Activists celebrate victory in Dartmoor legal battle for wild camping freedom; advocates push for broader wild camping rights nationwide
Wild camping on Dartmoor escaped a legal challenge last week, as the Supreme Court ruled in favor of preserving the practice's legality. Hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts and campaigners celebrated this decision, gathering to rejoice and call for an extension of access rights to wild places across England and Wales.
Had the right to wild camp been removed from Dartmoor, the atmosphere at the gathering would have been tense, marked by anger, upset, and despair. A court ruling against wild camping would have likely felt like a decisive and permanent loss of one of the few recreational activities allowed on common land. This decision would also have burdened the Dartmoor National Park Authority with substantial legal costs, a significant financial strain for the already cash-strapped organization.
Instead, the ruling has reinforced the public's right to engage in open-air recreation on Dartmoor Commons. The Supreme Court emphatically dismissed the claim of wealthy landowner Alexander Darwall that camping was not a recreational activity and thus, not covered by the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.
With the court's decision, the gathering transformed into a joyous celebration, serving as a launching pad for a broader campaign for expanded access rights and responsible wild camping practices throughout England and Wales, echoing the outdoor code in Scotland.
Speakers from Right to Roam and The Stars are for Everyone campaign group hailed this victory, expressing gratitude to Darwall for raising awareness of the limited access rights in England and Wales. The campaigners hope to mobilize the energy generated by the court ruling to push for a Right to Roam Act and enhance access rights for the enjoyment of the countryside.
Aside from the ruling at the Supreme Court, several MPs from various parties have pledged their support for better access rights. They emphasized the importance of enabling responsible, environmentally conscious outdoor activities. With renewed interest in the rights to roam, there are calls for clear and comprehensive legislation to safeguard and potentially expand these rights.
The funds raised by the Dartmoor Preservation Association, which have helped the Dartmoor National Park Authority to meet the soaring court costs, will now be directed towards making Dartmoor the most accessible wild place in the country. This effort will support youth initiatives such as the Youth Ranger Program and projects like Nights Under the Stars and Girls do Dartmoor. The Dartmoor Preservation Association also announced plans for a new Dartmoor Public Access Fund to subsidize projects that promote responsible wild camping and enhance public enjoyment of the moor.
- The decision to preserve the legality of wild camping on Dartmoor has stimulated a broader campaign, aimed at extending access rights to wild places across England and Wales.
- Campaigners hope to capitalize on the energy generated by the court ruling to push for a Right to Roam Act, which could enhance access rights for the enjoyment of the countryside.
- MPs from various parties have pledged their support for better access rights, emphasizing the importance of enabling responsible, environmentally conscious outdoor activities.
- With renewed interest in the rights to roam, there are calls for clear and comprehensive legislation to safeguard and potentially expand these rights, beyond just Dartmoor. This could pave the way for initiatives like the Youth Ranger Program, Nights Under the Stars, and Girls do Dartmoor, making Dartmoor the most accessible wild place in the country.
In the context of politics, general news, and policy-and-legislation, these sentences discuss the decision regarding wild camping on Dartmoor and its potential implications for outdoor living, home-and-garden activities, and sports (including sports-betting, as more people might be interested in visiting or exploring Dartmoor).
