Written by: Angela Simms
2022
We are one of only 200 heathland courses in the world, so heather is very important to our identity. The preservation, maintenance, and regeneration of heather are very high on the list of priorities. Therefore, it is imperative we are constantly looking to add to, extend and improve our current heather stand areas where possible.
We currently have a major SE Water project going through the course, with them needing to exit the ground with a water main pipe in the middle of an existing heather stand. So, we have had to relocate the heather further up the hole and will use heather brashings in the seedbed to help promote new growth in the original area during the reinstatement works. (See photos below).
Heather is also of important ecological value from a wildlife perspective. With a well-managed program between the building and mature phase of the heather’s life cycle, we aim to support greater ecological diversity. Going forward we are looking at further tree removal, and further scrapes to encourage more heather regeneration and improve what we have. We have also recently formed a relationship with Surrey Wildlife Trust to import heather sods onto the site in the future.
