A NEW group has been set up to campaign for a fair and open public inquiry into the military's use of Dartmoor. Free the Hills is also asking for the immediate release from military restriction of the highest summits in Southern England — High Willhays and Yes Tor. The licences for military training in Dartmoor National Park expire in 2012 and Free the Hills says there should be no renewal without a public inquiry. Conservationist and writer John Bainbridge has been appointed to launch the group until a full-time director is appointed. A former member of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, Mr Bainbridge has campaigned on Dartmoor issues for almost 40 years. He said: '\The restrictions on access to this national park caused by military training are a disgrace. The damage done to Dartmoor by military training is inexcusable. 'We want a public inquiry to democratically decide whether the MOD's claims to need the moor are justified. We want Dartmoor's highest summits freed now.' Free the Hills is calling on Dartmoor National Park Authority to pledge full support for a public inquiry and on hillwalkers nationwide to make an email pledge of support to FreeTheHills@ fsmail.net The group is also seeking volunteers for officer posts and will soon begin a membership recruitment campaign. The park authority recently set up a working party to look into the future of military operations on the moor and revisit its current position as detailed in the 2001 National Park Management Plan. This stated that 'the principle of ultimate withdrawal of military use damaging to national park purposes on Dartmoor be retained as soon as this can be achieved consistent with the nation's defence needs'. They have also agreed that the National Park Forum discuss this issue on June 22. But authority officers have said that through consultations the majority of people do not see military training as a big issue and are comfortable with the authority's present stance.