Issue - meetings

Forum members received an update on Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces (SANGs) and the access management proposals in relation to the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (SPA).

The Parks and Countryside Service had been working with Natural England to undertake onsite improvement works which would create opportunities for informal recreation and encourage visitors away from more sensitive sites where there were ground nesting birds such as the Dartford Warbler. An example of this work was the new signs that had been installed at Englemere Pond to improve the site entrance.

Six recreational areas were currently being developed as SANGs in Bracknell Forest with funding from residential proposals but slow development had caused the flow of funding to slow as well. The aim was to maximise potential recreational areas in advance of development. The areas included the cut countryside corridor, dropped kerbs at Harvest Ride, and Ambarrow Court in Sandhurst. Timber had been secured from the Crown Estate through work at Queen Anne’s Gulley and priming works were being undertaken at Shepherd Meadows in advance of development contributions.

Smaller developments could cost several hundred pounds each and there was a substantial amount of funding available from approved planning applications. £88,000 had been spent so far and strong follow-up data was needed to collate this. There were eleven planning authorities in the Thames Basin Heath SPA and all areas needed to work together to undertake monitoring work for SANGs and further visits.

Access Management Measures

Natural England would take more of a lead role in relation to funding and priority changes. Funding would be forwarded in relation to the SPA element and difficulties would be overcome with co-ordinated action. Some organisations were bidding for funding. The mechanisms the measures were funded by had been agreed and local authorities were collating contributions for a central fund.

Bracknell Forest had some funding for access management measures and Natural England had confirmed that this funding could be spent locally in Bracknell Forest. A biodiversity officer at Bracknell Forest Council was currently working on this to identify areas, such as Crowthorne and Sandhurst, educational projects at Heathlands, Edgbarrow School, and possible working with the Wildlife Trust and Fire Authority.

There were new supporting planning documents in relation to the Thames Basin Heath SPA. Bracknell Forest Council would discuss formalising arrangements and more efficient ways of securing funding at a meeting of the Executive in May.