SPA works being carried out in Guildford’s countryside sites
Several internationally significant areas within the Thames Basin have been designated as Special Protection Areas under the Habitat Regulations 1994, EU Directives 92/43/EEC ‘Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora’ and 79/409/EEC ‘Conservation of wild birds’.
As a result of this, four sites in the borough have been identified as Suitable Alternative Green Spaces (SANGs) and these areas will undergo improvement works to both increase their conservation value and improve access so that those that wish to use it can enjoy them both now and in the future.
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Effingham Common
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Lakeside Nature Reserve
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Riverside Nature Reserve
The principle of this is to minimise further disturbance to the Thames Basin Heath SPA sites by future occupiers of new residential developments. Scientific studies have demonstrated that increased disturbance significantly reduces the success of three globally threatened bird species, the Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and the Woodland, notably during bird breeding season as these are ground nesting birds.
By law, in order to protect and enhance the opportunities for these birds to survive, and indeed conserve our few remaining lowland heaths, the competent authority, Guildford Borough Council, must refuse all residential developments within a 5km zone of the SPA unless it can be proved that no impact on the SPA will occur.
We have worked in partnership with Natural England (formerly English Nature) to produce an interim strategy to address the issue of development with this zone. The aim is to increase management of the SANGs and complete certain improvements to ensure visitors to the sites can enjoy their visit, and the sites can sustain an increase in visitor pressure.
Read more about the SPA Interim Avoidance Strategy
How is this funded?
Anyone who completes a development in the catchment area, where there is a net increase in the number of dwellings, has to give monies to the council, which can then be spent on designated projects that benefits the SANGs. Generally s106 agreements can require the developer to provide funding which can be used on projects to minimise the developments’ impact on the local community and to carry out tasks, which will provide community benefits. As a result of the SPA Interim Avoidance Strategy, a proportion of monies obtained from these s106 agreements are being specifically allocated to the 4 SANGs across the borough. This should not be seen as a negative move, but an opportunity to conserve the countryside sites using monies that have been allocated from section 106 agreements for those approved developments within the 5km catchment area from the SPA.
We are obliged under European Law to use these monies for the purpose of the SPA strategy, however it would be a missed opportunity not to do so. The works that are to be carried out are of benefit to both current and future users of the site as well as helping to conserve it. Pathways for example, have already eroded due to factors such as water run off and people walking and it will be of great benefit to alleviate these problems now, when we can and while we have the money to do so, rather than wait, spend monies elsewhere and then find that it is past the point of repair. The s106 agreement requires the council to have implemented and completed the works within 6 months of a development commencing. This is to ensure that measures are in place prior to occupation of the development, a requirement of the SPA legislation. Therefore there is only a short time frame when the council can use these monies.
Contact: SPA Implementation Officer
Tel: 01483 444770
Email: countryside@guildford.gov.uk