Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC) - Mitigation Strategy

Revised allocations protocol for SANG

We have introduced a  Revised allocations protocol (PDF 122KB) for Council-owned Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). The protocol sets out:

• The types of residential development we will consider allocating our SANG to; 
• Our priorities when Council SANG capacity is low . 

Since November 2022, we have been allocating SANG to new homes in the borough in line with the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy. We have made this change because our supply of SANG is now limited.

In May 2024, we issued an early warning notice (as per paragraph 7.1.13 of the Mitigation Strategy) to highlight potential capacity issues and that we were reconsidering our allocation protocol.

We are also reviewing our SANG charge as we introduce more Council SANG sites. The current charge is £4,251.71 per new home, but this is expected to increase.

About the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy

At a meeting held on 15 November 2022, Cabinet approved the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation Mitigation Strategy. It also approved two Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) Management Plans:

•  Bunkers Park SANG Management Plan (PDF 7.6MB).
•  Chipperfield Common SANG Management Plan (PDF 6.9MB)

Please note: these documents may not be suitable for assistive technologies. If you need them in a more accessible format, please email strategic.planning@dacorum.gov.uk and tell us what you need.

The new Mitigation Strategy sets out targeted measures to protect the site and to accommodate the predicted pressures associated with future growth within the 12.6-kilometre Zone of Influence that extends from Ashridge Commons and Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These measures will be delivered through a range of projects by the National Trust over a period of around 80 years (to 2102-2103).

The National Trust has confirmed that these Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMMS) measures will cost a total of £18.2million. This cost will be shared across all of the affected local authorities. In Dacorum, this means that developers will be required to pay a tariff of £913.88 for each new home built.

To help to reduce recreational pressures on Ashridge Commons and Woods, alternative green spaces need to be identified. All new developments within the Zone of Influence will need to make provision for a new Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), or alternatively contribute towards the maintenance of a suitable SANG project elsewhere.

Larger developments (10 or more new homes) must be located close to a suitable SANG. Smaller developments can contribute towards an existing SANG. We have so far identified Bunkers Park and Chipperfield Common as SANGs. Developers that are unable to provide a suitable new SANG will be required to make a payment to us towards the long-term management and maintenance of these sites, which equates to £4,251.71 per new home. Find out more about designated Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces in Dacorum.

While we’ve been preparing the Mitigation Strategy, decisions on some planning applications have been delayed. We will be engaging with those affected shortly.

Frequently asked questions and Zones of Influence maps are available on our Chilterns Beechwoods SAC home page.