Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace
SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) and BNG
The landscape of Burrswood – from ancient woodland to open fields, paths and numerous ponds – supports a rich variety of plant and animal life. This mosaic of habitats provides vital space for native species to thrive. Protecting this biodiversity matters not just for the wildlife itself, but for the wider ecological health of the region – supporting pollinators, maintaining healthy soil and water systems, and preserving the natural character that makes this landscape unique. Every hedgerow, pond, path and stretch of ancient woodland plays a part in a larger, interconnected web of life. Protecting it is an important aspect of the proposals.
Proposed Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)
This proposal includes the creation of a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to mitigate the potential recreational impact of the development on Ashdown Forest, a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The SANG has been designed in accordance with current guidance to provide a high-quality, accessible alternative for informal recreation, reducing pressure on the sensitive habitats and ground-nesting bird populations that Ashdown Forest supports.
The proposed greenspace will offer a network of accessible walking routes, areas of natural planting, and open space designed to encourage regular use by new and existing residents, including dog walkers — one of the primary drivers of recreational pressure on sensitive sites. The SANG has been located and designed to provide an attractive, convenient alternative to the neighbouring Burrswood Estate, helping to divert informal recreational use away from that land and reduce associated pressure on it.
The SANG will be designed, managed, and maintained in perpetuity to ensure its continued effectiveness as a mitigation measure, in line with the requirements of Natural England and the relevant local planning authority. Monitoring and management arrangements will be secured through appropriate planning conditions or a Section 106 agreement.