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Frimley Green, Mytchett and Deepcut Parish Magazine Article - November 2005

Councillor David Whitcroft provides a regular report to local residents in the Parish Magazine that covers Frimley Green, Mytchett and Deepcut.

FROM THE SURREY HEATH COUNCIL CHAMBER

A Report from David Whitcroft

DEVELOPMENT MATTERS prepared by David Whitcroft whose views are strictly personal. Any comments should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or intentions of any voting member of the SHBC Planning Applications Committee

An application has been received to build a detached bungalow on land at 185 Mytchett Road, Mytchett, with access on to Hazel Road. Under the proposal the existing house at 185, Mytchett Road would be retained on a reduced sized site.

The application to increase the size of the betting office in Frimley Green has been recommended for approval by Planning Officers and seems likely to get the green light from the Planning Committee.

SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS

Following advice from English Nature, Surrey Heath Borough Council has started to look more closely at the effect on the environment of new housing in the Borough. The application of European and UK Law to this advice gives the prospect of many schemes for new housing being refused.

In March 2005, the Government recognised the international importance of heathland as a habitat for endangered bird species; most of the heathland in the Borough of Surrey Heath has now been designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive.

The heathland in the Borough supports significant populations of the Dartford Warbler, the Nightjar and the Woodlark. The Thames Basin SPA covers most of the heathland areas in the Borough such as Bagshot Heath, Old Dean Common, West End Common, and Chobham Common. It also extends to most of the heathland areas in 10 other districts in west Surrey, north east Hampshire, and south Berkshire.

English Nature is the Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England, and is advising that new housing within 5 kilometres of the SPA may harm the rare bird populations, unless measures are taken to prevent such harm. This harm can be caused by disturbance to the birds from a growth in the number of walkers, cats and dogs frequenting the heathland, created by additional housing.

English Nature has stated in its response to planning applications for housing schemes at a distance of 400m to 5km from the SPA, that disturbance can only be prevented if alternative open space is provided by the development, which will attract walkers away from the SPA.

Furthermore, English Nature is also stating that housing schemes within 400m of the SPA are unlikely to be able to prevent harm to the SPA, as they will result in an increase in the cat population which will threaten the rare bird populations.

A key issue is whether enough new open space can be provided in other parts of the Borough. The Council must now make decisions on new planning applications, as to whether the new housing will create demand for more recreational use on the heathland. This will help the Council decide whether to allow more house building in the Borough. In determining planning applications, a key consideration for the Borough Council is that European law, which governs the protection of SPA's, states that developments must be resisted unless it is certain that there will be no harm to the SPA.

As these measures to provide new open space are currently difficult to achieve, the Borough Council is taking the view that planning applications are likely to be refused unless a convincing case is presented to prove that the proposed housing will not cause harm to the SPA. This approach is now likely to be taken for all planning applications comprising an increase of one dwelling or more, and will apply to the whole Borough.

If new housing at a distance of 400m-5km from the SPA can provide adequate levels of new open space then it is likely to be permitted, if not then the housing is likely to be refused. New housing within 400m of the SPA is likely to be considered for refusal irrespective of whether new open space can be found. An application to replace one house with another house is not likely to be affected.

Surrey Heath is working with English Nature and other Councils affected by the SPA to agree a plan which will allow housing to be permitted whilst protecting the endangered species. Until this plan is agreed, it is likely that most housing schemes will continue to be resisted. Unless a way forward is agreed, then the Borough's housing targets set out in the Surrey Structure Plan 2004, and in the South East Plan currently under preparation, are likely to be prejudiced.

The Council's Executive recently resolved to explore potential solutions to address the issues raised by the SPA with similarly affected authorities.

For many years local residents and Councillors have been trying to resist INAPPROPRIATE new developments in our area. Now a combination of EU rules and the rather strange application of them to this area appears to have resulted in a situation where NO significant new developments can take place!! We will keep you informed of developments in respect of this critical issue which has so far received very little publicity in the local press.

My apologies for the length of this article on the SPAs but it is a complex and vitally important issue for our area.

THE ATRIUM AT CAMBERLEY

For many years I have occasionally referred, rather inelegantly, to the proposed new development in Camberley as LWOPS (Land West OF Park Street). The scheme - consisting of new shops, a 10 screen cinema, a bowling alley, several new restaurants and a fitness suite - has now passed the final planning 'hurdle' and building work will start in January. The project - now officially known as the Atrium at Camberley - is scheduled to start opening in 2007 and will become as important a part of Camberley Town Centre as the established Main Square shopping centre.

COMMUNITY FUND

Money is still available from the Council's Community Fund as some local groups have found to their benefit recently. A 'fast-track' method for dealing with Community Fund grants of less than £2000 or less has been developed. We make no apology for repeating the contact details at the Council if you or your group wants to make an application. Please get in touch with Jayne Boitoult, Community Development Officer, 01276 707464 or write to her at Surrey Heath Borough Council, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3HD and she will be able to give you all the guidance you might need.

MORE WEEKEND FLIGHTS AT FARNBOROUGH?

The application by TAG to increase weekend flying at Farnborough Airfield will now be considered in the new year. At a well attended meeting at the Mytchett Centre - there was standing room only, in fact! - local people made their opposition to the proposal very clear. Not one person spoke in favour!

CASINO AT LAKESIDE?

By the time you read this Surrey Heath Council will have decided whether or not to apply for one of the Government's licenses for a new casino. Of course, even if the Council does decide to apply for such a license, it may not receive one. If it does receive a license, it seems very likely that every single casino operator in the country (and probably further afield than that!) will be clamouring to become the operator of the Surrey Heath casino. The prospect of the casino opening at Lakeside is still, therefore, a very long way off.