Revised Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Avoidance Strategy SPD
The following revised Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) Avoidance Strategy SPD sets out an approach whereby new residential development that is between 400m and 5km of the SPA can avoid adverse effects on the SPA - an important habitat for rare species of birds - by providing Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) as an alternative site for recreation, and by funding access management and monitoring measures on the SPA itself.
It has become necessary to review existing SPA Avoidance Strategy, available here, to reflect changes in national policy and up-to-date information, including recent legal judgements. Full details on the extent and significance of the SPA, the background to the strategy, and the policy and legal context are provided in Chapter 1 of the consultation document.
The Council invited comments on the revised document from 27 September until 5pm on 8 November, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). The Council is taking all responses into account before finalising the document for adoption. Once adopted, it will have the status of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), and will be a material consideration in determining planning applications and other planning decisions.
The consultation document is available to download below:
Please note that the consultation period is now closed. If you have any questions on the draft SPD, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Planning Policy Team on 01483 743871.