Protest is mounting after Somerset County Council confirmed plans this week to sell property it owns on the Quantock Hills – with the powerful Ramblers organisation saying it was “shocked” to learn the authority had not even bothered to find out the economic value of the land.

Another national organisation – the pressure group 38 Degrees – has amassed just under 38,000 names since Monday in its nationwide petition to prevent the sale.

On Wednesday, the council approved the sale of 2,000 acres of land, including Great Wood, Customs Common and Thorncombe Hill. Now the decision is making waves far and wide as various special interest and pressure groups voice concern that the sell-off could set a precedent for other cash-strapped authorities.

A Ramblers’ spokesman said: “The Ramblers was shocked to discover that there has not even been an economic or recreational valuation of the land, despite the fact sales are already being negotiated.

“The Ramblers had previously written to the council to outline its concerns over the future of access to the Quantock Hills and will now insist on taking up today’s invitation from the leader of the council to meet with groups who have expressed concern.”

He said that members of the nationwide walking group were particularly worried that the current “level of outstanding recreational access” for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders would not be maintained if the land were to fall into private hands.

Justin Cooke, senior policy officer for the Ramblers, said: “The Quantocks are a beautiful area much-loved by walkers. Our fear is that if the land is sold off to a private individual, the level and quality of access could be severely reduced.

“Somerset County Council has owned the land for over 90 years – to sell it off now for short-term money saving is severely short-sighted, especially because they have not even investigated the recreational and economic benefits.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats at Somerset County Council have slammed the Conservative-led authority’s decision.

Describing it as “selling off the family silver at a discount”, Martock councillor John Bailey said it was sad the Tory administration wanted to dispose of the county’s “heritage assets”. He added: “Some assets need to be protected and cherished.

“The Friends of the Quantocks Society have summed this decision up perfectly already: whoever purchases the woodlands would have to be very publicly spirited because none of the pieces of land are profitable.

“This raises a serious question over both the motives of any prospective buyer and the valuation of the land drawn up by the Conservatives.”

The 38 Degrees website states: “If Somerset County Council gets away with this, other councils across the country could start trying to sell off local wildlife havens too.

“Stopping Somerset Council should help stop these kind of sell-off schemes becoming a new national menace.”