Cattle-grazing plan for Nomansland Common is thrown out

A controversial proposal to graze cattle on a local common has been rejected. Plans to maintain part of Nomansland Common in Wheathampstead by allowing grazing have been the subject of much debate since last year. But the idea was quashed by the common s

A controversial proposal to graze cattle on a local common has been rejected.

Plans to maintain part of Nomansland Common in Wheathampstead by allowing grazing have been the subject of much debate since last year.

But the idea was quashed by the common's Joint Management Committee at its meeting last night (Wednesday).

The decision was taken despite the advice of council officers to defer it until it is known if a massive forest - the largest in England - is to be created by the Woodland Trust on adjoining land in Sandridge as proposed earlier this week.

Officers believed grazing on the common was the best form of maintenance of the common's open heathland as it would eradicate the need for mechanical and chemical intervention.

The main reason for opposition among local residents and some councillors was the fact that large areas of open space would need to be fenced off.

Similar schemes are also proposed for commons in Bricket Wood and Colney Heath which have not been met with such resistance.