The Land Trust delighted to add Ash Green Meadows to its expanding portfolio

The Land Trust is delighted to add another site to its expanding portfolio as the national land management charity takes ownership of Ash Green Meadows.

The 24 hectare site in Ash, Surrey is an open area of former agricultural land that will provide important recreation space for residents. The site is characterised by semi-improved damp grassland and part of the site has Site of Importance for Nature Conservation status due to important ecological features.

Ash Green Meadows will provide Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) that will ensure new residential developments close to the site are provided with adequate open space for communities to use and enjoy, thereby protecting the nearby Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.

The site has been established by Bewley Homes PLC who will use part of the site for its own development of up to 481 new homes on land south of Ash Lodge Drive, Ash.

Andy Morris, Strategic Land Director for Bewley Homes said:

“We are delighted to be working with the Land Trust as our partners in managing the SANG at Ash, and have jointly developed a strategy which will ensure the long term positive maintenance of the site.

“This will be a huge attraction for the future residents of both the Bewley and A2Dominion developments as well as adjoining schemes which will benefit from the facility.  We are working together to ensure that all new residents are informed about the need for the SANG and its aim to preserve the Special Protection Area.”

The SANG management plan aims to provide an attractive area for recreational use for new and existing residents, as well as protecting and enhancing the sites’ ecological interest.

The Land Trust has appointed Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership to undertake the day to day management of Ash Green Meadow.

Euan Hall, Chief Executive of the Land Trust, said:

“We are delighted to add Ash Green Meadows to our portfolio of sites. Our proven track record of owning and managing green space such as this one will ensure that we effectively deliver our charitable objectives and make a real difference in the local area.

“Having so much attractive green space on their doorstep will benefit the existing residents and new community and we know that this will have the positive effect of attracting new people and business to the area.”

The addition of Ash Green Meadows takes the number of Land Trust sites to 64 with nearly 2,400 hectares now under ownership and management.