Rushmere Common Management Plan
Long Term Objectives
1. To conserve and enhance the heathland, flora, fauna and reduce non native species on Rushmere Common.
To maintain a diverse age structure in the heather areas.
To encourage the structure of the gorse thickets by rotational coppicing.
To remove sapling to ensure areas do not degenerate into secondary woodlands and prevent encroachment of woodland
To maintain firebreaks around the perimeter of the site.
All management proposals to consider the requirements of the wildlife.
To manage the common as an amenity for commoners, golfers and general public.
Location & Habitat
The boundaries on the areas map attached to this plan are drawn along the more permanent features of the Common eg fairways footpaths, rather than along habitat boundaries. The areas relate to the Golf club fairways and invariably are adjacent to the fairway hole numbers, with the exception of Area 19 (Little Heath). There are no area 3, 4 and 5 as these holes are on private land.
Area1 West of fairway 1& common boundary.
Habitat Mixed woodland & gorse.
Area2 West of fairway 2 & common boundary.
Habitat Gorse
Area6 North & South fairway 6, South fairway 7 & common boundary.
Habitat Woodland contains 99% oak with the odd silver birch.
Area7a North of fairway 7, part East of fairway 2 &footpaths running East-West & North –South.
Habitat Edge of woodland, gorse & heather.
Area7b North of fairway 7 & footpaths running East-West & North–South.
Habitat Edge of woodland & heather.
Area8 North West of fairway 8 & enclosed by fairway 9 & 12.
Habitat Edge woodland & gorse
Area9a East part fairway 1 & footpaths running East-West & North –South.
Habitat Gorse
Area9b West part fairway 9 & footpaths running East-West & North –South.
Habitat Heather with line of birch.
Area10 Enclosed by fairway10 & 11, practice driving area.
Habitat Heather.
Area11 Enclosed by fairway 11 12 & 15.
Habitat Gorse, heather & acid grassland.
Area12 East of fairway 8 &12 & common boundary.
Habitat Woodland & gorse.
Area13 South of fairway 13.
Habitat Woodland.
Area14 North of fairway 14.
Habitat Pond hedging & gorse.
Area15a North West of fairway 15 & footpath North- West, South-East.
Habitat Heather & gorse.
Area15b South-East part of fairway 16 & footpath North- West, South-East & Linksfield.
Habitat Gorse & few trees.
Area16 Enclosed by fairway 16 17 & 11.
Habitat Gorse.
Area17 North of fairway 17 & Woodbridge road East.
Habitat Scrub, gorse & bracken.
Area18a North West of fairway 18 & Camberly Road.
Habitat Scrub, gorse, oak/birch &acid grassland.
Area18b North West of fairway 18 & Woodbridge Road East.
Habitat Scrub, gorse & trees.
Area19 Little heath: Enclosed by Woodbridge Road East & Playford.
Habitat Scrub, gorse & oak/birch. 15.07.2010