Little Asby Common and Sunbiggin Tarn: Management Aims
Little Asby Common and Sunbiggin Tarn are of superb landscape value, deserving of a national landscape designation.
Little Asby Common has a range of special qualities, these include :-
- An open landscape, registered as Common Land, with a sense of wildness, tranquility and 360 degree views from the property, with open access for everyone to enjoy.
- A rich cultural history, with nearly 200 sites of archaeological and cultural significance, and a history of a communal grazing and hefting system.
- Rich in plant species and habitat diversity, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
- A varied landscape, with a mix of nationally rare upland limestone pavement rising to 360m above sea level, grassland, and small water bodies, the most significant being the marl Sunbiggin Tarn and the dramatic valley of Potts Beck.
In the long term we shall wish to ensure that the landscape and nature conservation status of the Common are enhanced and it is recognised as a well managed site whilst continuing the tradition of Common Rights gazing with hefted flocks. We would like FLD to become recognised as responsible landowners.
We will seek to achieve our long term vision through :-
- Working closely with the Commoners to seek a healthy future for the Common and its graziers. Trying to achieve sustainable but also viable grazing levels, and a continuation of the communal grazing system so as to benefit the vegetation and landscape of the Common and also the graziers.
- Recording the archaeology, history and ecology of the Common and trying to ensure it is protected and enhanced. Conduct five year ecological monitoring and encourage monitoring of the Tarn by others.
- Working with the Commoners to explore entering the Common into the Environmental Stewardship scheme.
- Welcoming those seeking to enjoy the Common responsibly, monitoring open access and managing any problems which may arise.
- Where necessary, using local labour and encouraging traditional skills, e.g. walling.
- Encouraging our volunteers to become involved with practical work on the Common and the development of walling and other land management skills.
- Using our land management experience to better inform our policy work, and input into debates about land management. We will especially use the Common as a resource to be used by others to explore the issues facing upland commons and agriculture, and landscape appreciation skills.
- Supporting any proposals for this area to form part of an appropriate national landscape designation, e.g. Orton Fells AONB.
We have developed a Management Plan covering 2003 - 2018, and a five year Action Plan covering 2003 - 2008 which lists more specifically the work in the short term. We hope that we will be able to show change which builds on what is special about the property and change that people support and welcome.
