The Recreation Ground is owned by charitable trust controlled by Pulborough Parish Council. It used to be an open
area surrounded by mature oak trees; cricket was played there in past times. Nowadays, thanks to the lack of
man's interference it has become a wonderful haven for wildlife, it is enjoyed by ramblers, birdwatchers, dog
walkers, and most importantly children who make camps there and grow up close to nature away from TVs, gameboys
etc. It is becoming a haven for wildlife
There is no car parking at the Recreation Ground.
From Nutbourne Road, follow the public footpath which runs alongside Bramfold Farm.
The entrance is in about 300m on the right.
Pulborough Parish Council have secured the services of the Sussex Wealden Greensand Heath Project to restore it as
a heathland area surrounded by trees. This group works under the auspices of the South Downs Joint Committee who are currently engaged in the
restoration of heathland across West Sussex. This is part of a National Scheme and already there are many such
successful projects in our area; Monkmead Woods, Hurston Warren, Wiggonholt Common etc. Following their initial
survey in September 2006, they have produced an Action Plan
(180kB) which is now being implemented.
The volunteer workforce visited the Recreation Ground on 1st October and removed scrub and some small trees from the central clearing. Tree surgeons will be visiting shortly to remove any unsafe dead branches which overhang the public footpath running through the Recreation Ground. The Parish Council intends to replace the gate and make it secure.
We the undersigned support the views about the future of Nutbourne Common including those detailed below and put forward by the Nutbourne Conservation & History Group. Whilst we appreciate the Parish Council's responsibilities concerning the Common we have serious concerns over its future and hereby request that consideration be given to the following.
| 1 | The term "recreation ground" is an inaccurate description of an area that is a rural haven for wildlife and it would therefore be better re-designated as a "Local Nature Reserve". This is a simple expedient as evidenced by the many Parish Councils that have already followed this route. |
| 2 | There should be a management plan for the long term use of the Common in connection with its wildlife, vegetation and usage and for the clearing to remain the present size. |
| 3 | PPC have already used the Sussex Wealden Greensand Heaths Project Group to make a heath-land clearing and that group should be give a memo of understanding that determines the clearing size and maintenance. |
| 4 | All the local, naturally occurring indigenous vegetation and flora outside the existing clearing shall be retained. |
| 5 | Whilst we believe green stock fencing would be satisfactory for the East, South and West aspects, a single wire fence at considerably less cost is adequate and less obtrusive. The front or North side should be fenced with stumps as are found in most similar Commons, with possibly a short section of post and rail near the new gate. |
| 6 | A small discreet notice near the gate is necessary to warn people that adders are native to the area. This could be part of an informative map explaining the objective, dogs mess etc., as exists at other sites. |
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