What we do
Our principal activities
The Authority aims to conserve and enhance Dartmoor as a vibrant living, working landscape and community. We work in partnership with a wide range of local and national stakeholders and look to support Dartmoor’s businesses and communities as we deliver National Park purposes. The Authority is committed to listening to all stakeholders and providing services fairly to all sections of the community.
Our principal areas of activity include:
- produce a National Park Management Plan containing land management policies, and a Local Development Framework setting out planning policies, which together provide the main policy framework for all our activities
- promote sustainable development, particularly through the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund, and work closely with all authorities and agencies concerned with the social and economic well being of National Park communities
- record, protect, maintain and enhance natural habitats and areas of ecological significance and give advice on their protection and management
- deal with all proposals which require planning permission, listed building consent, conservation area consent, advertisement consent or which have to be the subject of other formal submissions
- manage public access to open country
- maintain the footpath and bridleway network on behalf of Devon County Council
- provide and support an information network of National Park Centres, community-run information centres and information points
- manage the effects of recreation and tourism pressures and influence the provision of appropriate tourist facilities and attractions in and around the National Park
- publish literature and run a guided walks and events programme to inform and to educate thereby enabling the better understanding and enjoyment of the National Park's special qualities
- work closely with housing authorities to facilitate the provision of housing to meet identified local needs
- record, protect, maintain and enhance sites, structures and areas of archaeological significance and give advice on their protection and management
- give planning advice, including design guidance, prior to the submission of applications
- provide a National Park-wide Ranger Service
- provide advice on the care of trees and assist with new tree planting schemes
- enter into agreements to provide for public access and other recreational opportunities
- help schools, colleges and youth groups to gain as much benefit as possible from their visits to the National Park
- work with Devon County Council to manage and control traffic and improve public transport
- enter into agreements with farmers and other owners and occupiers of land to ensure the maintenance of landscape quality
- manage car parking, build and maintain car parks and provide other public facilities
Funding and Accounts
How we are funded
Our budget for 2010/11 is £5.8m. We are not funded via Council Tax but receive £4.7m in National Park Grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The balance of our budget is from income, grants and fees and charges (PDF Help 45Kb)
We also administer the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund. This fund o f £200,000 per annum has been set up to encourage innovative sustainable development projects that focus on environmental, economic, social or cultural aspects of life on Dartmoor.
How we spend our funding
We undertake management of the natural and cultural environment of Dartmoor; we are the planning authority for the National Park; we promote and fund sustainable development in and around the National Park.
Effective partnership working is central to our mission – we alone can not deliver National Park objectives; we need to continually work with a wide range of stakeholders who can help support and deliver National Park objectives.
Projected Expenditure 2009/10
Conservation of the Natural Environment - 14%
Conservation of the Cultural Heritage - 6%
Recreation Management - 10% (including Traffic & Transport)
Promoting Understanding - 18%
Rangers, Estates & Volunteers - 19%
Development Management - 16%
Forward Planning - 7%
Corporate & Democratic Core - 7%
Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund - 3%
The Authority is required to produce an annual Statement of Accounts. This document shows what services the Authority has spent money on during the year, how these have been funded, and the financial position at the year-end. The Statement of Accounts is published in September each year.
- Annual Statement of Accounts 2008-09 (PDF Help 384kb)
- Annual Statement of Accounts 2007-08 (PDF Help 413kb)
- Annual Statement of Accounts 2006-07 (PDF Help 287kb)
- Annual Statement of Accounts 2005-06 (PDF Help 806kb)
Page updated 2 July 2010
