Green Farm Vision - Q&A

At our open event at Green Farm, residents raised important questions about the future of the Surrey site and its wildlife. The Countryside Regeneration Trust is grateful for this feedback and is committed to working openly with the community.  

While the felling of some pine plantations is necessary to restore endangered heathland, we want to reassure neighbours that protecting biodiversity, respecting historic features, and supporting public access are at the heart of our plans. Below, we share answers to the most common queries, showing how your concerns are shaping the long-term care of Green Farm.  

Wildlife queries 
 

Has there been a wildlife survey to assess the biodiversity, including the presence of owls, badgers, and bats? 

The presence of owls was not recorded in any historical or local records we reviewed, but it is great to hear of tawny owls and little owls being present. The pines are unlikely to hold features to attract owls, and there will still be a sizeable number of trees on site for nesting areas. Ancient trees and those with veteran features will be preserved, and restored heathland is likely to provide a more fruitful hunting area. We consulted with West Surrey Badger Group regarding badger presence. We do not have evidence of badgers at Green Farm but will monitor the site for their presence. If a sett be identified, steps will be taken to protect it.  

There will still be a substantial number of trees on site, including deciduous trees bordering Linkside North, which can offer roosting sites for bats. We will carry out monitoring ahead of any felling and may install bat boxes should we find evidence of them. Where trees have potential roosting features, these will be retained. 

Links: www.wsbg.co.uk 

What is happening to the information about wildlife supplied by local people in the feedback? 

We are always grateful for local knowledge about species using Green Farm’s habitats. All the information we receive regarding wildlife from members of the public is being investigated and used to help us plan how to proceed with the minimum disruption to existing nature. For example, we were informed about some trees being used as a stopover for migrating crossbills which have now been identified and, as a result, we will make sure these trees are not felled.  

Recreational queries 

 
Will there be any restrictions to the public using the site, such as local people walking their dogs? 

There are no plans to permanently close any of the permissive paths or public rights of way. There may be periods during felling when certain paths will be temporarily closed for safety reasons. A heathland is, by its nature, quite different from a pine plantation in terms of the density and type of common plant and animal species it contains. This may lead dog walkers to employ a different approach and consider the welfare of ground-nesting birds by keeping dogs on leads during nesting season. Signs explaining this are likely to be displayed. We continue to welcome all considerate recreational users, including dog walkers, at Green Farm.  

Tree queries  

Will tree stumps be ground out or left to rot? 

Tree stumps will be left in situ following felling unless they pose a significant obstacle or risk in their location. Grinding tree stumps results in more carbon being released into the atmosphere and is a lengthy and expensive process.  

 
Is it possible to keep some areas as mixed woodland? 

There will still be mixed woodland and coppice at Green Farm. In total we will keep approximately 28 hectares of mixed woodland and 69.30 acres of managed coppice. We intend to improve the habitat for a diverse range of plants and wildlife through thoughtfully managed thinning of the canopy to allow the creation of glades that are small open spaces where grasses, wildflowers and open plants become established. We want to have a combination of open, scrubby, and wooded areas as opposed to one specific habitat type. Also, following multiple requests, we are happy to retain deciduous woodland features along Eight Acres and Linkside North as a windbreak and privacy screen.  

General queries 

Will the old medieval banks that were used to enclose pig farms be preserved? 

CRT staff have mapped several banks to preserve these historic features and ensure any future forestry operations do not damage them. 

 
Will heavy forestry machinery damage land or block access? 

The pine plantation behind Linkside and on the eastern edge of the existing small heathland on Green Farm near Eight Acres will be the first to be felled. The pine will be felled in sections, and it may be that different access points serve different sections. We will consult with contractors to identify the least disruptive options and provide prior warning to residents likely to be affected. Every care will be taken to ensure there is no damage to residential driveways. More details of precise logging plans will follow. You can sign up to hear about updates as soon as they go live on our website by providing your email to: [email protected]  

Where will the extraction route and timber stacking areas be on Green Farm?

Vehicular access to the clear fell areas on Green Farm will be made from the Tilford Road entrance to the east of the holding. Machinery will navigate the property using the existing forestry tracks. The timber stacking area will be located near the Tilford Road entrance.

Will more heathland increase the risk of fires, and if so, what will you do to mitigate this? 

We understand the risk of fire on heathland and there will be a fire management plan in place for the restored heath at Green Farm. We take the safety of neighbours and property seriously and will be consulting with partners managing heathland in neighbouring areas, as well as following best practice. 

Green Farm was gifted to the CRT: What steps are you taking to ensure that this project is within the spirit of the gift? 

Where properties are gifted to the CRT, we are always mindful of the generosity of those who have left their properties in our management. In the specific case of Green Farm, we are fortunate to be able take forestry advice from the same forester who worked with John Broadbent-Jones. This provides us with a unique insight into Mr Broadbent-Jones' views on woodland management and his appreciation of the property as a continuously evolving mosaic of habitats. Our plans will ensure the continued positive management of the land for both forestry and nature conservation. 

The area hasn’t been effectively managed in the past; why will this change now? 

We are consulting closely with partners who successfully restore, manage, and monitor heathland in Surrey to apply similar practices. The CRT is invested in the success of this project and has a dedicated and skilled volunteers locally who regularly offer their time and support. Work has already taken place to reduce the vigour of bracken, and we are committed to managing these areas well for reptiles, birds, and pollinators. The new plan has been designed by our Head of Conservation and is part of the Heathland Connections nature recovery project, funded by Natural England and supported by many partners in West Surrey. The heathland restoration areas and mosaic wooded habitat at Green Farm will provide important connectivity for several rare species in the recently designated Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve. 

Links 
www.surreyhills.org/heathland-connections 

www.surreyhills.org/wealden-heaths-national-nature-reserve 

Will livestock grazing have an impact on access? 

Conservation grazing of small numbers of suitable livestock is an effective method of heathland management and is a method we are considering for the long-term management of Green Farm. This stage of the plan is several years away and would only be undertaken with strict attention to livestock welfare and public safety. Conservation grazing and public access to the countryside are not mutually exclusive, and the particulars of the Green Farm site will be closely considered if grazing is implemented in future.  

Are we likely to see gorse invading the heathland? 

If not managed correctly, gorse can become a problem. Its control, as well as that of plant species like bracken, is a key part of the plan. However, it is also important to remember that gorse provides useful nesting habitat for birds such as the Dartford warbler, so not all gorse will be removed from the site for this reason. However, we are taking steps to reduce current levels. We aim to create a mosaic of habitats, a mix of thick scrubby areas, open spaces, bare ground, low heather, mature heather, and trees. This will provide the best breadth of habitat to suit the greatest range of species.