A record 551 Green Flag Awards have been given to sites across the country. The scheme has now been running for 11 years, and this year sees an increase of 30% compared to last year. 55% of local authority areas now have one or more parks flying the flag, which is a symbol of a well managed, quality green space.

www.greenflagaward.org.uk - July 2007

KKP congratulates the local authorities it has supported over recent years on their success from the 2007 Green Flag Awards. Fifty five percent of local authority areas now have one or more Green Flag parks. KKP has supported some of these Councils through the delivery of open space studies and these awards are testament to the commitment of the staff involved.

Each year KKP conducts on average 3,000 site assessments of parks and other open spaces. Each is rated based on Green Flag criteria and provides local authorities with valuable insight when considering applications.

The Company recently completed a PPG17 open space, sport and recreation study for Bolton Council. As a supplement, it provided advice to support Bolton's successful bid for Green Flag awards for the first time for Moss Bank Park and Moses Gate Country Park. A key strategy recommendation was that the Council should improve levels of awareness of its many quality open spaces; it now has an ideal opportunity to promote these two proven high quality sites.

South Lakeland District Council also received two green flag awards - continued success for Kendal Castle Hill while Park Road Gardens in Grange-over-Sands achieved it for the first time.  KKP is currently undertaking an open space study for the Council, which will help identify additional sites for future Green Flag entry.

KKP's South West office is currently nearing completion of an open space audit and assessment for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. This year, the Council received its first Green Flag award for its, sea front, Green Hill Gardens. Carl Dallison of Weymouth Council commended KKP on its work. He said, "Your survey findings and personal recommendations are exactly in line with what I was hoping...the management plan will major on the issues you suggest."

Other local authorities with which KKP has worked that continue to achieve Green Flag include Hyndburn, Kirklees, Bradford and Derwentside. The Company is proud to have supported so many councils across the country dedicated to improving green spaces for the benefit of local residents and visitors.

For further details, please contact:

Claire Fallon, Senior Consultant and Green Flag Judge

Tel: 0161 764 7040  

Email: claire.fallon@kkp.co.uk