Planning policy

The Dartmoor Local Plan 2018 – 2036 contains the policies we use to determine planning applications in Dartmoor National Park.

Dartmoor Local Plan 2018 - 2036 >

When making a decision on a planning application, we must also consider:

Our Local Plan and Guidance is supported by evidence and research.

Our Frequently Asked Questions answer common queries about planning policy, how it is used and the Forward Planning team's role.

Community Neighbourhood Development Plans

Neighbourhood (Development) Plans (NDP) enable communities to shape development in their area through the creation of their own 'local' planning policies and allocations of land for development in their parish.

The Neighbourhood Development Plan process is prescribed by statute and while it can be quite hard work, can also be rewarding. Certain formal steps have to be taken to comply with the legislation contained in the Localism Act 2011. These include informal and formal consultation stages, independent examination as well as a local referendum.

For those who are considering undertaking a Neighbourhood Development Plan and would like more detailed information, the following pages will be able to help you:

For information on which Dartmoor Parishes already have, or are writing a Neighbourhood Development Plan, see Dartmoor Neighbourhood Development Plan Areas.

New Climate Change Evidence

A consumption-based carbon footprint of the National Park provides new evidence of the carbon emissions embodied in resident and visitor activities on Dartmoor.

> Dartmoor National Park Greenhouse Gas Assessment

Site Specific Plans

There are some areas in the National Park that have policies and plans tailored to individual sites and areas. Sometimes for these areas we require a Masterplan or Development Brief before a planning application is prepared. These are a "blueprint" for a site, giving everyone with an interest in it the opportunity to agree how it is developed. This might include, for example, how a site is accessed, what type of housing it should deliver, and where housing or other development would be within site.