AN application to sink four boreholes into a Dartmoor beauty spot has sparked objections by a national pressure group.

The application, if approved by Dartmoor National Park Authority, could see the expansion of Yennadon Quarry by its owners Yennadon Stone Ltd. The quarry is is on the downs near Dousland — an area of Dartmoor looking towards picturesque Burrator Reservoir.

The Open Spaces Society is objecting to the scheme — though the stone company insists it s only 'small scale'.

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said the applicant appeared 'not to appreciate that the land is registered common within the Dartmoor National Park'.

'People have a right to walk and ride over the whole area and the boreholes will interfere with their enjoyment of this lovely downland, with its wide views,' she said.

'Since the land is common, Yennadon Stone could not extend the quarry without the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

'We suspect that such consent would not be forthcoming because the quarry would be in conflict with the public's enjoyment of this common.

'The Secretary of State's consent would be needed in addition to any planning consent from the Dartmoor National Park Authority so there seems little point in going ahead with the boreholes when any consequent attempt to extend the quarry would be likely to fail,' Ms Ashbrook said.

Ms Ashbrook said the society was pleased the applicant recognised the 'sensitive and beautiful nature of the area', but felt it was too sensitive and beautiful to allow the works to go ahead and had urged the national park authority to reject the application.

David Wallace, director of Yennadon Stone Ltd, said the company was 'fully aware' the land was common land.

He said: 'At the moment we are looking to put in four boreholes, which will be only nine inches in diameter, so common land is not going to be lost. I think the Open Spaces Society are getting ahead of themselves.'

Mr Wallace said if planning permission was granted it would be several months before the boreholes would be sunk. Investigations would then take place and after the results of the tests were examined, the company would decide whether to apply for a small extension.

Mr Wallace said: 'I think the society sees the national park being ripped to shreds, but this is only a small scale quarry and that is not the case.

'We are restricted as to what we can do and we are nowhere near the limit of that.

'We are not looking to increase our output or change things, we just want to move a little bit sideways.

'Most of the developments around here are built from our stone and we are just trying to improve the viability of the quarry.'

Rustic stone has been quarried and worked at Yennadon Quarry since the 1930s.

DNPA planning officer Jon Holmes said approximately 15 objections had been received so far from local residents.

The application is likely to be considered by the planning committee on September 5.