Thousands sign petition against Cannock Chase fence off plan
Thousands of protesters have signed separate petitions against plans to fence off part of Cannock Chase - with more than 2,000 signatures reached in just a few days.
Staffordshire County Council wants to fence off part of the Chase area to prevent the grazing of cattle on public areas, including those at Brindley Heath, Moor’s Gorse, Sherbrook Valley and beyond.
But locals are campaigning against the plans.
Rachael Stokes set up one petition online via 38 Degrees, which has almost 2,000 signatures.
She said that the joy of Cannock Chase was its 'beautiful open landscape' and that installing fences would have a 'significant and detrimental effect on the local community, residents, visitors and local economy'.
She has admitted that cattle should not be allowed to roam freely, for the safety of families - but that fencing off large areas of the Chase was not the solution.
But the council has said it is looking at only closing off 15 hectares out of 1,300 - about 1.2 per cent of the Chase.
Rachael said: "Cannock Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is used freely by thousands of visitors each and every year - 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."
She added: "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.
"But 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."
Another petition, also set up by Rachael, has amassed almost 300 signatures.
Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “We are obliged by law to preserve Cannock Chase’s natural habitats and Natural England expects us to incorporate environmentally-friendly methods of controlling bracken, trees and scrub to manage the land and prevent it becoming overgrown.
“As part of that management plan next year we will graze up to six cattle in the south of the Chase as a pilot scheme to show people how it works. This grazing will range over 15 hectares – around 1.2 per cent of the Chase’s 1,300 hectares - and all rights of way will be kept open.
“The Chase is identified at national and European level for its wildlife significance and we have a duty to protect and maintain its special features, as well as balancing its use for recreation and enjoyment.”
He added: “We have been publicly consulting on these proposals since 2016. In 2017 we received more than 300 responses from individuals, user groups and parish councils and then developed the proposals in 2018 with a working party including a local users group, a parish council and sports and recreation bodies.
“We have been open about this throughout and will continue to be so, with further consultation at key stages.”
