|
|
Bonsey’s Common is approximately 56 acres of newly landscaped public access land situated north of Woking, Surrey. This in itself is nothing particularly unusual. Current planning guidance actively encourages local authorities to seek community and environmental benefits from new planning applicants. However, the background, development and future management of Bonseys Common make it very unusual if not unique.The site has a growing abundance of wildlife.
Design
Bonsey’s Common is the parkland vista attached to the
McLaren Technology Centre, a 157 acre site, which provides the corporate and
production headquarters for the McLaren Group Limited. It therefore provides
the home of the company behind the Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One team, McLaren
Racing and McLaren Automotive who are responsible for the production of the
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
The award winning building was designed by Foster & Partners, whilst the surrounding landscape was designed by Terence O’Rourke. The McLaren Technology Centre is approached via a private avenue of Turkish hazels leading into the areas of formal planting which directly surround the building. The landscaping scheme utilises a number of novel techniques to achieve an appearance of maturity and is designed to complement the building’s shape and form through a series of planted concentric rings, lakes and a 160m long cascade water feature. The remaining 97 acres is divided between planted woodland and gently undulating grass parkland, 56 acres of which are accessible via Horsell Common.
Bonsey’s Common is mainly planted as wildflower-rich meadows. The design template follows that of several local stately homes, with “parkland tree groupings” of semi-mature horse chestnut and small-leaved lime and shaws containing mixed native trees in proportions which mirror the local woodlands.
The scheme provides a habitat that is locally in decline and complements the 800 acre Horsell Common SSSI/SPA which extends away from the southern boundary. During the site’s initial conception heathland planting had been considered. However Bonseys Common had been intensely farmed and MAFF insisted that any landscaping protected the grade 1 soils. Stripping the topsoil for heather regeneration was not a viable option. With the Bourne Mill (River) running along the northern boundary, it was decided the preferred habitat should be a traditional damp meadow. After consultation with the Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT), English Nature, the Horsell Common Preservation Society and several other interested parties, a suitable seed mix was chosen. This contains Birds-foot Trefoil, Yarrow, Lady's Bedstraw, Ribwort Plantain, Selfheal, Sweet Vernal Grass, Yorkshire Fog, Common Bent, Smooth Meadow Grass, Sheep's Fescue and Crested Dogstail with occasional over-seeding drifts of Cowslip, Black Knapweed and Oxeye Daisy. This mix was designed to be basic so there was no risk of introducing species to the SSSI, yet left room for other flora to colonise, whilst attracting insects, especially butterflies. Establishment has taken at least 3 years, and as we enter the 4th year since the majority of the meadows were seeded, the cowslips have only just started to appear.
Management Structure
Bonseys Common is not common land; it is just the name which
was agreed between McLaren and the Joint Management Committee (JMC) during 2004.
The McLaren Group Limited purchased the freehold interest of the site, transferred
the freehold title to the Horsell Common Preservation Society (HCPS) and now
leases the land back on a longterm agreement. The JMC’s role is to oversee
the implementation of an agreed management plan for Bonseys Common. This consists
of two members representing the HCPS, two representing the McLaren Group and
one representing Woking Borough Council. Their main remit is to provide “an
area where everyone is able to gain healthy enjoyment of the local countryside
and wildlife”. McLaren have however taken an unconventional route and
instead of handing the day-to-day management over to the local authority or
wildlife trust, have decided to undertake the management of the site themself.
This ensures that a quality is maintained which properly reflects the McLaren
brand. McLaren employs an Estates Services Manager (ESM) who directly supervises
a preferred contractor and their permanent team of 6 staff and reports directly
to the JMC on matters relating to Bonseys Common.
Successes so far
Just prior to the official opening by Her Majesty The Queen
on 13th May 2004, Bonseys Common was opened up to public. There was already
a public footpath running along the eastern boundary and this path provides
the public with access to the site, linking to the HCPS Six Ways Crossroads
carpark, via the sand pits made famous by H G Wells in “The War of the
Worlds”. The first task was to encourage greater use of Bonseys Common,
so a network of mown paths was developed plus a riverside walk and a viewing
point for those interested in the landscape and building. Over the past year
the site has become increasingly popular with both walkers and McLaren employees.
The site has a growing abundance of wildlife including, grass snakes, toads and frogs which now share the lakes with 700 common and mirror carp, introduced to reduce a very healthy mayfly population. With both standing and swift flowing water on site, 6 species of dragonfly and 6 species of damselfly have been recorded, although it is the abundance rather than the diversity which is the impressive sight. The meadows have proven superb for ground nesting birds - 12 pairs of skylarks breeding with a similar number of meadow pipits successfully nested last year. The meadows and lakes prove popular feeding grounds for hirundines and an ever-widening variety of waterfowl, whilst there is at least one breeding pair of kingfishers in the riverbank.
The wildflower meadows have proved superb for butterflies, nothing rare - but 24 different species were recorded during 2004. The real success story to date has been the confirmation that Bonseys Common is providing habitat for at least one confirmed RDB1 species, a solitary cuckoo bee Nomada guttulata.
Problems so far
Like all new landscaping schemes there have been some minor
planting failures, although the biggest surprise has been the 100% success rate
in the semi-mature trees.
As previously mentioned, the site is growing in popularity and ground nesting birds and ill-informed dog walkers do not mix. As the site is not common land nor is it in authority ownership there is no legal structure for byelaws. The JMC still felt there was a need to create a rule structure to discourage general nuisance and reduce the disturbance to wildlife. The approach has been to create “conditions of use” which are posted at the site entrances. On entry to the site the individual is agreeing to abide by the conditions of use and this provides a structure for the very rare occasion that enforcement might be required.
This year and beyond
The current management plan runs to 2007, and is designed
to manage the transition from construction to full establishment. 2005 has seen
the instigation of the first hay meadow cuts. The plan requires five cuts at
monthly intervals over four different areas. This is to try to create maximum
diversity within the sward and will be closely monitored through programmed
surveys, mainly carried out by volunteers. After consultation with SWT and the
EA, an otter holt will be constructed this autumn, just outside of the public
area.
Next year McLaren will begin considering the development of an environmental educational programme in conjunction with the local borough council for both local schools and special interest groups. To support this initiative a pond-dipping platform is planned in the ecology lake and a series of site interpretation panels will be erected. The challenge beyond 2008 is to establish and agree a new management plan, taking into account the development of the flora and fauna at that point and ensuring the maintenance of the environment on Bonseys Common for the continual enjoyment of all.
Daniel Duthie
BSc MCMA MILAM
Estates Services Manager; McLaren Group Ltd