Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA)
Residential Development in the vicinity of heathland Special Protection Areas (SPAs) has attracted particular scrutiny over recent years, particularly in the Thames Basin region where housing demand and associated recreational pressures on ground nesting birds on the regions designated heaths are in conflict. Following on from Natural England’s draft Delivery Plan and an assessment of the effects of the draft South East Plan on the SPA by an Inspector at an Examination in Public, a new body comprised of affected local authorities and advisors such as Natural England was formed to produce overarching guidance on the issue.
The new body is called the Joint Strategic Partnership Board (JSPB), and in February 2009 it published the ‘Thames Basin Heaths Delivery Framework’, a guidance document for use by local authorities to prevent effects on the SPA arising as a result of their development plans. The strategy hinges on the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) to provide additional green recreational areas where pressure can be taken off the SPA.
EPR is at the forefront of the issue with extensive experience across the Thames Basin region. We are closely involved in discussions with the various Local Authorities and Natural England, both in relation to specific cases and in relation to the evolution of the general approach to preventing impacts on the SPA. EPR has successfully negotiated agreements with Natural England and Local Authorities and presented evidence at Publlic Inquiry and at the Examination in Public (EiP) of Core Strategies, resulting in a positive outcomes for our clients. We also gave evidence in the recent landmark decision at the High Court in the Dilly Lane case, which tested the use of SANGS as a means of avoiding impacts on the SPA in the courts for the first time. Our in depth understanding of the policies and background research enables us to provide clients with expert advice and our growing experience in bespoke SANG design has secured agreements with Natural England on behalf of our clients.
We now lead the field in SANG Design, recognised through our successes and experience as experts in developing mitigation strategies, and were recently invited to train others in their design and delivery, as part of an Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) workshop. Download
In addition to the specific SPA issue, EPR has long standing links with the region, having carried out vegetation surveys of many of the Thames Basin heaths in the area for both MoD and Natural England and work for Hampshire County Council on the Forest of Eversley.
Our long familiarity with heathland planning-related work includes Phil Colebourn’s numerous presentations of evidence at Public Inquiries on heathland related matters. Our practice has considerable on-going involvement in cases concerning SPA mitigation.
Visitor Surveys
Because the issues around the Thames Basin Heath SPA are largely associated with recreational pressure, it is important to understand the extent and type of recreational use of the designated site potentially affected by residential proposals. This information can then be used to develop appropriate mitigation in the form of alternative recreation provision.
EPR has experience of designing and undertaking large scale visitor surveys of SPA heathlands. The results of the surveys and their analysis and interpretation have been pivotal in designing alternative recreational space and agreeing proposals with Natural England on behalf of our clients.
Link to Projects
Dilly
Lane
RAF Staff College
Broadmoor
Hospital
