7 September 2007
Minister visits Dartmoor National Park
Landscape and Rural Affairs Minister Jonathan Shaw met Dartmoor National Park Authority Chairman, Nigel Hoskin, Chief Executive (National Park Officer) Nick Atkinson, several Authority Members and specialist officers in a visit to Dartmoor National Park on Tuesday 4 September.
The Minister discussed settlement issues, the vision for the future of Dartmoor National Park, landscape, conservation, farming, climate change and renewable energy issues.
Mr Shaw also met representatives from English Heritage, Natural England, the Duchy of Cornwall and the community and spent time viewing the Climate Change: I can change the future exhibition at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown.
The exhibition, designed and produced by Dartmoor National Park Authority, was made possible thanks to funding from Defra’s Climate Challenge Fund (external link, opens new window). After a lunch of local produce, supplied by Ullacombe Farm shop, Mr Shaw met Dartmoor farmers Miles and Gail Fursden to see how their 70 kw hydro scheme is integrated into the Dartmoor landscape, protecting and even enhancing local biodiversity. The scheme has received funding from the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund (DSDF) to enable the Fursdens to offer formal talks and educational visits promoting hydropower. |  |
The DSDF is managed by Dartmoor National Park Authority on behalf of Defra. Sustainable Development Funds have been set up for all English National Parks specifically to fund projects in the community aimed at developing and testing new ways of achieving more sustainable living in the countryside.
Jonathan Shaw said:
‘I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen, Dartmoor people are doing their bit for the environment. A good example is the climate change exhibition which features great work by local schoolchildren, and I congratulate everyone involved.’
‘National Parks are not just places where we can all get closer to nature and enjoy beautiful countryside but places where people want to live and work. Rural communities want a sustainable future, which means new and affordable homes, new schools, good public services and a strong local economy.’
Ends
For Further Information
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Defra Press Office 020 7238 5391
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site. Agendas are placed on the web site 7 days in advance of the meetings.
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by Dartmoor National Park Authority (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and click on In the news).
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
Notes for Editors
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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This page last updated 7 September 2007
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Page updated 6 September 2007
