Dartmoor landowner will be paid to allow wild camping

A HEDGE fund manager who won a case overturning the right to camp on his Dartmoor estate will receive payment for allowing overnight stays after landowners reached a new agreement.

Last week at the High Court, Alexander Darwall succeeded in establishing that wild camping is not a right across Dartmoor, where his Blachford Estate is located. But landowners yesterday reached a new agreement with the national park to allow campers to stay for one night in designated areas without seeking permission.

Visitors could previously stay for two nights in the park without permission under an assumed right in a local byelaw that was unique in the country.

A High Court judge last week ruled that the bylaw did not confer a right to pitch tents or camp overnight after a case brought by Mr Darwall and his wife, Diana. The couple own the 4,050 acres of Blachford Estate, which includes Saddle Moor, part of the Commons where they graze livestock.

Under the new arrangements, landowners will be paid for annual licensing, with the amounts yet to be determined. They will be able to change the terms including where people will be able to camp when the licences come up for annual review.

John Howell, chairman of Dartmoor Commons Owners’ Association, said the amounts were likely to be “nominal”, potentially as low as £1.

The payments are expected to be made by the parks authority, and taxpayer funded via the environment department. The announcement was criticised by campaigners who had opposed the case brought by the Darwalls, amid concern it could lead to Dartmoor being closed off in the future.

“This is a ransom note from landowners who will be able to revoke permission to camp at any time,” Guy Shrubsole from the Right to Roam campaign said.

James Maccoll of the Ramblers, a walking charity, said: “We are deeply concerned that long-held access rights have been reduced to permissive rights. This allows landowners the freedom to withdraw or attach conditions to this permission in the future, which is simply not good enough.”

Mr Howell said the new arrangements would give landowners more control and “flexibility” over where campers can go, which he said would alleviate environmental damage.

Dr Kevin Bishop, chief executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “We have all worked quickly and collectively to ensure clarity is provided.”

‘This is a ransom note from landowners who will be able to revoke permission to camp at any time’