Grazing cows are set to be introduced to Will Hall Meadow by the River Wey in Alton.

Alton Town Council unanimously agreed to a trial of grazing as a way to manage the field when it met at the Alton Assembly Rooms on October 8.

Concerns had been raised by Alton and Villages Local Action for Nature about cutting Will Hall Meadow while certain moths were there.

Deputy town clerk Hayley Carter and head groundsman Martin Whapshott met Gareth Hurd, the land manager responsible for similar sites along the River Wey for Guildford Borough Council, to discuss the best way forward.

Mr Hurd, who previously worked for the town council, advised them in a personal and voluntary capacity.

He told the meeting: “Grazing would improve the health of the river and would please people who do not want to see a traditional and historical part of the town lost. It’s almost always been grazing - it’s part of the heritage of the town.”

Will Hall Meadow has been managed since 2022 to a plan produced by Aquamaintain and agreed by the council.

The officers’ report highlighted three issues making this difficult for the council’s grounds team - the ground was too wet for machinery capable of cutting and collecting the grass, the council’s equipment was designed to mow sports pitches and would clog quickly if asked to collect long or wet grass, and the council team spent most of its time maintaining cricket, football and rugby pitches.

It said a contractor with a tractor would cost around £450 plus VAT per day, hay cutting and collection would take three to five days, and litter and dog mess in the sward would prevent the crop being sold.

The report added: “Fundamentally, it could be argued that the Alton Town Council plan to manage these fields was sub-optimal from the outset.

“Gareth’s opinion is that when the current management plan lapses in 2026, the site could be converted to grazing.

“From the perspective of maintaining the historical landscape, enhancing the site for wildlife and people, and taxpayer expense, this would have many benefits.”

Mr Hurd said continuing to cut and collect the grass was an expensive option, while leaving the field as a wild meadow would see it overgrown with nettles and brambles within ten years.

He added: “Grazing would control the sward height and vegetation to a level people will be happy with better than by mechanical means.”

Cllr Barbara Tansey said: “It’s really exciting and I like the sound of it.”

Cllr Don Hammond added: “It sounds like an excellent proposal for management of the site, in keeping with the historical land use.”

The recommendation was for the grazing trial to start in the spring of 2027, with Mr Hurd suggesting a minimum of five cows because they were a “social animal”.

But the council voted in favour of an amendment to bring it forward to the spring of 2026, proposed by Cllr Matthew Kellermann. He said: “I’m all in favour of getting a bovine.”