PEOPLE with an interest in the future of Dartmoor will be able to have a final say on the draft local plan before it is submitted for formal examination.

Dartmoor National Park Authority last week approved the final version of the plan for consultation which will run from Monday, September 16 until Friday, November 1.

Comments gathered will be sent directly to the Government ahead of public examination by a planning inspector who will consider whether the plan is ‘sound’ (or legally compliant) before it can be formally adopted.

The authority is holding a number of drop-in events across the moor. Planning officers will be on hand to discuss the local plan and provide advice on how to reply to the consultation.

In West Devon, the drop in events will be held on September 24 at Horrabridge Village Hall, from 4pm to 7pm and on September 26 at Endecott House, Chagford from 4pm to 7pm.

The local plan contains policies which set out what type of development is and isn’t acceptable in the national park. It aims to strike the right balance between people and place, taking people’s lives and livelihoods into consideration when making planning decisions which conserve and enhance the national park.

It will be the first consideration when planning decisions are made. It sets out the high standards that all proposed development must meet to protect and value nature while allowing communities to grow in ways which respect the national park’s special environment.

The plan has been through a number of drafts, informed by research and evidence, and published for three rounds of public consultation.

The authority also added an additional round of public consultation, above what is expected by government, to ensure people could get involved with the plan-making process right from the beginning.

Dan Janota, Dartmoor National Park Authority’s head of forward planning and economy, said: ‘We welcome comments in this final round of consultation before the local plan is submitted to the planning inspectorate next year.

‘This final draft is the product of extensive research, consultation, discussion and testing over several years. We have worked hard to create a long-term planning strategy that can be easily understood, is legally robust and rooted in evidence.

‘It’s equally important that you tell us if you support the policies in the plan, as well as whether you think something should be changed.’

The local plan seeks to balance the overriding need to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Dartmoor National Park with the need for new and affordable homes — 65 per year in the most sustainable settlements — jobs and services.

It looks at addressing contemporary concerns around climate change and leads the way in establishing high standards of sustainable construction and ensuring developers demonstrate how they will not just protect the environment, but enhance it too.

The local plan, along with relevant documents and evidence, can be found on the authority’s website at www.dartmoor.gov.uk/living-and-working/planning/planning-policy/local-plan-review

You can view copies of the local plan at the authority’s headquarters at Parke, in Dartmoor’s visitor centres, local libraries and in town and parish council offices across the moor.