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Thames Basin Heaths:  Balancing housing needs with the protection of Natura 2000 sites

Thames Basin Heaths:  Balancing housing needs with the protection of Natura 2000 sites. Defra Government department responsible for policy and regulations on food, the environment and rural affairs Natural England Government’s advisor on natural environment

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Thames Basin Heaths:  Balancing housing needs with the protection of Natura 2000 sites

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  1. Thames Basin Heaths:  Balancing housing needs with the protection of Natura 2000 sites

  2. Defra • Government department responsible for policy and regulations on food, the environment and rural affairs • Natural England • Government’s advisor on natural environment • Key role in designation of Natura 2000 sites • Advisory/regulatory role in protection and management of Natura 2000 sites.

  3. Disturbance to Annex I birds • Nightjars have lower density and poorer breeding success on urban, compared with rural heathlands. • Woodlark nests are at a lower density and subject to a higher level of predation on disturbed sites. • Less research on Dartford warblers, but some evidence suggests occupation of fewer territories in areas of urban development.

  4. Thames Basin Heaths Visitor Survey Figure 2 Mode of transport Figure 1 Reason for visiting the sites

  5. Draft Delivery Plan • Managing access on the Natura 2000 site • Provision of wardens, local education initiatives • Providing alternative open space within new developments • Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) • Funded by housing developers

  6. Greenspace Quality Guidance New greenspace must: • Be more than 2ha • Safe, accessible parking • Circular route of at least 2.3km • A variety of semi-natural habitats • Allow dogs off leads

  7. Zoned approach • 3 zones: • 0-400 metres: exclusion zone • 400m-2km: Green space provision @ 16ha per 1000 new residents • 2km – 5km: Green space provision @ 8ha per 1000 new residents

  8. Local authority partnership • Produced joint advice that local authorities in the partnership have to apply • Requires 8 ha green space per 1000 new residents within affected zone • Standards for quality of green space in developments • Measures for managing access on Natura 2000 site • Identifies measures for monitoring and review

  9. TBH Planning Zones

  10. Summary • Developed solution that allows more housing within area while protecting Thames Basin Heaths • Secured future monitoring and review • Similar approach being used for other Natura 2000 sites in the UK • But not applicable to every situation...

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