Newtown Common heathland plans

Plans endorsed at public meeting to fell trees on the common to restore habitat

PLANS to restore part of Newtown Common to heathland were endorsed at a recent public meeting in Newtown.

Fifty-five people attended the meeting to discuss Newtown Parish Council's plan for managing the common, which was chaired by Basingstoke and Deane borough councillor John Izett (Con, Burghclere, Highclere and St Mary Bourne) in Newtown Village Hall.

The plan involves felling seven hectares of pine woodland on the common's 58 hectares, of which about 10 are currently open heath.

The additional seven hectares of heath would leave 41 hectares of mixed woodland.

Mr Izett said: “The parish council's 10-year plan for managing the common was endorsed by a majority vote, and another show of hands supported a more gradual, phased implementation.”

“The conduct of the meeting and the positive outcome demonstrated the good sense of the Newtown Common community and its ability to find solutions, despite the strongly held differences of view.”

Parish councillor Liz Ellis, who was at the meeting, said that although those present were broadly in favour of the plan, there were concerns about the scale of the tree felling.

She said: “The parish council agreed to amend the plan to take account of these concerns, and to present the amended plan at the parish assembly on April 20.”

Speakers at the meeting included members of the parish council, who conducted a guided tour of the common last month. They said that the work was being undertaken to encourage more heathland plants and animals.

Representatives from Natural England also gave a short presentation on the merits of restoring the habitat and a representative from the Forestry Commission also spoke.

Landowners, Hampshire County Council, were also represented.

The plan forms part of a 10-year management agreement with

Natural England under its Higher Level Stewardship scheme for the restoration and management of lowland heath, following the parish council's success in applying to join the scheme.

Have you got a viewpoint on the plans to restore a substantial part of Newtown Common to heathland? If so contact the Hampshire reporter, Jane Meredith, email jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk