Colney Heath
View a map of Colney Heath and the proposed fencing
The Common at Colney Heath is divided into two sections. The main Common by the river Colne is not currently being proposed as a place to reintroduce grazing.
Livestock would be reintroduced to the area to the south of the Warren Track, known locally as Furze Field or the Warren. This area supports a good example of remnant Hertfordshire heathland. The mosaic of naturally short grasses and small shrubs such as dwarf gorse and petty whin make this a good habitat for specialist insects and birds. The reintroduction of grazing to this area would help to conserve and enhance the heath, and keep back the never ending crop of hawthorn saplings that threaten to encroach and overshadow the small plants.
The fence line is proposed to follow the boundary of this field, excluding a 10 metre wide path in the Furze Field next to the Warren Track linking south to the bridleway adjacent to Coursers Road. Access gates will be provided at all of the corner points. Hawthorn saplings continue to invade Furzefield at an alarming rate and a considerable amount of volunteer effort is planned to prevent the loss of heathland. Colney Heath Parish Council is committed to the re-introduction of grazing onto the Furzefield part of the Common as a way of dealing with this problem in the long term. Currently, the parish council is developing plans to improve the provision of access on the common and this is taking priority.
