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BANSTEAD COMMONS CONSERVATORS |
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Welcome to the Home Page of Banstead Commons Conservators  Banstead
Commons consist of four separate areas of common land in the north of
the Borough of Reigate and Banstead, namely Banstead Heath, Banstead
Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath (see map).
As a result of the Metropolitan
Commons (Banstead) Supplemental Act of 1893, the Commons are managed by
the Banstead
Commons Conservators. The Act conferred upon the Conservators
a statutory duty to
ensure safe and free access of the public to the commons and to protect
the commons from damage and trespass. At the time of the Act
this was intended, as much as anything, to protect
the Commons from their owners although in this more enlightened age we
hope that threats from this direction are unlikely.As well as providing important recreational areas, the open spaces of the commons are important wildlife habitats, Banstead Downs and Park Downs are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), an important aspect of their attraction to a large number of users. In an age of increasing urbanization this imparts certain responsibilities to manage with maintenance of the wildlife value in mind. Within these pages we tell you more about the Commons: where they are, how to get there, something of their history and what you can see on them especially with regard to their wildlife. We also give an summary of the history of the Conservators, who the Conservators are, how they are appointed and what they do. Overall we hope these pages will raise public awareness of the Commons and the Conservators and encourage everyone to visit the Commons. We hope to provide information and links for both recreational and wildlife interests, if you have any comments or suggestions please let us know. In addition there is a news page that will be regularly updated to keep everyone informed of what is going on on the commons. Next meeting: Saturday 19th July 2008 at the Banstead Day Centre, The Horseshoe, Banstead. Members of the public are welcome to attend to observe the proceedings. You can contact the Conservators at any time by email here. Last updated 28th March 2008 |
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