Future of Stroud commons grazing: study of Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons
The aim of this research, led by Chris Short working with Carol Kambites, was to explore the long-term prospects for continued livestock grazing on both Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons in Gloucestershire. Discussions took place with farmers who do not currently exercise their rights in order to assess the overall farm business and plans for the future.
Minchinhampton and Rodborough are locally very important commons in terms of the open space they offer as well as their recognised nature conservation, heritage and agricultural value. Both commons are recognised nationally as areas of protected landscape, nature conservation and heritage importance. Rodborough is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), an international designation related to its importance for nature conservation. Minchinhampton is also one of the largest Scheduled Monuments (SM) in the country because of the high level of archaeological interest in this area.
