R IDING access to Bodmin Moor is set to change with the proposed introduction of a permit scheme possibly costing £50 per horse per year, with additional charges for equine businesses such as riding schools.

The Association of Bodmin Moor Commons Landowners (ABMCL) plans to launch its scheme on September 1 "to monitor and regulate the number of horses being ridden in order to protect and conserve the enormously valuable environment" said ABMCL chairman Rupert Hanbury-Tenison.

He states that there is increasing pressure on the moor from equine tourism and an increase in the number of cases of damage by horseboxes as well as blocking field accesses.

"We are all extremely pro horse riding and value the horse riding community," Mr Hanbury-Tenison told the WMN. "By introducing this permit scheme we are giving horse riders for the first time the opportunity to legally ride over 17,000 acres of beautiful moorland – we are not taking away anything – we are offering something they don't already have.

"We will put back any funds generated into ABMCL projects for conservation and moorland management. If there is enough money we will put it towards improving equine facilities such as parking areas and gateways. "

Steve Crummay, service manager of Cornwall Council explains: "The vast majority of Bodmin Moor is privately owned. Much of this is now access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW). This gives a legal right of access for walkers in addition to the access provided by the Public Rights of Way network. The PRoW network allows access for horse riders on routes that are bridleway or byway but not on public footpaths, access land does not provide open access for horse riding."

British Horse Society (BHS) Cornwall access and bridleways officer Adrian Bigg raises his concerns at the proposal. "Many areas of Bodmin Moor have always been traditionally and freely ridden and walked," he said. "De facto access exists. Bodmin Moor landowners are now proposing to charge riders for the privilege of riding on the moor.

"There has been no consultation – we only learned of this by chance in May and since then details have not been forthcoming despite our inquiries – we are hoping that strong opposition to the scheme will force the plans to be reconsidered and abandoned. The BHS does not believe such a permit scheme is workable, necessary or can be fair.

"We hope that common sense will prevail and a solution found that suits all parties, so that Bodmin Moor remains as it should be, a welcoming place for all. Fortunately for riders on Dartmoor, the National Park Act gave the right of access for equines, but Bodmin Moor is not covered by that particular legislation."

Mr Bigg said ABMCL developed the scheme as part of the Bodmin Moor Development and Communication Project which was funded by a grant of £12,000 from the Cornwall AONB in 2007 and included the proposed permit scheme in its final report. He said: "It seems that even though public money was used, everyone has been kept in the dark about these proposals. We now find they were first discussed in 2005, but still no one seems willing or able to identify the problems they are required to fix."

Contained in the controversial report is a specimen riding permit detailing a charge of £50 per year "to ride or lead one horse on the commons". When asked about the cost to riders, Mr Hanbury-Tenison was unable to confirm the fee at this time but said "we are close to a figure" and if it does end up at £50 "that's still less then £1 a week to ride one horse over 17,000 acres".

He said: "There will be a higher rate for commercial outlets such as riding schools, but hunts will be exempt on hunting days."

Having ridden most parts of Bodmin Moor all of his life, 71-year-old Brian Webber is shocked and outraged at the proposed permit.

"It's been open moorland since man walked the earth – what right do they have to take away God's gift," said Brian who rides out for pleasure. "I don't understand the logic of it – it's nonsense and how sad for our younger generation. I took my granddaughter out for the first time at the weekend and she found it absolutely wonderful."

When asked if he would be prepared to pay for a permit he commented: "I'll simply carry on until someone jails me."

Tim Russ, of Clarke Willmott solicitors, Taunton, specialists in agriculture said: "As with any legal matter, the devil is in the detail, but in principle a right of way or access right is established if it is used to access the moor from adjoining land unchallenged for a period in excess of 20 years. I would expect riders to produce witness and other evidence to establish their continued and regular use of the moor without any interference for longer than this. The CRoW act does not apply to horse riding access and is therefore irrelevant to this case."