What is a SANG and what will be at the Greenhaven Conservation SANG?

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A SANG is an area of land designated for recreational purposes and is essentially a large public green open space that can be used for activities like walking, running and cycling.   

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The Greenhaven Conservation SANG will provide a 2.3 km circular walk located in a landscaped and ecology-rich rural setting. The site already benefits from being located next to an Ancient Woodland with public rights of way nearby, and will be enhanced with species rich wildflower grassland, new hedgerow planting and new trees.

 

A new vehicular access from Bell Lane to the east of the site will be provided and this will lead to a 25 space car park and area for cycle parking. The car park will be secured with a barrier that will prevent access overnight.

 

Timber benches will be located along the path and there will be a board located in the car park to give visitors information about the SANG, including the wildlife that might be present. 

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The new accessible walking trail will provide a large recreational space for local residents, with no access or parking charges, all year round.  

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Why are we creating one?​​

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In March 2022 evidence was produced by Dacorum Borough Council that identified adverse effects on the integrity of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) at the Chiltern Beechwoods Ashridge Commons and Woods within a 12.6km zone of influence.  Buckinghamshire Council and the other authorities affected (based on advice from the UK Government’s adviser for the natural environment, Natural England) have not been able to issue decisions on planning applications which have a net increase in housing, until acceptable mitigation in line with the Mitigation Strategy to manage the recreational pressures and adverse effects of new development on the Special Area of Conservation have been identified. ​

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Buckinghamshire Council published a Mitigation Strategy in August 2024, and it set out that new SANGs are required to protect the effected Chiltern Beechwoods SAC – the new SANGs will provide an alternative location for residents to use, and so reduce the pressure on the Chiltern Beechwoods SAC.  For further information on this, please follow this link to the Council's website.  

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To respond to this, Greenhaven Conservation has submitted a planning application to Buckinghamshire Council to change the use of what is currently agricultural land located between Amersham and Little Chalfont to a 24 hectare SANG.  ​

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When will the SANG be available?

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The Council has resolved to grant full planning permission for the change of use, and Greenhaven Conservation anticipate the works required to prepare the SANG ready for its first use will be completed within 12 months of the decision being formally made.  

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If I am a developer that has been affected by the embargo, can this SANG help me?

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Yes! Our SANG will have capacity to enable over 1,150 homes to be built across the ‘zone of influence’ where development is currently restricted. To check if you are in a location that is affected, please click on this link to Buckinghamshire Council’s website. 

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If your development is within this area and will provide up to nine new homes, you will be able to apply to reserve credits at our SANG. If your development will provide 10 or more homes, it will need to be located within 5km of the SANG – if so, you will be able to apply to reserve credits at our SANG.​

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If I reserve credits, how will this affect my planning application?

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As soon as you reserve credits for our SANG, we will issue a 'Reservation Notice' to you, which you can then give to your planning officer.  The Council has confirmed to us that this will allow it to then determine your planning application (once the planning permission for the SANG itself has been granted). You will be required to enter into a s106 legal agreement with the Council, which is standard practice, and once this is completed the planning permission for your development will be issued. ​

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