Decision details

That the County Council:

(a) shares the concern expressed by this Notice of Motion (and the one submitted by Councillor Barnes) about the legal implications of this High Court ruling for the right to backpack camp on relevant parts of Dartmoor, particularly in the light of long-standing tradition of such activity and the resulting benefits for physical and mental wellbeing of connecting with nature in this way;

(b) endorses the actions taken by Dartmoor National Park Authority in its efforts to uphold the ability for the public to enjoy responsibly this activity on an ongoing basis, including its promotion of a ‘Backpack Camping Code’; and it is recognised that motorised vehicles, campervans and sleeping in cars is not included in the backpack camping code and will be subject to regulation and enforcement to avoid harm to Dartmoor’s moorland environment; and

(c) calls on the Secretary of State for the Environment to support appropriately these endeavours across relevant parts of the Dartmoor Commons.