THE robot shepherd, 'Sheeptopia', (Malvern Gazette, December 6) obscures the reality of the Conservators' intended erection of large scale 'temporary moveable fencing' on the main body of the Malvern Hills, if consent is granted as is required for fencing on common land, by the Secretary of State for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The plan, involving enclosures for stock, is part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, details of which I was advised in writing are not in the public domain, notwithstanding the fact that the Freedom of Information Action 2000 is now in force.

No public consultation on the fencing has taken place nor has it been a subject for debate by the Conservators. Those of us who pay the Conservators' levy have special reason to feel aggrieved.

The Conservators have the duty by statute to keep the Malvern Hills open and unbuilt on as open spaces for the recreation and enjoyment of the public. The feeling of freedom associated with 'just being' on the Malvern Hills, conveyed so memorably in Ken Russell's film on Elgar, is something that has been taken for granted by locals and visitors alike over the years. This could now be lost.

Apparently there would be gates into the enclosures as in a farm park but this provision is no substitute for the free access to the land that we presently enjoy. Some people would rather not share an enclosure with cattle!

Leisure activities that could be affected include rambling, orienteering, hang gliding, kite flying and ball games. For the naturalist there could be the frustration of not being able to dart off in any direction to follow bird or butterfly. For the dog owner there would be endless dilemmas over the use or otherwise of the enclosures.

I am all in favour of land management with wildlife in mind - indeed I am a member of several nature conservation bodies - but no management scheme on the Hills should be of such a kind that it negates the essential purpose of the Malvern Hills Conservators. In fact there could be a constitutional issue here.

Furthermore the fencing which is part of the scheme (Conservators' supporting document to the Secretary of State for DEFRA) is electric. Surely electric fencing has no place on public open space.

JOYCE D PARR, Christ Church Road, Malvern.