Site Management

Muckley Corner Common, or Wall Butts Common as it is officially known, is an area of former heathland lying south of the A5 Watling Street at Muckley Corner, between Wall and Brownhills, approximately 7.5 hectares in size. The site is divided into two by Cranebrook Lane, which extends from Watling Street towards Stonnall.

Whilst the site has no special designations, such as SSSI or SBI, it is still important local to wildlife due to the diverse array of habitats present on the site.

The Wyrley and Essington Canal ran through the site from 1797 until its closure in 1954. The canal was purchased by a private owner, while the rest of the site is owned by Lichfield District Council.

Sand and gravel extraction on the site was extensive from the 1880s to 1920s, possibly later. The site later became the county ash tip, when the ash from local household fires was dumped.

The old quarry located in the south east corner of the site became the County Highways salt store until only recently. The area was affected by an extensive fire approximately 50 years ago, after which it became degraded. Tethered goats and ponies were still grazing on the site up to 45 years ago.

Over time, the former canal route has been filled in with rubbish and plant matter and Japanese knotweed, Bracken, Nettles and Thistles spread across much of the site. These factors contributed to the heathland areas at Muckley Corner shrinking to two patches on the eastern part of the main site.

Scrub clearance works began on the site in 1998 and the relict heathland was enhanced by a turf stripping and Ling heather seeding in the following year. Muckley Corner then entered into a period of extensive re-interest as part of the 'Tomorrows Heathland heritage Project'.

Whilst this project has now come to an end, the countryside team's management of the site continues up to the present day. The countryside team still works to expand and improve the heathland areas at Muckley Corner through annually removal of Birch scrub and treatment of the Bracken which would otherwise smother the fledgling heath.

The extensive Japanese Knotweed infestation was also brought under control with the countryside team's programme of treatments starting in 2002. Now only two small area of infestation remain at Muckley Corner and the treatments will continue until those are eradicated.

The woodland areas of Muckley Corner were brought back into active management with selective coppicing to allow light to penetrate the canopy and allow for the regeneration of forest understory plants and flower glades.

This forestry work was supplemented by the planting of hundreds of native trees on selected areas of Muckley Corner to add to the diverse array of habitats already on the site.

This work is aided by the local volunteers of Muckley Corner's very own 'Friends of' group who work closely with the Countryside Team to improve the value of the site to both wildlife and people. The Friends of Muckley Corner's constant enthusiasm and frequent turnout to practical conservation events has undoubtably played a major part in rapid pace of habitat improvements across Muckley Corner in recent years