Sandgate Conservation Society currently works at two sites with occasional conservation mornings at a third site.
The main sites we work at are:
Sullington Warren
Sullington Warren is a 60 acre area of rare lowland heathland and woodland owed by the National Trust. The land was saved from housing development with a continued agreement for it to be kept as open space.
Sullington Warren is part of a belt of fragmented Wealden Greensand heaths extending across West Sussex from the Hampshire/Surrey border to Washington.
It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its special ecology and the flora and fauna it supports.
It is also an area of historical interest.
The National Trust is required to manage the Warren in accordance with the requirements of English Heritage for the historical sites and the requirements of Natural England for its SSSI status – a delicate balance!
We often meet on the area called The Green, but sometimes, especially during the winter months, we meet elsewhere, depending on where there is work to do. Our posters indicate on a site map where we will be meeting and a description is also given in our programme and on Facebook.
Sandgate Park
Sandgate Park is an approximately 30 acres area owned by Horsham District Council. The first 16 acres was acquired from Halls Aggregates in 1974. A further area was acquired from developers in 1982, with a final area donated by Roy Armstrong. There are restrictive covenants covering the site’s use and management and it is therefore within the terms of these covenants that the Council aims to maintain the park as a quiet countryside area managed for the benefit of wildlife, landscape and local residents, in such a way that a balance is kept between the value of the park for wildlife as well as for informal recreation.
The park comprises a number of habitats, and trees and shrubs that were originally planted as part of the ornamental gardens that once surrounded Sandgate House.
We usually meet at the bench on the path from Sandgate Lane.
Warren Hill
Mrs A B Lloyd donated Warren Hill to the National Trust in 1942 to protect it from the threat of building and quarrying.
Much of this 250 acre area is farmed. However, 70 acres are open to the public and a further area has limited public access.
Warren Hill used to be part of the heathland that stretched from Sullington Warren and further west. It is the most easterly of the remaining Wealden Greensand heaths in West Sussex.
Mixed woodland covers much of Warren Hill. Some areas were planted with dense conifer plantations which are inhospitable to wild life. The dense woodland is being gradually selectively cleared to give a more natural wooded heathland which is much richer in wild life.
Due to its special nature, and with the help of lobbying by Sandgate Conservation Society, Warren Hill is included within the South Downs National Park.
The Society occasionally helps the National Trust on Warren Hill.
