Dartmoor wild camping legal challenge goes to Supreme Court

October 8, 2024

in Europe

Reading Time: 5 mins read

BBC Campaigners for wild camping hold a banner saying the Stars are for Everyne and Right to Roam and Shame on You outside the Supreme Court in London. — Campaigners take their message to the Supreme Court docket

A protracted-running authorized problem over the suitable to wild camp on Dartmoor is being heard on the Supreme Court docket in London.

Alexander and Diana Darwall are difficult a Court docket of Enchantment ruling, which mentioned individuals can wild camp on some privately owned commons within the nationwide park in Devon.

The couple hold cattle on Stall Moor, which types a part of their 4,000 acre (16 sq km) property, and declare that some campers trigger issues to livestock and the atmosphere.

Dartmoor Nationwide Park Authority (DNPA), has mentioned that it will search “to defend the general public’s proper to entry the nationwide park for open-air recreation” whereas persevering with work to “shield Dartmoor’s distinctive traits”.

Wild tenting is a type of open air recreation, the Court docket of Enchantment dominated

A small tent pitched on uneven grassy ground next to an outcrop of rocks on the flanks of Hound Tor on Dartmoor with three people in the background chatting to each other accompanied by a light brown coloured dog that has its snout pointing downwards as if it is interested in the flora and fauna of the beauty spot. — Wild tenting is a type of open air recreation, the Court docket of Enchantment dominated

Dartmoor Nationwide Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square mile (953 sq km) space that options commons, areas of unenclosed privately owned moorland the place locals can put livestock.

The Darwalls gained a Excessive Court docket case in January 2023 to be allowed to take away individuals backpack tenting on their land.

The DNPA requested attraction judges to overturn the Excessive Court docket’s determination and in July 2023, the Court docket of Enchantment dominated within the DNPA’s favour, with judges saying the “vital query” was whether or not wild tenting might be thought of a type of “open-air recreation”, and discovering it was.

Campaigners are joined by musicians for the beginning of the courtroom case

Three musicians, one holding a guitar and two holding violins join campaigners outside the Supreme Court in London, with some campaigners wearing heavy make-up and floral headwear. — Campaigners are joined by musicians for the beginning of the courtroom case

In January, Mr and Mrs Darwall got the inexperienced mild to take the case to the Supreme Court docket.

Hedge fund supervisor Mr Darwall mentioned forward of the Supreme Court docket listening to: “No-one is suggesting limiting public entry to stroll or experience within the nationwide park.

“However the extent of leisure exercise is a vital challenge if we need to protect the open moor for the long run.”

He mentioned campfires on dry floor have been harmful and campers usually left litter and human excrement.

Campaigners The Stars are for Everybody, who have been a part of an illustration at Hound Tor on Sunday, mentioned regardless of the consequence, the Darwalls’ authorized motion had “succeeded in unleashing one thing highly effective and historical, a dedication to our commons, our love for the land, our proper to belong”.

The listening to is because of final someday and a judgment is predicted at a later date.

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