CONTROVERSIAL plans to install cattle grids on commons on the Malvern Hills have been withdrawn in the face of public opposition.

The network of 11 grids were designed to allow the safe return of animals to graze the commons, recreating its natural environment.

They were hotly debated at public meetings in Castlemorton and Welland in April, where opinion was split for and against. Welland Parish Council was also split, voting narrowly in favour.

Natural grazing is a key part of a a plan for the management of the Hills, supported by a £963,000 lottery grant. The Malvern Heritage Project is supported by the likes of the Malvern Hills Conservators, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Service and English Nature.

Although the commons grids have been withdrawn, supporters will press ahead with plans for six grids on the Southern Malverns and the restoration of historic water features.

Sheep and cattle have already been bought by the Conservators to graze the Hills.

The grids will allow more extensive use of animals, including persuading other livestock owners to use the land and combat scrub and tree growth.

AONB officer Amanda McCleery said opposition, together with a lack of interested stockowners and the need to look at alternative locations for grids, were behind the decision.

She added the proposals could be reintroduced in a couple of years' time. In the meantime, the project hopes to persuade the lottery to allow the use of that part of the funding for other grazing control schemes.

Welland resident David Jones, who has been campaigning against the grids for three years, said: "As a resident living near two of the planned cattle grids and a regular user of the roads and commons, obviously I am glad."

His concerns include the visual effect, the hazards created for horse riders and cyclists and noise affecting nearby residents.

"I think discussions have got to carry on to try to solve the problems for stock holders keeping sheep and cattle on the commons," he said.

Lin Harber, chairman of the Malvern Hills Riding Club, was also relieved.

She said grids were dangerous because if a horse was going through a gate beside one, a vehicle driving over could frighten it.

But Jill Jakeman, of Taylors Farm, Castlemorton, strongly believes that the grids are a good idea.

As a livestock owner, she said she would not put animals on the common unless containment measures were introduced.

"The common won't be a common unless we put something on it," she said.