Friends of Quantock is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the object of the “conservation, protection and improvement of the landscape and natural environment of the

Quantock Hills The Quantock Hills west of Bridgwater in Somerset, England, consist of heathland, oak woodlands, ancient parklands and agricultural land. They were England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956. Natural England have desi ...

”. They are an independent charity, funded and governed by their own membership as “guardians of the Quantock Hills on behalf of the public”.

The Quantock Hills

The

is an area of

Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...

in the UK, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), much of it also Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of great natural beauty, historical, literary and scientific importance, a haven for wildlife and rare species containing upland heath, forest and coastline open for public access.

History

Friends of Quantock was first formed in 1949 in response to proposals to fell ancient woodland in Hodders Combe and to turn over a large area of heathland to commercial conifer plantation. The first president was the Bishop of Bath and Wells. After gathering public support to successfully defeat those proposals The Friends of Quantock subsequently campaigned for proper management and protection of the Hills leading to the Quantocks becoming an AONB in 1956 and to the setting up of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee in 1973. They opposed plans to build an 18 hole Golf Course on top of the hills in the 1970s. In 2013 they acquired two tracts of land from

Somerset County Council Somerset County Council is the county council of Somerset in the South West of England, an elected local government authority responsible for the most significant local government services in most of the county. On 1 April 2023 the county counc ...

and were incorporated as a CIO.

Activities

Over the years Friends of Quantock has commissioned reports and surveys of Quantock plants and wildlife, made grants for restoration projects of landscape features, published books and leaflets, commented on planning applications and served on the Joint Advisory Committee. They have campaigned over litter, vehicle use, deer poaching, quarries, overhead power lines, and public rights of way.

Land acquisition

In 2012 Somerset County Council declared their land holdings on the Quantocks to be 'Surplus' and announced their intention to sell them. Friends of Quantock opposed in principle the transfer of Quantock land out of public ownership but was successful in negotiating the acquisition of of heathland and forest under a Community Asset Transfer Scheme for the sum of £2.

Over Stowey Over may refer to: Places *Over, Cambridgeshire, England *Over, Cheshire, England *Over, South Gloucestershire, England * Over, Tewkesbury, near Gloucester, England ** Over Bridge *Over, Seevetal Over is a village in the municipality of Seevet ...

Customs Common and Thorncombe Hill are therefore owned and held by Friends of Quantock for the benefit of the public. As a result of this purchase the Charity was dissolved and reincorporated as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation to protect its trustees from the liabilities of property ownership.

References

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External links