Projects
NEW POND FARM
New Pond Farm together with Felland Copse is a place of peace and tranquillity, a much-loved place to walk and relax, and enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the countryside. The site provides an array of stunning views towards Reigate, Felland Copse and of course the spire at St John's Church.
The site today serves as a valuable community asset, in addition to being an important green corridor, linked with Earlswood Common, Felland Copse and Petridge Common. We aim to work with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, other charitable organisations, and community groups to deliver projects that balance recreational use with enhancing the natural environment and bio-diversity of the site. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's Green Infrastructure Strategy recognises the importance of green spaces, and that green spaces deliver many positive benefits for nature and local communities. Initial suggestions for the site include:
Community Orchard (see separate TAB)
Trim trail
Creating a circular walk with additional bridge over Earlswood Brook.
Hedge improvements, hedge laying and coppicing
Information boards
All projects are at the early stages of consideration, and require approval of the Council as the landowner.
More About New Pond Farm:
A valued Countryside Site - alongside Earlswood Common, Felland Copse and Petridge Common, New Pond Farm is one of 16 valued countryside sites within Reigate and Banstead Borough.
'New Pond Farm is a network of wet grassland fields that were farmed until the middle of the 20th century. Since then the site has been used for public recreation and nature conservation and the end result is the peaceful place that we have today. Part of the site has previously been used for grazing by cattle to encourage a more diverse display of wild flowers and as a result the site has been designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.
A small isolation hospital was built at New Pond Farm in the early 19th century to contain diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and tuberculosis. This was at a time when such diseases were common and correct treatment not fully understood. '
(source: Reigate and Banstead BC Countryside Guide)
Previous Conservation Projects:
At the end of 1992 under the code name 'Operation Yellowhammer' Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers (RACV) won the BBC 'Going for Green Award' for the hedgerow replacement at New Pond Farm. The hedgerows were replaced following extensive research of historical maps to establish where hedgerows had once been on the site. The name 'Yellowhammer' was used as a nod to the little yellow bird so characteristic of our hedgerows.
The mosaic of fields at New Pond Farm was previously managed under a Countryside Stewardship Scheme between 1993 to 2013. Under the Stewardship Scheme the site was managed as permanent grassland, increasing bio-diversity and improving the amenity value for the local community.