Developers will be expected to contribute to provision through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or on larger sites through on-site provision and/or a S106 contribution as appropriate.

Development involving the loss of open space will not be permitted unless:

There will be a presumption against any development that involves the loss of a sport, recreation or play facility except where it can be demonstrated that there is an excess of provision, or where alternative facilities of equal or better quality will be provided as part of the development.

The loss of public open space will not be permitted where there will be adverse impacts on biodiversity.

Development which would create additional pressures on the Green Infrastructure network should, as part of the planning application process, incorporate details of how it is intended to mitigate against these pressures.

The Council encourages the improvement of the quality and quantity of the Green Infrastructure network in the Borough. The protection and enhancement of physical access, including public rights of way to open space and green infrastructure is supported.

The number of allotments in the Borough should be protected. There will be ‘in-principle’ support for new allotments and opportunities sought to contribute to meeting the Council’s standards set out in Appendix 4.

Development will not normally be permitted which would have a detrimental impact upon the landscape quality, ecological value or water quality of the following corridors. The Environment Agency require undeveloped buffer zones alongside watercourses to help protect them (8 metres for main rivers and 5 metres for ordinary watercourses). These include the:

The Council will seek to protect river corridors by creating undeveloped buffer zones, which will serve as green infrastructure as well as habitats of biodiversity value.

New residential units within five km of an SPA will be required to provide or contribute to the provision and improvement of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) which is a component of Green Infrastructure and also its Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM). This land will be used to mitigate the impact and effect of residential development on the SPA, by providing informal recreation land of appropriate quality across Woking Borough. Standards for the provision of SANG are set out in the Council’s Thames Basin Heaths SPA Avoidance Strategy 2010-15.

The Proposals Map identifies areas of dedicated Urban Open Space across the Borough to meet the needs of the Community.

For more information please see the Core Strategy