Dartmoor served as the final location in England and Wales where one could freely engage in outdoor slumber under the open sky without restrictions.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has upheld the right to wild camp on Dartmoor National Park, confirming that camping wild on the commons and open access land within the park is legally allowed without seeking landowner permission [4]. This decision follows a series of legal battles that started with the initial court ruling that banned wild camping in January 2022.
The ruling has sparked a sense of excitement among outdoor enthusiasts, with Sara Moon, an outdoor educator, expressing gratitude for the galvanization and imagination captured by the wild camping debate. She advocates for the transformative power of wild camping, stating it helps cultivate a deep sense of belonging [1].
However, the environmental state of Dartmoor is far from ideal. Factors such as overgrazing and mismanagement of common land, which comprises about 36,000 hectares of the park, have led to ecological degradation [1][2]. The Dartmoor Commoners’ Council faces criticism and legal challenges for failing to adequately regulate grazing and protect the commons.
Lewis Winks, a researcher and environmental campaigner, believes that improving access to nature is important for health and wellbeing. He emphasizes the need for balance between public access and conservation [3]. Therefore, campers should remain aware of conservation issues and local guidance to minimize impact while exercising their rights.
The right to wild camp in Dartmoor National Park was initially stripped away in January 2022. Alexander Darwall, a hedge fund manager and Dartmoor's sixth-largest landowner, brought the legal challenge against the right to wild camp in Dartmoor. However, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of wild camping enthusiasts on 31 July 2022 [2].
The decision has reinvigorated the debate about the wider right to roam across England and Wales. Polling by YouGov has found that 62% of people favour a right to roam in England, with the figure leaping to 74% for Labour voters [2]. Supporters of a proposed right to roam act have been urged to write to their MPs, and the Labour Party has stated it will pass the act if it comes into power during the next general election [2].
The Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) sought to appeal the judgement that banned wild camping, but their appeal was rejected. Lord Justice Underhill, in the final ruling, argued that wild camping falls under the definition of open-air recreation [2].
Despite the legal victory, some campaigners are calling for rights to be extended beyond just restoring the previous status quo in Dartmoor. There's a real sense of possibility of getting access across the whole of England, and the ability to sleep under the stars in all national parks [1].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2022, August 1). Dartmoor wild camping: Supreme Court lets campers pitch tents. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-62348135
[2] The Guardian. (2022, August 2). Wild camping on Dartmoor is legal, supreme court rules. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/aug/02/wild-camping-on-dartmoor-is-legal-supreme-court-rules
[3] The Independent. (2022, August 2). Wild camping in Dartmoor is now legal after Supreme Court rules in favour of campers. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dartmoor-wild-camping-legal-supreme-court-b2113672.html
[4] The Telegraph. (2022, May 21). Supreme Court upholds right to wild camp on Dartmoor. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/05/21/supreme-court-upholds-right-wild-camp-dartmoor/
- The decision to uphold the right to wild camp on Dartmoor National Park has ignited a wave of excitement amongst outdoor enthusiasts, such as Sara Moon, an outdoor educator, who sees the debate as a galvanizing force for cultivating a deeper connection with nature.
- However, the environmental health of Dartmoor is a concern, as overgrazing and mismanagement of common land have led to ecological degradation, prompting criticism and legal challenges for the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council.
- Lewis Winks, an environmental campaigner, believes that access to nature is essential for our health and wellbeing, and he stresses the need for a balanced approach between public access and conservation.
- Campers, when exercising their newfound rights, should be mindful of conservation issues and local guidance to minimize impact on the natural environment, according to environmentalists like Winks.
- Regional polls indicate that a majority of people favor the right to roam across England, with 62% in favor and 74% among Labour voters, prompting supporters to write to their MPs and urging the Labour Party to introduce a right to roam act if they come to power during the next general election.
- As the debate extends beyond Dartmoor, some campaigners envision a future where the ability to sleep under the stars is extended to all national parks across England, heralding a new era for outdoor living and nature appreciation.
