Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area
Hart Interim Avoidance Strategy
Hart District has a number of areas designated as part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA). In response to this the Council have produced a draft Interim Avoidance Strategy. Please click on the link below for further details.
Background
The Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) is a network of heathland sites which are designated for their ability to provide a habitat for the internationally important bird species of woodlark, nightjar and Dartford warbler. This area is protected by the Habitats Directive (PDF 202kb) (EC Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural and Semi-Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora) and the Habitats Regulations (The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994).
Under these Regulations Hart District Council has a duty to assess whether there is a risk of any plan or proposal having a significant impact on the integrity of the SPA.
The council has formed the view, after receiving advice from Natural England (the government agency responsible for the promotion of wildlife), that there is a risk that any proposal for residential development of at least one net additional dwelling within 5km of the SPA boundary is likely to have a significant effect. A large proportion of Hart District lies within 5km of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (see attached map in the 'Downloads' section). A particular concern raised by Natural England is that new housing development may have an adverse effect on the SPA; for example an increase in recreational activity and dog walking may disturb the ground-nesting birds or there could be predation by cats from new houses sited close to the SPA.
Therefore, before permission can be granted, to be in accordance with the Habitats Regulations, the Council must undertake an 'Appropriate Assessment' of the implications of the proposal in view of the conservation objectives of the SPA. If it cannot be established that the proposal would not adversely impact on the site, then permission must not be granted. In determining planning applications the Council will follow the procedure outlined in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Circular 06/2005: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation – Statutory Obligations and their impact within the Planning System.
The information required by the applicant, to allow the Council to carry out the Appropriate Assessment, is detailed in the document ‘SPA Appropriate Assessment information for applicants’ available in the 'Downloads' section. Applicants should also note the information provided in the document 'SPA advice note for applicants'.
Further information on the Thames Basin Heaths SPA is available on the website of Natural England including access to their current Draft Delivery Plan.
Attached is Natural England's latest advice to Planning Authorities dated 4th May 2007 together with their response to the Assessor's report. Letter from Natural England dd. 4-5-07
Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Draft Interim Strategic Delivery Plan
A detailed review of the Draft Delivery Plan (DDP) took place in 2006/2007 which found the DDP to be unsound and a number of changes and further measures were recommended including the preparation of an Interim Strategic Delivery Plan (ISDP).
The draft ISDP was prepared on behalf of the South East Regional Assembly (SEERA) and endorsed for consultation purposes by the Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership Board (JSPB).
The consultation on the draft document closed on 15th February 2008. The response made by Hart District Council can be viewed below.
Following the consultation the responses were used to produce a revised delivery framework incorporating the revisions agreed by the Thames Basin Heaths JSPB. Please use the link below to view a copy of the revised framework.
Please note this is an emerging document and subsequent revisions have been made.
The consultation document and further information on the Thames Basins Heaths JSPB can be viewed on the SEERA website.
help.desk@hart.gov.uk
Tel: 01252 774419
Fax: 01252 774410
