Thursley, Elstead, Ockley, Royal & Bagmoor Commons - We want you views on their future

Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT), in partnership with the Ministry of Defence/Defence Estates (MoD/DE) and Natural England (NE), is undertaking a major review of the management of Thursley, Ockley, Elstead, Royal and Bagmoor Commons, and is embarking on a consultation process to seek the views of members of the public, local communities, organisations, stakeholders and visitors to understand how they use, experience and value the Commons, in order to help decide how they should be managed for wildlife and people.

The Commons are internationally important for their wildlife and are amongst the finest remaining examples of lowland heath in southern England; a globally rare and threatened habitat. Between them, the Commons are designated as a RAMSAR site (i.e. wetlands of international importance), a European Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area for Conservation (SAC), a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

But the sites need to be improved, in terms of wildlife value, to meet Government targets stating that 95% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) must be in favourable condition by the end of 2010.  A rich, diverse tapestry of mini-habitats dominated by a varied heather sward, with some bare ground, wetland and scrub is best for wildlife, so in order to prevent decline of these Commons we need to continually manage them to protect them from the invading scrub, trees, bracken and coarse grasses which can cause the loss of the diverse heathland.

Over the last 250 years, nearly 90% of UK heathland has been lost so areas like these Commons are especially precious today, as they are a unique and cultural landscape formed and maintained by generations of local people. The Commons have been part of the history of the area for centuries, once providing local people with a source of income and a livelihood. The heathland provided them small wood, heather turves for fuel and grazing for their sheep and cattle.

The mosaic-like habitat can today be achieved to some extent through a combination of management techniques such as mowing, controlled winter burning, turf-cutting and summer grazing. However without any management, the heathland can quickly be taken over by encroaching trees and scrub so it is not an option to do nothing and let the Commons decline. 

The Commons are also immensely valuable wild open spaces for people to enjoy. The Commons have long been available for public access, subject to military use, and are popular with walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, runners, riders and naturalists throughout the year.

People bring many benefits to the Commons from the incidental creation of wildlife habitat such as bare ground, to the reporting of fires and vandalism as well as in the support of volunteers. The Common needs to be managed for the majority of users and for wildlife, landscape, health and safety and amenity. There are inevitably choices to be made and we need to know the views of users and local communities before deciding on how to proceed, so we would like to discuss the options with you.

Surrey Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the MoD/Defence Estates and Natural England, wants to consult as widely as possible before making any decisions and will be holding a number of drop-in days in local venues and on the Commons to discuss the issues and seek your views at the following locations, times and dates:

Open day on Royal Common:
Wednesday 2nd June, 10am-4pm: Grazing Open Day on Royal Common

Drop-in days:
Saturday 19th June, 10am-4pm: Elstead Village Hall
Saturday 17th July, 12:30pm- 4:30pm: Shackleford Village Hall
Saturday 14th August, 12:30pm-4:30pm: Milford Village Hall
Saturday 21st August, 12:30pm-4:30pm: Thursley Village Hall

Car Park days:
Tuesday 13th July, 2pm–7pm: Royal Common Car Park
Tuesday 20th July, 8am–1pm: Royal Common Car Park
Tuesday 27th July, 8am-1pm: Moat Car Park, Thursley Common
Wednesday 11th August, 2pm-7pm: Moat Car Park, Thursley Common 

For more information contact Zoe Grainger on 01483 795482, e-mail: Zoe.Grainger@surreywt.org.uk.

Further Information:

Public Consultation Leaflet

Public Consultation Background Paper

Actions Appraisal of Thursley, Ockley, Elstead, Royal & Bagmoor Commons