 |
Surrey
Heath Borough Council Surrey Police Woking Area
Primary Care Trust Surrey County
Council |
NEWS
RELEASE |
Good News
For Heathland
Surrey Heath Borough Council has received a grant aid of £1,600
from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to
enable the Council to expand and enhance the existing heathland habitat
at Turf Hill Park, Lightwater.
The heathland, consisting of stretches of heather, scattered scrub and trees, is home to many rare and endangered species, for example the rare Silver-studded Blue butterflies and the Dartford Warbler bird both breed here.
Due to the importance of the heathland habitat, Turf Hill is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means the site is protected from housing development or any other use that would result in damage to the land. In addition, Turf Hill is also a Special Protection Area, due to the important bird life that lives on the site.
With advice from English Nature, conservation efforts will include the removal of pine trees from some areas of the site. These trees are of limited wildlife value and shade out the heather, depriving it of water and light. If the trees are allowed to continue growing the open heathland will be lost and, in turn, so will be the animal species that rely upon it.
Contractors will carry out these felling works under licence this winter, supervised by Surrey Heath’s Rangers. By next spring the heathland and its associated wildlife should start to benefit from the increased sunlight around the site.
Cllr Pat Pearce, Surrey Heath’s Economy and The Environment Portfolio Holder said, “The Council is delighted to receive this grant as it will help towards the up keep of the special protection area designated by the European Union. The countryside of Surrey Heath is main focus of the Borough and if we can help in conserving it for future residents we can ensure the heathland will maintain its beauty.”
For further information about
the Parks and Countryside in Surrey Heath visit the Surrey Heath website
www.surreyheath.gov.uk – Look under ‘Leisure’ and then
‘Parks and Recreation Areas’. Alternatively please contact
Leisure Services on 01276 707338 or email leisure.services@surreyheath.gov.uk
For further information or photographs contact:
Amanda Gow, Press & Communications Officer 01276 707312
Jenni Wheller, Communications Assistant 01276 707415
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ref:94/05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------