A PROPOSED exclusion area to keep sheep out of the centre of a Forest village has been opposed by a national conservation charity.

The Forest Council is proposing a public spaces protection order (PSPO) covering the centre of Bream to address the problem of sheep nuisance.

The Open Spaces Society has objected to the move on the grounds that the offence detailed by the order is vague and the area covered by it includes much more than just the roads.

The criticism has been rejected by the village’s district councillor, Cllr Richard Leppington, who says the order will “alleviate the suffering of the people of Bream.”

There has been a huge public response to the plan with more 500 responses to a public consultation by the district council which closes this afternoon (Wednesday).

The PSPO would target so-called ‘irresponsible shepherds’ who allow their sheep to cause a nuisance.

The Open Spaces Society’s general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, said: “We consider the PSP will not have the desired effect and is far in excess of what to deal with the problem of sheep in Bream.

“If there are individuals causing a nuisance, any action should be directed specifically at them.

“We have offered to assist the district council in finding a solution to the problem.

“We are convinced that Parliament never intended PSPOs to be a blanket measure where there are alternative, specific remedies available.”

Cllr Leppington (UKIP, Bream) said: “This is a problem caused by one individual and alternatives have been tried and not worked.

“This is not designed to stop commoning, it is a proportionate response to a problem that is making people’s lives a misery.”

He also took a dig at the Open Spaces Society – which is based in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire – getting involved in the issue.

He said: “Why are people in Henley telling people in the Forest what they should be doing?

“If you asked people in Bream, 95 per cent would be in favour of keeping sheep out of the village.”

If the order is approved, offenders would be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 or they could go to court where the maximum fine would be £1,000.