The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Berkshire Boy on February 23, 2012, 09:25:18 am

Title: Common land.
Post by: Berkshire Boy on February 23, 2012, 09:25:18 am

Does anyone know about rules and regs for common land and who would have the final say on anything concerning it.
Up the lane from me is about 30-40 acres of common land that all the neighbours have grazing rights on, I am entitled to graze 15 sheep and a beast as the deeds put it. One of the neighbouring farmers puts a dozen cattle up there but that is about it.
Most of the ground is bracken so not great grazing and he takes feed up for his cattle. My idea is to put some pigs on there to root up the bracken and eventually improve the grazing which to me seems a win win situation for all concerned.
Before I broached it with the locals I was hoping for a bit of background info on how common grazing rights worked.
Over to you :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Common land.
Post by: Fowgill Farm on February 23, 2012, 09:41:10 am

As far as i know pigs would be a no-no because they would require fencing (unless you're going to let them roam all those acres!) and common land cannot be fenced in any way. Under section 194 of the Law of Property Act 1925 the erection of any building or fence, or the construction of any work, which prevents or impedes access to land which was subject to rights of common on 1 January 1926, is unlawful unless the consent of the Secretary of State is obtained.
Pigs on common land is known as pannage (a dispensation to gruffle for acorns or beechnuts)  and you will have to check if this is within your rights as a commoner.
HTH
Mandy  :pig:

Title: Re: Common land.
Post by: TheCaptain on February 23, 2012, 10:01:21 am

In the new forest they roam free from 23 sept through til December. They are ringed though to limit the damage caused by rooting.

Title: Re: Common land.
Post by: Berkshire Boy on February 23, 2012, 10:03:11 am

Thanks for that Mandy, another good idea bites the dust. :(
It seems to me such a waste all that land and it's not used except by a few cattle and people riding horses and there is not that many of them my wife and a few others.
I'd thought if I put up electric fence and just moved them about we could improve the grazing.
Maybe I will email the secretary of state and see what they say.

Captain, yes I forgot about that. I think last year there was some problem with a horse and rider and a pig. Ours is just a hill so no trees and no acorns unfortunately.

Title: Re: Common land.
Post by: Fowgill Farm on February 23, 2012, 10:16:23 am

May be still worth talking to the locals and if there is quorum for a local agreement you might be able to go ahead. if you don't ask you don't get!
All the best Mandy  :pig: