Working closely with Banstead Commons Conservators & Natural England

BANSTEAD DOWNS IS DESIGNATED A SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (SSSI) AND IS A ONE OF THE RARE AND DISAPPEARING CHALK DOWNLAND HABITATS IN ENGLAND.

At Banstead Downs Golf Club, we work together with Banstead Commons Conservators and Natural England, the statutory bodies responsible for the wide variety of wild plants and animals on Banstead Downs, its biodiversity, and natural features, to ensure the preservation of chalk grassland characteristics.

From a golfing perspective, this is an extremely positive programme. By restoring the chalk downland and gradually minimising unfavourable species, the golf course will slowly return to its original chalk grassland state. This will ensure that the course is preserved as the original architects intended and will continue to support the species-rich grassland, scrub and secondary woodland which provide the perfect environment for a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Banstead Downs contains many typical chalk grassland wildflowers such as the Common Spotted Orchid, Musk Thistle, Stemless Mistle and Autumn Gentian. There are also rarities such as Broadleaved Cudweed and Early Gentian which are monitored on Banstead Downs under the Plantlife ‘Back-from-the Brink’ project.

Banstead Commons Conservators are also working with Surrey Wildlife Trust to develop a ten year Site Management Plan for Banstead Downs and the other local sites for which they are responsible.

More information can be found at https://bansteadcommons.org.uk/