Latest news with #GuyShrubsole
The Independent
21-05-2025
- The Independent
Calls for wider access to nature after Supreme Court ruling on Dartmoor camping
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. Five justices unanimously ruled on Wednesday 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'. Two landowners, 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), which opposed the challenge, said he was 'delighted and relieved'. Following the ruling, Guy Shrubsole, co-founder of campaign group Right to Roam, said he was 'elated' and called for changes to the law around wild camping. He said: 'What I think this case has also really highlighted is how unusual and odd it is that Dartmoor is the only place where there is a legal right to wild camp in England and Wales. 'Over in Scotland, over the border, there is a right to wild camp almost everywhere, and so that's why we are now really keen for the Government to take note of this, of a huge amount of public interest this case has stirred up, to see the public support for the right to wild camp and to extend the law. 'We want them to change the law now, so that actually people in England can enjoy the right to wild camp, the right to roam over much more of our beautiful countryside.' He continued: 'Thousands on thousands of people wild camp every year on Dartmoor, without anybody knowing that they're there, without leaving a trace, and often picking up litter afterwards. 'Often the trace that is left is the trace on people's hearts and minds and souls when they undertake this wonderful experience of sleeping under the stars on Dartmoor and seeing the world.' Calls for changes to the law were echoed by South Devon Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden and Bolton West Labour MP Phil Brickell, who both attended the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Ms Voaden said she was 'absolutely thrilled' with the decision, but added that the public only have access to 8% of land in the UK. 'It just proves that the right to access is fundamental for people to be able to live a healthy, happy life,' she said. 'It's not just a nice-to-have – we need access to nature, and we've now seen that we have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, and the stars are for everyone.' She continued: 'The right piece of legislation now is the legislation that covers national parks, and looking at that, and looking at how we can define wild camping in law, so it's clearly defined, and then try and expand it to other national parks in the UK.' Dartmoor National Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square-mile area which features 'commons' – areas of unenclosed, privately-owned moorland where locals can put livestock. The case concerned the interpretation of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, which says 'the public shall have the right of access to the commons on foot and on horseback for the purpose of open-air recreation' on the commons. In January 2023, High Court judge Sir Julian Flaux ruled that the 1985 Act did not allow people to pitch tents overnight on the Dartmoor commons without landowners' permission. But the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in July that year after a challenge by the DNPA, with three senior judges ruling that the law 'confers on members of the public the right to rest or sleep on the Dartmoor commons, whether by day or night and whether in a tent or otherwise'. Mr and Mrs Darwall keep cattle on Stall Moor, which forms part of their more than 3,450-acre estate in the southern part of the national park. Their lawyers told the Supreme Court last October that some campers cause problems to livestock and the environment, and that the law only gives the public access on foot and horseback. Timothy Morshead KC, for the couple, also said in written submissions that they were 'not motivated by a desire to stop camping on Dartmoor', but had 'concerns about the damage that wild camping can cause and, in particular, about the significant risk of fire associated with it'. Richard Honey KC, for DNPA, said in his written submissions that the phrase 'on foot' means 'the access to the commons should be pedestrian and not vehicular'. He also labelled the suggestion that erecting a tent could damage land and vegetation 'absurd'. Lords Sales and Stephens ruled that the law would make 'no sense' if the right of recreation given to the public was 'limited in the manner contended for' by the Darwalls, and that the concept of 'open-air recreation' was 'wide'. In a ruling backed by Lord Reed, Lady Rose and Lady Simler, they continued: 'It is not confined to recreation taken by means of walking or riding.' They also said the law gives protection to landowners through 'public regulation of the use of the commons' such as bylaws, which they said are 'in practice likely to be more effective in protecting the land' than taking private legal action. Following the Supreme Court's judgment, the Darwalls said: 'We are disappointed by the Supreme Court's judgment. 'Our aim from the outset was to protect and preserve Dartmoor, its flora and fauna. 'Landowners and farmers have always played a vital part in the conservation of Dartmoor. 'Hollowing out the role of landowners and farmers will not improve the vitality of the Dartmoor commons.' Dr Kevin Bishop, chief executive of the DNPA, 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 that it is not a blanket right to camp wherever, or do whatever, you want. 'With the right comes a responsibility to make sure that you tread lightly and leave no trace.' Nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Wild camping under the stars is one of life's great pleasures, so I welcome today's ruling which upholds that right on Dartmoor's common land. 'This Government is passionate about bringing people closer to nature by creating nine national river walks and three new national forests.' The Government has previously said it will create nine new national river walks, plant three new national forests and create a community right to buy to allow residents to create parks and green spaces. It has also said it is completing the 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path, which will be the longest waymarked and maintained coast walking route in the world, and continuing a £16.5 million fund to make landscapes more accessible.
Western Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Calls for wider access to nature after Supreme Court ruling on Dartmoor camping
Five justices unanimously ruled on Wednesday 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'. Two landowners, 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), which opposed the challenge, said he was 'delighted and relieved'. Guy Shrubsole, co-founder of campaign group Right to Roam, said he was 'elated' at the Supreme Court ruling (Lucy North/PA) Following the ruling, Guy Shrubsole, co-founder of campaign group Right to Roam, said he was 'elated' and called for changes to the law around wild camping. He said: 'What I think this case has also really highlighted is how unusual and odd it is that Dartmoor is the only place where there is a legal right to wild camp in England and Wales. 'Over in Scotland, over the border, there is a right to wild camp almost everywhere, and so that's why we are now really keen for the Government to take note of this, of a huge amount of public interest this case has stirred up, to see the public support for the right to wild camp and to extend the law. 'We want them to change the law now, so that actually people in England can enjoy the right to wild camp, the right to roam over much more of our beautiful countryside.' He continued: 'Thousands on thousands of people wild camp every year on Dartmoor, without anybody knowing that they're there, without leaving a trace, and often picking up litter afterwards. 'Often the trace that is left is the trace on people's hearts and minds and souls when they undertake this wonderful experience of sleeping under the stars on Dartmoor and seeing the world.' South Devon Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden said people need access to nature (Lucy North/PA) Calls for changes to the law were echoed by South Devon Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden and Bolton West Labour MP Phil Brickell, who both attended the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Ms Voaden said she was 'absolutely thrilled' with the decision, but added that the public only have access to 8% of land in the UK. 'It just proves that the right to access is fundamental for people to be able to live a healthy, happy life,' she said. 'It's not just a nice-to-have – we need access to nature, and we've now seen that we have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, and the stars are for everyone.' She continued: 'The right piece of legislation now is the legislation that covers national parks, and looking at that, and looking at how we can define wild camping in law, so it's clearly defined, and then try and expand it to other national parks in the UK.' Dartmoor National Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square-mile area which features 'commons' – areas of unenclosed, privately-owned moorland where locals can put livestock. The case concerned the interpretation of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, which says 'the public shall have the right of access to the commons on foot and on horseback for the purpose of open-air recreation' on the commons. In January 2023, High Court judge Sir Julian Flaux ruled that the 1985 Act did not allow people to pitch tents overnight on the Dartmoor commons without landowners' permission. Campaigners celebrate outside the Supreme Court following the ruling (Lucy North/PA) But the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in July that year after a challenge by the DNPA, with three senior judges ruling that the law 'confers on members of the public the right to rest or sleep on the Dartmoor commons, whether by day or night and whether in a tent or otherwise'. Mr and Mrs Darwall keep cattle on Stall Moor, which forms part of their more than 3,450-acre estate in the southern part of the national park. Their lawyers told the Supreme Court last October that some campers cause problems to livestock and the environment, and that the law only gives the public access on foot and horseback. Timothy Morshead KC, for the couple, also said in written submissions that they were 'not motivated by a desire to stop camping on Dartmoor', but had 'concerns about the damage that wild camping can cause and, in particular, about the significant risk of fire associated with it'. Richard Honey KC, for DNPA, said in his written submissions that the phrase 'on foot' means 'the access to the commons should be pedestrian and not vehicular'. He also labelled the suggestion that erecting a tent could damage land and vegetation 'absurd'. We are disappointed by the Supreme Court's judgment. Our aim from the outset was to protect and preserve Dartmoor, its flora and fauna Alexander and Diana Darwall Lords Sales and Stephens ruled that the law would make 'no sense' if the right of recreation given to the public was 'limited in the manner contended for' by the Darwalls, and that the concept of 'open-air recreation' was 'wide'. In a ruling backed by Lord Reed, Lady Rose and Lady Simler, they continued: 'It is not confined to recreation taken by means of walking or riding.' They also said the law gives protection to landowners through 'public regulation of the use of the commons' such as bylaws, which they said are 'in practice likely to be more effective in protecting the land' than taking private legal action. Following the Supreme Court's judgment, the Darwalls said: 'We are disappointed by the Supreme Court's judgment. 'Our aim from the outset was to protect and preserve Dartmoor, its flora and fauna. 'Landowners and farmers have always played a vital part in the conservation of Dartmoor. 'Hollowing out the role of landowners and farmers will not improve the vitality of the Dartmoor commons.' 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. Dr Kevin Bishop, Dartmoor National Park Authority Dr Kevin Bishop, chief executive of the DNPA, 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 that it is not a blanket right to camp wherever, or do whatever, you want. 'With the right comes a responsibility to make sure that you tread lightly and leave no trace.' Wild camping under the stars is one of life's great pleasures, so I welcome today's ruling which upholds that right on Dartmoor's common land Nature minister Mary Creagh Nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Wild camping under the stars is one of life's great pleasures, so I welcome today's ruling which upholds that right on Dartmoor's common land. 'This Government is passionate about bringing people closer to nature by creating nine national river walks and three new national forests.' The Government has previously said it will create nine new national river walks, plant three new national forests and create a community right to buy to allow residents to create parks and green spaces. It has also said it is completing the 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path, which will be the longest waymarked and maintained coast walking route in the world, and continuing a £16.5 million fund to make landscapes more accessible.
South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Calls for wider access to nature after Supreme Court ruling on Dartmoor camping
Five justices unanimously ruled on Wednesday 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'. Two landowners, 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), which opposed the challenge, said he was 'delighted and relieved'. Guy Shrubsole, co-founder of campaign group Right to Roam, said he was 'elated' at the Supreme Court ruling (Lucy North/PA) Following the ruling, Guy Shrubsole, co-founder of campaign group Right to Roam, said he was 'elated' and called for changes to the law around wild camping. He said: 'What I think this case has also really highlighted is how unusual and odd it is that Dartmoor is the only place where there is a legal right to wild camp in England and Wales. 'Over in Scotland, over the border, there is a right to wild camp almost everywhere, and so that's why we are now really keen for the Government to take note of this, of a huge amount of public interest this case has stirred up, to see the public support for the right to wild camp and to extend the law. 'We want them to change the law now, so that actually people in England can enjoy the right to wild camp, the right to roam over much more of our beautiful countryside.' He continued: 'Thousands on thousands of people wild camp every year on Dartmoor, without anybody knowing that they're there, without leaving a trace, and often picking up litter afterwards. 'Often the trace that is left is the trace on people's hearts and minds and souls when they undertake this wonderful experience of sleeping under the stars on Dartmoor and seeing the world.' South Devon Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden said people need access to nature (Lucy North/PA) Calls for changes to the law were echoed by South Devon Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden and Bolton West Labour MP Phil Brickell, who both attended the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Ms Voaden said she was 'absolutely thrilled' with the decision, but added that the public only have access to 8% of land in the UK. 'It just proves that the right to access is fundamental for people to be able to live a healthy, happy life,' she said. 'It's not just a nice-to-have – we need access to nature, and we've now seen that we have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, and the stars are for everyone.' She continued: 'The right piece of legislation now is the legislation that covers national parks, and looking at that, and looking at how we can define wild camping in law, so it's clearly defined, and then try and expand it to other national parks in the UK.' Dartmoor National Park, designated in 1951, covers a 368-square-mile area which features 'commons' – areas of unenclosed, privately-owned moorland where locals can put livestock. The case concerned the interpretation of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, which says 'the public shall have the right of access to the commons on foot and on horseback for the purpose of open-air recreation' on the commons. In January 2023, High Court judge Sir Julian Flaux ruled that the 1985 Act did not allow people to pitch tents overnight on the Dartmoor commons without landowners' permission. Campaigners celebrate outside the Supreme Court following the ruling (Lucy North/PA) But the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in July that year after a challenge by the DNPA, with three senior judges ruling that the law 'confers on members of the public the right to rest or sleep on the Dartmoor commons, whether by day or night and whether in a tent or otherwise'. Mr and Mrs Darwall keep cattle on Stall Moor, which forms part of their more than 3,450-acre estate in the southern part of the national park. Their lawyers told the Supreme Court last October that some campers cause problems to livestock and the environment, and that the law only gives the public access on foot and horseback. Timothy Morshead KC, for the couple, also said in written submissions that they were 'not motivated by a desire to stop camping on Dartmoor', but had 'concerns about the damage that wild camping can cause and, in particular, about the significant risk of fire associated with it'. Richard Honey KC, for DNPA, said in his written submissions that the phrase 'on foot' means 'the access to the commons should be pedestrian and not vehicular'. He also labelled the suggestion that erecting a tent could damage land and vegetation 'absurd'. Lords Sales and Stephens ruled that the law would make 'no sense' if the right of recreation given to the public was 'limited in the manner contended for' by the Darwalls, and that the concept of 'open-air recreation' was 'wide'. In a ruling backed by Lord Reed, Lady Rose and Lady Simler, they continued: 'It is not confined to recreation taken by means of walking or riding.' They also said the law gives protection to landowners through 'public regulation of the use of the commons' such as bylaws, which they said are 'in practice likely to be more effective in protecting the land' than taking private legal action. Following the Supreme Court's judgment, the Darwalls said: 'We are disappointed by the Supreme Court's judgment. 'Our aim from the outset was to protect and preserve Dartmoor, its flora and fauna. 'Landowners and farmers have always played a vital part in the conservation of Dartmoor. 'Hollowing out the role of landowners and farmers will not improve the vitality of the Dartmoor commons.' Dr Kevin Bishop, chief executive of the DNPA, 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 that it is not a blanket right to camp wherever, or do whatever, you want. 'With the right comes a responsibility to make sure that you tread lightly and leave no trace.' Nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'Wild camping under the stars is one of life's great pleasures, so I welcome today's ruling which upholds that right on Dartmoor's common land. 'This Government is passionate about bringing people closer to nature by creating nine national river walks and three new national forests.' The Government has previously said it will create nine new national river walks, plant three new national forests and create a community right to buy to allow residents to create parks and green spaces. It has also said it is completing the 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path, which will be the longest waymarked and maintained coast walking route in the world, and continuing a £16.5 million fund to make landscapes more accessible.
The Guardian
28-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Government ‘failing to support natural regeneration of trees in England'
The government is failing to support the natural regeneration of trees in England owing to an overwhelming focus on planting, campaigners have said. Recent figures show only 5% of Forestry Commission grants for woodland creation have been spent on the natural regeneration of trees, while the remaining 95% is spent on tree planting. Natural regeneration is a process through which trees grow and reproduce in the wild without human interference by self-seeding, growing new stems from roots and natural seed colonisation. Guy Shrubsole, an environmental campaigner who obtained the figures under freedom of information laws, said: 'Tree planting has its place, but right now the incentives are skewed far too much in favour of planting over natural regeneration. Ministers need to change these ridiculous rules if they want to stand any chance of meeting their own targets for woodland creation.' The England woodland creation offer (EWCO) is a government scheme run by the Forestry Commission that offers grants to landowners and farmers in England as an incentive to plant and grow more trees. The scheme has supported only 501 hectares of natural regeneration since it began in May 2021, compared with 8,642 hectares of new woods created by tree planting. Ecologists have argued that naturally regenerated woods are better for wildlife than planted woods because they contain a more diverse range of tree species and ages, and are better adapted to soil conditions and local climate. The government introduced an option for 'natural colonisation' – a term used interchangeably with natural regeneration – in the EWCO grant scheme in 2021, which provided funding for landowners and farmers to fence off areas to protect trees from grazing with livestock and allow them to self-seed. EWCO rules restrict funding by requiring natural regeneration to land within 75 metres of an existing tree; however, studies show that woodland birds carry acorns between 1km and 6km (0.6 to 3.7 miles) from their mother oaks. Campaigners have suggested that this conflict may be a key reason for the low commission of natural regeneration grants compared with funds given out for tree planting. 'Trees are perfectly capable of self-seeding: after all, they've been doing so for millions of years,' says Shrubsole. 'Whilst tree planting certainly has its place, we could have far richer, more natural forests if only we properly supported farmers and landowners to let trees naturally regenerate.' Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion The Forestry Commission says the decision to create woodland through planting or natural regeneration lies with the land manager. A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told the Guardian: 'We are committed to increasing woodland creation – it's why we are investing £400m into tree planting, have announced the first new national forest in 30 years and provide woodland creation grants. Whilst we recognise the benefits natural colonisation can bring, land managers are best placed to decide what woodland creation measures are most appropriate for their site.'
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers move to extend historic ban protecting vital landscapes: 'Our peatlands are this country's Amazon'
The peatlands in the United Kingdom cover over 12% of the country. They are so essential that they have been called the country's lungs. This is because peatlands have an incredible ability to store carbon. They also prevent flooding and increase biodiversity. For these reasons, the UK government has proposed extending a ban on burning peatlands. The proposal would increase the protected areas from 220,000 hectares to 368,000 hectares, covering over half of the country. Historically, peatlands have been burned to encourage new growth, which is important to game bird hunters. But the burning comes with a host of environmental risks. Perhaps most significantly, it releases stored carbon. It also increases the risk of wildfires and destroys the habitat of endangered species, including rare bog-mosses and dragonflies. Proponents of the ban tout its many environmental benefits. Extending and expanding the ban would protect animal habitats, decrease carbon pollution, and improve air and water quality. Laws and regulations like this that are specifically designed to protect the environment are one essential way humans can help preserve our ecosystems. But governments also need oversight and mechanisms to enforce them, so they can ensure they pay dividends. And they do pay dividends. For instance, California introduced strict legislation regarding chemical exposure in 1986. A recent study found that Californians had lower levels of 18 different cancer-causing chemicals in their bodies than people living in the rest of the country. Another regulation the United States government recently announced is that it would no longer accept fish imports that do not meet standards intended to protect whales, dolphins, and other marine life. This will hopefully have a major impact on protecting our oceans' diverse ecosystems. The lawmakers backing the burning-ban proposal didn't mince words when describing the importance of the peatlands. "Our peatlands are this country's Amazon rainforest — home to our most precious wildlife, storing carbon, and reducing flooding risk," said Nature Minister Mary Creagh. Environmentalist Guy Shrubsole agreed: "This is excellent news and will come as a relief to the residents … who have had to breathe in the acrid smoke from moorland burning for far too long — and suffer the flooding that this ecologically destructive practice exacerbates." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
