As part of a local ecological revival, the first herd of cattle in over 80 years has been restored to Puttenham Common, a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) owned and managed by Hampton Estate, a 2250-acre property focused on environmentally friendly regenerative farming, forestry and ecotourism.
The estate, working alongside independent ecological planning consultancy Ecological Planning & Research (EPR), has developed an ambitious Biodiversity Strategy to identify a wide range of Priority habitats that could be restored across three Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs). These include long-lost ancient heathlands, species-rich grasslands, such as chalk downland and acid grassland, alongside wetland, woodland and other habitats. The restoration of Puttenham Common sits alongside this wider vision, funded through a 10-year Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) grant.
Initial research to inform the estate-wide Biodiversity Strategy revealed that the abandonment of commoning activities after the 1940s led to a rapid expansion of scrub and pioneer tree species across the previously open heathland common. This caused the loss of large areas of Priority habitats for nature conservation, including lowland heathland and lowland dry acid grassland, and the complete disappearance of a complex of bogs and mires that, historically, had been recorded as supporting rare plant species, including Heath Dog Violet, Marsh Clubmoss and the first ever record of Bog Orchid in Surrey just over 170 years ago.
The return of the estate’s Sussex cattle to Puttenham Common, alongside selective tree and scrub removal, marks a crucial step in the ecological restoration of the common. Cattle browse scrub and young trees to maintain open habitats of high nature conservation importance. Their selective grazing habits and ‘hoof fall’ also create a varied structure in habitats, increasing the niches available to different species of plants and animals. Their dung provides food for specialised invertebrates that, in turn, enable larger animals to feed.
The initiative aims to replicate historical livestock grazing once carried out by commoners. To facilitate free-roaming cattle throughout the 180-hectare site without fencing (which is difficult to install on common land), the cattle have been equipped with innovative GPS ‘No Fence’ collars that keep the estate informed as to the whereabouts of the cows.
The newly approved 10-year CSHT grant provides funding for capital works, reintroduction of livestock grazing, and the removal of trees to restore bog and heathland areas. Additionally, the grant covers ongoing management costs, including bracken control. These initiatives lay the groundwork for a comprehensive 100-year vision to ecologically replenish Puttenham Common. The long-term goal involves the return of a diverse array of specialist species, including Nightjar, Woodlark, Nightingale, reptiles, bats, Glow Worms, Silver-studded Blue and Small Heath Butterflies, and various rare plants. Through the restoration and enhancement of the natural environment, the project also seeks to promote sustainable recreation and foster a nature-based community.
EPR’s broader Biodiversity strategy for the estate outlined the amount and type of Biodiversity Units that could be delivered for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) markets across the estate. These Biodiversity Units will be sold to developers to fund ongoing habitat restoration work beyond Puttenham Common. Units are now available for sale through the Hampton Estate Habitat Bank (see: Hampton Estate | Hampton Estate Habitat Bank).
In England, new government regulations introduced in February 2024 will require developers to achieve a minimum 10% BNG as part of their projects. The Hampton Estate project is part of a larger effort by landowners to generate revenue while addressing the UK’s climate and ecological crisis. EPR facilitates collaboration, helping land managers generate revenue from their land and support local environments by selling biodiversity net gain units to aid developers.
Ben Kite, Group Strategy Director at EPR, said: “With the restoration of the Puttenham Common and grazing reinstated, we anticipate exciting developments in the site’s ecology. There’s potential to revive missing heathland, acid grassland and bog habitats that we now know must once have been biodiversity-rich in this area – a critical initiative given the alarming 85% decline in lowland heathland across the UK in the last 200 years. The grant will make a real difference to the future of Puttenham Common and complement the Estate’s wider BNG strategy. We are proud to support the Hampton Estate shift into an even more ecologically oriented approach to its business.”
Molly Biddell, Nature-Based Solutions Business Manager at Hampton Estate, stated: “Puttenham Common plays a crucial role in supporting rare species within its distinctive landscape. But this role had become diminished because of changes in society that rendered commoning a lost way of life. Restoring the land to its historical habitats presents a unique opportunity to enhance biodiversity, and we’re proud to be able to seize this opportunity. Through EPR’s expertise, the biodiversity strategy and identification of opportunities to sell Biodiversity Units, will have a lasting impact on both local and national biodiversity goals, positioning the estate for sustainable land management into the future.”
