Friends of Quantock are the Amenity Society for the Quantock Hills and were founded in 1949 to preserve and enhance the natural landscape of the Quantock Hills representing both the local community and a much wider group of people who know and love the Quantocks.

We have followed the proposals for Hinkley Point C with some concern and have attended several of the presentations, as well as studying the various documents made public.

Our principal concern is naturally the intrusive impact that the proposal will have on the AONB. While the buildings are well outside the AONB, their impact will have a very major effect on nearly all areas of the AONB and indeed will dominate all outward views to the north and east. While we certainly support all measures to mitigate the impact, we fear that nothing will prevent the buildings having a very serious negative effect on a very important landscape that is of great value both to the locality community and the national interest. The scale of this impact appears to be acknowledged in the latest consultation documents issued last October. The impact will not only be during daylight hours, as light pollution from the buildings and associated works will also have a negative effect on the Quantock environment.

Other concerns centre on the traffic generated by the development, particularly during the construction phase. The narrow and winding section of the A39 east of Williton passes through the AONB and, whatever measures are taken, there is bound to be a considerable impact on what is already a dangerous stretch of road. We also feel that there will inevitably be increased use of the narrow lanes around the AONB and on the two routes across the hills. This will increase the accident rate, damage verges and passing places, and increase litter and vandalism as well as producing higher levels of noise and pollution.

As a voluntary Society we do not have the resources to comment in detail on the voluminous documentation of the proposal but, as a member of the Joint Advisory Committee for the Quantocks, we work closely with the AONB Service and are fully supportive of the views and representations made on their behalf.

“FoQ are opposed to the sale by the County Council of any land the Council owns within the AONB and we have entered a formal objection to the proposal.  We feel that the four areas that are currently owned by the Council – i.e. Great Wood, Over Stowey Custom Common, Thorncombe Hill and Cothelstone Hill – are very important parts of the AONB and should remain in public ownership as heritage assets.

The County Council argues that, with proper safeguards, these parcels of land could safely pass into private ownership.  FoQ are not against private ownership in principle and indeed other parts of the Hills are privately owned and in good hands. However, we feel that the public interest in these assets is better served by public ownership and that moving them to private ownership after 100 years is a retrograde step. We also have concerns as to how satisfactory the safeguards can be in the long term, should the land fall into hands that were not so sympathetic to the public interest.

FoQ believes that, if the County Council does not wish to hold these assets, they should be passed to another public or charitable body, such as the National Trust.  We have also expressed our possible interest in holding this land, particularly Thorncombe Hill, on behalf of the wider community, if that proves to be the way forward.”

The competition judges are looking for the best ideas for projects that encourage wildlife into the local area.  Winners will receive funding for their projects from the Quantock Hills Sustainable Development Fund. The aim of the competition is to create places that attract all kinds of species of birds, insects and small mammals, particularly those native to the Quantocks.

Iain Porter, Acting Manager for the Quantock Hills AONB says:

‘We want people to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and enjoy working in the outdoors to create something really special for wildlife.  So whether it’s small scale or a grand plan, it has to be something that encourages wildlife, but can be for a specific species or a broad range of biodiversity, and importantly, it should be a project that everyone can visit and enjoy’.

The competition aims to encourage community groups to get involved in ‘hands on’ conservation work, helping to create good habitats for wildlife and so enriching the biodiversity of the area.   The competition will also raise awareness about the flora and fauna native to the Quantock Hills.

The competition is open to Parish Councils, community groups, organisations, schools and charities within the Quantock Hills area who wish to make improvements to a current site, or create a brand new place for wildlife within their community.

Applications must be submitted by 1^st February 2012 to the Quantock Hills AONB Service. Entries will be judged by a panel drawn from the AONB Service, Quantock Eco and Friends of Quantock. The successful projects will be announced on 16^th March 2012.

For information on how to apply, and what the criteria are please contact:

• Iain Porter, Quantock Hills AONB Manager on 01823 451884.
• Julian Anderson, Quantock Eco Chairman on quantockeco@btinternet.com or 01984 656844
• Laetitia Kelly, Friends of Quantock Chairman on Laetitia.kelly@hotmail.co.uk or 01823 288878

Friends of Quantock are taking part in an interesting experiment that could have far-reaching implications for our landscape. Seeds from the surviving trees have been collected and grown on.  We have taken delivery of 11 of these young trees – they are tiny and will be kept in a vegetable garden before being planted out properly this autumn.  We will monitor them carefully to see whether they really are a different strain, but it will be some years before we shall know. Perhaps our grandchildren will once again enjoy the great Elms of the past.