FEARS that a major public entrance to Fountains Abbey estate near Ripon could be closed permanently has sparked a protest to English Heritage.

It comes as villagers in Studley Roger are being canvassed for their views on closing the entrance to Studley Royal deer park, which is accessed through the single village road.

Since February, peace and quiet has reigned in the community. The entrance has been closed temporarily by the National Trust because of the threat of foot-and-mouth disease spreading to the parkland's famous herd of deer.

Now. villagers are believed to be on the point of requesting a permanent closure of the entrance.

But a champion of the right of way, Mrs Barbara Fisher of Ripon, has condemned villagers for wanting "exclusivity" for themeselves while denying others access to the World Heritage site via this route. She said the village had originally comprised estate workers' cottages, but was now more of a commuter village.

Mrs Fisher, a retired teacher, has asked English Heritage to uphold the 130-year-old right of way.

English Heritage, guardian of St. Mary's church in the deer park and Fountains Abbey, said Mrs Fisher's letter was being studied. Regional director Mr David Fraser said: "Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate should be enjoyed by as many people as possible."

National Trust spokesman Ms Helen Clarke stressed that the idea for possible closure had not come from the trust. She said the trust was aware how popular the deer park entrance was, particularly for local people. Whether it could be closed would be something they would have to assess.

Although the main entrance to the estate is via the newly-established National Trust visitor centre off the Ripon-Pateley Bridge road, the Studley Roger entrance remains very popular. It leads to the lakeside car park and attracts more than 60,000 people a year.

Mrs Fisher has made English Heritage aware that the right of way is based on a deed poll from the Marquess of Ripon in 1877. It granted a right of way to and from the church "with or without horses or carriages." She claims the document still protects the right of way.

Mrs Fisher, who has also alerted Ripon and Skipton MP Mr David Curry to the threat said: "It would be absolutely devastating for people if they were denied this beautiful access to the estate."

Mrs Fisher said Studley Roger residents would be branded "a group of extraordinarily selfish people" if they backed closure.

Studley Roger Parish Council chairman Coun Derrick Slater said his members had decided to consult villagers after being approached by some who found the village a safer and more pleasant place since the entry was closed six months ago.

Coun Slater said they were a very small community but had to deal with a lot of traffic. There were more than 20 children in the village and there were constant fears for their safety. There had also been trouble with speeding.

But he said not all residents favoured keeping the deer park entrance permanently closed.

He did not want the public denied access to the estate because it was such a wonderful place. Residents' views would be passed to the National Trust and it would have to decide what to do.