Agenda item - Items referred from Council

Items referred from the last meeting of Full Council held on 24 October 2013

(a)               Petitions:

(i)                            Sheep Grazing on Ladies Mile Local Nature Reserve- Mrs Harvey-Verenne

(ii)                          Remove double yellow lines on Goodwood Way- Kristaps Aizupietis

(a)               Petitions

(i)                 Sheep grazing on Ladies Mile Local Nature Reserve- Mrs Harvey-Verenne

46.1         The Committee received a petition referred from Full Council signed by 90 people that expressed their opposition to sheep grazing on Ladies Mile Local Nature Reserve.

46.2         The Chair provided the following response:

“We are currently consulting on the future management of Ladies Mile Local Nature Reserve.

Along with historical and archaeological interest, the nature reserve also contains an important area of ancient chalk-grassland, which is a European priority habitat. Chalk grassland around the fringe of the city has been deteriorating over many decades, since grazing ceased in the 1930s, and it is important to manage the advance of encroaching scrub. Grazing has been proposed as we have found that this works really well on similar sites around the city and has proved popular with the public.

Early results from the consultation show that grazing would also be popular at Ladies Mile.

In a letter accompanying the petition, the petitioner has objected to grazing as dogs would not be able to be exercised off lead for 365 days a year. It is anticipated that most of the year there will be no sheep on site but when there are it will be grazed in sections. This means that there will always be half the site with no sheep on where dogs can be exercised off lead and the areas will be clearly signed.

I do not believe therefore that it will seriously compromise the suitability of the site for dog walking but it will increase the amount of rare downland flowers which will improve most people’s enjoyment of the site as well our conserve our natural heritage.”

46.3         RESOLVED- That the petition be noted.

(ii)               Removal of double yellow lines on Goodwood Way- Kristaps Aizupietis

46.4         The petitioner was not present at the meeting to hear the response therefore, it was provided in written and is set out below:

“Thank you for your petition. Officers will investigate and assess this request and report back with their findings and recommendations to the next Environment, Transport & Sustainability committee”

46.5         RESOLVED- That the petition be noted.