Policy information sourced from the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2024-2037 document.

LP 32: Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.

1. New development which, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) (as identified on the Policies Map) without appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures will be refused.

2. Where development is proposed that is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the SPA it must be demonstrated that adequate measures will be put in place to avoid or mitigate any such effects. Such measures must be agreed with the Council and Natural England. In order to assist the Council in carrying out a Habitats Regulations Assessment, the developer will be required to provide such information as the Council may reasonably require for the purpose of the assessment. For larger residential developments this may include an air quality assessment of the likely significant effects on the SPA and other habitats sites. Applications for non-residential development will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Zones of Influence

3. Where Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) mitigation measures are required for residential development, the Council will follow a consistent approach to mitigation, based on the following zones of influence (as identified on the Policies Map):

  • A straight line distance of between 0 to 400 metres from the SPA boundary (400m Zone of Influence).This will be an ‘exclusion zone’ where mitigation measures are unlikely to be capable of protecting the integrity of the SPA. Proposals for a net increase in dwellings within this zone will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated through a Habitats Regulations Assessment that there will be no adverse effect on the integrity of the SPA.

SANG Standards

4. The provision of SANG will meet the following standards and arrangements:

  • Within the 400m – 5km zone a minimum of 8 hectares of SANG land (after discounting to account for current access and capacity) will be provided per 1,000 new occupants.
  • Residential developments of net 9 dwellings or fewer will not be required to be within a specified distance of SANG land provided it is ensured that a sufficient quantity of SANG land is in place to cater for the consequent increase in residents.
  • Developments of 10 or more net dwellings will need to be within the catchment of a specified SANG and a sufficient quantity of SANG land must be in place to cater for the consequent increase in residents.
  • Small developments as set out in supporting guidance will be required to provide developer contributions towards strategic SANG facilitated by the Council subject to available SANG capacity unless there are other material considerations.
  • Large developments as set out in supporting guidance may be expected to provide bespoke SANG.
  • SANG will include a combination of benefits such as biodiversity enhancement, green infrastructure and, potentially, new recreational facilities.
  • Developments which use third party SANG capacity will need to demonstrate to the Council that this has been agreed with the landowner and that there is sufficient SANG capacity in the correct location to mitigate their development.

SAMM Contributions

5. A developer contribution will be made toward the SAMM Project for each net additional dwelling.This will provide an SPA-wide wardening and education service and monitor the effectiveness of the avoidance and mitigation measures and visitor pressure on the SPA.

Further Evidence

6. Where further evidence demonstrates that the integrity of the SPA can be protected using different linear thresholds or with alternative mitigation measures (including air quality mitigation and standards of SANG provision different to those set out in this policy) these must be agreed with the Council and Natural England.

For further information, please visit Bracknell Forest’s Local Plan document here.