Issue - meetings

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

There had been improvement works in natural and semi-natural areas. Entrance and car park improvement works had been completed at Englemere Pond, and there had been access improvement works at Jocks and Tinkers Copse. A new path link would form part of the Cut Countryside Corridor.

There was a new crossing at Harvest Ride (drop kerb and central reservation) and new seating. Improvements had been funded by developer contributions, including supporting ongoing maintenance costs.

SPA wide mitigation and avoidance measures could be difficult logistically and legally regarding local authorities operating in a unified way and contributing to onsite measures outside of their respective boundaries.  All local authorities were now signed up to joint working arrangements and Hampshire County Council were acting as ‘banker’. Natural England had a day to day delivery role.

Reference was made to an education project with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxon Wildlife Trust to identify and develop resource material for onsite sessions, for example, at Wildmoor Heath. Children were getting more involved and there were school sessions planned in the autumn and winter, and then out and about on site.  There were good links with existing messages such as fire safety.

Potential for generating income was being investigated, for example, through car park charges at The Look Out which would be refunded when accessing The Look Out or Coral Reef. Visitor data was being sought and the possible impact on the SPA project was being looked into.

Horse riders already had to pay for a permit when accessing Swinley Forest, for example from The Look Out car park. The Crown Estate would decide whether riders would need to pay twice but the aim was for there to only be one payment for horse riders. This may mean the existing permit scheme might cease and it would be considered how the site could best serve the needs of users of the site.