Dartmoor National Park Authority

Who we are

Dartmoor National Park Authority works to conserve and enhance Dartmoor as a vibrant, living, working landscape, supporting Dartmoor’s businesses and communities in partnership with local and national stakeholders.

Dartmoor National Park Authority was created by the Environment Act 1995 to:

• conserve and enhance Dartmoor National Park’s natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
• promote opportunities for the public to understand and enjoy the special qualities of Dartmoor National Park.

We have a duty to:

• promote the economic and social wellbeing of local communities in Dartmoor National Park.

And we are also the local planning authority for Dartmoor.

We aim to:

• help to conserve and enhance the biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape of Dartmoor
• provide opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside and contribute to their health and wellbeing
• support our local communities and the rural economy
• be an efficient and effective organisation which works with partners to deliver the best outcome for Dartmoor.

How we work

We:

• produce the Dartmoor National Park Management Plan – this five year strategic plan from 2014-2019 guides all our work for the future of Dartmoor
• are the planning authority for Dartmoor, responsible for preparing the local plan, helping parishes with their neighbourhood plans and determining planning applications.
• promote sustainable development, and work with authorities and agencies concerned with the social and economic wellbeing of national park communities
• protect, maintain and enhance natural habitats and areas of ecological significance, and advise on their protection and management
• look after public access to the Park and maintain the footpath and bridleway network
• provide the national park Ranger service
• provide information about the park online, through leaflets and factsheets and in our information centres
• run events and activities to help everyone learn about and enjoy Dartmoor
• protect, maintain and enhance sites of archaeological significance and advise on their protection and management
• have an education service to help young people understand and enjoy Dartmoor.