Home / Environment / Forest of Dean: Ancient Rights Clash with Biosphere Status
Forest of Dean: Ancient Rights Clash with Biosphere Status
2 May
Summary
- Commoners fear ancient grazing rights may be compromised.
- Local councils seek pause due to lack of public consultation.
- Unesco biosphere status aims to balance conservation and development.
Traditional commoners in the Forest of Dean are raising concerns about their ancient rights as the Forest of Dean District Council pursues Unesco biosphere status for the area. This designation seeks to balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable development. Commoners fear this status might compromise their traditional practices, which date back to at least 1215 and were enshrined in the Magna Carta.
Local representatives, including West Dean Parish Council, have called for a pause in the application, citing a lack of public awareness and consultation. The Commoners' Association is seeking clarity on how the biosphere status will affect their livelihoods and traditions, emphasizing that "commoning is still very much alive in the Forest of Dean."
District council officials state that commoning activities, such as livestock grazing, would remain unchanged and that the biosphere designation celebrates the relationship between people and the landscape. They suggest the status could offer future support and funding for commoners, acknowledging their role in shaping the area's environment.
