Telscombe Tye is in the proposed South Downs National Park

A four-day public inquiry was held in August into plans for fencing which would have divided Telscombe Tye into two for part of the year.

The South Downs Joint Committee said the three lengths of fencing were needed to enable the land to be grazed.

But the inspector ruled it would spoil the appearance of the Tye.

He also said the fences would provide a barrier to access of the common land and create a sense of division between the public rights of way and the common.

Adversely affected

"The northern part of the Tye has exceptional landscape qualities that would be adversely affected by any fencing," the ruling said.

Telscombe Tye falls within the proposed South Downs National Park.

The committee's planning application was made on behalf of the Tye's owner, Telscombe Town Council.

The inspector accepted grazing of the Tye was part of the common's cultural heritage but said that sufficient grazing could be provided without the fencing.

"This is an excellent decision which will help us save the common from further incursions," said Bob Milton of the Open Spaces Society, one of the objectors to the plans.