Relief and joy as court ruling on wild camping opens door to greater countryside access

CAMPAIGNERS and MPs have called for greater public freedom to wild camp across the UK after the Supreme Court ruled that the public has the right to camp on Dartmoor.

- BY STAFF REPORTERS

Five justices unanimously ruled last week that the term “recreation” in the law governing the use of the national park in Devon - the only national park where wild camping is allowed - is used “without qualification as to the form which it should take”.

Wealthy land owners Alexander and Diana Darwall had challenged a Court of Appeal ruling, which said the law allows the public to camp on the Dartmoor commons provided bylaws are followed, at the UK’s highest court.

The couple said they were “disappointed” by the judgment, while the chief executive of the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), Dr Kevin Bishop, which opposed the challenge, said he was “delighted and relieved’:

“This is a landmark judgment, not just for Dartmoor National Park but for people who have long campaigned for access rights)’ he added.

“We are enormously grateful to the Open Spaces Society, which joined us in our legal action, and Dartmoor Preservation Association for launching a fundraiser to offset legal costs.

“We thank them, and their many supporters, for standing with us. We would also like to thank our legal team Richard Honey KC and Vivienne Sedgley?”

Dr Bishop said the ruling allows the organisation to “look forward and to work together for the good of Dartmoor”.

He said: “The judgment reaffirms our long-held belief for the public’s right to backpack camp on certain commons and, importantly, our role in regulating and managing that access. It is important to note it is not a blanket right to camp wherever, or do whatever, you want. With the right comes a responsibility to make sure you tread lightly and leave no trace.

“We have been robust in defending the right to backpack camp; we will be equally robust in ensuring that people exercise that right responsibly and with respect to land owners and farmers,’ he said.