CHAILEY COMMUNITY WEBSITE

INTRODUCTION TO CHAILEY COMMON

Chailey Common Nature Reserve is one of the largest areas of open heathland left in Sussex. It was designated a SSSI in 1954 and, with the help of the Chailey Commons Society, a LNR in 1966. The Common consists of 450 acres of lowland heath, split into sections by a network of roads. Parts of the Common are further divided by tracks giving access to private property, and it is bordered by farmland, private property and Chailey Heritage. The heath is a mix of bracken, grasses and heather communities, birch and European and Dwarf gorse.

Chailey Common escaped the 18th Century Enclosure Acts and due to its common land status has remained undeveloped and unimproved. Years of grazing and cutting bracken by commoners resulted in an open lowland heath habitat. During both World Wars, Chailey Common was used for tank training and military manoeuvres. This has left many landscape features, some of which have become important micro-habitats in themselves, as well as being of historical significance. Since 1989, practical management has increased and is aimed at encouraging heath species. In 1991, grazing was introduced with the aid of a Countryside Stewardship Scheme from the Countryside Commission which increased the finances available for habitat management.

Many individuals and organisations have responsibilities and obligations towards the Chailey Common Local Nature Reserve which makes its management a complicated issue. The Nature Reserve Management Committee is responsible for ensuring appropriate management is carried out and uses the ESCC Countryside Management Service to achieve this. The Management Committee is made of of two representatives each from the County Council, District Council, Parish Council, Chailey Commons Society and the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

See under Chailey Commons 'Links' for the citation of Chailey Common for SSSI status.

See also the chapter on Chailey Common in 'Sussex Wildlife' by Dr Tony Whitbread -published by Snake River Press (2008)

ISBN 978-1-906022-09-9

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