All new residential development resulting in a net increase in the number of dwellings within 5km of the Thames Basin Heaths could have a significant effect on the integrity of the SPA designation either alone or when considered in combination with other development. The agreed approach to mitigating this effect is based on a two-pronged approach both of which are required to be undertaken to ensure effective mitigation is provided. These are:
- The provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), and
- Financial contributions towards strategic access management and monitoring.
A Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) is a recreational site, created to attract residents of new developments away from designated sites that are protected for their valuable ecology and are sensitive to recreational activities such as dog walking.
Protected sites comprise Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). SPAs are designated to protect wild birds and their habitats and SACs are designated to protect habitats and non-bird species.
The ‘capacity’ of a SANG is how many dwellings/units it can mitigate for; SANGs are generally provided at a ratio of 8 hectares per 1,000 new residents, therefore 1 hectare can allocate 125 residents. The specific allocation will depend on the number and size of units.
Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contributions are required as part of the mitigation package for new residential development in areas affected by the Thames Basin Heath SPA. SAMM is a project to provide management of visitors across the entire SPA and monitoring of the impact. It seeks to address the cumulative impact of new residential development across the Thames Basin Heaths SPA. The project aims to:
- Promote SANGs as new recreational opportunities for local people and particularly encourage their use during breeding bird season;
- Create new volunteering opportunities;
- Provide an SPA-wide education programme, including through the Thames Basin Heath Partnership Website which details the project and provides information about SANGs and where to find them;
- Provide on-the-ground wardening service to supplement existing wardening efforts;
- Demonstrate best practice for strategic access management of visitors and visitor infrastructure where the supply of greenspace is heavily dependent on protected areas;
- Monitor visitor usage of SANGs and SPA;
- Monitor specific species of birds on SPA sites.
Delivery of the access management and monitoring measures requires strategic joint working by all the affected Local Authorities and other SPA landowners and managers in order to avoid displacing visitors from one part of the SPA to another. A coordinated SPA-wide ranger service is required to ensure that improvements at one site do not adversely impact others.
SAMM contributions are collected as part of the tariff levied for each dwelling permitted within the zone of influence surrounding the Thames Basin Heaths SPA. The fee for each dwelling will vary depending upon the bedroom numbers for each unit. The methodology for calculating this has been endorsed by Natural England and is detailed in the Planning Obligations and Developer Contributions SPD. This fee will be in addition to the contribution to be made for SANG provision. The SAMM Tariff is subject to occasional increases.