Bracknell

A long term Bracknell strategy to help minimise the effects of building new houses near the habitats of protected birds is to be discussed by Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Executive.

The Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area is internationally designated to protect three species of ground-nesting birds - woodlark, nightjar, and dartford warbler. The designation covers 8,000 hectares in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire - 1,300 hectares are in Bracknell Forest.

European laws require councils to minimise the impact of new residential development on the rare species because increases in human population might add to the number of people using the land for recreation. Activities such as walking dogs or cycling have been known to be harmful to the bird population.

The Bracknell Council has written a long-term strategy to work alongside its 20-year plan for future development in the borough. Rather than writing a short-term plan for specific developments, it is hoped the strategy will be adopted by the Council for the next 20 years in consultation with English Nature - the Government’s advisors on nature conservation. Once the proposals in the strategy are in place, new development which comply with the plan and would not harm the important habitats could be allowed.

It is also hoped the strategy will prevent the need for every Bracknell residential planning application to carry out its own SPA impact assessment.

Measures in the mitigation strategy include:

• Enhancing existing and providing new open spaces to provide alternative recreational areas to the SPA, which can be used by residents without harming the protected heathlands. It is proposed there should be 12 hectares of new open space for every 1,000 additional residents.

• Ensure any visitors to the SPA are effectively managed to prevent damage to the heathlands, for example encouraging owners to keep their dogs on leads.

• Employing wardens to manage visitor impact on the SPA.

• Requiring developers to provide detailed impact assessments of proposed residential property within 400 metres of the SPA.

• Improved educational information, such as notice boards and leaflets.

The Council hopes to use funding from developers to cover any additional costs.

Bev Hindle, Head of Bracknell Planning and Transport Policy, said: "We have written a wide-ranging report which we believe provides the best way to meet the pressures of building new homes which do not harm these important bird species.

”The benefit of this will be a continuing vibrant community with improved access to open spaces and the countryside.”

Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, Executive Member for Bracknell Planning and the Environment, said: "This report has been designed to ensure our long-term residential and economic needs are balanced with the importance of protecting wildlife habitats for protected species.

"I am confident our partners will agree Bracknell Forest’s long-term approach is the most practical way to ensure the ongoing prosperity of everyone and everything which lives and thrives in our borough."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council