The Forest of Dean’s application for UNESCO biosphere status has sparked cautious optimism among local commoners, provided their ancient rights are formally reaffirmed and key support structures, like the Sheep Liaison Group, are reinstated.
The Forest of Dean District Council aims to achieve international recognition for the area’s unique landscapes, wildlife, and heritage through the biosphere designation. However, some residents, particularly members of the Commoners’ Association, have voiced concerns about potential impacts on public access and longstanding commoning traditions.
The Commoners’ Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving commoning practices, insists their centuries-old rights must be clearly protected in the bid. General Secretary Mick Holder emphasized, “We, the commoners, are not prepared to compromise our rights in any shape or form—be it money, goods, or otherwise. Our rights are inherited and rooted deeply in the Charter of the Forest of 1217.”
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Commoning—allowing residents to graze livestock on common land—remains a vital tradition in the Forest. Holder also urged the revival of the Sheep Liaison Group, a vital multi-agency partnership that manages issues such as traffic accidents involving sheep, animal welfare, and disease control. Currently, unresolved matters include a deer carcass on the A48 and a scab outbreak among local sheep.
Highlighting broader risks, Holder noted nearby disease outbreaks—foot and mouth in Greece and swine fever close by—underscoring the importance of a responsive liaison group to safeguard the Forest’s livestock.
Responding to these concerns, a Forest of Dean District Council spokesperson assured that commoning would not only continue but be a central feature celebrated under the UNESCO biosphere designation. They stated, “Commoners’ grazing is fundamental to the landscape and culture we seek to protect. The biosphere aims to celebrate and support this relationship between people and place.”
The council envisions the inclusion of commoners as key stakeholders within the biosphere’s governance structures, ensuring their traditions inform decision-making. This governance model aims for balanced representation among various local groups—commoners, freeminers, and residents alike—with oversight mechanisms to align activities with the community’s priorities.
Further, the biosphere status could unlock new funding opportunities for habitat restoration, grazing infrastructure, and support for future generations of commoners. The council emphasized that biospheres encourage collaboration across economic, social, and environmental spheres, fostering strong local partnerships that preserve the Forest’s heritage.
While final governance arrangements await wider agreement, current proposals reflect a commitment to preserving and formalizing the Forest of Dean’s history of self-governance and communal stewardship through the UNESCO biosphere framework.