Thames Basin Heath Special Protected Area (SANGS Contribution)

The Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area TBHSPA was designated as an SPA on 9th March 2005. The SPA comprises an area of lowland heath and woodland and is a habitat protected under UK and European law supporting a characteristic landscape and distinctive flora and fauna under threat and in decline.

The SPA extends over 11 local planning authorities in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire and comprises a network of 13 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of predominantly lowland heathland and woodland. The TBHSPA is designated because of the presence of breeding populations of three bird species: Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and Nightjars. These birds nest on or near the ground and as a result they are very susceptible to predation of adults, chicks and eggs (particularly by cats, rats and crows) and to disturbance from informal recreational use, especially walking cycling and dog walking. It is considered the growth in the population directly brought about by additional housing development has an impact on these types of activities.

As of the 1 April 2007, a contribution has been required from developers who wish to build additional properties within the zone of influence of TBHSPA (The zone of influence is a 5km straight line distance from the SPA.)

This contribution is £2,000* per net additional dwelling. These monies go towards mitigation of recreational impacts from new residents and are for the establishment, improvement, maintenance and upkeep of SANGS (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces) within the borough. SANGs are provided to act as alternative spaces for residents to visit that have similar attributes to the SPA.

Applications for planning permission for residential development within the SPA zone of influence should be submitted in the normal way. The Council has published Supplementary Planning Guidance on this topic, this document acts as a material consideration in determining the planning application. This sets out what contribution to SANGs will be required and provides a template unilateral obligation which should be completed and signed by the developer and should accompany any planning application for additional residential units in this area

*As of 1 May 2010 the amount of monies collected will increase to £2630.00 per net additional dwelling as the Council along with all other SPA authorities will be collecting an additional £630 per additional dwelling towards access management of the SPA and towards monitoring this and the effectiveness of SANGs.

Following the dissolution of SEEPB, the work of the Joint Strategic Partnership is now hosted by Surrey Heath Borough Council, and the delivery framework can be found here.

Please note that from April 1 2008, all planning applications which propose;

• (a) new dwelling(s),
• change of use of a property;
• the subdivision of a property to create new dwellings;
• the erection of (a) new commercial buildings(s);
• the subdivision of a property to create new commercial building(s); and/or
• any combination of the above

will also incur costs via Infrastructure Contributions and full details of this can be found under Planning Obligations Tariff.

SANG visitor Surveys

Every two years, the Council undertakes survey work on the use of the SANGs in the Borough. This is to analyse the number of visitors to the sites during peak (school holiday) and off peak (term) times, to establish reasons for visiting the sites, how the visitor travelled there e.g. by car or walking, and duration of time spent at the site. The most recent user surveys were undertaken during summer 2012. See below section for the 2012 user surveys report.

See also

RIMS - Runnymede Interactive mapping service
Infrastructure Contributions Supplementary Planning Guidance
Maps of SANGS
SANGS Survey 2012

Last updated 19 May 2013 (SM)