News and Events

SGN Cathodic Protection System

In September 2023 the Conservators agreed to a proposal from SGN to install a protection system to the 24″ gas main running from the Fairsite to Galpins Road.

The system will comprise of a buried groundbed, a connection post, transformer cabinet, test post and buried cables linking the system together. The attached plan shows the route of the cabling and above-ground installations.

Work will commence on Monday 11 March and is likely to take 6-8 weeks.

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Oak Processionary Moth

Over the next few weeks a Forestry Commission approved contractor will be spraying Oak trees with previously reported Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) infestations.

Details about the caterpillars for this moth can be found in the link below. The Forestry Commission also has guidance on their website. If you think a tree has OPM please contact the Forestry Commission

oak processionary moth details

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Nature Conservation work

Over the past few weeks various areas have been subject to management in order to prevent them succeeding into scrub and maintain habitat diversity. This has included physical removal of scrub/grass and spraying unwanted regeneration.

Numerous areas of grassland have also been cut to preserve them as grassland.

In the coming weeks several areas of bramble on the Gunsite, 7 islands and Bidders will be flailed to keep it under control.

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High Court Injunction Order

On 13 March 2019 the High Court granted Merton Council an Injunction Order lasting 3 years forbidding Persons Unknown Occupying Land or Depositing Waste from:

Injunction Order March 2019

  1. setting up an encampment on any land identified on the attached Map and listed on Schedule A on the 56 sites listed, without written permission from the local planning authority, or planning permission granted by a planning inspector;
  2. Entering or occupying any part of the land for residential purposes (temporary or otherwise) identified on the ...
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Dog Control Orders

Please see the attached following links to a borough-wide public consultation that has now gone live concerning proposed new dog control measures in Merton.

The proposals will have significant impacts for the management of dogs in our parks and greenspaces for some years to come.

Please note the end date of the consultation is the 30th October 2017

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Acid Grassland Restoration Project

The SUEZ Communities Trust has kindly agreed to fund a project which aims to restore acid grassland on several parcels of land on the Seven Islands Pond and Golf Course sub-sites of the Common.

The work will start in the near future and will involve removing scrub woodland and semi-mature trees followed by clearance of accumulated organic material and re-seeding with acid grassland as required.

Seven Islands Pond sub-site location of works

mitcham-common-seven-islands-pond-area-2nd-draft

Press Release

press-release-mitcham-common-acid-grassland-restoration-project

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Metal detecting

New holes from metal detecting have been appearing on paths around Mitcham Common. Metal detecting is not permitted on the Common for safety and nature conservation reasons. If you see holes being dug please report it.

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Test heather scrape

A new test scrape has been dug on the Mill House sub-site part of the Common, to the north of the Ecology Centre. This will be seeded with heather, have brash placed over it and be pegged with fencing to prevent being blown away and public trampling.

Heathland is an important habitat on the Common, and its maintenance and expansion are aspirations we’re striving towards.

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Alabama Rot found on Wimbledon Common

“Alabama Rot” Update – Case Confirmed

Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV)

“Alabama Rot” – Case Confirmed

We have been advised by a local veterinary practice that the suspected case of CRGV, or “Alabama Rot”, in a local dog has been confirmed.

However, as the dog was also walked in other local parks and open spaces, it is still not certain that the disease is here on the Commons.

The causes of the disease, and how it is contracted, are not yet understood ...

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Spider Foray

Spider man at Mitcham Common

spider-forayThe official recorder of spiders for London, Edward Milner will be coming to Mitcham Common on Saturday 26 September from 10.30am – 2pm to run a spider foray which is open to the public. Over a hundred different species of spider can be found on the Common and Edward will show you how to find and ...

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Motorbikes

If you see motorbikes on the Common call the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 0208 649 3604 giving as much detail as you can, and they will respond if they are on duty. If they are not on duty leave a message and call 101 giving details.

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All Change on Mitcham Common – A study of Vegetation

cover‘This book is a non-specialist account that chronicles the natural transformation of the original grass heath on Mitcham Common into an exceptionally wide range of habitats including fully structured oak woodland. It is based on personal observations over more than fifty years and is extensively illustrated.’ Janet Morris 2015.

All Change on Mitcham Common – A study of Vegetation

Copies of the book ...

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