1) Aims

• Aim 1: To protect, conserve and enhance the landscape, biodiversity and ecological value of the commons.


• Maintain the habitat variety which contributes to the total species richness of the plan area, while particularly increasing the area and quality of those habitats which support specialist species and species of particular conservation interest.
• Resist the reversion of heathland to scrub and secondary woodland. Expand the area of heathland at the expense mainly of bracken, scrub and secondary woodland, and increase the proportion of recognised heathland species in the vegetation community. Maintain the floristic composition of grassland communities and prevent them becoming rank. Allow and encourage development of heathland vegetation on the extensive areas of bare gravel arising from the clearance of former runways and other airbase infrastructure.

  (It is accepted that following the removal of large areas of concrete and the loss of high pH runoff from them, populations of some calcicole plant species will inevitably decline.)

• Maintain the area of wet woodland, mires, bogs, and permanent and seasonal ponds.
• Maintain or re-introduce traditional management in (e.g.) wood pasture and coppice areas.
• Resist the encroachment of invasive alien species which pose a potential threat to native biodiversity.
• In principle, allow properly managed re-introduction or introduction of appropriate species, especially where Greenham Common has the potential to become an alternative site for species which are currently vulnerable due to their limited distribution. Example species include star fruit Damasonium alisma and the silver studded blue butterfly Plebeius argus.
• Benefit target species with international, national, regional or local conservation importance. Species including but not limited to:
  

  Adder

  Nightjar

  Dartford Warbler

  Great crested newt




For aim 1 (landscape and biodiversity conservation), this plan retains the management Compartments from previous plans. These are areas containing one habitat type (or a small number of habitats), or are areas visually defined by surrounding boundaries and features, therefore forming a convenient basis for dividing the plan into manageably-sized sections.

For details, click here or go via “Compartments index” in the navigation links on the left.





• Aim 2: To maintain existing access routes and facilities whilst retaining the ‘wild’ feel of the common. Where improvements to access and related facilities are required they should be in keeping with the landscape and aesthetics, recognisable and consistent. The main purpose of access onto the common is for quiet recreation and the enjoyment of wildlife
  

  For details, click here or go via “Recreation” in the navigation links on the left.

• Aim 3: To enhance the appreciation and understanding of the common though a programme of education and interpretation.
  

  For details, click here or go via “Education” in the navigation links on the left.

• Aim 4: To preserve the historical sites and monuments including the remaining cold war artefacts.
  

  For details, click here or go via “Heritage” in the navigation links on the left.

2) Management work

The entire plan area is owned by West Berkshire Council. Management work is carried out by WBC staff, contractors employed by WBC, volunteer groups co-ordinated by WBC, individual volunteers and other persons allowed by WBC to use certain resources (e.g. brushwood for hurdles and besoms) commercially. WBC currently (2009) employ one full-time Countryside Ranger on site.