Highland Cattle @ Allestree Park

The council announced last year that Allestree Park being rewilded was very popular amongst those who responded to the online puclic opinion poll. Since then, it has been very quiet until about 2 weeks ago when an article in Derby Telegraph announced the installation of perimeter fencing round the park and edges of some woodland in preparation for introduction of GPS collar controlled Highland cattle on the old golf course.

This took many people by surprise so a hastily arranged meeting was held on Wednesday March 1st at Woodlands Schoo which was attended by about 250 people. Unfortunately the acoustics and lack of microphone meant the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and City Council Parks staff present could not be esaily heard by the audience. It was also hard to hear questions from the audience especially as many were very lengthy. Many in the audience felt very frustrated and questioned the consultation process in the project.

It has been decided that installing fencing before holding a consultation process is not the best of ideas so there will be no Highland cows on the gold course unless the consultation process decides that is the best outcome. They will continue to be rotated round the fields in Allestree Park and across to Nutwood reserve and Sinfing Moor.