ANGRY farmers have told English Heritage that proposed restrictions on ploughing in an area of eight square miles around three scheduled ancient monuments near Bedale could threaten their businesses.

The zone was revealed to farmers and landowners at a meeting in West Tanfield on Wednesday organised by consultants Atkins Heritage, commissioned by English Heritage and the Thornborough henges consultation group to prepare a conservation study of the area around the monuments.

The study will include Nosterfield and Thornborough and cover the area extending to the outskirts of Well, Kirklington, Howgrave and West Tanfield.

Project manager Andrew Croft said the aim of the study, expected to be completed by March next year, would be to help decisions on planning applications, archaeological research and landscape management. He added that the study, when complete, "would have no formal status."

But farmers and landowners present challenged the size of the area chosen for the study and said restrictions on depth of ploughing could affect production of potatoes and sugar beet.

David Robinson said he and other farmers had been told that an eight inch depth restriction on ploughing would be considered as part of the study and added: "We operate a substantial potato production business and I am seriously concerned. If a restriction on the plough of eight inches is agreed then I am out of business."

Christopher Bourne-Arton said: "The outcome could affect all types of landowners, be it a house, a garden, a paddock or a business."