B2. Dacorum Borough Council

Designated site details and development pressures

The Chilterns Beechwoods SAC is designated for its beech forests, semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub, and population of stag beetles.

Mitigation policy wording addresses recreational impacts at the Ashridge Commons and Woods SSSI component of the SAC.

Local plan policy details and best practice

The Dacorum Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing,

Communities and Local Government for public examination on 11 March 2025.

Policies NE4, NE5 and NE6 of the Pre-Submission version of the Dacorum Local Plan to 2041 (November, 2024) secures mitigation at the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC.

Policies NE4, NE5 and NE6 provide detailed information on mitigation requirements specifically in relation to the implementation of a strategic solution to address recreational impacts at the SAC. The policy includes a reference to more detailed guidance in the form of the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy for Ashridge Commons and Woods SSSI. Mitigation requirements are split over three polices to ensure clear messaging, in particular around SANG and Gateway principles.

Strategic Policy NE4 - Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation

All relevant development proposals will be expected to assist in the conservation and enhancement of the biodiversity, character, appearance and landscape setting of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (CBSAC) and the delivery of its conservation objectives.
Proposals within the CBSAC and its 500 metre Exclusion Zone (16) will be supported where an appropriate assessment concludes that there are no functional links with the Habitats Site and there is no potential for harm to arise. Conditions may need to be attached to ensure that significant effects on the CBSAC are avoided.
Elsewhere, all qualifying development will be required to mitigate for the recreational impact pathway on the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC in accordance with the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy. This will be achieved by:
1. Making a financial contribution towards the Chilterns Beechwoods Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMM Strategy), or any subsequent scheme which replaces this; and
2. Providing or contributing towards the provision of an agreed Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) or Gateway where the development is located within the related catchment area.
Where additional impact pathways and associated mitigation measures are identified, all qualifying development will be expected to make financial contributions towards these, unless it can be demonstrated that the development

would not result in any adverse impact on that impact pathway at Chilterns Beechwoods SAC either alone or in combination with other development.

5. The Local Plan allocates land for SANG mitigation as part of wider site allocations at Hm01 - North Hemel Hempstead ; Hm11 - Land at Shendish Manor and Fairfields; Hm13 – Polehanger Lane; Hm14 - Marchmont Farm and at Tr03 - Land East of Tring. Additional mitigation necessary to enable growth in the Local Plan to be delivered is identified on the Adopted Policies Map at the following locations:

Hill Farm, Countryside (Gateway);
Bunkers Park, Hemel Hempstead (SANG);
Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead (SANG);
Margaret Lloyd Park, Hemel Hempstead (SANG);
Howe Grove, Hemel Hempstead (SANG);
Westbrook Hay, Countryside (SANG);
Castle Hill, Berkhamsted (SANG);
Haresfoot Farm, Countryside (SANG);
James Farm, Countryside (SANG); and
Chipperfield Common, Chipperfield (SANG).

Policy NE5 - SANG Principles

1. Proposals for Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) will be supported where they meet the following principles:

a. Provide capacity to mitigate recreational pressure on the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation at a minimum of eight hectares of SANG (after discounting to account for existing access and capacity) per 1,000 new occupants (or subsequent capacity advised by Natural England);
b. Provide a minimum 2.3km circular walk on the SANG;
c. Provide the experience of visiting the countryside by being free from unnatural intrusion (including, but not limited to, noise, odour and urban views);
d. Provide parking unless the site is solely intended to serve dwellings located within 500 metres of the SANG;
e. Be secured for a period of at least 80 years with an appropriate level of funding and a management organisation agreed by the Council and Natural England;
f. Be delivered prior to the occupation of the qualifying development(s) to which it relates;
g. Be subject to a SANG Management Plan agreed by the Council and Natural England; and
h. Be in accordable with the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy and any further bespoke criteria as advised by the Council and Natural England.

2. SANG must be located according to the scale of the proposed scheme seeking allocation as follows:

a. Developments of more than 100 net dwellings or equivalent, should provide bespoke on-site or off-site SANG as part of the proposed development. Where robust evidence demonstrates that this cannot be achieved, alternative SANG provision will be required.
b. Major developments of 10 or more net dwellings or equivalent must be within the catchment of a specified SANG.
c. Minor developments of fewer than 10 net dwellings or equivalent may rely on a SANG located anywhere within the Zone of Influence.

3. Development proposals that mitigate related recreational pressure impacts by using a bespoke or third party owned SANG must demonstrate that:

a. The SANG allocation has been agreed with the landowner;
b. The SANG has sufficient capacity; and
c. The SANG credits (where one credit equates to capacity for one dwelling or equivalent) have been secured by an appropriate legal agreement.

Policy NE6 - Gateway Principles

1. Gateway proposals will be supported where they relocate existing visitor facilities away from the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (CBSAC) and demonstrate that they will reduce recreational pressure within the CBSAC.

2. Proposals that intensify or expand uses within, or are likely to increase visitor numbers to, the CBSAC will not be permitted.

3. Gateway sites must meet the SANG principles as stated in Strategic Policy NE5, and the additional following principles:

a. Be located adjacent to, and within a radius of, 500m of the boundary of the CBSAC;
b. Be greater than 8 ha in area, with preference being given to sites greater than 15 ha in area;
c. Be a destination venue, offering a variety of facilities that will maximise dwell time within the Gateway for a large proportion of visitors; and
d. Provide a range of facilities and amenities to draw visitors to the location, in preference to the CBSAC, to include as a minimum:
- i. Visitor services (refreshments and toilets), information and wayfinding;
- ii. Designed to meet the needs of families, dog walkers and accessibility for all requirements;
- iii. Sufficient parking to meet expected demand (or subsequent requirements advised by Natural England); and
- iv. Designed to reflect local heritage, environment and the character of the Chilterns.

4. The catchment area for a Gateway is the Zone of Influence of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation.

5. Development proposals that mitigate related recreational pressure impacts by using a Gateway will need to demonstrate that:

a. The Gateway allocation has been agreed with the landowner;
b. The Gateway has sufficient capacity; and
c. The Gateway credits (where one credit equates to capacity for one dwelling or equivalent) have been secured by an appropriate legal agreement.

6. Further guidance is provided within the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy and Natural England and Dacorum Gateway guidance.