GRAZING sheep will continue to be a feature in Cooper’s Meadow after ownership and management of the land was debated at a town council meeting last night.

In the spring Marlborough Town Council’s estate manager Richard Beale was asked to come up with a management plan for the meadow which was leased to the town council by the former Kennet District council in 1987.

Concerns were raised that there might be legal issues surrounding some aspects of the plan, including grazing rights, in relation to the original lease.

Around 30 residents turned up to the meeting, including a young Action for the River Kennet (ARK) supporter dressed in a sheep onesie.

Before the meeting, 16-year-old Harry Forbes handed a Keep the Sheep petition to mayor Marian Hannaford-Dobson which had been signed by 927 people.

During the public question time several member of the public spoke in support of ARK’s involvement in Cooper’s Meadow and the sheep that graze there.

Richard Paget said: “Why, after five years of successful conservation grazing in Coopers Meadow was a decision taken to instantly remove grazing rights rather than clarify the terminology of the lease and request a variation from Wiltshire Council?”

Councillors voted to apply for a Community Asset Transfer of the land from Wiltshire Council to the Town Council to bring it back under the town’s ownership.

Wiltshire and town councillor Stewart Dobson said this process could be completed as early as January ready for spring grazing.