Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area

The Avoidance Strategy provides guidance for developers in Hart on the provision of avoidance measures with net residential development.  Its primary role is to enable residential developments to be built that would otherwise be unable to provide their own avoidance measures to protect the SPA.  The strategy sets out a tariff for a financial contribution towards the porvision of off-site avoidance measures.

The Thames Basin Heaths (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 designated as a result of the Birds Directive and the European Habitats Directive and protected in the UK under the provisions set out in the Habitats Regulations. These species are particularly subject to disturbance from walkers, dog walkers and cat predation because they nest on or near the ground.

Natural England advise that any application for residential development resulting in an increase in the number of dwellings within 5km of the SPA will, without avoidance measures, by likely to have significant effect on the SPA.

Therefore developments for an increase in residential development will be required to provide, or make a contribution to, the provision of measures to ensure that they have no likely significant effect on the SPA.

The Council has produced an Interim Avoidance Strategy for the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA).  The Strategy was adopted by Cabinet on 8th January 2009 following a six week consultation period.

The Interim Avoidance Strategy can be viewed by using the link below:

Interim Avoidance Strategy for the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area

The Interim Avoidance Strategy has been informed by the Thames Basin Heaths Delivery Framework being produced by the Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership.  The aim of the Framework is to enable the delivery of housing in the vicinity of the SPA without that development having a significant effect on the SPA as a whole.

The Delivery Framework was endorsed by the Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership Board on 12th February 2009 as a non-statutory document.  A copy of the Delivery Framework can be downloaded from the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) website by using the TBH SPA Delivery Framework link on the right hand side of the page. For further information regarding the Joint Strategic Partnership and  the Delivery Framework please follow the link to the SEERA website using the link on the right hand side of the page.

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