Updated March 2024

Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) is an area of land designated for recreational purposes that is designed to offset disturbance and pressures on sites that are protected for their habitat value under Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended).

This legislation governs sites that are internationally important, typically either Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which are valued for their rare, threatened or vulnerable bird populations, or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), which are valued for their flora and fauna (excluding birds).

While they may be idyllic, SACs and SPAs are vulnerable to recreational pressures which can result in harm to their ecological value. New housing, with an associated increase in footfall, can exacerbate the problem. SANGs are designed to absorb the pressures from new residential development by providing a preferred alternative for people to enjoy.

SANGs come in all shapes and sizes ranging from small-scale parcels, to those in excess of 110 hectares such as Wellesley Woodlands, Aldershot. Similarly, there is no prescribed planting or landscaping regime; they should, however, aim to provide a pleasant environment in order to encourage visitors. A number of local planning authorities (LPAs), as well as Natural England, have published guidance that can assist developers in ensuring that SANGs are suitably designed.

SANGs are not solely delivered by developers; LPAs and private landowners also deliver SANGs. In these situations, developers typically buy credits in the SANG which are then secured via a planning obligation. The delivery of the SANG alone is not sufficient to ensure that there will be no adverse impacts on designated sites. It is also necessary to put in place a suitable management and funding plan which must be secured in perpetuity for a minimum period of 125 years.

In addition to their core purpose, SANGs provide a range of other benefits and opportunities. One significant opportunity is to incorporate biodiversity net gain (which became a Statutory Requirement for major sites on 12 February 2024 and is due to become a Statutory Requirement for small sites from 2 April 2024) into the design through ecological enhancements, such as wildflower meadows or supplementary hedgerow planting. The on-site delivery of a SANG can also assist with providing a high-quality living environment for residents, with landscaped amenity space associated with a range of beneficial mental and physical health outcomes, as well as increased development values for developers.

Further information

Contact Will Price or Bryony Stala