Cannock Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is
used freely by thousands of visitors each and every year. Visitors
are not only from the local area but nationally and
internationally. Users include families with children, ramblers and
walking groups, cyclists, runners, dog walkers and horse riders,
who not only enjoy the benefits of the Chase but support local
businesses and the local economy.
Cannock Chase is particularly unique in the area due to the
beautiful open landscape that is safely accessible by all, without
restriction. All users have the benefit of the large area which
allows them the freedom to safely enjoy their activity without
encroaching on others.
Any proposal to alter and restrict this access will have a
significant and detrimental effect on the local community,
residents, visitors and local economy.
Allowing the free roaming of cattle within areas that will be used
by families, children, horse riders, dogs and cyclists will put the
safety of all at risk. Cattle are large and powerful animals who
can take to flight easily and without warning.
The proposals to fence off large areas of Cannock Chase has been
undertaken without any proper, open and public consultation and
without consideration of the detrimental impact upon the area and
the risks to public safety.
We request a full open and public consultation and the disclosure
of all consultation meeting minutes, decision making reports, cost
schedules, wildlife and natural beauty impact studies, local
business impact studies and public safety impact studies.
Started by: Rachael Stokes
This ePetition ran from 21/03/2019 to 22/08/2019 and has now finished.
266 people signed this ePetition.
Cannock Chase Country Park includes some of the most highly
protected wildlife habitats in the country which are of
international significance. The County Council has a legal
obligation to bring the habitats into good condition for wildlife.
In 2016 we started consulting with interest groups, businesses and
the public to review our management of the habitats and consider
what changes might be needed going forward to meet legal
requirements while still ensuring public access and enjoyment of
the site. Heathland experts have advised us that conservation
grazing, in combination with other techniques such as cutting /
mowing, controlled burning of heather, spraying bracken etc, is
needed to improve the structure and diversity of the heathland
vegetation, creating the right conditions for rare plants and
animals that depend on places like Cannock Chase for their
survival. Low intensity grazing is a natural and sustainable form
of management, already used in Staffordshire and other parts of the
country, and without it we are unlikely to be able to meet the
legal requirements for the site.
We have consulted widely over the last three years on how grazing
could be reintroduced to the site, taking the needs of other site
users into account. Information about this process is publicly
available on our website. A grazing pilot has been agreed and will
commence next spring with about six cattle in a small, specific
area of the site. Further grazing on the site has not yet been
decided and will be considered following implementation of the
pilot scheme. This would involve more discussions with local
residents, businesses and user groups and then a formal public
consultation. The decision on the scheme would be made by an
independent body.