Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

esidential development. This has now been replaced with the Delivery Framework
(DF).
10.25 The DF continues to prevent any new residential development within an area some 400
metres from the boundary of the TBH SPA as well as advocating mitigation measures
for development within 400 metres to 5 kilometres boundary area (this is known as the
zone of influence). The primary measure is the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural
Green Space (SANGS). The Plan sets down specific thresholds for the provision of
such SANGS space as well as guidance on the nature and breakdown of this space.
10.26 The net effect of compliance with the requirements of the DF is that Natural England
will continue not objecting to planning approvals that are not supported by an
appropriate assessment as they believe that compliance with the DF avoids the need to
carry out an appropriate assessment. All affected local authorities have in some way
published and rely on SANGS Planning Guidance Notes – the Council published its
Supplementary Planning Guidance in 2008 (Revised 2009).
10.27 The existing SANGS within the Borough are as follows:
• St Ann’s Hill Open Space: an open space located in Chertsey with a total
size of 21.2 hectares. It attracts visitors from across the Borough for
principally dog walking and picnicking as well as visitors to the historic hill fort.
The site has good access and paths with a Nature trail approx ¾ a mile in
length. The area is well wooded and contains a wide variety of trees and
plants with wild flowers, fungi etc in season. Many different birds and wildlife
are visible as you walk around the site. There are picnic areas and viewpoints
located around St Ann’s Hill. The main picnic area is within the Dingle; a
sheltered and level grass area enclosed by trees and is accessed by the St
Ann’s Hill Road at access point 2. Currently there are off-street car parking
spaces at access point 3, for about 5 cars. Visitors also park at access point
2, along the St Ann’s Hill Road, this also only offers limited parking.
• Ether Hill/Queenwood: combines a large wooded area and adjoining
recreational space that is home to the local cricket and bowls club and other
leisure facilities. The woodland consists of deciduous trees that form and
surround Ether Hill, and a frame network of bridleways and paths (formal and
informal) that connect with other open spaces, offering dog walkers and
ramblers a number of routes to walk. This site attracts a range of visitors and
offers views across Queenswood Golf course with the woodland itself skirting
the Ottershaw Memorial fields. The recreational facilities provide a number of
leisure activities for the local community, including play facilities, multi use
rooms used by local groups such as the scout and guide groups and games
court. The site is staffed seven days a week and is open to the public at all
times. Two generous sized parking areas are available at either end of the
site from Foxhills Road.
• Ottershaw Chase/Timber Hill/Chaworth Copse: located on either side of
the Guildford Road (A320). This site is predominately used by dog walkers
and ramblers from the nearby residential area, with some houses backing
onto the site. A large car park is within Timber Hill and so attracts passing
traffic as a respite area. Footpaths intersect all three sites, with a selection of
routes of varying distance on offer to the public, catering for all ages and level
of fitness. All three areas are woodland, home to a variety of trees with
Ottershaw Chase being the most mature and is largely planted with Sweet
Chestnuts and a number of Giant Redwood trees. The site attracts various
species of wildlife and is a source of interest for younger visitors as they walk
around the trails.
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013