MP proposes pit management plan

Ash Moor cost several million pounds but was never used

Plans to turn a foot and mouth burial pit into a nature reserve have moved a step closer, an MP claims.

Ash Moor pit, in Devon, was built by the government in 2001 to take 900,000 animal carcasses but was never used.

Now Torridge and West Devon MP John Burnett says that, after meeting with Defra, he is confident that control will be handed to Devon Wildlife Trust.

However, Defra, which is restoring the land to its former state, would only say that the talks were "constructive".

The restoration of the pit, which was built at a cost of several million pounds, will take five years.

Peppercorn rent

During his recent meeting with Defra and Devon County Council, Mr Burnett proposed the idea of handing over the management of the site.

The Liberal Democrat MP said: "I'm optimistic that I will get an agreement from the minister within months that, after that five-year period, Defra will agree to lease the moor to Devon Wildlife Trust for a lengthy period of time at a peppercorn rent.

"Then over 10 or 20 years we will have an opportunity as will Devon Wildlife Trust and the local community to raise the money to buy the freehold at the end of the term of the lease."

Defra refused to comment on the issue specifically but told the BBC further discussions were planned for the near future.