The South East England Regional Assembly is taking action to clear the planning gridlock around the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA).

An expert team under the Assembly's leadership is investigating how new homes can be built without having adverse effects on the Thames Basin Heaths across Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey. The SPA is designated under European regulations to protect its birdlife, especially nightjars, woodlarks and Dartford Warblers.

At present many planning applications within 5 km of the SPA are being refused as local authorities cannot prove that there will be no damage to bird habitats. The problem is likely to affect up to 40,000 homes currently identified in local authorities' development plans.

The Assembly has commissioned Land Use Consultants to investigate options to provide extra recreational space for new homes close to the SPA to reduce pressure on bird habitats. Costs are being shared with the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and English Nature. The consultants will collect information on potential recreational land from the local authorities, the Ministry of Defence, the Forestry Commission and other landowners, then report on the cost and feasibility of opening up new recreational areas. The work will be completed by the end of July 2006.

Chairman of the Assembly Regional Planning Committee, Cllr Christine Field said: "The Committee recognises that there is a serious problem with delivery of housing in the Thames Basin Heaths area, so we are aiming to find a way forward by summer. It is important to the Assembly and partners to keep the balance right between protecting the natural habitats of the area and providing much needed new homes."

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) covers an area of about 8,400 hectares, including 13 sites of Special Scientific Interests in Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey.
2. The SPA is of European importance for its heathland bird population (nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler). The site consists of dry and wet heathland, mire, oak, birch acid woodland, gorse scrub and acid grassland.
3. The South East England Regional Assembly is the "voluntary regional chamber" for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
4. The Regional Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
5. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
• It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
• The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
• The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007