Dartmoor National Park Authority
16 December 2008
What is the state of Dartmoor National Park?
 | A new report has just been published describing the current state of Dartmoor National Park in terms of its conservation, recreation, community, and economy. The report has been prepared by a partnership of groups with an interest in the National Park and will be used to monitor progress in implementing the National Park Management Plan. It highlights the national importance of Dartmoor’s archaeology and historic buildings and the current good condition of the landscape, habitats and wildlife within the National Park. |
It also identifies evidence of climate change on Dartmoor and the decline of upland farming, warning that more changes to public subsidy are likely to have further impact on the farming community and therefore the high quality environment needed to ensure a healthy tourism industry.
The report identifies that a higher than average proportion of the population work from home and are self employed and that quality of life and sustainability are strongly affected by the availability of local services ,voicing concern over the loss of village services and the closure of Post Offices in Dartmoor’s smaller settlements.
Research shows that the use of public transport on Dartmoor has increased by 48% since 2003 and that 53% of the National Park’s 368 square miles is now open to public access, while good quality learning experiences are available for people to enable them to understand, value and contribute to the conservation of Dartmoor.
Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive (National Park Officer), Dartmoor National Park Authority said:
‘The State of the Park Report has been prepared to identify the pressures and issues affecting the qualities that make the National Park so special. Whilst the overall message is good, the report demonstrates the critical challenges facing the future of upland farming and our rural communities.’
‘The report also demonstrates the pivotal role of partnership working to securing the future of the National Park.’
‘The future of upland farming is a key concern as farming affects so many of the special qualities of the National Park: archaeology is at risk from under grazing, public access could be reduced if vegetation growth continues at the rate we have seen in recent years and the nature of our rural communities will be altered. We have already seen the value of farming and forestry to the Dartmoor economy decline by almost 50% in 12 years. We must find ways to arrest this decline that help sustain the National Park: its people and places.’
The State of the Park Report and the Dartmoor National Park Management Plan 2007-2012 are available online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Ends
For Further Information
Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive (National Park Officer)
Sue Goodfellow, Director of Park Management
Mike Nendick,, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Notes for Editors
The State of the Park Report has been prepared, with help from partner organisations and is an important step in monitoring the success of the Dartmoor National Park Management Plan, published in 2007, in that it provides a baseline against which the achievement of individual ambitions can be measured.
Partners include:
Dartmoor National Park Authority;
Devon County Council;
Environment Agency;
Natural England;
English Heritage;
Ministry of Defence;
Defence Estates;
Teignbridge District Council;
South Hams District Council;
West Devon Borough Council;
Campaign to Protect Rural England;
South West Water.
A delivery board, bringing together key partners, will meet for the first time on 18 December to report on progress over the last 12 months.
The Dartmoor National Park Management Plan is the single most important plan for the future of Dartmoor National Park, guiding decisions affecting Dartmoor and its communities as well as the work of many organisations.
The aim of the Management Plan is to act as the overarching strategic guide for achieving the purposes of National Parks. Monitoring the success of the Plan is essential to inform future decisions. The purpose of State of the Park Reporting is to identify the pressures and issues affecting the National Park and ensure that the National Park Authority and other organisations are aware of these. Reporting also measures whether work is being done and having a positive effect and identifies new issues and priorities.
This State of the Park Report provides a baseline, describing the current state of the National Park in order to monitor change on the ground through the life of the National Park Management Plan.
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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Page updated 15 December 2008
