Atkins Heritage was commissioned by English Heritage and the Thornborough Henges Consultation Group to prepare a conservation plan for the local area. At a meeting with residents on Wednesday they suggested an eight square mile “exclusion zone”. Project manager Andrew Croft said the aim of the plan, due to be completed by next March, was to aid decisions on planning applications, archaeological research and landscape management. The area covered includes Nosterfield Quarry, which has a pending planning application for quarrying only half a mile from the henges.
Local landowners are concerned controls could hit their livelihoods. For example, potato farmer David Robinson, of Howgrave Hall, said a ploughing depth restriction of eight inches would put him out of business.
Mike Sanders, of the Friends of Thornborough, said he hoped North Yorkshire Council would act on the plan’s recommendations. He suggested the area would benefit from tourism, and that farmers could be offered compensation or subsidies to allow access to the sites.
summarised from the Yorkshire Post article at
yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1006494