From This is Cornwall 23/06/2004:
IS SIR PAUL IN THE RACE FOR HISTORIC TOR?
A Beatle legend is rumoured to be among those interested in buying ancient Sheepstor and its bleak Dartmoor surroundings, Aislinn Simpson reports
One hundred thousand pounds could seem a little excessive for the ownership of a large rock, reportedly occupied by piskies, and 125 acres of desolate Dartmoor landscape.
But according to estate agents Symonds and Sampson, who are handling the sale of Sheepstor, near Tavistock, there has been a considerable amount of interest in acquiring this piece of moorland, which also boasts a prehistoric stone circle and previous owners who were related to Sir Francis Drake.
There are even suggestions that Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, who already owns land on Exmoor, is toying with the idea of buying Sheepstor when it is auctioned in Somerset on July 2.
John White-Hamilton, of Symonds and Sampson, said the ancient tor - hugely popular with walkers, sightseers and rock climbers - would appeal to prospective buyers precisely because of its unusual qualities, while representing a sound investment. He said: "We have already had a certain amount of interest - this is an ideal opportunity for those wanting to own a little bit of England.
"Currently it produces just over four per cent return but if used for shoots, it could return up to seven per cent, which is better than a bank, and Dartmoor is a much nicer place to visit your money."
He said the current owner, Captain Maxwell Hislop, a distant relative of the Bayly family, who have owned the land since 1839, had decided to sell in view of his advancing years.
He added that as well as 125 acres of freehold moor, the buyer would bag 350 acres of shooting rights.
But the suggested use of the moorland, which offers open access to the public and has grazing rights for local sheep farmers, for shooting has concerned local groups. The chairman of Burrator Parish Council, Keith Scrivener, said exercising such rights would sit uncomfortably with its recreational use as a National Park.
"I can't quit
"I can't quite envisage how parties of tweed-coated gunmen in deerstalkers could wander amid ramblers, rock climbers, and picnickers firing off their shotguns in all directions at low-flying grouse," he said. "For safety reasons, any new owner would have to close off this part of the moor if a shoot was to be organised and I can't believe denying access would go down well with the thousands of people from Plymouth and district who enjoy regular visits."
John Bainbridge, chairman of Dartmoor Preservation Society agreed shooting on the site would be inappropriate. He said: "It has shooting rights like every other piece of land but in practice such a use is not feasible."
He added that the preservation society itself was keen to invest in the tor, but the price was too high. Mr Bainbridge said: "If we had the money we would buy it but there is not enough time to raise it."
Local historian Paul Rendell said he hoped whatever the outcome, the tor and surrounding land would go to a good home. He said: "It would be nice to see it go to a charity or local people who will respect it, but we will have to wait and see."
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road