Agenda item

One of the three main objectives of the current five-year Epsom and Walton Downs Habitat Management Plan (2023-2028) is to draw up a project plan to reintroduce grazing to Juniper Hill.

The grassland of Juniper Hill bears special attention as it has been considered to be the best of its type in Surrey. It is regarded by the Epsom and Ewell Local Biodiversity Action Plan working group as a top priority to conserve and enhance.

The Conservators received a report exploring the feasibility of reintroducing grazing to Juniper Hill.

The grassland of Juniper Hill bears special attention as it has been considered to be the best of its type in Surrey. It is regarded by the Epsom and Ewell Local Biodiversity Action Plan working group as a top priority to conserve and enhance.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Animal welfare. A Member of the Conservators asked who would look after the animals. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that this can be explored if Conservators agree they are happy, in principle, for grazing to be reintroduced on the downs. The Senior Countryside Officer stated that she would be looking for volunteers to help and is hoping to drum up support from local people. She explained that Epsom Common is very successful grazed, and volunteers check on the livestock every day. She acknowledged that there would be a need for some staff to overlook the site and organise, support, and manage volunteers and explained that further discussions regarding staff resource need to take place. She highlighted that staff would need to be on hand to react in case of vandalism or other issues.  

b)            Number of sheep. A Member of the Conservators asked how many sheep would be used for grazing. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that there are two options, either two or three sheep grazing constantly or you have more sheep over a shorter period of time, grazing for specific period.

c)            Sheep rustling. A Member of the Conservators raised concerns about sheep rustling. The Member highlighted that there is a concern with having predominantly volunteers dealing with the site in case of emergencies. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that the volunteers would walk the fence line every day and check it is electrified and check the condition of the animals, the water supply etc. and raise any issues for a member of staff to deal with. The Senior Countryside Officer informed the Conservators that they had discussed sheep grazing with Jenny Price, who runs the Langley Vale Woodland Trust. The Langley Vale Woodland Trust use Michael Jelly’s sheep for grazing. They have not experienced issues of sheep rustling. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that Michael Jelly’s sheep could also be used for grazing on Juniper Hill, and then as part of that arrangement, Michael would be on hand straight away if there are any issues and he would also support the day-to-day jobs and maintenance.

d)            Hiring Sheep. A Member of the Conservators queried why sheep would be hired rather than bought and asked what the cost difference is. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that the sheep can be bought but that brings in another level of responsibility and things to consider. She also explained that she would be look at and costing different options to compare and bring back to Conservators for their comments and approval.

e)            Biodiversity benefits. A Member of the Conservators expressed their support for the project and explained the importance of yellow ants in further benefitting the plants and how the sheep help to aid the yellow ants. The Chair noted the comments.

f)             Site Visit. A Member of the Conservators raised that a site visit would be helpful to understand the site and be shown how it would impact that area. The Chair confirmed that a site visit will be arranged for Conservators.  

g)            CIL funding. A Member of the Conservators suggested that CIL funding might be an option for the project and particularly to fund the fencing. The Member highlighted that the most robust fencing possible within the funding constraints, would be best.

h)            Local Government Reorganisation. A Member of the Conservators raised that it would be prudent to start discussions with relevant groups and stakeholders regarding the transitions that will take place over the next few years as Local Government in Surrey changes substantially. The Clerk to the Conservators explained that the current arrangement and any agreements will need to be revisited with the new authority, and it is assumed that any new authority will step in where Epsom and Ewell Borough Council currently sit on the Conservators. The Clerk made clear that we do not currently know what will happen and await further direction and input from Central Government. The Chair commented that hopefully a new authority would also take over the Council’s Habitat Management Plan for the Downs.

i)             Previous grazing. A Member of the Conservators asked why grazing on the Downs was stopped in the past. The Assistant Head of Service – Streetcare explained that it was due to an outbreak of blue tongue which affected the sheep.  She explained that the project was never picked back up after the sheep were removed from the Downs.

j)             Geology. A Member of the Conservators raised that if Epsom and Ewell become part of a unitary, under the three unitary option, the districts involved share a geology, which is important to understand and acknowledge.

k)            Sheep escaping. The Vice Chair expressed that the most important concern from a racecourse and training ground perspective is sheep escaping and getting onto the gallop, so the more robust the fencing is, the better.

l)             Fencing options. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that permanent fencing would be the most robust option and set out that it would be best to add a permanent fence on either side of the footpath and bridlepath that goes through the middle of the site, so there is no issue with horse gates or people getting into the livestock enclosure. The Senior Countryside Officer explained that if Conservators agree down the line that grazing will not be constant and instead will only take place for a specific period, then the central fencing could be temporary and could be removed when there are no sheep grazing. She explained that permanent fencing is more expensive than temporary fencing.  

·                     The Chair proposed that the Conservators agree that permanent fencing should be used to secure the livestock, as a decision is requested in recommendation 2.

Simon Dow seconded the proposal.

The Conservators unanimously agreed to decide that permanent fencing should be used to secure the livestock.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree in principle to reintroduce grazing to Juniper Hill, subject to a further report presented to the Conservators at their January 2026 meeting which will include detailed capital and revenue expenditure requirements and funding options.

(2)      Decide if permanent or temporary fencing should be used to secure livestock.