Whitmoor Common

This page contains details of planning issues relating to Whitmoor Common, which is a designated European Special Protection Area (SPA).  The nightjar is a protected species, and its home is lowland heath.  English Nature (now Natural England) have done studies which show that the current use of Whitmoor Common by residents and visiting public is not detrimental but the heath should be protected against any growth in use.  Natural England believes that housing developments at a distance of up to 5km away from a SPA will create disturbance to rare bird populations. As a result, all housing development within 5km of a SPA is now subject to stringent tests and impact assessments.  Therefore planning and environment policies must be designed to prevent new use, and in particular prevent dogs and cats using the common.   Whitmoor Common is just one in the series of the Thames Basin Heaths (TBH SPA) and all neighbouring councils have been required to adopt similar policies. 

Guildford Borough Council are required by law to implement planning policies that ensure the heath is protected.  In consultation with English Nature (now Natural England) a strategy was agreed that encourages residents of new homes to use use alternative facilities instead of the Common.  This has become known as the SPA Avoidance Strategy.  For a variety of reasons, many have the view that this is a waste of time.  One reason is the theory that residents of new houses in North Guildford will be expected to travel past Whitmoor Common to the avoidance site at Riverside.  However, part of the council's theory is that users of the Common from other parts of Guildford will use other facilities instead.  There has been lots of heated debate about various surveys.   The Council have admitted this method of protecting wildlife on Whitmoor Common is unlikely to work.

What worries SCA is if housing continues to be built and the strategy does not work then Natural England will be forced by European law to adopt alternative strategies, and have already considered restricting access to Whitmoor Common by closing car parks.   Consequently, existing residents will suffer because of houses being built in an already overdeveloped area.

GBC's Special Protection Area Avoidance Strategy ~ 'SPA Strategy'

SPA Update 2

Whitmoor Common was granted European Special Protected Area Status in March 2005 to protect three species of ground nesting birds.  It is also part of the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (TBH SPA).

SPAs are protected by the European Economic Community (EEC) Habitats Directive which was translated into UK law in 1994.  The view of European Courts is that the UK has not implemented the spirit of the European Directive and the UK is currently tightening up on this, by insisting English Nature, now Natural England (NE), are involved on every planning decision near these special areas.

The basic principle adopted by Europe and NE is that for every new house you build close to these areas, alternative green space must be provided for their occupants to use instead of the SPA.   New space is required for new occupants not existing.

Therefore, all residential planning permission within 5 km of Whitmoor Common is now routed via NE. To save a backlog occurring, NE have specified some guidelines that were meant to pass into local plans. These guidelines are divided into 3 areas depending on the distance from the SPA (Whitmoor Common).  Most of Stoughton falls into A or B zones.

http://www.guildford.gov.uk/GuildfordWeb/Planning/SpecialProtectionArea

Summary of responses to GBC's original SPA 'consultation'

Riverside Park

GBC's interim Avoidance Strategy says the whole urban Guildford area will use Riverside Park as an avoidance site.  That is, residents will use this site instead of Whitmoor Common.  The car park at the north-east end at Bower's Lane will be upgraded to provide 'improved access'.  Currently there are no plans to improve any other access points, links or paths or paths for walking or cycling.  (Boats are available in Godalming and Farncombe!)

Other Open Spaces

For more information about "open spaces" in North Guildford see SCA's page on Open Space

GBC Open Space Policy (April 2002)

Using Whitmoor Common

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/community/walks/whitmoor_common.shtml