The council says plans to fence off a nature reserve so sheep can be grazed were paused after staff and volunteers were verbally abused.
The northern half of Beacon Hill Nature Reserve has been home to sheep for 16 years now.
But after complaints about the electric fencing put in place to contain the flock, the council’s City Parks department decided to install permantn fencing along the western boundary, allowing the whole area to be grazed instead.
It said the only change would be that dogs would need to be kept on short leads when sheep were grazed there from November to February.
But following a backlash, including a petition signed by hundreds of people, the plans have been paused.
Cabinet member for recreation Alan Robins said: “Beacon Hill is an important nature reserve containing internationally rare chalk grassland and sheep grazing has been used to manage the reserve since 2010. It is widely recognised as the most effective way to manage this habitat.
“We recently shared updated plans for grazing on Beacon Hill between November and February which addressed issues raised during previous grazing seasons and proposed a new system whereby fencing would be installed along the western boundary to fully enclose the reserve and allow the free grazing of sheep.
“This would remove the need for unpopular electric fencing, avoid grazing during bird nesting season, provide clarity on grazing periods and locations and continue the effective management of the reserve.
“The only significant impact on residents would be that dogs would need to be kept on short leads during the grazing period, in line with existing legal requirements. All existing public access would continue.
“However, given the strength of public opposition, primarily concerning off-lead dog walking, plans have been paused pending further discussion.
“Sadly, we also saw staff and volunteers unacceptably subjected to verbal abuse.
“Our aim remains to manage the nature reserve in the most effective way possible while retaining public access for all and we will share updated proposals with residents and the parish council shortly.”
There you go what did I say, the council should just ignore these ignorant and rude people. In Rottingdean as well. Brighton sure has gone down the pan.
You have no idea. Moreover, I think the council spokesperson is telling an untruth.
This is a total misrepresentation of what occurred by Brighton Council and should be taken down
Not a dog walker – and definitely haven’t abused anyone!
Concerns relate to
1 impedement to natural runs for foxes , deer , badgers and hedgehogs etc from lower down that side of the hill known as Bunny woods to the reserve
2 the turning of a nature reserve into a farmers field
3 lack of access for those who don’t want to walk through livestock or their faeces , related H&S concerns re this
4 lack of any consultation with regular users of the area and/ or residents , just announced by BHCC
5 reduced access for those with disabilities having to navigate both gates and pathways and livestock
6 limiting dog walkers to lead only for both grazing and skylark nesting seasons which only leaves a small window per annum for off lead walking
7 effect on visitor numbers if this was put in place
8 previous failure of fenced paddocks to retain the sheep within them
Simple choice: internationally rare chalk grassland nature reserve, maintained by sheep-grazing, with as many agreed access points as local people need; OR, leave it alone, which will mean it scrubbing over and in time becoming increasingly less accessible; OR, running a regular mowing regime, which will cost, which could be funded by £-charging Rottingdean residents through a parish precept.
The first is the most cost-effective solution to preserving the iconic open Beacon Hill, keeping the area open for good public access and respecting the needs of the special grassland wildlife.
The petition, with it’s dire warnings of the dangers of sheep, could form the basis of a decent comedy sketch. Not so funny is that more than 800 people have thought it wise to sign it.