As the Borough Council put in hand some of the work set out in the revised Management Plan, a group of local residents have raised a cry of protest. Led by Dr Brian Hale of Mill Hill they are dismayed by the clearing of all trees from an area of around 1.6 hectares just inside the northern loop of the old racecourse. The Plan envisages returning the space to 'lowland heath', regarded by those who profess to know about these things as a rapidly disappearing valuable habitat. Unconvinced by the need for such a scheme, the protesters see the place becoming a playground for mountain bikers with little prospect for heather recovery.

Despite some effort by the Council and the Galleywood Common Association to raise public awareness of the scheme, few objections were voiced during preliminary discussions.