Right or wild camp on Dartmoor
Discussion
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-642...
Disappointing news - I guess the pitch late, strike early and don’t make a nuisance principle means that it’ll still be tolerated elsewhere but I loved taking my kids wild camping on Dartmoor somewhat safe in the knowledge that I was less likely to face difficulties.
Anyone know why the landowner decided to bring this case?
Edit - Title should be right to wild camp!
Disappointing news - I guess the pitch late, strike early and don’t make a nuisance principle means that it’ll still be tolerated elsewhere but I loved taking my kids wild camping on Dartmoor somewhat safe in the knowledge that I was less likely to face difficulties.
Anyone know why the landowner decided to bring this case?
Edit - Title should be right to wild camp!
WelshRich said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-642...
Disappointing news - I guess the pitch late, strike early and don’t make a nuisance principle means that it’ll still be tolerated elsewhere but I loved taking my kids wild camping on Dartmoor somewhat safe in the knowledge that I was less likely to face difficulties.
Anyone know why the landowner decided to bring this case?
Edit - Title should be right to wild camp!
Its seems he brought the case just because he could. Having just done a bit of digging I won't say what I think about the bloke. Disappointing news - I guess the pitch late, strike early and don’t make a nuisance principle means that it’ll still be tolerated elsewhere but I loved taking my kids wild camping on Dartmoor somewhat safe in the knowledge that I was less likely to face difficulties.
Anyone know why the landowner decided to bring this case?
Edit - Title should be right to wild camp!
Hopefully the other parts where wild camping is allowed will stay that way.
This is very bad news, but the Darwall's and other land owners have been restricting access for years. As is common nowadays, there has been a fair bit of misinformation on the subject. The Darwall's have closed off the car park at New Waste, and the Howells have closed off the car park at Harford moor gate which really limits (the already poor) access onto the South Moor.
As someone that spends many weekends in this area of Dartmoor, the restriction of access is a real tragedy, and in some cases I'd say dangerous. I've previously relied upon getting a vehicle to these locations to take injured persons off the moors. Nowadays getting someone out to us can take an hour longer due to the distances involved.
The group I feel for most are those with disabilities and limited mobility. They have had their access to this part of the moor entirely cut off.
In recent years the Darwall's shoots and hunts have become larger, and have caused more of a restriction in access. This makes route planning all the more tricky. The size of the hunts are getting disproportionate with the excessive numbers of hounds and quad bikes / ATV's tearing up the area. This is all a bit ironic given the areas on the new DNPA camping maps are supposedly for ecology reasons. Personally, I've got no problem with a bit of hunting (as per tradition) here or there, but for the the Darwall's to limit access for reasons of ecology is a joke.
Regarding wild camping, the need for DNPA to pay landowners to allow wild camping in their area is a huge backwards step. We are now in a position where wild camping access is here for the time being, but is very likely to be revoked. DNPA are under huge financial pressures and didn't have the money to pursue this legal case. The landowners now have far too much control over something which should (in most people's opinion) be public land.
Please do lobby your MP's about the right to roam issues, this recent ruling will certainly have a knock-on effect on the other national parks. But also, please do be careful - I've seen a lot of protest groups and the like on social media with people that really have no idea. The one that amuses me most is a group from up country that were going to get a train down to Okehampton, and then walk down to the Blatchford estate to protest. Nice one, I hope you have search and rescue on speed dial for when socks and sandals don't quite cut it. (4 day return treck with experience of a map/compass and walking to a bearing essential)
As someone that spends many weekends in this area of Dartmoor, the restriction of access is a real tragedy, and in some cases I'd say dangerous. I've previously relied upon getting a vehicle to these locations to take injured persons off the moors. Nowadays getting someone out to us can take an hour longer due to the distances involved.
The group I feel for most are those with disabilities and limited mobility. They have had their access to this part of the moor entirely cut off.
In recent years the Darwall's shoots and hunts have become larger, and have caused more of a restriction in access. This makes route planning all the more tricky. The size of the hunts are getting disproportionate with the excessive numbers of hounds and quad bikes / ATV's tearing up the area. This is all a bit ironic given the areas on the new DNPA camping maps are supposedly for ecology reasons. Personally, I've got no problem with a bit of hunting (as per tradition) here or there, but for the the Darwall's to limit access for reasons of ecology is a joke.
Regarding wild camping, the need for DNPA to pay landowners to allow wild camping in their area is a huge backwards step. We are now in a position where wild camping access is here for the time being, but is very likely to be revoked. DNPA are under huge financial pressures and didn't have the money to pursue this legal case. The landowners now have far too much control over something which should (in most people's opinion) be public land.
Please do lobby your MP's about the right to roam issues, this recent ruling will certainly have a knock-on effect on the other national parks. But also, please do be careful - I've seen a lot of protest groups and the like on social media with people that really have no idea. The one that amuses me most is a group from up country that were going to get a train down to Okehampton, and then walk down to the Blatchford estate to protest. Nice one, I hope you have search and rescue on speed dial for when socks and sandals don't quite cut it. (4 day return treck with experience of a map/compass and walking to a bearing essential)
Edited by LeftLake on Saturday 21st January 20:34
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