Dartmoor National Park Authority

Dartmoor Steering Group and Working Party

Dartmoor Steering Group Overview

The Dartmoor Steering Group and its Working Party were formed in 1977 on the instructions of the Secretaries of State for Defence and Environment on the recommendation of Lady Sharpe, who had conducted a non statutory public inquiry into the military use of Dartmoor.

The purpose of the Dartmoor Steering Group is to resolve potential conflicts between military training and the National Park purposes.  Its members include representatives of Commander 43 Wessex Brigade and Commandant Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Defence Estates, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Commoners Council, Duchy of Cornwall, English Heritage, Government Office of the South West and Natural England.

The Dartmoor Steering Group is supported by the Dartmoor Working Party.  Its purpose is to research issues as directed by the Chairmen, to resolve matters passed to them and to carry out day to day management of the Group’s responsibilities.  The alternating chairmen of the Dartmoor Working Party (and also joint secretaries of the Dartmoor Steering Group, are Commander Defence Training Estate South West and the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Chief Executive.  Members include the Commandant Dartmoor Training Area, the Defence Estate’s Senior Land Agent South West, the Duchy of Cornwall, the Senior National Park Ranger, Natural England and English Heritage.

Publication scheme Under Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Dartmoor Steering Group and Working Party seeks to reconcile the interests of military training in the Dartmoor National Park with conservation and public access, and to review progress in considering the recommendations of the Sharp Report of 1976

Dartmoor Steering Group and Working Party Publication Scheme under Freedom of Information Act 2000    (PDF help 78k)

Minutes of the meetings of the Steering Group

46th Meeting of the Dartmoor Steering Group - Held on 17th January 2007    (PDF help 42k)

Annual Reports

Dartmoor Steering Group19th Annual Report - June 2007   (PDF help 212k)