Policy information sourced from Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan
NR 4 Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area
New residential development which is likely to have significant effects on its purpose and integrity will be required to demonstrate that adequate mitigation measures are put in place to avoid any potential adverse effects. The measures will have to be agreed with Natural England who will help take a strategic approach to the management of the Special Protection Area (SPA).
A precautionary approach to the protection and conservation of the SPA will be taken and development will only be permitted where the Council is satisfied that this will not give rise to significant adverse effects upon the integrity of the SPA.
- No sites will be allocated nor planning permission granted, for a net increase in residential development within the 400 metres exclusion zone of the Thames Basin Heath SPA because the impacts of such development on the SPA cannot be fully mitigated.
- New residential development beyond 400 metres threshold but within five kilometres linear distance of the SPA boundary (the SPA zone of influence) will be required to make an appropriate contribution towards the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM).
- Development proposals between five to seven kilometres linear distance from the SPA boundary, for 50 or more residential units, will be assessed on an individual basis to ascertain whether the proposal would have a significant adverse impact on the SPA. This assessment will involve ascreeningof thelikely significant effects of the development and, where the screening suggests it is necessary, an Appropriate Assessment. Where a significant adverse impact is identified then mitigation measures will be required to be delivered prior to occupation and implemented in perpetuity.
The following sites are defined on the Policies Map and allocated as SANG:
- land south of Allen’s Field (extension to Allen’s Field strategic SANG)
- land at Heatherwood Hospital and Sunningdale Park (bespoke SANGs which may also have a strategic role)
Future SANG Provision
It is likely that new strategic SANG land will need to be identified in the future to provide appropriate mitigation in the area of influence of the SPA. The Council will continue to work with partner organisations to deliver an appropriate level of SANG mitigation to mitigate the impact of new development. If insufficient SANG is available for future developments requiring mitigation then planning permission will be refused.
A minimum of eight hectares of SANG land (after discounting to account for current access and capacity) should be provided per 1,000 new occupants. SANG must be secured in perpetuity.
An applicant may wish to provide a bespoke SANG as part of development. Such bespoke SANG provision will usually be necessary only for larger developments of 50 or more dwellings. Where that is the case, all relevant standards including standards recommended by Natural England should be met and a contribution will have to be made towards SAMM. Access management measures will be provided strategically through cooperation between local authorities.
For more information please see the Local Plan