Grass cutting

Once a year we review the grass cutting schedules in particular areas in the borough to help improve biodiversity.

Leaving some of these grass areas to grow a little longer to form natural wild meadows helps wildlife, such as bees and butterflies to thrive and is attractive to look at. Cutting the longer grass in the late summer prevents the growth of any scrubs and dominant vegetation. 

We relax the grass cutting schedule on selected areas of designated common land and all countryside areas that are already being retained for the benefit of biodiversity. However, we must also consider the recreational use of the commons and the protection of infrastructure. You can find out more about Grass cutting on commons here.

See below for a full list of areas where grass will be left to grow longer.

No Mow May

We also encourage residents to support No Mow May at home. Consider not cutting your grass for the month and let the wildflowers in your lawn bloom, providing plenty of nectar for hungry pollinators!

Areas where longer grass will support biodiversity

Parks

• Brook Road – behind houses on left hand side
• Radstock Way – top half
• Tattenham Recreation Ground – around pond area
• Lonesome Lane fields
• New pond – bottom end of field
• Castle Ground banks
• Priory Park - some areas 
• Wray Common (windmill side) Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI)

Countryside

• Petridgewood Common SNCI
• Tanyard Meadows - all countryside areas (Fire break areas to be cut)
• Chipstead Downs part Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
• New Pond Farm SNCI
• Small section of White Bushes Common SNCI
• Merstham Bund
• Nork Park (Part SNCI)
• Holly Lane
• Banstead Wildlife area - whole area
• Reigate Heath - everything apart from the cottage bank roadside SSSI, LNR
• Earlswood Common LNR, SNCI - selected areas will be cut for the enhancement of priority wildlife, more information can be found on the Surrey Wildlife Trust website.
• Earlswood Lakes - some areas
• Redhill Common - plateaux two cuts per year 

Common grass areas

• Pendleton Road - sightline and fire break areas cut only
• The Ring-Plough pub - once a year
• Whitepost Hill-Elm Road - Sightlines only
• Pebble Hill-Dorking Road + pub - three cuts a year
• Sandpit Lawns
• Dovers Green-Castle Drive - sightlines only
• Maple Way, common land areas only - three cuts a year
• Skimmington Castle
• Riverside Garden Park
• Epsom Lane North

Banstead Common Conservators managed land

Banstead Commons Conservators manage large areas of priority grassland across all four of the sites that make up Banstead Commons: 

• Banstead Heath SNCI
• Park Downs SSSI
• Banstead Downs SSSI
• Burgh Heath

Please visit the Banstead Commons Conservators' website for further information on the grassland and heathland management priorities on Banstead Commons. 

Examples of a balance between grass cutting and supporting biodiversity

Areas managed for biodiversity

Below is what areas look like that are managed for biodiversity. They remain uncut throughout the year providing food and shelter for a multitude of habitats.

Cutting grass for public safety

We cut the grass for public safety but still consider wildlife when maintaining sightlines along highways.

Larger grass areas are cut to maintain sightlines outside schools.

Cutting grass for people to enjoy activities

Many residents depend on our green spaces for their physical and mental health. Where we cut the grass for people to enjoy activities we also leave space to encourage biodiversity.