Farmers voice fears about henges plan

Submitted by PaulM on Thursday, 05 May 2005 Page Views: 2445

Angry farmers say proposed restrictions on ploughing around an ancient monument could threaten their businesses. Consultants are putting together a conservation study for the future management of Thornborough Henges, near Bedale.

One of the proposals is to restrict the depth of ploughing in an eight square mile zone around the henges.

The zone will include the villages of Nosterfield and Thornborough and covers an area extending to the outskirts of Well, Kirklington, Howgrave and West Tanfield.

The study, by consultants Atkins Heritage, was commissioned by English Heritage and the Thornborough Henges consultation group.

A public meeting was held last week for local people to hear more details about the study.

Project manager Andrew Croft, said the aim of the study, which is expected to be completed by March next year, will be to assist decisions on planning applications, archaeological research and landscape management.

He said the completed study "would have no formal status".

Farmers present at the meeting challenged the size of the area chosen for the study and said restrictions on depth of ploughing could affect production of potatoes and sugar beet.

Farmer and landowner Christopher Bourne-Arton said: "The outcome could affect all types of landowners be it a house, a garden, a paddock or a business."

The area designated for the study includes Nosterfield Quarry, owned by Tarmac, which has a planning application currently in progress for further sand and gravel extraction at Ladybridge.

The Thornborough site is said to contain the greatest concentration of late Neolithic and early Bronze Age henges, or circular monuments, in the country.

Mike Sanders from the Friends of Thornborough said: "We would expect that the plan, when it is completed by the consultants, would include recommendations to compensate farmers for accepting a management plan that curtails their free use of their own land."

Source: North Yorkshire Advertiser 05/05/05

Contributor Bio for PaulM: Based in Macclesfield, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Hordron Edge. Occupation: Something in waste and recycling.

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