Special Protection Areas (SPA)

About 80ha of the Thames Basin Heaths SPA is within Waverley to the north of Farnham. There is a 5km buffer zone, however, and therefore the SPA affects most of Farnham. View a map showing the areas covered by 5km buffer zone.

The SPA covers an area of 8274.72ha across Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey. It forms part of a complex of heathlands in Southern England, which support important breeding bird populations, including the Dartford Warbler, Nightjar and Woodlark.

More general information on Special Protection Areas (SPA) is available from Natural England.

An Avoidance Strategy was adopted in 2009 so that any new housing development in the Farnham area would not have an adverse impact on the SPA, this provides an additional 3.45ha of SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) in Farnham Park. This SANG was made available following the adoption of the Farnham Design Statement as a material planning consideration on 20 July 2010.

Submitting a planning application within 5km buffer zone

If a developer cannot provide the open space, it is possible for a tariff to be charged to contribute towards the enhancement of existing semi-natural open space, where such sites have been identified by the local authority.

Financial contributions to the enhancement of Farnham Park as SANG will need to be secured through a Section 106 unilateral undertaking.

An appropriate Section 106 unilateral undertaking must be agreed before planning permission can be granted by Waverley Proposals for residential development that do not secure the provision of SANGS will be unlikely to survive an Appropriate Assessment, meaning permission must be refused.

The SANG tariff will increase from 1 April 2013 and will apply to all applications received from the 2 April 2013 (the first working day) onwards. A revised contributions calculator is available.

The following documents are relevant for applications affected by the SPA:

• Draft Unilateral Undertaking
• Interactive Contributions Calculator
• Checklist for applications
• Guidance for applications

Contact Information

Paul Falconer
Tel: 01483 523417
Email: paul.falconer@waverley.gov.uk

Page owner: Anna Ludford. Last updated: 22/03/2013 16:30