Area of Special Landscape Importance (ASLI)
Policy WLL2 of the Wokingham District Local Plan has designated several areas of the borough as having special landscape importance. ASLIs have been chosen because of their exceptional landscape qualities and are protected by preventing any development within them that would harm their rural character. Our interactive mapping system has more information regarding the location of ASLIs within the Borough, whilst pages 29 - 30 of the Wokingham District Local Plan give the full details of this policy.
Green Belt
The green belt in England is a ring of countryside designated by central government to control urban growth. As a result the green belt policy seeks to keep this area of land permenantly open by limiting development to that which is only thought necessary or appropriate. Planning Policy Guidance 2 (PPG2) is the main policy which deals with green belts, although policy CP12 within the Submission Core Strategy provides further localised detail.
Open Space
'Open Space' in the Wokingham Borough represents public parks, allotments, country parks, play pitches, children's play areas, natural greenspace and other 'amenity spaces' which can be used for leisure. Open Space provision is a necessary element of all new residential and commercial developments and is supported by Planning Policy Statement 3 and policies within the Wokingham District Local Plan and Local Development Framework.
Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)
An existing green space which is already accessible but which could be changed in character. This is so that it could be made attractive to the specific group of visitors who might otherwise visit the Thames Basin Heath SPA. This is part of the mitigation measures for protecting the ground nesting birds within the SPA.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
SSSIs are decided upon at a national level by Natural England (the government's official body for environmental issues). SSSIs can be any area of land which is considered to be of special interest by virtue of its flora, fauna, soil, rock or other physical features. Policy WNC1 of the Wokingham District Local Plan sets out the Council's approach to dealing with development in SSSIs.
Sites of Urban Landscape Value (SULV)
The Wokingham District Local Plan recognises that there are some open areas within settlements that are important to the character of its location and the amenity residents. As such policy WLL5 within the Local Plan sets out the strict control of development within SULVs. More information as to which areas are designated as SULVs within the borough is availble through our interactive mapping system.
