DARTMOOR residents and those who use the national park are being invited to help shape the way it looks.

Dartmoor National Park Authority is starting work on its new local plan, which will guide planning policy.

The local plan will need to consider issues such as how much housing should be built and where.

The plan will cover issues such as the environment, house extensions, design, listed buildings, housing, business, farming, tourism, quarrying and land for development.

Forward planning manager for Dartmoor National Park Authority Dan Janota said: ‘We know that planning is an important issue, but people often don’t understand that decisions are made on the basis of policy. We don’t make decisions on a whim.

‘We recognise that planning can be a divisive issue but that many people aren’t really interested until it affects where they live or an area they love.

‘We are trying to encourage people not just to get involved in planning when there’s an application nearby but to tell us now what’s important about their area and about Dartmoor.

‘We can consider the views which come in and start to shape the local plan to deliver what people think is most important.

‘The balancing act is supporting local families and businesses in a way which is respectful of this nationally important landscape.’

Other authorities in the South West are embarking on joint local plans, in partnership with neighbouring councils. However, Dartmoor will go it alone because of its unique nature.

Mr Janota also said it was important to build affordable housing to ensure that younger people were able to live on Dartmoor and to prevent the population from ageing and falling.

He added: ‘The plan will look forward 20 years but typically has a shelf life of around five years before it needs to be refreshed again. Around this time next year we’ll have draft policies for consultation and hope to have the plan in place in around two years.

‘Right now we’re in listening mode and are keen for people to share their views with us.’

Dartmoor National Park Authority already has a local plan in place but from the recession to a new national planning framework a lot has changed since this plan was produced.

For more details visit Dartmoor.gov.uk/local-plan to find out more and leave your comments or attend the consultation event which will be held at some time this autumn.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Mr Janota said: ‘We would like everyone interested in Dartmoor’s futures to tell us what is important about Dartmoor for them.’