Project Updates

The Parks team have been working on Phase 1 delivery of the Masterplan this includes; essential infrastructure such as secure entrances, accessible paths, wayfinding, seating, boundary improvements and priority habitat management to establish foundations for equitable access to nature, improved sightlines and enhanced site safety.
The project is coordinated with long-term conservation programme to drive nature recovery, including heathland and grassland restoration, scrub management, reedbed resilience and protection of a nationally significant adder population. Climate adaptation measures, such as wildfire mitigation and resilient habitat design, will be embedded. 

This masterplan will be delivered in phases as it is dependent on funding opportunities.

The Year 2 Habitat work programme has been produced but the delivery is subject to funding. We are looking to deliver this in the Winter 26-27, subject to funding.

This season’s habitat restoration programme at Hounslow Heath has now concluded, delivered as part of the Council’s 10‑Year Habitat Management Plan. Works focused on targeted Year 1 scrub reduction to reopen priority heathland and grassland areas, with good progress achieved despite a February start.

Conservation grazing has also been reinstated in Parcel 13 (a neutral grassland meadow), following vegetation clearance works, to support long‑term habitat recovery.

All activity followed specialist ecological guidance due to the importance of the heath for nature recovery. During delivery, adder activity was observed on site, prompting an immediate pause in line with ecological protocol and demonstrating the effectiveness of on‑site monitoring.

With the season’s works complete, activity will now pause until the next delivery window from November 2026 to February 2027. Preparations are also underway for the Year 2 tender package, alongside development of the 2026/27 grazing plan, including options for fenceless grazing. We also continue to await the outcome of the Green Roots funding bid, which would support Phase 1 implementation of the Hounslow Heath Masterplan and provide a key funding source for Year 2 habitat works.

Essential habitat restoration works are planned for February 2026 with limited activity possibly extending into early March, depending on ecological advice. 

(note: If adders or nesting birds become active early, work will pause immediately.)

As part the delivery of a new 10‑Year Habitat Management Plan to protect and improve Hounslow Heath, and Council’s wider commitment to Nature Recovery works will include:

Targeted scrub reduction will take place in Parcels 13, 17, 19, 21 and 38 (see map) to:

• Re‑open valuable heathland and important grassland habitats
• Improve sunny basking spots for adders
• Protect rare plants and insects
• Maintain a healthy mosaic of different habitats

All works follow ecological guidance and avoid sensitive areas such as reptile hibernation sites.

Why Winter?

Because winter windows are short, Year 1 will be delivered across two winters (2025/26 and 2026/27).

Winter is the ideal time for conservation works because:

• Adders are overwintering
• Birds are not nesting
• Plants are dormant
• Ground disturbance is reduced