In March 2005, the government designated areas of heathland within the Thames Valley as the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (TBH SPA) under the EC Birds Directive.
The TBH SPA includes areas of heathland across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, covering 11 different local authorities, including Guildford Borough.
The TBH SPA has been identified as an internationally important habitat for three rare species of bird - the Dartford warbler, woodlark and nightjar.
Within Guildford Borough, there are a number of areas included within the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.
Natural England believes that recreational use of the heaths arising from housing developments up to 5km away from a SPA will create disturbance to rare bird populations. As a result, all housing development within 5km of a SPA is now subject to stringent tests and impact assessments.
Updated Strategy
An updated avoidance strategy was the subject of a public consultation between 22 June and 10 September. For more information please visit our SPA consultation page. The new strategy (as amended) was adopted by the Executive on 25 February 2010. The new strategy (including revised tariffs) will be available to view shortly and will be applicable as from the 1 April 2010.
Natural England
Natural England's conservation objectives relating to the SPA's affecting Guildford Borough are available from the links below.
As a statutory consultee on planning applications for residential and some commercial development within 5km of a SPA, Natural England has the right to object to applications which they consider will have a negative impact on a SPA.
SPA Interim Avoidance Strategy
The Council has prepared an SPA Interim Avoidance Strategy (2006) in consultation with Natural England which facilitates the Council in considering planning applications where these fall within 5km of a SPA. This strategy has enabled residential development to take place which would otherwise have been prevented by the provisions of European legislation relating to the protection of the SPA. This strategy will be replaced by the updated avoidance strategy as from 1 April 2010.
The 2006 document is available to view from the links below.
From 1 April 2009, the tariffs for financial contributions from developers have been updated in line with the Retail Index. See the insert sheet below for the updated tariffs, which replace those shown in the Interim Strategy on pages 21 and 22.
For more information about SPA's, see the links below.
Please also refer to the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) website (this page opens in a new window).
Planning Policy Team
TBH SPA Avoidance Strategy
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444471
Email: planningpolicy@guildford.gov.uk