Preparation of the Plan
The Partnership Plan (referred to during consultation as the ‘Management Plan’) has been developed over 2019-20. This involved gathering evidence, considering the issues and opportunities, engaging with partners through a series of Dartmoor Debates, and seeking views through a public opinion survey. A draft of the Plan was publicly available and circulated between January and the end of May 2020, feedback sought and considered by stakeholder groups including the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project Steering Group, Natural Environment Working Group and Better for People Stakeholder Group. This consultation and consideration resulting in production of this final version of the Plan.
Dartmoor National Park Authority is working with a Next Generation group to ensure that the Next Generation are involved in the future of Dartmoor National Park. This group of young people, who live and work in, or visit, the National Park, has produced a Next Generation Manifesto as a call to action to influence how organisations and decision makers shape Dartmoor for its future communities, recreation users, visitors, businesses, young people, farmers and the environment, landscape and heritage. It includes their own Vision for Dartmoor. Specific calls for action are included in the Next Generation Manifesto which accompanies this Plan. The National Park Authority will continue to work with the Next Generation and put in place mechanisms to enable young people to be involved in decision making and have more opportunities to get involved.
The Partnership Plan’s contribution to sustainable development, and its potential impact on designated nature conservation sites were tested through a Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment.
The Partnership Plan was prepared at a time when significant national policy change was anticipated as a result of the Landscapes Review (National Parks and AONBs) and Environment Bill 2020. The publication of the Plan was delayed in anticipation of the Government’s response the Landscapes Review (also known as the ‘Glover Report’ 2019), which was then not forthcoming for a further year. The final design and print version of the Plan is now published with the milestones against some actions revised (as these were superseded), and a number of small revisions which take into account the Government’s Response to the Landscape Review and the Outcome Indicator Framework for the 25 Year Environment Plan.