For a full report on the North Bournemouth Area Forum meeting regarding the Cattle Grazing please see this word document.

Thank you to all those who took part in the Cattle Grazing survey.

We had responses from 65 of our members and other users of the Stour Valley and the results were that 88% of respondants felt that the proposals to graze cattle would not affect their enjoyment of the site. In fact there were many positive comments some of which are listed below.

“Nice for children to see grazing animals”, “This is an important part of habitat conservation”, " Cows are nice", “We can all enjoy the benefits that come from these creatures”. “Cattle have been grazed successfully at other locations in the area and, after initial objections people have accepted this form of necessary management”, “A well thought out proposal”, “No problem with it”, “It will improve the environment”, “Will add to the interest”, “Pleased that the existing pathways will be maintained”, “Glad that the fences will be unobtrusive”, “Positive impact on the wildlife”, “Increase in birds, flowers and insects”, “Cows can be avoided if so desired”, “Will provide wildflower-rich meadows for insects”, “Will provide thick hedgerows for farmland birds”, “The docile cows are accustomed to people dogs and horses”, “Cow dung supports insect life and enriches the soil”

The grazing proposals were discussed in full at a public meeting of the North Bournemouth Area Forum at Kinson Community Centre on Saturday 22nd October. The council had previously met with the local ward councillors on the river to try to come to an agreement about the best way forward. Four options were put to the forum as follows:-

Option 1: Do nothing

Option 2: Graze all fields

Option 3: Graze fields 1, 2 and 3

Option 4: Graze fields 4,5,6 and 7

Option 5 was put forward as a further suggestion modifying option 4 removing field 4 and only grazing 5, 6 and 7

For a map of the fields mentioned see here.

The chairman of the North Bournemouth Area Forum will produce a report on the subject putting together all the views he has received both for and against the proposals and hoped that some compromise could be reached. We will publish results of this report on this website or alternatively you can email the chairman of the forum to receive your own copy of the report.

You can also contact your local ward councillors to let them know your views or to receive further information. Redhill and Northbourne and Throop and Muscliff. Information is also available from the Throop and Muscliff Area Forum or the People before Politics website.

If you would like general information on Conservation grazing see Grazing Advice Partnership  and Natural England.