Development frozen to protect three rare species

The Dartford warbler (Syliva undata), nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and woodlark (Lullula arborea) have between them brought development across 300 square miles of SE England to a stand still.

As advised by English Nature (EN), local authorities in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire have frozen all new housing planning applications within 5 km of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) which encompasses an area of heather-covered lowland heath where birds are breeding. This effects future plans to build 20,000 houses and therefore local building firms are suffering.

Regulations for SPAs, as specified under the Habitat Regulations 1994, are incredibly tough and forbid anything likely to have a ‘significant effect’ on species for which an area was selected.

To overcome this problem, in an area that has been earmarked for the building of a further 20,000 homes, it has been recommended by English Nature that alternative open space should be created to soak up added public pressure expected from the new homes.

The effect of dog walkers and domestic cats on the heath land has been found to have devastating affects on the heath’s rare bird population and therefore the creation of new public spaces alongside any land developed will minimise the effect on the heath.

This recommendation offers an exciting sustainable way forward for development in the south-east and should be welcomed by local authorites and developers working in this area.

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