Fences approved, gates requested

18/05/2009

Plans for half a mile of fencing on Crownhill Down, just outside the south-western boundary of the Dartmoor National Park, have been approved by the environment secretary.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, was not supportive of the fencing, however, as she said that it would be "visually intrusive".

She explained that if the fences were approved, which they now have been, the Open Spaces Society wanted more gates for better access.

Ms Ashbrook revealed that the applicants for the fencing Joseph Hess have proposed to install four gates as well as five ladder-stiles.

"The latter are difficult to cross and will be an impediment to riders and some walkers," she commented.

Planning inspector Gina Warman stated that "the impact will be outweighed by the benefits of the proposals".

The Open Spaces Society is based in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire and has more than 2,600 members throughout England and Wales.