Bricket Wood Common
View a map of Bricket Wood Common and the proposed fencing
Bricket Wood Common has a surprisingly wild and open feel considering it is so close to the M1 and the Abbey Flyer railway. It is used by local people, dog walkers and horse riders.
The Common is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the wet lowland heath habitat. For heathland plants, fungi and butterflies it is one of the best sites in Hertfordshire. The area of open heathland has diminished due to invasion by scrub and tree species. Keeping the heathland and grassland from being invaded by trees on such a large area currently involves expensive chemical wiping operations. Grazing the wet and uneven ground would be the most sustainable way of preventing further loss of habitat. The proposed fence line would follow the boundary of the cleared open area and include a small portion of the secondary woodland: about 10 hectares in total. Access gates would be installed on all currently used paths. A vehicle and horse gate would be installed on the bridleway. The enclosure would allow the cattle access to the ponds and also to shelter within the wood.
Numbers of butterflies counted regularly by Butterfly Conservation have increased since the tree clearance work on the Common. Butterflies are good indicators of the health of the environment as they are dependant upon a mixture of habitats: woodland, scrub and grassland being well managed and in close proximity.
The Bricket Wood Common Joint Management Committee has recently voted for the principle of grazing as a way to manage part of the common. The next stages will be to seek permission from Defra and to make a grant application through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
