Disappointment as ponies removed from headland

Grazing Dartmoor ponies had become a familiar part of the landscape at Rame Head in south-east Cornwall

People familiar with a Cornish headland have said they are disappointed Dartmoor ponies have been removed from the area.

The ponies had been introduced to Rame Head, a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), by the tenant farmer as a means of conservation grazing.

The farmer Chris Wilton has removed them after his development proposals on a nearby field were refused.

Mr Wilton said: "The facilities and people required to look after the ponies were not sufficiently close by, so unfortunately they had to go back to Dartmoor."

Julie Maddever said it was sad not to see the ponies

A local resident said every person she had met who was going to Rame Head expecting to see the ponies was "massively" disappointed.

Julie Maddever runs a summer school with Spanish children and said: "I think they'll be really disappointed because they love to come here and see the ponies.

"We have repeat groups who ask us 'where are the ponies now?' and sadly they are not here any more.

"We'd love them to be brought back," she said.

Rame Head is a part of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park (MECP) which is jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council.

The tenant farmer is responsible for maintaining the area including the grazing of animals.

A statement from MECP said: "Both councils are aware that the tenant farmer has recently withdrawn the grazing stock from Rame Head and have requested him to restore grazing as soon as possible. "

It said it was in contact with Natural England, as governing body of the SSSI, to advise on the matter.

"MECP is aware of the community interest in this issue and is negotiating with relevant parties to ensure appropriate land management of the site going forward," it said.

Councillor Kate Ewert says she understands people are worried

Councillor Kate Ewert is the joint chair of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee.

"Sadly the ponies are not here currently," she said.

"The tenant farmer decided to remove the ponies and we absolutely understand people's concerns about that.

"We understand how worried people are about the management of the Head without the ponies here.

"But ultimately how the farmer farms the land is down to the farmer and it's for Natural England, who are the designators of the SSSI, to manage that with the farmer."

'Development proposals'

Mr Wilton said: "As farmers we take great pride in looking after the environment, so we were as disappointed as anyone else that the ponies are no longer on Rame Head, where they were used for conservation grazing.

"We were responsible for their welfare and one result of having our development proposals for the land turned down was that the facilities and people required to look after the ponies were not sufficiently close by, so unfortunately they had to go back to Dartmoor.

"You cannot oppose development on the one hand, and expect the landscape to continue to be managed as it always has been on the other – a balance has to be struck."

The Rame Protection Group said: "If Mr Wilton doesn't want to maintain Rame Head with conservation grazing he should give it back to the owners, namely Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council."

'Not a feature'

Natural England said Rame Head was a designated SSSI "for a number of rare plants that are present on the site, as well as it’s important geology".

It also contains a scheduled ancient monument designation for the remains of a medieval chapel, a promontory fort and a second world war radar station.

SSSIs are designed to conserve sites from damage for the benefit of present and future generations and help to promote appropriate land management to maintain and enhance their value for wildlife.

Natural England said: "The Dartmoor ponies are not a feature of the SSSI and are just one way to manage the features of the SSSI.

"Natural England is working closely with relevant parties to ensure best management is in place."