Innovative approaches to grounds maintenance support West Northamptonshire Council to deliver biodiversity gains, social value and long-term cost efficiencies
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) wanted to explore new ways of managing its green estate in response to financial pressures and increasing environmental obligations.
With a strategic partnership already in place, Clear Futures was able to quickly draw on specialist expertise and existing understanding of WNC’s estate and local priorities. Together, we developed an evidence-based approach to grounds maintenance, providing clearer understanding of how green spaces could be managed to deliver greater environmental, social and financial value.
Addressing the challenge of sustainable grounds maintenance
West Northamptonshire Council commissioned a strategic review of its grounds maintenance approach in response to increasing cost pressures and emerging environmental requirements. The Council needed a clearer understanding of how its green estate could be managed more effectively to deliver greater value for residents, while supporting biodiversity objectives and making best use of available resources.
Traditionally, grounds maintenance activities have focused on maintaining public spaces, but growing expectations around biodiversity recovery, Biodiversity Net Gain and environmental stewardship are encouraging local authorities to take a more strategic approach to managing green assets. To support this shift, the Council sought an evidence-based assessment of its estate to identify opportunities for improved land management and more effective use of existing green assets.
Key objectives
- Understand the biodiversity value of council-owned land through a comprehensive baseline assessment.
- Identify opportunities to enhance biodiversity and social value across the estate.
- Explore alternative management approaches that could reduce long-term maintenance costs.
- Develop a practical framework to guide future investment in nature and green infrastructure.
- Create a scalable approach that could be replicated across the wider estate.
This work aimed to help the Council reposition its green estate as a strategic asset, delivering environmental, social and financial benefits for communities across West Northamptonshire.
How we supported with evidence-led decision making
Clear Futures provided strategic support and additional capacity to help West Northamptonshire Council explore new approaches to grounds maintenance and estate management.
Working with specialist partners, we helped coordinate the development of a comprehensive assessment of the Council’s green estate, bringing together biodiversity, natural capital and maintenance data into a single evidence base. This provided greater visibility of the environmental and financial performance of council-owned land and helped inform future investment decisions.
The project identified and assessed a range of targeted land management interventions, supported by opportunity mapping, pilot proposals and implementation plans. Opportunity mapping was used to prioritise areas where changes in management could deliver the greatest impact, while pilot proposals and implementation plans were developed to demonstrate how the approach could be applied in practice.
Delivering a roadmap for smarter green space management
By supporting the development of a practical framework, Clear Futures helped equip the Council with the tools and insight needed to take a more strategic approach to managing public green spaces across its estate.
The project has provided WNC with a clear roadmap for future grounds maintenance decisions, identifying opportunities to enhance biodiversity, increase social value and reduce long-term maintenance costs through targeted interventions.
Our Partnership with West Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire Council’s partnership with Clear Futures will deliver infrastructure that maximises outcomes for local people. We are developing several schemes including renewable energy, accommodation, temporary housing, and community health facilities, that will foster healthy, resilient and independent communities in the local area. Clear Futures has supported the Council to seek central government funding for a levelling up project, develop feasibility and business case for much-needed projects, and provide strategic support to prioritise capital schemes.
Read more