If you work within the development industry or have future planning aspirations within Cheltenham, the Borough Council have recently introduced a Cotswold Beechwood Special Area of Conservation (SAC) mitigation payment of £673.00 per dwelling which will affect all current and future planning applications.
The Cotswold Beechwood SAC is internationally important for its biodiversity and in recent years has come under increased recreational pressures from visitors, resulting in considerable damage to the wildlife value of the area. In seeking to address this, the Gloucestershire Authorities that cover the Cotswold Beechwood SAC and the wider buffer zone, have sought to reduce the pressures from future homeowners within the area, with Cheltenham Borough Council joining Stroud District and Cotswold District Councils in requiring a financial contribution for effective mitigation.
Although the payment is required for housing development across the whole of the Borough, importantly only development that would lead to a net increase in dwellings would be affected. On top of this, although not currently know, an administration charge will likely be required to process the required legal agreement, with the same process at Cotswold District costing £125 per agreement.
Cheltenham Borough Council, in association with other Gloucestershire Authorities, have commissioned a strategy document (Cotswold Beechwood SAC Recreation Mitigation Strategy) which sets out how the money will be collected and utilised. Alongside Cheltenham Borough, Stroud District and Cotswold District, the report includes other Gloucestershire authorities, like Gloucester and Tewkesbury. Although both authorities have not yet confirmed their approach on this matter, SAC mitigation payment will likely come into effect in the future.
