Thames Basin Heaths SPA

The Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) is a network of heathlands designated for their internationally important heathland bird populations of Dartford warbler, nightjar and woodlark.  The SPA consists of thirteen individual Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) spread across the three counties of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.  Chobham Common SSSI near Sunningdale and the Broadmoor to Bagshot Woods and Heaths SSSI to the South of Ascot are the nearest parts of the SPA to the Royal Borough.

The SPA is protected by the European Community Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, which is transposed into UK law by the Conservation (Natural Habitat & c.) Regulations 2004 (commonly referred to as the Habitat Regulations).  Under the Habitat Regulations, the Council is required to assess whether there is a risk of any plan or project having a likelihood of a significant impact on the SPA and subsequently whether the integrity of the SPA would be adversely affected.

On the advice of Natural England (the governments statutory advisor on nature conservation matters), the Council considers that there is likelihood of significant impact from a net increase of residential development, leading to an increased population, in areas where residents are likely to visit the SPA for recreation.  In addition, there are also more localised impacts from cat related predation and invasive plant species.  Natural England currently advises that residential developments up to 5km from the boundary of the SPA has a significant cumulative impact and that in general development within 400m cannot be effectively avoided or mitigated.  A map showing the SPA and the 5km distance can be downloaded from this page.

The local authorities that surround the SPA, along with the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) and other partners, have established the Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership to agree the long-term protection of the SPA while allowing necessary residential development.

The Partnership has endorsed a draft 'Interim Strategic Delivery Plan' (ISDP) for consultation, which ended on the 15th February 2008. The document sets out proposals that have the potential to form the basis of the long term strategy for the protection of the heaths.  Views are currently being sought on the draft ISDP through SEERA.  Copies of the document and accompanying questionnaire may be viewed at council offices and libraries within the Borough or may be downloaded from the SEERA website.

•   Influence of Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Areas Map (pdf 274KB)