Draft information re Parking on Felton Common

Felton Common is owned by Winford Parish Council and managed through a working party of 4 councillors, and 2 co-optees who live adjacent to the Common.  It comprises 98 acres, predominantly semi improved grassland, now used mainly for recreational purposes. Historically it had a primarily agricultural role, and the vegetation was kept under control by the exercising of commoners’ rights to graze ( an amazing total of 200 unspecified animals, 315 cattle, 878 sheep, 220 pigs, and 21 horses were entitled to graze the common). As society and agriculture have changed, fewer and fewer rights have been taken up, and the bracken and scrub has gradually increased.

At the same time recreational pressure on the area, particularly from dog walkers, has escalated. In addition, there are valuable archaeological monuments which need protecting, especially from the damaging effects of erosion.  Add the proximity of BIA, with the uncertainty of its long term future, and the ongoing problem of the illegal driving of motor cars and motor bikes on the common, and the Parish Council is faced with a big challenge.  

Our overall objective is to achieve a balance between the agricultural, recreational, historical and environmental importance of this unique resource. In order to achieve this we need the  co-operation of all our parishioners

The common was registered by Avon CC as a site of nature conservation importance some time ago. More recently it has been designated as a local nature reserve by North Somerset Council and for the past four years has been in a stewardship agreement with DEFRA. Under this our objectives are to  reduce the bracken, gorse and scrub cover in order to encourage biodiversity. This is gradually being achieved according to a programme which includes annual mowing of the western section, gorse bashing, and felling some of the trees at the eastern end. In addition we are gradually eradicating two clumps of japanese knotweed by chemical control and have made considerable progress in protecting the important barrows we have on the common, which are scheduled archaeological monuments.  We have recently erected new signage stones at all five entrances onto the common, which replace the previous ugly and damaged metal ones.  Much of this work has been achieved through voluntary labour and financial support from local businesses, for which the Parish Council is most grateful. 

The Bye laws, which can be read on the reverse side of the new signage stones, set out clearly what is allowable on the common, and North Somerset Council is  responsible for enforcing them on behalf of Winford Parish Council. In practise, despite the very helpful co-operation of the police which we now enjoy, this has proved difficult to achieve for a variety of reasons. Particularly problematic in this day and age is number 7 - “No person shall without lawful authority draw upon the common any ... vehicle”. Apart from the 6 properties which have acquired a right of easement across the common, this rule applies to everybody.  In addition it is an offence under the RTA 1988 to drive on common land or to park on it more than 15 metres from the highway. Winford Parish Council has always tried to be both fair and  realistic in it’s approach to this, but inevitably there are grey areas. We welcome the help of all parishioners, and have a stock of warning leaflets which can be attached to offending vehicles which we will be happy to supply to anyone interested in helping us to keep our common traffic free.