Hart, Rushmoor and Surrey Heath -SPA Mitigation Project- SANG Research Study

Rushmoor Borough Council, Hart District Council and Surrey Heath Borough Council have been awarded funding to undertake a joint project related to the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (TBHSPA). On behalf of all three Councils, Rushmoor Borough Council is seeking to appoint suitably qualified and experienced consultants to prepare a research study to support this project. The three Councils are part of a wider group of 11 local authorities affected by the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (TBH SPA), a network of heathland sites that provides a habitat for important bird species. It was designated as a Special Protection Area in March 2005 and is protected from adverse effects by law. Natural England has advised the affected local authorities that new housing within 5km of the SPA may result in harm to these bird species. Larger developments located between 5 and 7km of the SPA may also have an impact. As a result, the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Delivery Framework was prepared. This was endorsed by Thames Basin Heaths Joint Strategic Partnership Board (JSPB) in 2009 and is the recommended approach followed by the local authorities affected by the Special Protection Area (SPA)