6 February 2007
Community Involvement in sustainable development on Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park Authority has just adopted its Statement of Community Involvement. The document sets out the Authority’s policy for involving the community in the preparation of the development plan for Dartmoor National Park. It also sets out the approach to be taken towards community involvement in the consideration of planning applications.
Earlier versions of the document were published for public consultation and comment in May 2005 and January 2006. An Inspector, appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, conducted a public examination of the document in the latter part of 2006 to assess its ‘soundness’. The Inspector’s binding report was sent to the Authority in November 2006.
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004 (external link, opens new window) has put in place a new system for the preparation of development plans. Under the new Act, a ‘portfolio’ of planning documents covering development in the National Park will be produced. The portfolio is called the Local Development Framework. One of the documents in the portfolio is the Statement of Community Involvement.
The new planning system puts strong emphasis on the involvement of the local community and a wide range of other bodies in the preparation of planning documents. The aim of development planning is to encourage and promote sustainable development, and the Local Development Framework
can only work towards that goal if the documents that form the portfolio are prepared with substantial input from local communities and a wide range of other organisations with interests in the National Park. The Statement of Community Involvement helps to promote that input.
The adopted Statement of Community Involvement is accessible on the Authority’s web site www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk within the planning pages. The Inspector’s report and the formal adoption statement can also be viewed on the web site. Paper copies or large print versions of the documents can be provided on request.
If you have any queries about the Statement of Community Involvement or the Dartmoor National Park Local Development Framework, please contact:
Chris France,
Director of Planning and Sustainable Development,
Dartmoor National Park Authority,
Parke,
Bovey Tracey,
NEWTON ABBOT,
Devon,
TQ13 9JQ
Telephone: (01626) 832093; fax (01626) 834684
E-mail: forwardplanning@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk.
Ends
For Further Information
David Lillington, Senior Planning Officer (Forward Planning)
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are now available on the Authority's website These Agendas are placed on the Authority's web site 7 days in advance of these meetings.
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (see www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk and click on In the news).
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 33,400 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 6 February 2007
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Page updated 5 February 2007
