How we manage the Common

Periodically cutting back gorse on L'Ancresse Common is an essential part of managing the area and maintaining its biodiversity, the Vale Commons Council (VCC) has said. It issued the update in response to some concerns expressed over the latest trimming, which is visible from Les Clotures Road.

A gorse management programme is in place to clear a number of areas that have been overgrown for many years, VCC President Rosemary Henry said. "Left uncontrolled, tall leggy gorse would eventually claim the entire common," she said. Well known land marks such as the Rocque Balan were gradually being buried completely by the strongly-growing evergreen shrub.

After about seven to 10 years the gorse stands on the Common start to lose their compactness and the plants then begin to degenerate, losing their value for wildlife. The gaps also enable invasive plants like bramble to take hold and these are not native heathland plants or as attractive to wildlife.

Ms Henry, who is also Dean of the Vale Douzaine, said that under the management plan a significant proportion of existing gorse remains but straggly old specimens need to be cut down to allow fresh new growth, while certain areas which were once grassland can be re-established.

"The cleared areas will look desolate until new growth appears and, in the areas to be kept clear of any re-growth, indigenous plants can re-appear having been dormant under the gorse for so long," she said.