The Dartmoor Society has called for a public inquiry into a bog restoration project in the national park.

The Dartmoor Mires Project is part of a joint Dartmoor and Exmoor project called Mires on the Moors to reduce the erosion of moorland blanket bog.

On Dartmoor, the work is being co-ordinated by Dartmoor National Park Authority and steered by a partnership of the Environment Agency, the Duchy of Cornwall, Natural England, South West Water and the Dartmoor Commoners Council.

The project leaders claim the restoration work will help "conserve and enhance this crucial habitat for wildlife", as well as improving the water supply and increasing the blanket bog's potential to store carbon and therefore mitigate the effects of climate change.

However, after proposals to fence off part of the land involved in the project, the Dartmoor Society has raised a number of concerns.

It claims that, after nearly five years of pilot projects, "no clear evidence has yet been presented to the public which shows that the 12,000 hectares of blanket bog of Dartmoor are either eroding or drying out at an accelerated rate".

It says disturbance resulting from the project to the bog at Winney's Down has made the area dangerous for humans and animals, and that graziers have already lost animals in the re-wetted Blackabrook area.

The Dartmoor Society has raised concerns about the increasing cost of monitoring the regeneration, claiming it has risen from an initial £90,000 to £102,280. It has now called for a public inquiry into the Dartmoor Mires project before any more work is started, or money spent.

Society chairman Dr Tom Greeves said members had had concerns for some time.

However, it was not until the application to erect fences in connection with the project was made last month that they had a real opportunity to ask for an inquiry.

He said: "We consider that any delay and costs that might be caused or incurred by a public inquiry will be beneficial in the long-term as the matter reaches to the heart of hill farming on Dartmoor and the proper management of the commons, and is of major interest for graziers, scientists, land managers and the general public."

The Dartmoor Society has sent copies of its representations to the Planning Inspectorate and Defra Secretary Caroline Spelman, plus other interested parties.

In a statement, the Dartmoor Mires Project Board said the project offered "the potential for multiple benefits for society including improved water supplies, biodiversity and mitigation of the impacts of climate change".

It added: "We agree with the Dartmoor Society that it is important to gather evidence on the effectiveness of the restoration work." Consultation on the fencing ends today.