Bidston Moss project

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Wirral

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

Bidston Moss project

Short description of the intervention

Until the 1990's Bidston Moss was a landfill site and was "unsafe for public access", thus giving a negative impression (close to several residential areas). Restoring work begun in 1995, and in 2006 development started in Bidston Moss through a Newlands scheme: including new features and landscape enhancements to “unlock the full potential” of the area (“as a valued and well-used community woodland for local people and wildlife.”). (Ref. 1, 2)

Address

Birkenhead, Wirral
United Kingdom

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary

POINT (-3.061169 53.410514)

POINT (-3.063229 53.411677)

POINT (-3.062199 53.41343)

POINT (-3.068057 53.415105)

POINT (-3.07252 53.410079)

POINT (-3.061963 53.408352)

POINT (-3.06104 53.409541)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Bidston+Moss,+Wallasey+CH44+2HE,+UK/@53.41146,-3.0682072,1035m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x487b264115de6fe9:0x9cd0c7f177892a9c!8m2!3d53.411767!4d-3.0736145

NBS area

680000.00m²

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Previous derelict area

Website of the intervention

http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/bidston-moss

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2004

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2006

End date of the intervention

2008

Present stage of the intervention

Completed

Please specify "other" stage of the intervention

A community consultation produced an ‘Aspirational Plan’ for the site which outlined in 2004. (Ref. 2) Funding was made available for the land regeneration scheme in 2006 until 2008. (Ref. 3, 4, 5)

2. Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

A former landfill site of 40 hectares (extended with 28 hectares) to be transformed into community woodland with the aim to deliver much needed contribution to inner Wirral's social, economic and environment needs. (Ref. 3, 4, 6) Objectives included are: provide image improvements for the City region of Liverpool through woodland creation (around Junction 1, M53), deliver a beacon site within the Mersey Waterfront Regional Park, create a zone of influence around the project area for e.g. inward business investment, and contribute to 'Merseyside's Biodiversity Action Plan' targets. (Ref. 6)
Additional aims include encourage more marginal vegetation and improving wildlife habitats (with regards to the lake mentioned below) (Ref. 3) and bring the people of Europe together. (Ref. 3, 4)

Quantitative targets

“Transform 68 hectares of previously developed brownfield land to community woodland.” (Ref. 6)
Also, a 3 hectare lake is to be restructured (eastern edge of Bidston Moss). (Ref. 3)

Monitoring indicators defined

hectares of brownfield land turned to community woodland; % of people inteviewed on the streets who use the site

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Green space creation and/or management

Regeneration, land-use and urban development

Conversion of former industrial areas

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Social cohesion

Social interaction

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Economic development and employment (SDG 8)

Economic development: industry

Economic development: service sectors

Real estate development

What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Ecosystem-focused

What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems

Implementation activities

“Bidston Moss was transformed into a thriving community woodland. Investment from Newlands meant that the fishing lake could be renovated, making it a destination for local residents and schools. Overall access to the site was improved thanks to the addition of the footbridge over the mainline railway. The improvements to the site also made it a popular venue for many sporting events. A number of community events, including fun runs and family open days, were held on site to introduce local people to their new community woodland. In 2007, Bidston Moss became the home for the world's first Green Billboard - a living structure of willow trees stretching over 20 metres, onto which a message board is mounted. Located on the edge of the site and close to a main road, it was a great way to promote an environmental message and raise awareness of Bidston Moss at the same time.” (Ref. 1)

Type of NBS project

Creation of new green areas

Ecological restoration of ecosystems

Transformation of previously derelict areas

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Parks and urban forests

Large urban parks or forests

Blue infrastructure

Lakes/ponds

Vegetation Type

Please specify how many trees were planted

Trees were existing. (ref 6)

Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS

Walking and bike trails, fishing access (Ref 6)

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Viewing and outlook points

Other

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Maintenance of genetic diversity

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Scale

Spatial scale

Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)

Beneficiaries

Primary Beneficiaries

National-level government

Local government/Municipality

Private sector/Corporate/Company

Citizens or community groups

Please specify other local relevant strategy

Bidston Moss has been developed through the Newlands scheme – an initiative of the North West Development Agency and Forestry Commission. (Ref. 2) The Newlands project was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in 2003 to reclaim derelict land in North West England and transform them into community woodlands. (Ref. 7)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The Newlands land regeneration scheme is a Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) initiative. The Forestry Commission is managing Bidston Moss over the long term. The management is in partnership with MWDA (Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority), Groundwork Wirral, The Mersey Forest and Wirral Council. (Ref. 1, 2, 3)
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) delivered the Newlands scheme in partnership with the Forestry Commission and various local authorities, along with several major landowners such as United Utilities and Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority around North West England. (Ref. 7)

Key actors - initiating organization

National government

Regional government

Citizens or community group

Land owners

Private sector or company

Public space owned by the city

Utility company

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

EU body

National government

Regional government

Local government/municipality

Public sector institution

Non-government organisation/civil society

Private foundation/trust

Citizens or community group

Land owners

Private sector or company

Public space owned by the city

Utility company

Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy

Yes

Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"

One of the aims is that the quality place created at Bidston Moss will enhance the gateway to Liverpool which is a European Capital of Culture (2008), a European City of Culture project launched in 1985 aiming to bring the people of Europe together. (Ref. 3, 4)

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan

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

Yes

Please specify

‘Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan' (which Bidston Moss project aimed to contribute to). (Ref. 3, 6)

Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project

Unknown

If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.

Biodiversity strategy or plan

Other

Please specify other vegetation type

Marshy areas and wetlands and Japanese knotweed (Ref 6)

Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project

Yes

Please specify

Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) delivered the Newlands scheme in partnership with the Forestry Commission and various local authorities, along with several major landowners such as United Utilities and Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority around North West England. (Ref. 7)

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

Long-term investments through the Newlands scheme for Bidston Moss, with additional funding from Biffaward and EU Objective via The Mersey Forest Trust. (Ref. 3, 4)

Co-finance for NBS

Yes

Co-financing governance arrangements

Yes

Co-governance arrangement

Other

Please specify other co-financing type

Long-term investments through the Newlands scheme for Bidston Moss, with additional funding from Biffaward (a multi-million-pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, RSWT) which utilizes landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services) and EU Objective via The Mersey Forest Trust. (Ref. 3, 4)

Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?

Unknown

Financing

Total cost

€2,000,000 - €4,000,000

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

3 million EUR (Ref 3,4)

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)

Newlands total long-term investment for Bidston Moss was around £2.7 million (around 3 million EUR). Additional funding from Biffaward (a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, RSWT) which utilizes landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services) and EU Objective via The Mersey Forest Trust. (Ref. 3, 4)
Long-term investments through the Newlands scheme for Bidston Moss, with additional funding from Biffaward (a multi-million-pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, RSWT) which utilizes landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services) and EU Objective via The Mersey Forest Trust. (Ref. 3, 4)

Source(s) of funding

EU funds

Funds provided by non-governmental organization (NGO)

Other

Please specify other source of funding

landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services) and EU Objective via The Mersey Forest Trust. (Ref. 3, 4)

Type of fund(s) used

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Other

Please specify other type of fund used

landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services) and EU Objective via The Mersey Forest Trust. (Ref. 3, 4)

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land

Provision of labour

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)

Private sector (businesses, financial institution)

Business models

Green densification model

Vacant space model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Innovation

Type of innovation

Technological

Infrastructural innovation

Social

Economic innovation

Cultural innovation

Please specify technological innovation

In 2007, Bidston Moss became the home for the world's first Green Billboard - a living structure of willow trees stretching over 20 metres, onto which a message board is mounted. (Ref 1)

Novelty level of the innovation

The innovation is copied/derived from previous initiative(s) with substantial adaptation

Please specify novelty level of the innovation

"Groundwork Wirral had been working on Bidston Moss since 1995; restoring parts of the site with the goal of developing the area for education, research and community use. However, significant investment was still needed to expand this work across the whole project area." (Ref. 1)

Replicability/Transferability

The innovation is transferred to new initiative(s) with substantial adaptation

Please specify Replicability/Transferability

Bidston Moss "Zone-project"; were residents are being encouraged to participate in one of four walks around Bidston Moss - the "Zone" (aiming to engage people with the Bidston Moss nature reserve, exploring the recreational green space, while also inviting people to part take in making a film). (Ref. 5) Also, part of the Wirral Waters project includes a scheme to create a new car park for the area aiming to improve access "to encourage greater use" which is "critical in the long term success of the site". (Ref. 8)

6. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Environmental quality

Improved waste management

Improved soil quality

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Increased conversion of degraded land or soil

Restoration of derelict areas

Description of environmental benefits

“Transform 68 hectares of previously developed brownfield land to community woodland.” (Ref. 6)
Also, a 3 hectare lake is to be restructured (eastern edge of Bidston Moss). (Ref. 3)
"Groundwork Wirral had been working on Bidston Moss since 1995; restoring parts of the site with the goal of developing the area for education, research and community use. However, significant investment was still needed to expand this work across the whole project area." (Ref. 1)

Economic impacts

Unknown

Stimulate development in deprived areas

Generation of income from NBS

Increased market share for green economies

Please specify other socio-cultural impact

fosters local democracy (Ref 2)

Description of economic benefits

results show that Bidston Moss supports the local economy (Ref 1)

Type of reported impacts

Achieved impacts

Indicators

Social Indicators Report which measured the social impact of the Bidston Moss community woodland (created through the project); 17 indicators were used. The report showed that the project contributed to a successful community resource and helps improve people’s health and well-being (e.g. 'a successful site which the local people know about' and 'the site is used for a wide range of activities' and 'people are gaining health and well-being benefits'). Additionally, the results show that Bidston Moss supports the local economy, fosters local democracy, improves the area's safety, and develops a sense of community. (Ref. 2) Out of the 248 people interviewed on the streets, 70 people said they use the site – which is 28% of those interviewed.(Ref 2) Located on the edge of the site and close to a main road, it was a great way to promote an environmental message and raise awareness of Bidston Moss at the same time.” (Ref. 1)
323 people gave their views to the Social Indicators Report (2007-2008). (Ref 2)

Environmental, social and economic impacts

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Regeneration, land-use and urban development

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 ...

No information available

Please specify other method used to evaluate the impacts of NBS

Using a Public Benefit Recording System (PBRS): designed to measure the public benefit that can be achieved through regeneration (associated with social, economic and environmental factors). (Ref. 3)

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 31 2020

Methods of impact monitoring

Process of recording NBS impacts

Collection of monitoring data at specific time intervals during the project to aid evaluation

Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS

Interviews

Questionnaire surveys / online surveys

Other

Where can this data be accessed? Please include a link to a report or web-page.

http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Social%20Indicators%20Repo…

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Yes

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

Yes

Link to monitoring/evaluation reports

http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Social%20Indicators%20Repo…

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

Impact assessment mechanism

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Using a Public Benefit Recording System (PBRS): designed to measure the public benefit that can be achieved through regeneration (associated with social, economic and environmental factors). (Ref. 3)

Link to the output of assessments

http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/newlands_exec_briefing_for…

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

Yes

Citizen involvement

Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation

Yes

Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment

Questionnaire

Interview

Other

Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment

323 people gave their views to the Social Indicators Report (2007-2008). The data was gathered through interviews (e.g. meeting people on the streets), community conversation events and survey of local businesses. Also, and two 'Spaceshaper' (questionnaire) events which used a practical toolkit to measure the quality of the open spaces and to structure the discussions around the site and its future. (Ref. 2)
-Using a Public Benefit Recording System (PBRS): designed to measure the public benefit that can be achieved through regeneration (associated with social, economic and environmental factors). (Ref. 3)
survey: The data will in the Social Indicators Report (2007-2008) be used by the Bidston Moss Steering Group and the managers of the site to inform future work on the community woodland at Bidston Moss. Follow up information will be sent to everyone who gave their views and contributed to this work. A similar survey will be carried out in 5 years time and data will be gathered again for the 17 indicators. At this point it will be possible to see if the site’s social impact has increased, stayed the same or declined (Ref. 2)

Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation

Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment

Yes

Please specify

The data will in the Social Indicators Report (2007-2008) be used by the Bidston Moss Steering Group and the managers of the site to inform future work on the community woodland at Bidston Moss. Follow up information will be sent to everyone who gave their views and contributed to this work. A similar survey will be carried out in 5 years time and data will be gathered again for the 17 indicators. At this point it will be possible to see if the site’s social impact has increased, stayed the same or declined (Ref. 2)

7. Sources

References

Web links relevant to the intervention

List of references

Ref. 1. Newlands (n.d.) Bidston Moss. Sites. Information obtained: 2017-07-27. Source: http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/bidston-moss [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 2. Newlands (2007/2008) Social Indicators Report - Bidston Moss. 2007-2008. Measuring the social impact of Bidston Moss Community Woodland. Source: http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Social%20Indicators%20Report%20-%20Bidston%20Moss_0.pdf [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 3. Newlands (2006) £2 million boost for Wirral's woodlands. Press information. Bidston Moss Funding Announcement. Source: http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Apr%2006%20Bidston%20Moss%20Funding%20Announcement_0.doc [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 4. Newlands (2006) 28 hectare extension to Wirral's 'new economic woodlands'. Press Release. Bidston Moss Announcement Of Extension. Source: http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Nov%2006%20Bidston%20Moss%20Announcement%20Of%20Extension%281%29_0.doc [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 5. The Mersey Forest (2014) Get "into the zone" at Wirral woodland. Information obtained: 2017-07-27. Source: http://www.merseyforest.org.uk/news/get-into-the-zone-at-wirral-woodland/ [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 6. Newlands (n.d.) Bidston Moss Context Plan. Bidston, North Wirral, Merseyside. Source: http://www.newlandsproject.co.uk/sites/default/files/Bidston%20Moss%20Context%20Plan_0.pdf [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 7. Forest research (n.d.) Newlands. Gov. UK. Information obtained: 2017-07-27. Source: https://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/urgc-7ekbu7 [Accessed 28 August 2020]
Ref. 8. Wirral Waters (2011) Indicative economic assessment. Wirral. Source: http://www.merseyforest.org.uk/files/Indicative_Economic_Assessment.pdf [Accessed 28 August 2020]

Comments and notes

Comments

2020 comment:
Note: Bidston is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.

Public Images

Bidston moss

https://www.merseyforest.org.uk/things-to-do/walks-bike-rides-and-more/walks/bidston-moss/

Bidston Moss

http://hosting.creativeconcern.com/newlands_OLDER/bidstonmoss_map.html