A new lease of life for Westfield Common

Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) is pleased to have been invited to restore and manage Westfield Common (near Woking) on behalf of Woking Borough Council (WBC).

The Common, an area of mixed grassland, woodland and ponds is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and has been left virtually unmanaged for the last 30 years, but under the plan SWT would improve the area for the benefit of wildlife and local residents and visitors.   Once the agreement is finalised, funding from WBC would allow the Trust to carry out ecological and visitor surveys of the Common, develop a detailed Management Plan, implement initial restoration work, and undertake ongoing management for at least 10 years which would help to improve and protect the biodiversity of the site. 

The agreement would also provide support for a dedicated Environmental Groups Support Officer from SWT’s Surrey Greenspace Project to work with the local Residents to engage them in the restoration of the Common.  SWT is eager to consult with the local community, to help determine the future vision for the Common and ensure that Residents’ needs are taken into account when the management proposals are developed. 

Frances Halstead, SWT Environmental Groups Support Officer, says: “We welcome the Council’s commitment to bring the whole of Westfield Common into positive management.  We believe that this project can restore a long neglected nature area and can enhance the Common to fulfill its potential as a local nature reserve.  We understand how important this site is to local residents and will work with them on the restoration project.”