Decision details

RESOLVED that:

                      i.        the adoption of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPASPD) is approved, under the provisions of Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Paragraph 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 as a material consideration in the determination of all planning applications validated from the date of its adoptionand on a case by case basis for planning applications validated but not determined before the date of its adoption;

                     ii.        the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Avoidance and Mitigation Supplementary Planning Document (TBHSPD) (2012) is revoked under the provisions of Section 22 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Paragraph 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;

                    iii.        the publication of the Consultation Statement is approved in accordance with Paragraph 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;

                   iv.        minor changes prior to adoption in (i) above be agreed with the Chief Officer: Planning, Transport and Countryside in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transport.

The Council has reviewed its current SPA guidance and considers that a revised SPASPD would assist with the implementation of current planning policies and provide prospective applicants with a clearer idea of the Council’s requirements for mitigating the impact of development on the SPA.  A public consultation that accords with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) was undertaken as part of the statutory process for producing the SPASPD.

Not adopting the SPASPD would result in the loss of the required contributions to support alternative open space (SANG) provision in Council management which would undermine the effectiveness of this essential mitigation over the long term.

None