Press Release

HART District Council has appointed a specialist firm to prepare a Management Plan for Odiham Common –a nationally important area for wildlife. The Plan will set out what people value about the common and how it will be looked after in the future. The Management Plan needs to follow the national consultation process ‘A Common Purpose’. This process sets how to engage with stakeholders and it is important to allow the Council to remain as impartial as possible in order to allow open and fair debate among the affected parties. The specialist consultants will act as independent facilitators throughout the process.

Says Adam Green, Hart’s Countryside Manager: “Odiham Common is a very special place. Its historic woodland and open meadows are accessible to the public and they provide a nationally important haven for wildlife. As owners of the common we are committed to preserving it for future generations to enjoy. The Plan will set out what people value about the common and how it will be looked after in future.”

Land Use Consultants spokesman Matthew Tickner says: We would like to hear from as many local residents and common users as possible during the preparation of the Plan and have produced a questionnaire giving them the opportunity to have their say.”

The Management Plan is due to be completed next March –preceded by a period of public consultation on a draft Plan early in the New Year.

To find out more see the Odiham Common webpage on the Hart District Council website. Go to www.hart.gov.uk and follow the links to Leisure, Countryside and Open Spaces and Odiham Common.