Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from Mary Tomlinson and Elise Batelaan from Natural England on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area.
The Special Protection Area (SPA) had been designated in March 2005 under the European Habitats Regulations. In 2005 the Thames Basin Heath SPA met the qualification as an SPA, namely having 1% of each of the special interest features population within its area, with 30% of the country’s Dartford Warbler, 8% of the Nightjar, and 10% of the Woodlark populations. As ground nesting birds, they were susceptible to disturbance from people and dogs.
The SPA covered over 8200 hectares across 3 counties. 11 Local Planning Authorities were directly affected by the SPA and a further 4 had to consider it due to their close proximity. It was noted that the SPA was highly fragmented.
The Committee was informed that, when the area was designated, there were approximately 290,000 properties within 5km of the SPA. In 2006 a visitor survey on the Thames Basin Heath had estimated that there were 5 million visits per year; the majority of people visiting the SPA were dog walkers, whilst the second most important type of visitor was those walking alone. The survey had also ascertained that most visitors drove to the site and 75% of visitors came from within 5km.
The impact the designation of the SPA had created on the planning system was noted, in particular as the Habitats Regulations required that any plan or project would need to demonstrate that there was no likely significant effect on the European Habitat. As a result, at the time of the SPA’s introduction Natural England had objected to every net increase in housing within 5km of the site.
In response to this challenge, Natural England had developed a strategic way to assist with delivering housing development in the zones affected by the SPA. A three-part approach had been developed:
· Offsite mitigation – the provision of new or upgraded alternative greenspace for recreation. This was commonly known as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace.
· Onsite access management – to mitigate for current and future use. This involved wardens working on site, education for people around the SPA, and responsible dog walking.
· Onsite habitat management – bringing the SPA into favourable condition.
It was reported that, in 2011 the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) project had commenced. The aim of the project had been to ensure there was no net increase of recreational disturbance on the SPA. As of March 2015 there were 4 full time SAMM wardens and 1 full time education officer, plus 10 seasonal wardens. Work was underway on creating a website and there had been activity on social media to promote public awareness. Other work included attending events and awareness sessions, a project to promote responsible dog walking and the importance of the SPA. Feedback on the project to date had been positive.
The Committee was informed that currently all 11 Local Planning Authorities affected by the SPA had a strategic approach in place, as outlined in Policy NRM6. This included providing for no new increase in dwellings within the 400m zone of influence of the SPA; a financial contribution to a strategic or bespoke SANG and a contribution towards SAMM for development within 5km of a SANG; and within 7km, larger developments would be required to consider providing mitigation. There were currently 41 SANGs, covering nearly 1000 hectares. £630 per dwelling was provided towards the SAMM project.
In 2012/13 an updated SPA visitor survey had been conducted, which had shown similar trends to the 2006 survey, although a higher percentage of visitors had dogs. There had been a 10% rise in visits, although the survey had shown this was not a statistically significant rise.
In June 2015 a SANG survey had been undertaken to determine how effective the alternative greenspace had been at mitigating recreational impacts upon the SPA. Initial findings indicated that the SANGs were providing effective mitigation: the larger SANGs were working very well in providing destination locations and the smaller SANGs were working well at a local level. The survey had also provided a number of recommendations and would be agreed by the Joint Strategic Partnership Board.
Members were advised that data from 2003 onwards demonstrated that, although there were variations year on year, the bird populations had been successful in breeding.
Members recognised the need to increase education and awareness about the organisation’s work and its objectives. It was agreed to further consider ways the Council could assist with promoting the organisation and its aims.
RESOLVED that
(i) the presentation be noted; and
(ii) officers be asked to further investigate ways in which the Council could assist with promoting Natural England’s work and objectives.