18 March 2008
National Park Authority commended by Planning Inspector
Dartmoor National Park Authority has received confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate that its Core Strategy has been passed as ‘sound’ following an Examination in Public. The Core Strategy is part of the Local Development Framework of planning documents and sets out a strategic vision for spatial planning in the National Park for the next 20 years.
The Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, praised the Authority on its approach in what he described as challenging circumstances.
In his report Alan Foster DipTP MRTPI stated:
’The National Park Authority is to be commended for its pioneering work in the preparation of the first Core Strategy for a National Park created under the original 1949 Act.’
The strategic vision embodies Dartmoor’s special qualities of wildness and tranquillity whilst maintaining and enhancing the vibrancy and sense of place of the key villages and towns in the National Park where local development will be focused. It represents a key change in policy in relation to the levels of housing development across the National Park with a more restrictive policy to control external demand for market housing combined with a shift in focus towards meeting affordable housing needs arising from within Dartmoor. The Strategy provides for delivery of 50 new dwellings per year across the National Park over the Plan period.
Nigel Hoskin, Chairman, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said:
‘The approval of the Core Strategy is a very significant achievement, not just for Dartmoor National Park Authority but also, and most importantly, for Dartmoor as a whole. I see this as due reward for much demanding and well-focussed work by our Planning and Sustainable Development team. Recognition by the Planning Inspectorate of the special qualities and the specific needs of the National Park in the context of forward planning is of fundamental importance. Work can now move on to develop the rest of the Local Development Framework in line with the vision for Dartmoor National Park and its communities defined in the recently adopted Dartmoor National Park Management Plan.’
Ends
For further information
Chris France, Director of Planning and Sustainable Development
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Notes for Editors
The Planning Inspector’s confirmation of soundness represents a significant step forward in the Authority’s programme for replacing its existing Local Plan.
The Inspector’s report draws attention to the challenge of preparing a planning framework for an area of development constraint under a system which was designed to deliver prompt urban change. The report dismisses objections from the Government Office that, in the terms of the Act, the Strategy was ‘unsound’ and should be withdrawn. This underlines the Authority’s assertion that the special circumstances of National Parks warrants a different approach to plan making which has not been recognised at a central level.
New planning legislation, which changes the way development plans are prepared, came into force in 2004. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (external link, opens new window) received Royal Assent on 13 May 2004. The Local Development Framework replaces the Dartmoor National Park Local Plan.
The Local Development Framework comprises a set of local development documents, which may be development plan documents or supplementary planning documents and also contains a Statement of Community Involvement and Annual Monitoring Report.
The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, made provision for the designation of National Parks in England and Wales.
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)
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 33,400 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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This page last updated 18 March 2008
Page updated 17 March 2008
