Proposed Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) at Standford Grange Farm, Bordon

Between May and June 2021, Hampshire County Council as public landowner consulted on proposals for a new area of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) at Standford Grange Farm, Bordon. The SANG at Standford Grange Farm is being brought forward to support proposals for 147 new homes on the site of the former Mill Chase Academy and Leisure Centre at Mill Chase Road.

Since the previous public consultation, Natural England confirmed that it would require a larger SANG to provide a circular walking route to meet SANG guidelines. In response to both this requirement and from feedback arising from the public consultation, the size and location of the proposed SANG has been revised.

Miller Homes submitted two planning applications for the proposed SANG and the residential development at the former Mill Chase Academy site to East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) in July 2022. The proposals can be viewed by visiting the EHDC Public Access website:

Simple Search (easthants.gov.uk)

Residential development at the former Mill Chase Academy site – Ref: 22024/012
Proposed SANG at Standford Grange Farm – Ref: 59833

Both the results from the previous consultation on the proposed SANG and the revisions to the masterplan are presented in the Planning, Design and Access Statement which accompanies the SANG planning application.

Previous consultation on proposed SANG (May - June 2021)

Hampshire County Council as public landowner is currently seeking your views on a new area of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) at Standford Grange Farm, Bordon.

The SANG at Standford Grange Farm is being brought forward alongside proposals by Miller Homes for 146 new homes on the site of the former Mill Chase Academy and Leisure Centre at Mill Chase Road. Further information on the proposals for the residential development is available by visiting www.landatmillchase.co.uk or by calling 0800 169 6507 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

The purpose of SANG

East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) allocated land at Standford Grange Farm and Eveley Wood as a site to provide SANG in the adopted Joint Core Strategy (2014) and the emerging Draft Local Plan (2017 to2036). The proposed SANG would help reduce recreational pressures on the Wealden Heaths Phase II Special Protection Area (SPA), which has internationally recognised ecological importance. The Wealden Heaths are sensitive to increasing public use, and the proposed SANG will provide an alternative area of open space for recreation for the public. The area of SANG currently being consulted on would be in place before the first home at the former Mill Chase site is occupied.

The proposal

The new SANG proposed by Hampshire County Council, in its capacity as landowner, would be located approximately 500m to the east of the former Mill Chase site and is approximately four hectares in size. It currently forms part of a tenanted farm owned by Hampshire County Council and is not accessible to the public. The new SANG would open up this area of countryside for recreation, creating an attractive public open space that has views across to the River Wey valley. Pedestrian access to the SANG would be via the existing lane.

Key features proposed in the Standford Grange SANG include:

• additional trees and planting with areas of meadow planting, to create new habitats and enhancements for wildlife.
• improved connections across Hollywater Road between the SANG and the former Mill Chase site with appropriate signage.
• informal footpaths providing a series of routes around the open space.
• a new wetland habitat, creating an informal dog splash area during wetter months.
• informal seating at appropriate points around the open space.
• additional planting to protect the amenity and privacy of neighbouring properties.

View the plans showing the proposed SANG

Commenting on the proposals

Hampshire County Council would welcome your views on the proposed SANG. You can provide feedback by completing the feedback form. If you cannot access the feedback form, please contact us by calling 0370 779 0555 (9am to 4pm Monday to Friday).

Please make sure you submit your comments before the deadline of 14 June 2021.

Next steps

Hampshire County Council will review all feedback received and then finalise the SANG proposals. It is intended to submit a full planning application to EHDC as local planning authority in the summer this year. A Statement of Community Involvement will be included as part of the planning application submission, which will provide an assessment of all comments received on the draft proposals. There will be a further opportunity to make comments on the proposals during the formal consultation by EHDC on the planning application. It is anticipated that a decision will be made on the proposed SANG by autumn 2021.