Issue - meetings

Reporting Person – Giorgio Framalicco

The Executive received a report which sought approval for the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Areas Avoidance Strategy to be published for public engagement and consultation.  It was noted that the current Avoidance Strategy had been adopted in 2010 and it was necessary to review the Strategy to reflect new information and changes in national policy.

Cycle access to Heather Farm was raised and the Executive noted that cycle access could potentially be addressed by the Transport Plan for Woking which was currently being prepared by Surrey County Council.

The use of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) was discussed and it was explained that SANG could be used to mitigate more than one development.  For example, the larger the SANG the more new people or new properties it could potentially mitigate.  An indicative table was available which had been prepared and used as evidence at the Site Allocations DPD examination.

RESOLVEd

That  (i)    the contents of the proposed revision to the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Areas Avoidance Strategy Supplementary Planning Document be noted and approved for public engagement and consultation between September 2021 and November 2021; and

          (ii)   delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to approve amendments to the draft SPD to reflect new information before it is published for community engagement.

Reason:   To ensure that the Avoidance Strategy provides an up to date framework for the protection of the protected birds species in the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Areas.