I disapprove of it but it's a smallish though not insignificant part of Dartmoor. The real question is what the landowners who didn't take part in the case do. (For example the Duchy of Cornwall owns 70000 acres.)
Unless he intends having 24/7 security wandering over the 4,000 acres it won't stop. Plenty of quieter hiding places to sleep in a bivvy.
Also consider the sanctions for doing it. Being asked to leave, refusing, then what? Its not a criminal offence and they can only claim damages. What damage can lying on the floor do to moorland which walking on it doesn't?
I think it was originally intended for backpacking, people in small tents moving on after a day or two. From what I read in a weekend paper, big family tents are staying a week or more, which is a different scale of camping.
It’s a pity about the backpacking. (Don’t ask which newspaper, as I can’t check.)
From what I heard, the reason behind it is simply the inconsiderate campers who leave their rubbish around. As usual, the few silly ones spoil things for everyone else.
Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 16/1/2023
From what I heard, the reason behind it is simply the inconsiderate campers who leave their rubbish around. As usual, the few silly ones spoil things for everyone else.
Spot on which is why I agree with the decision. Don't blame the landowner, blame the inconsiderate wild campers who leave their mess and waste behind for others to clear up.
OP title is a little Red Top Newspaper 'scandleesque' IMHO! This is ONE landowner amongst a number who cover the moor, so whilst setting a precedent and clarifying points of law it's not a blanket ban so much as (re)establishing a right of choice.
As someone who wanders the fells around the country, it does horrify me the amount of rubbish left abandoned in remote places, so I can certainly see the landowners point of view. You could certainly never organise a cost effective clear up of a vast area like that, never mind the damage to wildlife/environment. Many of us pick up odd bits of other people's litter as we go, but there are practical limits to clearing an abandoned messy camp pitch!
As with most aspects of life, the selfish/idiotic minority bring down restrictions on the masses of us who are respectful and do no harm.
Always been the same. I walk along the local canal and could fill a couple of bin bags of litter on every trip and thats withoit needing to go near the water.
'If you can carry it when its full its no hardship to carry it empty'.
Many years ago, when even I was a bit younger, we hired a canal boat along the Leeds and Liverpool canal. That is when we learnt why the canals were built. To give people somewhere to dump there rubbish.
I think there is a lot more to this than the headlines. The littering and dirty campers jibe seems rather overplayed (it is often pulled out of a hat as a political weapon, not saying it doesn't happen but needs to be taken in context just like the NC500 issues). For a well researched and balanced view The Guardian has some good articles. Just one example
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/13/dartmoor-estate-landowner-alexander-darwall-court-case-right-to-camp
As an aside, we have right to roam and wild camping here in Scotland, for the last 15 years I think, it has rules and regulations everyone must follow of course. Apart from the occasional, usually high summer and known locations, there is very little bad behaviour or 'dirty camping' that I know of or have heard reported, probably less than you hear of other types of camping/outdoor activities.
Personally, I love wild camping as there is absolutely nothing like it, being in the wild with nature and I've only experienced that here in Scotland, a very special experience. Something to be treasured and preserved for everyone to have as an option, despite the selfish spoilers. Sorry, gone off piste there ;)
I rate the Guardian as gutter press as they are very bias towards a certain party. A minority have spoilt for the majority and anyway I would not like someone camping on our property without our permission.
My concern is that responsible wild camping was allowed on Dartmoor under the National Parks rules and the Darwalls land is in the bounds of the National park so subject to those rules.
The Judge also ruled that wild camping is NOT a leisure activity and that may start a precedent that could possibly impact all camping in the future ?
Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 16/1/2023
From what I heard, the reason behind it is simply the inconsiderate campers who leave their rubbish around. As usual, the few silly ones spoil things for everyone else.
Spot on which is why I agree with the decision. Don't blame the landowner, blame the inconsiderate wild campers who leave their mess and waste behind for others to clear up.
Those who leave a mess behind are not wild campers. These people are looked upon with distain by wild campers, who LNT.
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
I hope that this might give teeth to the management of those who view cheap Tesco camping equipment as disposable and the moors as suitable for destruction under their SUVs, while those who really are respecting and valuing the environment probably won’t get observed or detected at all. Precisely because they take care of it.
But it will depend on whether landowners do go after the big tent litterbugs on their land.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Wild Camping Banned on Dartmoor
via mobile 16/1/2023 at 8:54pm
