Wild Camping Dartmoor

[Moose]

In the paper today

■ DARTMOOR could ban wild camping, overnight stays in caravans and group barbecues because of bad behaviour. Draft laws for the Devon beauty spot will go out next week for a six-week public consultation.

 

[Rich20]

Good, it’s heartbreaking to see the destruction that people have done and the mess left behind. We see it every time we go up there now, it never used to be like it. If people can’t respect this beautiful area then action needs to be taken.

 

[Moose]

YES ITS

Good, it’s heartbreaking to see the destruction that people have done and the mess left behind. We see it every time we go up there now, it never used to be like it. If people can’t respect this beautiful area then action needs to be taken.

Agree, its such a shame the lack of respect people have for our open spaces and then ruin it for those do.

 

[rod_vw]

I wish the councils realised that if they implemented the French idea of lots of Aires run by the local parish councils and charged at a nominal price they could have the best of both worlds, controlled camping and a bit of income for the local communities.
It might upset the greedy campsites but so what there would be money coming into the locality.

 

[ThomasHJ]

As I am not in the UK, I can't really comment on this specific case, but in similair situations I would hope, and think it should be possibe to figure out some sort of solution where the problem gets solved without having to close off areas or ban people from using it. Maybe I am too optimistic.

 

[GregW]

The answer isn’t to ban it simply because a few spoil the reputation of the many. But to look for alternative ways to address the bad behaviour. One answer may to be introduce a permit system as they use in national parks in South Africa and elsewhere so that visitors are registered and are easier to advise. It won’t stop all offences but it may make it manageable.

 

[WelshGas]

The answer isn’t to ban it simply because a few spoil the reputation of the many. But to look for alternative ways to address the bad behaviour. One answer may to be introduce a permit system as they use in national parks in South Africa and elsewhere so that visitors are registered and are easier to advise. It won’t stop all offences but it may make it manageable.

The trouble with such a system is policing it. Those who apply for permits will abide by the conditions Those who don't won't and its those who need to be taken to task.

 

[Amarillo]

I thought that the only wild camping allowed on Dartmoor was trekkers only, at least 100m from any road or dwelling, and only in designated zones (which includes most of the open moorland.)

Camping | Dartmoor

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www.dartmoor.gov.uk

 

[Rich20]

I thought that the only wild camping allowed on Dartmoor was trekkers only, at least 100m from any road or dwelling, and only in designated zones (which includes most of the open moorland.)

Camping | Dartmoor

_______________

www.dartmoor.gov.uk

Loads of people have been ignoring or are not even aware of the guidelines and have been doing whatever they like.

 

[Amarillo]

Loads of people have been ignoring or are not even aware of the guidelines and have been doing whatever they like.

Overnight camping in caravans, campervans and motorhomes should be trivial to resolve. Giving the park authority the power to issue a fixed penalty and move campers on.

I’d hate to see a ban on an overnight trekking camp. As a teenager I frequently camped on Dartmoor for a two or three day hike.

 

[Rich20]

There are only a relatively small team of Park Rangers to monitor and take action to move offenders on. The Police have been brought in to help but again they are limited in numbers. The sheer volume of people visiting and abusing the moor since Covid has been staggering. We have avoided going up there for a long time now, it’s just too busy to enjoy. Land owners have blocked of large areas with boulders to prevent vehicles entering unsuitable areas which they felt they had to do to protect the moor.