Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space

NE13: Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space 1. Proposals for Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) will be supported where they meet all the following principles: a) Provide capacity to mitigate adverse effects of recreational pressure on a Special Area of Conservation at a minimum of eight hectares of SANG per 1,000 new occupants (or subsequent capacity advised by Natural England). b) Provide a minimum 2.3km circular walk on the SANG. c) Provide the experience of visiting the countryside by being free from unnatural intrusion (including, but not limited to, noise, odour and urban views). d) Provide suitable parking of at least one car parking space per hectare of SANG and appropriate cycle and wheeling parking provision. e) Be delivered prior to the occupation of the qualifying development(s) to which it relates. f) Be legally secured, fully funded, and managed for a minimum of 80 years by an enduring body agreed by the Council in consultation with Natural England. g) Be subject to a SANG Monitoring and Management Plan agreed by the Council in consultation with Natural England; and 2. Where proposals are within the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC zone of influence, SANGs should be in accordance with the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy and any further bespoke criteria as agreed by the Council, in consultation with Natural England. 3. Where proposals are within the Burnham Beeches Zone of Influence, they should be in accordance with the Burnham Beeches SAC Mitigation strategy and any further bespoke criteria as agreed by the Council, in consultation with Natural England. 4. SANG must be located according to the scale of the proposed scheme seeking allocation as follows: a) Developments of ten or more net dwellings or equivalent, will provide either contributions to a Strategic SANG or a bespoke on-site or off-site SANG as part of the proposed development. b) Major developments of ten or more net dwellings or equivalent must be within the catchment of a specified SANG to be able to use its capacity. c) Minor developments of fewer than ten net dwellings or equivalent may rely on a Strategic SANG located anywhere within the Zone of Influence, or a Gateway site. 5. Development proposals that use a bespoke or third party owned SANG must demonstrate that: a) The SANG meets SANG criteria and is being managed by an enduring body. b) The SANG allocation has been agreed with the landowner. c) The SANG has sufficient capacity; and d) The SANG credits (where one credit equates to capacity for one dwelling or equivalent) have been secured by an appropriate legal agreement. 6. Proposals for a SANG or alteration to an existing SANG must consider how access for vulnerable groups has been provided. 7.239 Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace, or SANG, is the term given to greenspaces that are created, or enhanced, with the specific purpose of absorbing recreational pressure that would otherwise occur at National Sites, such as the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC at Ashridge Commons and Woods SSSI or Burnham Beeches SAC. The Plan's principles for SANG draw from features which have been found to attract visitors to the Ashridge Estate, suitability is based Natural England's SANG guidelines and best practice, which has been established at other SAC and Special Protection Areas (SPA) across England. 7.240 The standards within the SANG principles are based on the Council's evidence and should be read in conjunction with the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy 17 and the Burnham Beeches SAC Mitigation Strategy. The Mitigation Strategies also set the catchment area for SANG, which vary in size depending on their characteristics and location. SANG must be secured for at least 80 years from the occupation of the last dwelling for which it provides mitigation. 7.241 The Council's allocation protocols within the Mitigation Strategies define how we will assess applications from development to use Council-owned Strategic SANG. The allocations protocols will be periodically updated to reflect the Council's priorities for enabling new homes and the available SANG supply. When Council owned SANG capacity will not be made available, developments will be expected to find their own SANG solution, which may include a bespoke SANG either on or off-site. We will consult with Natural England on proposals for new SANG, which must be in place for residents to use before new homes are occupied. The tariff per net new home for Strategic SANG is published on the Council's website. 7.242 Further guidance is provided within the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy and Burnham Beeches SAC Mitigation Strategy, on our website, and any further bespoke criteria as advised by the Council, in consultation with Natural England. 17 Chiltern Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy - accessible