FARMLAND on the North York Moors National Park's picturesque Levisham Estate may revert to moorland.

A blueprint for the next five years has been drawn up for the 3,358-acre estate which the authority bought in 1976. Landscape and wildlife improvements are also included under a new management plan proposed by the park authority.

Michael Graham, the park estate and moorland officer, said of the original pruchase: "Buying the land was seen as the most effective way of conserving this area of outstanding landscape, which includes the Hole of Horcum and part of Newtondale Gorge."

The draft plan will go to 30 organisations for their views before a final decision is made in March.

The estate's strengths include its landscape; ownership by the National Park; a wealth of historic and archaeological remains; its popularity with walkers and other visitors who contributed to the local economy, and easy access by road and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

But, said Mr Graham, there were threats too, including over-use of existing rights of way; erosion by heavy rain; fire, especially from the moors railway; illegal use of the moors by motor-bikes and 4x4 vehicles; and the loss of character through increased visitor numbers.

Several opportunities are, however, highlighted: its use as a recreation asset to boost the local economy; woodland restoration; an increased role for graziers and tenants as managers of the moors, and potential as an education and research resource.

"Local businesses benefit directly from the proximity of the estate and its high public use," said Mr Graham.

Habitat action plans are being drawn up for rivers, streams, moorland, woodland, marshes, fences, and grassland.

Levisham Moor is registered common land with 26 registered right holders for grazing, fishing, collecting wood, and peat.

New rights of way on improved existing tracks and paths are planned in the woodlands. English Nature will be asked to help fund a wildlife enhancement scheme. New bridleways are planned, with one route linking Goathland station and Newtondale Halt on the moors railway.

Buildings, fences, gates, water supplies, drainage, and way marking will be improved; measures to control moles, rabbits, squirrels, roe deer, nettles, thistles and bracken will be taken, and several eyesores on the estate improved. Conservation work will be carried out, including hedgelaying and hay meadow management.

The estate has three Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the largest area of heather moorland in England.