Following extensive work evaluating over 4,000 consultation responses, the Dartmoor National Park Authority have now produced a final draft of the revised Dartmoor Byelaws which will be considered at a special Authority meeting on 11 November 2022.

The current set of byelaws were adopted in 1989 and much has changed in society in the intervening years.  As a result, the Dartmoor National Park Authority are updating them to match current circumstances – a full consultation process ran in November last year and the BMC’s response to this can be found here.

Work has since been informed by further legal advice, evidence, impact and sustainability assessments alongside detailed responses from statutory consultees and extensive public feedback.

The report to Authority sets the legal background, work carried out so far, the ‘minded to make’ modifications and next steps.

Wild Camping

Due to a separate High Court challenge on people’s right to wild camp, the Authority will not look to make any amendment to the current camping byelaw until legal action is concluded and the outcome considered. Therefore, the byelaw remains as it is.

What changes are being proposed?

The National Park have put together a useful side-by-side comparison of the existing, proposed and final draft revised byelaws, what has changed and why.

Next steps

Although there is no statutory requirement for another formal public consultation, the National Park welcome comments on their final draft proposals by 11th Nov - Email:  byelaws@dartmoor.gov.uk  The BMC is supportive of the proposed changes.

Subject to the Authority decision on November 11, they will then be seeking views from statutory consultees and key interest groups (including the BMC), as well as considering any further comments.

A final version of the revised byelaws will be presented to Members at an Authority meeting in early 2023. 

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