"Advocating for increased funding for wild camping on Dartmoor: What's the plan of action?"
ROAMING ON DARTMOOR: SUPREME COURT RESOLVES CAMPING DEBATE
Campers rejoiced after the Supreme Court's recent ruling allowed wild camping to continue on Dartmoor. The 1985 Dartmoor Commons Act ensures the public has the legal right to camp on unenclosed moorland without seeking permission from landowners.
Alexander Darwall contested the law, claiming that wild camping on his 4,000-acre Dartmoor estate harmed conservation efforts and put his cattle at risk. In 2023, the High Court favored his argument, permitting him to ban campers from his land. However, the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) didn't let the matter rest and appealed the decision in the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal ultimately reinstated the law permitting wild camping on privately owned land within the park.
Darwall, unrelenting, took the case to the Supreme Court but fell short yet again, much to the delight of campaigners such as the Open Spaces Society. 'Dartmoor remains one of the few places in England where people can enjoy a night under the stars on open country without the landowner's permission,' remarks general secretary, Kate Ashbrook. 'We strive to extend this right across England and Wales.'
The DNPA has issued a code for campers, which includes banning fires and vehicles, halting camping for more than two days, and ensuring campers remove all traces of their presence. However, John Howell, chairman of the Dartmoor Landowners Association, expresses concern over 'binge campers' blatantly ignoring these rules, damaging the environment, and leaving an unsightly mess.
Born and raised on Dartmoor, Howell acknowledges the mental and physical health benefits of wild camping. Yet, he emphasizes the urgent need for the DNPA to address the issues caused by irresponsible campers. 'I won't be picking up discarded toilet paper any longer because the government encouraged wild camping,' he states.
Following a meeting with landowners to discuss updating the Commons bylaws in light of the Supreme Court judgement, Richard Drysdale, the DNPA's director of conservations and communities, acknowledges the problem of festival-style camping. 'Vehicles pull up at the roadside, filled with tents, fairy lights and huge coolers, violating the spirit of the code. For the past five years, we have had Dartmoor marshals to cope with such anti-social elements, but we require more resources to effectively manage the 36,000 hectares (88,958 acres) of land,' Drysdale admits.
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Jane Wheatley
Interestingly, the legal right to wild camping on Dartmoor remains a unique feature among national parks in England and Wales[1]. Although some landowners voiced concerns about potential harm to livestock and the environment, the courts did not find these reasons sufficient to justify banning wild camping[1]. The courts' decision provides clarity and stability, ensuring continued public access to Dartmoor for wild camping, as long as campers exercise responsibility[1].
Engaging in outdoor living on Dartmoor has become synonymous with enjoying the divorce between modern lifestyle and the natural environment, thanks to the Supreme Court's ruling upholding the right to wild camping. Meanwhile, home-and-garden enthusiasts might take inspiration from the Dartmoor National Park Authority's code for campers, incorporating sensible waste management and conservation practices into their own green spaces.
