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Common
Land:
About 37% of
Dartmoor is Common Land. Most of this is rough grazing, with some
Woodland areas.
All common land is owned by someone, and is subject to commoners rights.
Prior to 1985 the was no specific right of access over Common land,
although for centuries people had been horse riding and walking in
these areas.
By this time there were some major problems identified on the common
areas, namely: Damage caused by running of Tractor Wheels, pollution
from silage, and also form Horse riding. Overgrazing of the Moor.
(Nothing about cycling incidently)
The 1985 Dartmoor Commons Act:
In 1974 the Dartmoor Commoners Association expressed a wish
to for legislation to combat abuse of the moor, primarily from over-grazing,
and general abuse of commoners rights. 11 years later the Dartmoor
Commons Act was introduced, which gave rights of access to Horse Riders
and Walkers, and also gave the Naional Park Authority powers to control
this access by use of Wardens and Byelaws.
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Right
of Common:
Rights
of common includegrazing right for sheep, cattle and ponies on the
moor.
It also allows commoners the right to take turf for fuel and domestic
use, - to remove lower branches for fuel, and the right to take
sand, gravel and stone for use on the commoners holding.
Commoners also enjoy mineral and shooting rights.
Dartmoor Commons Byelaws:
The Dartmoor Commons Byelaws are extensive and cover everything
from playing music, to throwing golf balls and using metal detectors.
For a summary click on the link below to the Dartmoor Commons factsheet
from the DNPA below.
Byelaws are enforced by National Park Rangers ( and presumably the
Police) with a penalty of up to £100 per conviction. (Interestingly
the Byelaw for cycling on common land carries a penalty of £400!)
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