Says Bob Milton

The questions are:

• What proofs have they that grazing is the best option?
• What is the position on compensation for commoners’ rights?
• What is the compensation for displacement to equestrian businesses?

The application is to the Planning inspectorate acting for the Secretary of State under s38 Commons Act 2006 not planning legislation.

Once you have read the two recent cases and Professor Newton’s peer review you will realise that the Inspectorate puts no weight on anything but Natural England’s perceived right to advise even if there is no scientific evidence that extensive grazing over the whole is better than mechanical or exempt grazing ie 10% rule in temporary – 6month electric enclosures

The HLS agreement is a done deal, though it does not say how the grazing is to be carried out the advice from the NE advisor Isabel Alonso is always extensive grazing over the whole of the common. So any equestrian routes without self closing gates and cattle are highly unlikely.