Coldham’s Common is a designated local nature reserve and one of the city’s largest open spaces that is enjoyed by residents and visitors for its recreational uses, including nature trails, cycle paths, sports pitches, BMX track and open space as well as being a popular place for dog walkers and home to grazing cattle, the common provides important natural habitats for many different species of plants and animals.

The new management plan is based on extensive consultation with residents, users of the common and other interested parties including the Wildlife Trust. It sets out in detail the important natural and historic heritage and recreational features of the common. It also describes the supporting management objectives and actions required to protect and enhance each of these valuable features over the next ten years.

The plan describes the council’s intention to manage the site as a multifunctional, natural green space, which is available for the enjoyment of both local residents and visitors and where a balance is maintained between meeting the needs of people and wildlife.

An independent consultation on management of the common, which is owned and managed by the council, was held between November 2013 and February 2014 and yielded 704 responses. A second round of consultation took place in summer 2014 and asked consultees to select the most appropriate management options for the site. A stakeholder workshop was held in January 2015 that involved representatives from the Coldham’s Common Friends’ Group, Wildlife Trust, Cambridge Cycling Campaign and East Romsey and Mill Road Residents’ Association.

If approved the ten year Coldham’s Common Operational Management Plan will be implementation from April 2016. The recommendations will also include a call for volunteers and a commitment to review the plan in 12 months.