OBJECTORS to plans to install cattle grids on roads around Castlemorton Common are said to be coming round to the idea after a month of talks.

The scheme, designed to control scrub and gorse by encouraging more grazing on Castlemorton Common, at the foot of the Malvern Hills, caused controversy in February when villagers voted four to one against the move.

Horse riders and cyclists were particularly concerned about the safety implications of the £600,000 initiative.

And ramblers like Richard Chamings, of Storridge, still believe increased grazing will stop people enjoying one of the last "open, level" pieces of countryside in the area.

"The common should be for people to use and enjoy," he said. "There is plenty of understocked farmland around."

Changed minds

But Ian Rowat, director of Malvern Hills Conservators said after a series of talks with villagers throughout March, many had changed their minds.

"We explained the issues and our vision for the common and took their ideas on board," he said.

"For instance, we agree it's better for the side gates next to the grids to be further away than was initially thought.

"The scheme means fences do not have to be put up and people can still enjoy the common"."

Led by the Areas of Outstanding Beauty partnership, the measure to prevent the land becoming overgrown was proposed after £1m of Heritage Lottery funding for various projects.

Encouraging

If plans are given the go-ahead, the grids will keep 350 grazing sheep and 140 cattle within the common's boundary while encouraging nesting of a variety of birds and rare wild flowers.

Chairman of Castlemorton Parish Council Brian Smith agreed that since the talks, people were more aware of the issues surrounding the scheme.

But he could not say whether more parishioners would back the project at the next meeting.

"They understand the partnership is tackling a very difficult problem," he said.

"But not everyone agrees this is the way to deal with it and many have their own suggestions of how to solve the problem."