A REQUEST by commoners to register Whitchurch Down as an environmentally sensitive area was shelved by Tavistock town councillors last week.
The ESA scheme, administered by DEFRA, aims to protect and enhance wildlife, conserve historic values and support traditional farming methods without over-grazing or over-use of fertilisers.
If accepted into the ESA scheme, Whitchurch Commoners would need to devise a management plan for the commons, covering gorse and bracken control and ensuring the right number of stock were present on the moor at the right times.
Grants are available to farmers who hold an ESA agreement to help carry out the management plan
Cllr Iain Andrews at last week?s meeting of the town?s properties committee urged caution ? he was concerned a reduction in livestock could lead to an unacceptable increase in bracken on the down, which was highly
invasive.
Cllr Martin Taylor said the system of subsidies paid to farmers had a lot to answer for in the first place.
He said: ?My understanding is that the headage payments subsequently led to over-stocking, that led to over-grazing and the loss of heather encouraged bracken, which is invasive.?
Cllr Brian Trew was concerned about the legal position of the council.
?If the commoners don?t manage things, will it fall to the land owners to manage the commons?? he asked, admitting to ?an inkling of cynicism? about the
request.
Town clerk Roger Howard told members the only responsibility the council held as land owner was to keep rights of way clear.
Cllr Ted Sherrell said: ?On the theory that if it ain?t broke, don?t mend it, and hearing councillors bringing up fair and relevant points and Whitchurch Down having always been well maintained ? I move we don?t approve their request.?
The committee agreed the council should contact Maristow Estates, as landowner of Roborough Common, to find out how an ESA agreement at Whitchurch could impact on the council.