Nostell Priory Estate, Newmillerdam Country Park, Haw Park and Anglers Country Park in a landscape that is shaped by reclaimed open cast mining”. (Ref. 1)
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Increased protection against flooding
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Reduced biodiversity loss
Description of environmental benefits
Some of the ‘Core outcomes’ of the project are: Opportunities for habitat expansion; Creating opportunities to contribute to local biodiversity gain and to reducing flood risk through the management of tributaries to the Calder”. (Ref. 1)
Economic impacts
Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
More sustainable tourism
Attraction of business and investment
Description of economic benefits
Some of the ‘Core outcomes’ of the project are: “Increasing investment into the region; Enhancing the recreational offer in the district for the community as well as attracting more tourists; Creating new job opportunities”. (Ref. 1)
Social and cultural impacts
Health and wellbeing
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Education
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Description of social and cultural benefits
Some of the ‘Core outcomes’ of the project are: “Strengthening the platform for knowledge exchange through exhibition and demonstration of woodland related technologies and products; Enhancing the recreational offer in the district for the community as well as attracting more tourists; Creating opportunities to contribute to local biodiversity gain; Overall improvements in health and well-being and reduced health inequalities”. (Ref. 1)
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Indicators
From the Wakefield rural area greenspace report : “The Nine Lakes Leisure Opportunity Area LO3 has potential to be enhanced/ developed for countryside recreation. It is proposed to improve the visitor facilities at Anglers County Park to create a countryside activity hub with improved links to Nostell Priory, Newmillerdam, Walton Nature Park, Barnsley Canal and the Trans Pennine Trail. The consultation route of HS2 cuts through LO3 in two places.” (Ref. 7)
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Paid employment positions
Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Although, "the current community engagement is not part of any formal planning process. The meetings we have held with parish and town councils and special interest groups have been to help us to shape the overall masterplan and vision for the park. Once the business plan and concept stages have been completed, extensive community consultation will begin on the specific proposals for each of the park areas and the statutory consultation process will follow on the associated planning applications.” (Ref. 8)
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 30 September 2020
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Focus groups
Other
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
Yes
Link to monitoring/evaluation reports
http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Core%20documents/LR5.7%20Greenspace%20Wakefield%20R…
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
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
Although, "the current community engagement is not part of any formal planning process. The meetings we have held with parish and town councils and special interest groups have been to help us to shape the overall masterplan and vision for the park. Once the business plan and concept stages have been completed, extensive community consultation will begin on the specific proposals for each of the park areas and the statutory consultation process will follow on the associated planning applications.” (Ref. 8)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Yes
Please specify
“Anyone who wishes to share their thoughts and ideas at this early stage is welcome to do so and many people have already contacted us. It is only the statutory planning consultation stage that has not yet started.” (Ref. 8)
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
List of references
Ref. 1. Wakefield Council (2010) Green infrastructure plan. Source: http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Documents/planning/planning-policy/information-monitoring/green-infrastrcture-plan-october-2010.pdf [Accessed 30 September 2020]
Ref. 2. Wakefield Express (2010I Hope for massive leisure park. Information obtained: 2017-07-14. [Website unavailable in 2020]
Ref. 3. The Ninelakes Project (n.d.) Environmental Issues. FAQS. Information obtained: 2017-07-14. [Website unavailable in 2020]
Ref. 4. The Ninelakes Project (n.d.) Project outline. FAQS. Information obtained: 2017-07-14. [Website unavailable in 2020]
Ref. 5. The Ninelakes Project (n.d.) Ownership management. FAQS. Information obtained: 2017-07-14. [Website unavailable in 2020]
Ref. 6. The Ninelakes Project (n.d.) Planning costs. FAQS. Information obtained: 2017-07-14. [Website unavailable in 2020]
Ref. 7. Wakefield Council (2016) Wakefield rural area greenspace report. Core Documents. LR5.7. Source: http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Core%20documents/LR5.7%20Greenspace%20Wakefield%20Rural%20Jan%202016.pdf [Accessed 30 September 2020]
Comments and notes
Comments
2020 comments:
The proposed park is to be developed over 10 or more years in discrete phases-each of between 3 months and 12 months duration. (Ref. 3)
Current status in 2020 is unknown, it's unclear if NBS began. Most references from this main website (http://www.ninelakesct.com) are no longer available. Could not find much on this NBS. The only references available are broader Wakefield level plans and strategies. Exact details of the NBS thus unknown. 
The language used by the 2017 reviewer is all in future tense, even though the project was planned in 2009 and the NBS details were filled after that. The lack of data might indicate that this was planned but cancelled.
Additional insights
2020 comments:
Investment programmes through the Council’s GI (i.e. “Investment Programmes to create new investment opportunities for green infrastructure action across the city region with a focus on specific, common types of local intervention”). (Ref. 1)