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Special protection areas

Some areas in the borough are in the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA). This is an area covering various heathland across the Thames Valley. These heathland are an internationally important habitat for rare bird species. Find out more about the Thames Basin Heaths on the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership website (opens new window).

Natural England have written up plans for how to conserve the SPA in the borough. You can view them here:

Conservation Objectives for the Thames Basin Heath SPA (Ash to Brookwood Heaths) (PDF, 82 KB)

Conservation Objectives for the Thames Basin Heath SPA (Whitmoor Common) (PDF, 34 KB)

Conservation Objectives for the Thames Basin Heath SPA (Ockham and Wisley Common) (PDF, 35 KB)

Find out if your plans will be affected by an SPA

  • enter your postcode into the search bar and click onto the 'My Maps' tab
  • open the 'Local plan 2003' filter and select the 'Special Protection Area' option

What planning restrictions are there in SPAs?

We work with Natural England to decide whether new developments will harm the SPA. Our TBH SPA Avoidance Strategy 2017 SPD (PDF, 5 MB) shows how we decide on planning applications within seven kilometres of the SPA.

Natural England's standing advice (PDF, 305 KB) explains how we will decide on:

  • minor housing applications
  • minor gypsy and traveller site applications

Read more planning guidance for projects around the SPA

Other Documents