A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to put cattle grids on Castlemorton Common was due to be discussed this week by Malvern Hills Conservators.

The plan has aroused a good deal of opposition from local residents on a number of grounds, including hazard to horses and cyclists, and noise nuisance.

The meeting yesterday (Thursday) of the land management committee, was due to consider A Vision for Castlemorton Common, prepared by conservation officer David Whitehorne.

They were also to study the text of a leaflet intended for distribution in and around Castlemorton, explaining the reasons for the cattlegrid plan.

Mr Whitehorne's report says that, due to undergrazing over the last few decades, trees and scrub have replaced the once open grassland of the common.

It continues: "Maintaining the common as completely open is unrealistic and undesirable, but without some form of active intervention the current levels of grazing are insufficient to prevent more tree and shrub growth."

At the moment there are about 100 registered commoners with the right to graze livestock, but only seven actually doing so.

Increasing the amount of grazing is the Conservators' preferred option, but this will require cattle grids to prevent livestock straying off the common.

In the leaflet, the Conservators say that commoners have been asking for cattle grids for 40 years. The Conservators now have a unique chance to implement the plan, because money is currently available from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Conservators are planning public meetings in Castlemorton and Welland to allow people to voice their opinions.