Highgate Common, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) located on the outskirts of the Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stourbridge conurbation has enhanced its visitors’ experience following the completion of a major 18-month project. 

The common, which is a rare lowland heathland and a haven for wildlife, is used extensively by the local community and supports outdoor learning with local schools and organisations visiting it for nature-based education. 

The key element of the project has been the creation of a new path connecting the community building and public toilets with the wider common. The new path guides foot traffic along a designated route, avoiding damaging the sensitive habitat, while enabling visitors with limited mobility or with pushchairs to access facilities without needing to drive around the site. 

In addition, the project has updated existing interpretation boards, refreshed the ‘minibeast trail’ for younger visitors and created new habitat to support solitary bees and wasps.

The project was supported by a grant of over £23,000 from Enovert Community Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) and 35 volunteers were involved in delivering it. 

Angela Haymonds, Trust Manager of Enovert Community Trust, said: 

“Highgate Common is a special place for wildlife and a well valued green space for local residents for outdoor recreation, so the Trustees were very pleased to support this project to create a new welcome for visitors while protecting the site’s unique biodiversity.” 

Highgate Common is open to the public 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and is owned and managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. It has seven free car parks across the site and there is no charge for entry. You can find out more about the common by clicked the link below.

The common is located four miles from Enovert’s Himley Landfill Site. For more information on Enovert Community Trust, please contact Angela Haymonds on 01753 582513 or ahaymonds@enovertct.org  or visit  www.enovertct.org