North Downs site near Guildford being restored to natural state
It will have a meadow and a pond, as well as a heritage orchardd
A section of the North Downs, which is also part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is being restored to its natural state.
Over 40 hectares of Guildford Borough Council-owned land on Tyting farm between Chantry Woods and St Martha's Hill will be renovated.
As part of the restoration, the site will include a meadow and a pond, and a heritage orchard to help make the area one of the most diverse for wildlife locally.
The conversion of the original farm buildings to residential use is now nearly done, and other derelict buildings have been removed and meadowland restored.
Derelict 1950s farm buildings, slurry tanks and a slurry pit have been removed, and asbestos and over 300 rubber tyres have been cleared as part of the decontamination of the site.
Approximately 1200 tonnes of crushed concrete were removed from the site, including the walls of the slurry pit, and are being recycled to potentially contribute to footpath creation and repairs in the area, while timber sleepers from the slurry pit have also been used to create steps at Chantry Woods.
It is believed before being used as farm in the 1950s, the site was a training school for the government's secret Special Operations Executive during World War Two, with aeroplanes landing on nearby sloping farmland.
GBC Director of Service Delivery, Ian Doyle says:
"I am pleased that we are finally able to renovate this important part of our countryside and return an AONB for our residents to enjoy. It is not often that we are able to restore land to its natural state and increase both its accessibility and beauty, but this work at Tyting Farm will be of great benefit to residents and visitors to the area. It also fulfils many of the aspirations of the original Save Tyting Farm campaign to preserve the landscape and wildlife habitat.
"Walking and exercising in green spaces can improve mental and physical health, and we are developing the biodiversity of the area to support the natural habitats of the borough's wildlife and maintain ecosystems. As a working farm it will also contribute to the local economy and provide excellent fresh produce with a significantly lower carbon footprint."
One remaining building, a former bull house, will be converted into a bat hibernaculum, for winter hibernation. Surrey Bat Group will provide advice on the conversion and help the council to monitor the bats using this building. The habitat will also welcome birds, voles, owls, swallows, swifts, bees and other pollinating insects.
The council is already working with Butterfly Conservation to encourage Small Blue, Chalkhill Blue and some of Surrey's rarest and most beautiful butterfly species - as this restoration of chalk grassland is one of the main objectives of the North Downs Biodiversity Opportunity Area.
The farmland and field patterns will follow historic layouts and remain available for livestock.
Fibreoptic broadband is being installed on the site as part of the Broadband For Surrey Hills (B4SH) campaign to provide reliable internet access to rural areas.
Rockwood Homes are building four apartments within the site of the original farm buildings.
One new property is replacing the previous 1950s farmhouse.