12/02/2025
Pontesford Hill Public Consultation Summary
Forty people braved a freezing night in November to join the Friends of Pontesford Hill for a public consultation on the future management of the hill. It was an exciting and informative evening: thank you very much to all of you who attended and to those who contributed by email.
In general, people expressed confidence in the direction we are heading. They strongly supported action to improve the existing habitats and to increase diversity. In particular, they supported two new fence lines: one to protect animals on the scree slope from dog attacks, and one to enclose the summit of Pontesford Hill, allowing grazing there to re-establish the acid grassland, and potentially increase the area of the SSRI at some point in the future.
People were broadly happy with our gradual “coppice coup” process of felling plantation conifers and encroaching sycamore along the bulldozer track to replant with mixed deciduous woodland trees, in particular hazel to encourage dormice. This process also favours woodland flowers and birds by opening up the woodland canopy. They supported a new coup area behind “the dens” where children play, to try to restore the lost bird life there. They emphasised that they wanted a gradual process over years, with no clear felling.
During the discussions, we were issued with some new challenges:
It was pointed out that our bird boxes, originally used to encourage spotted flycatchers, are now only encouraging great t**s and blue t**s, which will outcompete the endangered willow t**s. This is important as there are historical records of willow t**s on the west side of the hill, and a bird which may have been a willow tit was visiting a bird feeder on Grove Lane last year. Our coppice coups on the bulldozer track are ideal habitat, and we have been asked to enhance them by manufacturing nest sites out of decaying silver birch trunks. At the same time, we will remove the old birdboxes to reduce the competition from more robust t**s.
The “upper ant hill meadow” habitat is declining due to lack of sheep grazing, and in danger of losing its SSSI status. The issue here, as everywhere else, is the conflict between sheep grazing and dog walking. It was suggested that we ask The Dogs Trust for advice on the way forward, and we had many offers of help with management of stock and signage. People were very proud of the volunteer goat warden scheme we used last year, and we have offers of future help.
The final message was that public affection for the Hill remains as strong as ever, and people want more information about what is going on. We will try to address that communication gap via the village newsletter, posters and social media.
Thank you everyone for your support.
The Pavilion Community Hub And Library Pontesford Hill Public Consultation Pontesbury and surrounding villages past and present
