THE Yorkshire Dales National Park is to prosecute an environmental charity for the unlawful removal and disturbance of the limestone pavement at Winskill Stones near Langcliffe.

Plantlife, owners of the protected area, built a cattle grid for access across limestone pavement - an act described as "appalling vandalism" by the park's chairman Robert Heseltine.

The cattle grid is situated on the minor road to Lower Winskill and involved digging out a bank of limestone to accommodate a vehicular by-pass.

The work was carried out without planning permission, and contravened the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.

National park members felt prosecution was the only option and the fairest way of dealing with the situation. "We do have to treat everyone equally in this matter. How could we look people in the eye if we do not go ahead with prosecution?" said Dr Jim Burton.

And Peter Walbank added: "I know Plantlife is a new charity but in my view if we don't take action against them we would be unable to take action against any other body or person.

"As an authority we would lose credibility. I know it is very difficult but the damage has been done and I don't think it would be fair to other people if we let them off."

A letter from the chairman of Plantlife, Adrian Darby, stated the charity's deep regret that the work was carried out without proper planning permission.

He said that whilst he did not want to make excuses for the mistakes the charity's main aim was to stop the destruction of the limestone pavement and at the same time to exert control over grazing levels.

He said that the need for a cattle grid was discussed and informally agreed at an early stage with national park officers. The responsibility of its positioning and specification was left with Plantlife's land agent Stephen Greenfield.

"Mr Greenfield accepts responsibility for the mistake that has been made."

But Mr Darby added: "It is also clear that, despite a site meeting, Mr Greenfield was not advised by the highways department that it was necessary to seek planning permission. From our point of view, we had every reason to believe that appropriate procedures were being followed."

As well as legal action, enforcement action is also to be taken to try to rectify the destruction to the area, said to be one of the most photographed views of limestone pavement in the area. It was reluctantly agreed that it could never be restored to its former glory.

It was decided instead to seek the next best solution which would lessen the impact of the damage already done and allow the grid to remain. Suggestions included removing one of the double gates and covering the newly created road surface in the by-pass with soil.

John Cumberland also suggested that wild flower and grass seeds from the locality could be sown on the soil which would go some way to softening the visual blow.

The by-pass area would still remain for the passage of stock and horses when necessary. At the same time the charity would have to erect a stock proof boundary to prevent stock from neighbouring land wandering onto the 64 acre reserve.

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