Let it be!

MORE than 150 walkers have signed a petition protesting at the use of grazing livestock on Lancing Ring '“ their local beauty spot.

One of the petition's organisers, Adrienne Stevenson, said walkers were worried about plans by the South Downs Conservation Board to introduce grazing animals to help protect the environment.

Mrs Stevenson said: "People are concerned about the welfare of the animals themselves, particularly at night, when unsupervised in an accessible and public place and being frightened by the ever-present problem of motorbikes speeding around the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Parents are worried dog walkers will be discouraged from using the hill and nearby MacIntyre's Field if mud from the livestock makes the area slippery and if dogs are required to be on leads because livestock is being grazed.

"This would result in more dogs in the parks where children play.

"Dog walkers, horse riders and many others have traditionally enjoyed complete access to the area without restriction and would like the present management of the area to be maintained as in the past."

Countryside ranger Andrew Gattiker said the board had not yet made a decision about introducing grazing on the Ring.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Gattiker added: "We have done an awful lot of consultation with the public and most of them have been in favour of grazing.

"The reason why we would like to introduce animals to part of the reserve is because the site has some rare chalk grassland and the livestock graze and keep the scrubland down, giving the grass a chance to grow."

He said that animals would only be put on a small, fenced-off site on the Ring during winter months.

Mr Gattiker said it would not happen before next winter and anyone with views on the plans was welcome to contact the board.