RAMBLERS, councillors and Forest Enterprise have opposed plans put forward by a motorsport company which operates four-by-four vehicles in a North Yorkshire forest.

Moorland Adventure Sport (MAS), of Bickley Rigg Farm, Langdale End, near Scarborough, is seeking permission from the North York Moors National Park's development committee to use land in Langdale Forest for its venture.

The activity, which allows members to drive off-road through about 70 miles of the forest, has been operating since 1995 under licence from the Forestry Commission and with the benefit of temporary planning approvals.

Now plans to regularise the arrangement have sparked fresh criticism from a number of groups, some of which said the sport is damaging.

Even Forest Enterprise, which has supported the venture for eight years, said the current operator "has shown a continuing inability to adhere to the terms and principles of the licence" which it issued.

The parish councils at Ebberston, Hackness and Harwood Dale Group have opposed the application, and councillors in the Broxa and Troutsdale parish said there had been many complaints about the vehicles.

Scarborough Rambling Club, which is against the plans, claimed that the vehicles are a hazard to other users on forest tracks, especially cyclists, horse riders and walkers.

Club chairman Rosemary Horne said: "Damage occurs off forest tracks and paths become impassable so vehicles move to other areas and do more damage."

The committee will decide on Thursday whether or not to allow MAS's operation, known as Langdale Quest, to continue running.

MAS, which also runs Quad Trails and is a member of a scheme known as Club Xtreme in the area, has put forward a detailed statement in support of its proposals.

A spokesman said: "Langdale Quest makes an important direct contribution to the park's economy, employing six staff.

"The Quest has a substantial indirect effect on the economy through customers' use of restaurants and hotels. The Quest also helps repair green lanes and gives money to charity."

MAS submitted a letter of support to the committee from the Yorkshire Tourist Board.

The letter said the board considered the activity to be "in line" with its guidelines for new product development.