Thurstaston Common Consultation re: proposed fencing options
Page 2
Consultation
The Trust's obligations for
keeping commons unenclosed and unbuilt on, and for not impeding and preventing
access, mean that any works require careful thought and consultation.
Works that affect the character of commons, or access to them, can arouse
strong feelings from access groups and local residents. It is a key part of the
Trust's philosophy that we should involve local communities in our work. The
National Trust is now seeking views of the local community on three Options for
fencing on the northern part of Thurstaston Common, which is registered as
common land. A second stage of consultation will involve a formal request to
DEFRA (The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) for consent
to fence on common land.
In seeking the consent of
DEFRA to erect fencing on common land, The National Trust will need to show how
the work can provide a Benefit to the neighbourhood.
Benefit
to the neighbourhood
Benefit
to the neighbourhood means the benefit which the common, as an open space,
provides to the health, comfort and convenience of people living in or near to
the parish or parishes/community or communities in which the common lies.
This
does not mean that the works must provide a net benefit to the neighbourhood
and/or private interests. It simply
means that DEFRA must take these issues into account in deciding whether it is
appropriate to consent to the works.
Below are some of the
perceived benefits
·
Maintain an accessible
countryside area for walks and quiet enjoyment, reflecting the values of those
who helped to acquire the land for the benefit of local people and the nation.
·
Maintain and enhance the
current public benefit which comes from the rich mosaic of dwarf shrub
vegetation with open views across the heath set alongside fringing woodland with
wider panoramic views across the Dee Estuary and the hills of
·
Maintain the attractive
quality of heathland landscape, which has developed as a result of past grazing
activity.
·
Prevent loss of open landscape
and fine panoramic views caused by growth of scrub and encroachment of the
fringing woodland.
·
Prevent decline of heathland
and change to scrub and bracken dominated vegetation.
·
Provide undisturbed areas for
ground nesting birds and wildlife.
Three options for fencing on the common
The Trust proposes three options each of which could bring public benefits and help in the sustainable management of the natural aspect of the common.
Click Here to go to Option 1
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