Supreme Court will today decide on 'right to wild camp' question
The National Park Authority could be liable for approximately £400,000 in court costs arising from the three hearings and a fundraising effort has already reached £120,000
Campaigners are calling today 'the last chance saloon' as a two-year battle over the 'right to wild camp' on Dartmoor draws to a close
The Supreme Court will decide if a landowner had a right to remove the access, over concerns about things like litter.
The National Park Authority - and other campaign groups - have spent two years challenging it in the courts
In January 2023 Dartmoor landowner Alexander Darwall succeeded in the High Court in a case against the Dartmoor National Park Authority, removing the right to wild camp. Following a protest of 3,500 people on his land at Stall Moor the National Park appealed, and a unanimous verdict was reached by the High Court judges: Wild camping on Dartmoor was to remain.
But Darwall is now taking the case to the Supreme Court, once again threatening the only place with the right to wild camp in England.
On Sunday, 650 people took to Hound Tor on Dartmoor to rally in support of Dartmoor National Park Authority.
Speaking on behalf of The Stars Are For Everyone, Frankie Gould said: “If Darwall wins his case, there will be no further opportunity for appeal. Wild camping rights will cease to exist in England, and the continued ability for individuals and groups to sleep under Dartmoor’s stars will be lost.
But there’s a bigger issue at stake here. The fact that a landowner is able to challenge our generations-deep right to sleep under the stars on Dartmoor points to the fragility and inadequacy of our current access system.”
Speaking for Right to Roam, Lewis Winks said: “Wild camping is a right cherished by many - providing much needed opportunities for people to get out into nature, sleep under the stars and have experiences which transform lives. It’s incredible that we should have to fight to defend this tiny fraction of England where such a right exists, when we should instead be having conversations about how to open up more opportunities for people to get into the countryside.
"This challenge to a historic right on Dartmoor is just one example of many - we’ve seen enough to know that it’s just a matter of time before another landowner comes along to reduce, exclude and deny access to the places we love.
"Whichever way the court rules, it’s clear that we need new legislation to protect and extend our access to the countryside in England - we’re looking to parliament to step up and ensure the future of our beloved right to sleep under the stars is never again in question, and to improve on access across the country.”
"Should Darwall win, the National Park Authority will be liable for approximately £400,000 in court costs arising from the three hearings. A fundraising effort to help support the national park to continue to fight in court has already reached £120,000, with over 4000 individual donations.
Speaking on behalf of Dartmoor Preservation Association, Tom Usher said: “The generosity of the public has enabled the national park authority to defend the right to wild camp in court up to this point – we’ve still got a long way to go, with Darwall being able to vastly outspend a cash-strapped public body. We’d encourage anyone who is able to donate to the fundraising efforts. Should the national park win the case these funds will be used to support young people to have amazing experiences on Dartmoor.”