HUNDREDS of acres of designated outstanding natural beauty land on the Quantock Hills could be going under the hammer.

Somerset County Council is proposing to sell just under 2,000 acres of heathland and forest in a bid to generate cash and reduce its liabilities.

Much of the land at Great Wood and Custom Common near Over Stowey and Thorncombe Hill near Bicknoller has Site of Special Scientific Interest status, meaning it is protected for its conservation value.

But the bid to sell off the land has sparked controversy amongst local people and organisations who fear that taking it out of local authority ownership could affect how it is managed and threaten public access to it.

The Friends of Quantock, a charity set up more than 60 years ago to counter the threat of large-scale afforestation of the hills, is preparing to lodge a formal objection to the sale.

And concerns have also been raised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), which is calling for covenants to be placed on the land ensuring the current level of public access and regular review of landscape and nature conservation issues.

Friends of Quantock Treasurer Alan Hughes said that although some safeguards were already in place and others - in the form of covenants - might be imposed, it was clear that private ownership carried a much higher risk of potential damage or neglect to what were very important areas.

"There are a number of issues that concern us," he said. "These parcels of land need very careful management and we believe they should stay in the ownership of a public body - private ownership could lead to all sorts of problems.

"These areas are widely used by the public and although the two areas of moorland have open access status, Great Wood only has permissive public access, which could change - and if it did, that would put enormous pressure on other parts of the hills."

Over Stowey resident David Worthy, also a member of the Friends of Quantock, said people had concerns about wildlife and a range of management issues.

"It may be all right but we just don't know," he said.

"The county council has been quite secretive and is really not telling anyone anything.

"No information is coming out and everyone is worried."

But Cllr David Huxtable, county council member for resources, denied any secrecy and said it was widely known that the authority - which is currently having to make savings of around £34 million - was having to look at all its assets.

"People are concerned because it is a fear of the unknown," he said.

"Of course we would look at imposing covenants and asset locks.

"These areas are all within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so much of the protection is already there."

Cllr Huxtable said the county council was being encouraged to generate more income and reduce its liabilities.

"Pretty much everything we have could be offered for sale."

He said it was questionable whether the authority should even be in the business of owning land.

Initial valuations had indicated that Thorncombe Hill, for instance, could realise around £600,000.

But he said in respect of Great Wood, the Forestry Commission, which currently leases it, was likely to be the only bidder.

"It has something like a 990-year lease with around 940 years still to go so it is clear that no one else is likely to bid for that piece of land."

However, Cllr Huxtable said the county council would take notice of people's views and any objections lodged.

A formal statement from the authority, received just before the Free Press went to press yesterday (Thursday), said it was currently reviewing all its land and property to see where savings could be made and income generated.

"It is tight financial times and we're looking to invest and save," said a spokesman.

"There is no target and the market will dictate the value of the land."

The spokesman said consideration would be given to any responses to the formal notice of the proposed sale.

"We're in intense discussions with the Forestry Commission and National Trust over the plots of land we are looking at.

"We are looking at relatively high costs for this land and this may be out of the range of small groups.

"The land is protected as it is an AONB so will remain protected public land and open to public access."

Anyone wanting to object to the sale has until next Friday (December 23) to to do so in writing to Honor Clark, Legal Services, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY.

Plans showing the areas in question can be inspected at county hall between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.