12th October 2010

SIDMOUTH: RSPB consult on fencing plans for nature reserve

by Huw Hennessy

Fire Beacon Nature Reserve may be enclosed by permanent fencing, in a bid to keep dogs away from grazing livestock.

The nature reserve, with its spectacular hilltop views, is a favourite spot for walkers and dog owners.

But it is also home to rare species of wildlife, including the dartford warbler, as well as many other birds and animals.

The RSPB, which manages the site, has introduced grazing cattle and ponies, in order to cut back invasive plants that have threatened to overwhelm the heathland habitat.

Recent concerns about uncontrolled dogs worrying the livestock, however, have prompted the RSPB to consider replacing the existing electric fencing with a permanent enclosure.

Dog owners, however, have complained about having to keep their pets on a lead in what many consider to be an open area of countryside.

Worryingly, the RSPB has said that signs telling dog walkers to keep their pets on short, fixed leads, have been removed.

A recent visit to Fire Beacon Hill by this reporter showed plenty of signs in place, with a couple of dog walkers whose dogs were off leads but keeping close to heel, while half a dozen Galloway cattle grazed peacefully nearby.

The RSPB is to hold a public consultation about its plans for new fencing.

In addition to distributing explanatory material, it will also be running an open day on Thursday, October 14th, from a display caravan on Fire Beacon Hill.

The RSPB manages Fire Beacon Nature Reserve on behalf of Sidmouth Town Council (STC), which owns the land in partnership with East Devon District Council. It recently wrote to the council, outlining its position and reminding them of its aims to return Fire Beacon to its former condition as a heathland. Toby Taylor, who manages several local reserves for the RSPB, said they want to talk to the community about its fencing proposals.

The letter states that the fencing would be unobtrusive, a less intrusive method than the current electric fencing, which it would replace; that it is the best way to help regenerate the heathland, and that it will not be an additional cost to the town council.

Mr Taylor said: “The existing level of grazing is already showing improvements in the vegetation of the heathland, and needs to be continued in the long term to reap the greatest benefits.

“The current use of electric fences is very maintenance-intensive for us and perceived as awkward for users of the Beacon.

“In order to fence a piece of common land we would need to obtain permission from the planning inspectorate and, before applying, we need to talk to the local people and interest groups who use the common about our intentions.

“What is being proposed is permanent post and wire fencing around the boundaries of the nature reserve, with all the appropriate gates to allow access onto the existing paths and tracks. This would allow stock to graze the heathland extensively, without the need for electric fencing.

“The fencing would be unobtrusive, largely running at the bottom of slopes or amongst existing trees.

“People would need to get used to the idea of entering and exiting the site via gates but this should be easier than hooking and unhooking an electric fence gate. Also there would be more room for stock and users to avoid each other in the much larger enclosure.

“The initial costs of fencing would be met through the Stewardship Agreement with Defra, so would not be a cost on the town council.

“Permanent fencing would be a lot less costly to maintain than the electric fencing currently in use, which requires to be kept free of vegetation at all times.”

In response to complaints from dog walkers, some of whom have said that there are no signs telling them that they have to keep their pets on a lead, the RSPB’s local administrator, Nicky Hewitt, has said that there are signs, but someone has been removing them. She said: “We put up notices at every entrance to the electric fence, and our stockman has been replacing them when they have disappeared.

“The advice about dogs is to keep them on a short lead so they don’t run after the cattle, but if the cattle start to get too close and seem agitated, to let the dog go, as the cattle are more likely to follow the dog than the owner, and the dog can run away.”

Handel Bennett, chairman of the volunteer-led Sid Vale Association, which helps protect the local countryside, called the RSB’s comments “eminently sensible and level headed”.

“A permanent fence is proposed but with access for walkers including dogs,” said The Reverend Bennett.

“If cattle are present, a short leash is sensible if the dog cannot be trusted to leave the cattle alone.

“If this is an inconvenience to dog walkers, there are 58 miles of footpaths in in the Sid Valley monitored by the SVA volunteers, so there is no shortage of alternative walks where owners and dogs can take exercise.”

For information about Fire Beacon Nature Reserve, visit: www.eastdevon.gov.uk/fire_beacon_hill_local_nature_reserve.

PICTURE: The signs on Fire Beacon Nature Reserve, warning dog walkers to keep their pets on leads