ActiveOutdoorsCampingAppeal planned over Dartmoor wild camping decisionDartmoor National Park Authority seek right to appeal recent judgment that removed the legal right to wild camp across DartmoorWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveOutdoorsCampingAppeal planned over Dartmoor wild camping decisionDartmoor National Park Authority seek right to appeal recent judgment that removed the legal right to wild camp across DartmoorWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Dartmoor National Park Authority seek right to appeal recent judgment that removed the legal right to wild camp across Dartmoor
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Belstone Tor on Dartmoor(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Belstone Tor on Dartmoor
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
TheDartmoor National Park Authority(DNPA) has announced its intention to go back to court and appeal a recent ruling thateffectively removedthe legal right for people to wild camp across the vast majority of the Dartmoor Commons.
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
After the judgment, an ‘agreement in principle’ wascobbled togetherbetween the national park authority and landowners that seemed to allow the continuation of wild camping on a much-reduced section of the commons – detailed on aninteractive mapon the DNPA website – which, initially at least, excluded all of the Darwalls’ land, and several other sections of the national park.
Author and access campaigner Guy Shrubsole speaking at the Dartmoor protest walk(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Author and access campaigner Guy Shrubsole speaking at the Dartmoor protest walk
Author and access campaigner Guy Shrubsole speaking at the Dartmoor protest walk
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Since then, the Darwalls, who conduct lucrative anddestructive pheasant shootsand deerstalking on their land, have disingenuously sought to present their actions as an attempt to combat problematic behaviour on the moor,releasing a statementthat says: “The truth is that there is no threat to access or true wild camping… Dartmoor is increasingly under pressure from fly campers, litter, raves and so on - a small number of people who spoil it for everyone.”
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
As campaigners have made very clear, the change in interpretation of the law has simply outlawed the practice of respectful, leave-no-trace wild camping, which has been part of the outdoor culture of Dartmoor for decades.
(Image credit: Phoebe Smith)
(Image credit: Phoebe Smith)
To the relief of access campaigners, despite the recent set back and the costs that it has incurred the park authority, lawyers acting for the DNPA are set to argue that the judgment is flawed because it doesn’t accept wild camping as a recreational activity, and it fails to take into account the historic understanding of the law.
On Friday, Kevin Bishop, the chief executive of the Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “The high court judgment raises important issues of public interest that are central to the purpose of our national parks. For this reason, the authority has determined to seek permission to appeal against the judgment.
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Change my mind: the smaller, the better with portable power stationsPut your portable power station to work when you’re not using it
Put your portable power station to work when you’re not using it
This rugged adventure Garmin is mega cheap in Walmart’s Black Friday saleThe Instinct 2 is a top watch for outdoor and sport enthusiasts
The Instinct 2 is a top watch for outdoor and sport enthusiasts
YETI’s best-selling products are ridiculously cheap in Amazon’s Black Friday saleFancy yourself a tumbler, rambler or cooler? Amazon’s reduced them all
Fancy yourself a tumbler, rambler or cooler? Amazon’s reduced them all
MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2 review: Lightweight, storm-proof shelter with room to stretchA superb tent, tweaked to make it perfect for pedal-powered adventurers
A superb tent, tweaked to make it perfect for pedal-powered adventurers
AKASO Seemor 200 night vision goggles review: unparalleled clarity for nighttime adventuresAKASO’s new NVD unlocks the night with cutting-edge colour vision technology
AKASO’s new NVD unlocks the night with cutting-edge colour vision technology
8 must-have hiking gadgets for tackling cold and wet trailsWhether it be wet and rainy, or super chilly, these 8 gadgets can make your outdoor adventure even more enjoyable
Whether it be wet and rainy, or super chilly, these 8 gadgets can make your outdoor adventure even more enjoyable
Vango Classic Instant 300 review: a festival-goer’s dream tentSuper quick to pitch and pull down, this reasonably priced tent is spacious, tall and well-featured for festival use
Super quick to pitch and pull down, this reasonably priced tent is spacious, tall and well-featured for festival use
Is Columbia’s OutDry Extreme the best waterproof-breathable material that no one is using?ODX hasn’t revolutionised the outdoor apparel world in the way its creators expected it to – but that could be about to change…
ODX hasn’t revolutionised the outdoor apparel world in the way its creators expected it to – but that could be about to change…
