A sheep farmer's plan to erect a half-mile long fence on moorland was turned down by a single vote yesterday.
Councillor Helen Schroeder, chairman of the National Park Authority, backed officers who opposed the move by Brian Aconley for a fence from Esklets to Farndale, on the North York Moors. They said it would be "an unacceptable intrusion" into the landscape.
However, the authority agreed to set aside £16,000 for cattle grids and a further £20,000 to help in providing additional shepherding.
Vice-chairman Councillor Herbert Tindall said there were growing worries that unless flocks were retained on the moors the thousands of acres of purple heather would be transformed into scrub trees and bracken.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article