Consultation

I worked with Natural England to consult organisations and communities on schemes to achieve biodiversity gains on Sites of Special Scientific Interest on commons, such as to create gill woodlands. These schemes required fences to exclude stock – a sensitive subject on our open fells. I worked to achieve a consensus where possible with consultees, including the Open Spaces Society, Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria Local Access Forum, Lake District National Park Authority, Parish Councils, local residents, Ramblers and Forestry Commission.

Different people and organisations have strong views on fencing on the fells and it was my role to collate views and advise Natural England on whether to go ahead with the scheme and what changes to the original design were required. As a result of the consultation, some significant changes were made to the proposals.

I completed and submitted applications to the Secretary of State for consent to carry out the fencing works under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006.