Landscaping at Tuesley Farm

Our farm at Tuesley, near Milford in Surrey, is the largest and newest in our portfolio. As such, we pay particular attention to the environmental and visual impacts of our operations on this site.

We inherited a farm where the traditional hedgerows and woodland had largely been removed over the years to allow for modern agricultural techniques. We are replanting the hedgerows and introducing new areas of traditional woodland designed to encourage wildlife. This policy fits closely with our aim of encouraging natural predators for the pests that can damage our crops, thereby reducing the need to use artificial means.

At the same time, this planting will help reduce any visual impact of our operations for our neighbours and visitors to the area.While studies have shown that Tuesley Farm is not widely visible, there are some places where – due to deterioration in the hedgerows and other factors – parts of the farm can be seen, particularly in winter when vegetation is not so lush. We aim to provide visual barriers so that our neighbours and visitors to the area can continue to enjoy their views. And we continue to experiment with differently coloured plastic for our temporary polytunnels to reduce their visual impact while they are in place.

We intend to plant some large areas with native woodland species including Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Quercus robur (Common Oak), Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan) and Acer campestre (Field Maple). On the fringes of these woodlands we'll plant Corylus avellana (Hazel), Cataegus monogyna (Hawthorn), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) and Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose). This planting will replace woodland lost by previous owners of the farm and create a new place for wildlife to live.

Where the field boundaries intersect, we'll plant smaller areas of woodland which will allow access to the fields without breaking the visual impact.

Around the eastern, southern and western boundaries of the farm, on the inside of existing hedgerows and fence lines, woodland belt planting will be a minimum of 15 meters wide. Its aim is to provide an effective visual screening function.

An important part of our landscaping plans is the replanting of native hedgerows. These will be planted extensively to replicate the historic field pattern and to reinforce the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, using a triple staggered row of planting for hedgerow density. Native trees will be planted randomly along the hedge to provide mature tree canopies which will visually coalesce across the whole scheme. These hedgerows not only provide more places for wildlife to live, but also create links to green corridors and off-site habitats so that animals feel more secure in moving from place to place.

Within the hedgerows we intend to plant Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn), Corylus avenella (Hazel), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn), Rosa canina (Dog Rose) and Acer campestre (Field Maple).

Overall, the amount of land taken out of production and changes to woodland and other landscaping uses will be approximately 24.7 hectares, or over 13% of the total farm.