1. Lt Col (Retd) Tony Clark OBE
DARTMOOR OWNERSHIP
Lt Col (Retd) Tony Clark OBE
Team Managers will already be familiar with Dartmoor so need to drag out your map. This talk deals with land within the Dartmoor National Park (DNP) boundary that extends from Tavistock to Exeter and Okehampton to Ivybridge.
Most of you will be familiar with the open moorland over which we train and conduct the Challenges; mostly in the west of the DNP.

2. LAND OWNERSHIP
Almost all of the 368 sq miles (95,311 hectare) of land within Dartmoor National Park (DNP) is privately owned. For the benefit of young TMs, all measurements metric.
Duchy owns about 30% DNP (28,328ha), mostly the open moorland (20,000 ha of the 34,878ha around 57%). Duchy also grants farm tenancies and licences land for defence training and forestry.
South West Water (SWW) is the next largest with 8 reservoirs and the catchment areas.
MARISTOW, SPITCHWICK ??

3. USE
Common Land and Moorland, which mostly has CROW public access is nearly 50% of DNP. Unusually for England, thanks to the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, nearly all of the Common Land may be used for wild camping and horse riding as well as walking.
Enclosed farmland, 38%, non access land
Some of the Forests (11%) are access land but not all. You have to spot the brighter green for rights of access.

4. RIGHTS OF ACCESS FREE TO WALK ON HALF OF DNP WILD CAMP ON MUCH OF IT
WALK AND WILD CAMP WITHIN DTA
721KM OF PROW
RBNA LIMITATIONS
DON’T ENTER NON ACCESS LAND
Of particular interest to you is:
34,328 ha Common Land with rights under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 to walk and horse ride,
and wild camp on most commons. Not those marked with heavy brown surrounding line on mil maps.
7,000 ha of additional walking rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW)
Within the DTA boundary, the blue line on DTA map, you may walk and wild camp.
In addition 721km of linear access on footpaths and bridleways within DNP.
Rare Bird Nesting Area limitations accepted in exchange for permission to train and hold Challenges during bird nesting, calving and lambing period

5. STATUTORY BODIES DEFRA HISTORIC ENGLAND NATURAL ENGLAND
DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
SOUTH HAMS & WEST DEVON COUNCILS
PARISH COUNCILS
DARTMOOR COMMONERS COUNCIL
Too many to fit on slide: Forestry Commission, Civil Aviation Authority (Drones), SW Water, EA
DEFRA funds DNPA and supports Commoners.
HE helps care for the largest concentration of prehistoric artefacts in Europe. 17,500 Heritage Environment Records of which 1200 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Also 2,500 listed buildings because of their architectural and historic interest.
NE leads on ecology. We have agreement through the European Habitats Regulation Assessment.
DNPA has the unenviable task or coordinating activities on Dartmoor & is planning authority.
LAF provides advice on access to DNPA.
District Councils provide services; refuse,
Parish Councils increasingly provide local services.
DaCC regulates farmers’ use of the commons.
HOW MANY PARISH COUNCILS?

6. NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
CAMPAIGN FOR NATIONAL PARKS
OPEN SPACES SOCIETY
RAMBLERS
ROYAL SOC FOR PROTECTION OF BIRDS
WOODLAND TRUST
WEST COUNTRY RIVERS TRUST
DARTMOOR PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION
DARTMOOR SOCIETY
And more.

7. SO WHAT? EVERYONE THINKS THEY OWN DARTMOOR MANY DIFFERING OBJECTIVES
ONLY LARGE EVENT PERMITTED IN THE SPRING
Thank goodness, We naturally care for what we own.
However, the stakeholders have many differing objectives. Not all are supportive . Some are damaging.
In privileged position of being the only large event allowed in the breeding season.

8. WHAT MUST WE DO JUSTIFY AND DEMONSTRATE BENEFITS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP
KEEP DUCHY AND OTHERS ON SIDE
ENSURE TRAINEES UNDERSTAND, RESPECT AND ARE AMBASSADORS FOR DARTMOOR
OBEY TEN TORS RULES
PAYBACK THROUGH D4D AND PRACTICAL WORKS
Publicise and explain the benefits of TT to participants, staff, etc . The TT Charter gives a summary.
With so many stakeholders involved in Dartmoor, we must recognise the need to work in partnership. Keeping everyone on side
The Prince of Wales and the Duchy of Cornwall is supportive, providing we don’t upset tenant farmers or damage Dartmoor.
Encourage trainees to be ambassadors for Dartmoor. Teach understanding and respect for Dartmoor and other wild areas.
Ensure that we all know and obey the Ten Tors Rules, which have been agreed with principle landowner, DNPA and Commoners Council. The Rules contain relevant points from the DNP Byelaws, from agreements with landowners, statutory bodies and commoners.
Help care for Dartmoor with contributing to Dartmoor and practical help. To retain this permission need to explain and publicise the benefits to National Park, farmers, young people. Take a look at the Ten Tors Charter, which outlines this.

9. CARE FOR DARTMOOR AND BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS
IN SUMMARY
CARE FOR DARTMOOR AND BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS
All of this can be summarised by a simple mantra.
Tread lightly, only leave footprints.
Be proud of what you are doing, be friendly, pass the time of day,