Dartmoor Training Area
Print-friendly page
Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP)
Environmental
Management
System
(EMS)
Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP)
Dartmoor Training Area Detailed Aims and Objectives:
Military Use
Aim
To continue to provide sustainable, cost effective and safe military training for light forces across Dartmoor Training Area so long as it is necessary for the security of the nation and its interests.
Objective MIL 1:
To deliver to the three Armed Services
and their cadet organisations, cost effective and safe training facilities
to enable them to achieve their objectives.
Background and Management Implications
The tasks required to defend the United Kingdom and its interests are defined by the policy of the Government. Tactics are developed to achieve this policy using technology; new weapons and means of delivering them, modern methods of protection and advanced mobility. In parallel, training facilities are evolved to allow Service personnel to practice war fighting skills and techniques.
The implications of the changing requirement for training facilities have to be considered in relation to the requirement to sustain the defence estate. All factors have to be considered including value for money, the landscape character, natural environment, archaeological and cultural history, and the purposes for which the area was designated as a National Park.
Performance Indicator
Meet 100% of the high priority needs and 90% of the lower priority within each training year.
Objective MIL 2:
To maintain and, where possible improve DTA’s
characteristic landscape in order to provide the variety of terrain and
man-made features essential for the achievement of light force training
objectives.
Background and Management Implications
The military need a training environment that has a mixture of natural and man-made features such that they would find on deployment to carry out a defence task. Dartmoor's landscape is characteristic of many areas of potential deployment where there is rolling, undeveloped and sparsely populated countryside. The wildness of the terrain and the vagaries of its climate make Dartmoor a particularly demanding training area where many skills can be practised. With the assistance of volunteers in DTA's Conservation Group, much work has been carried out over the past 15 or so years to conserve the natural environment of Willsworthy. This work is now being spread across DTA where this is consistent with Landowner agreement.
The military's requirements for the training area are, in most cases, paralleled by those of conservationists and DNPA. Retention of low intensity agricultural practices, maintenance of the characteristic landscape and safeguarding of the natural vegetation are examples of shared objectives. Similarly, military use of Dartmoor is required to have due regard for the National Park's purposes.
Performance Indicator
To contribute to Dartmoor’s landscape, natural history, cultural and conservation objectives.
Objective MIL 3:
To maintain routes and tracks as necessary for the safety and
rescue of service personnel, the distribution of training across Dartmoor
Training Area and the achievement of tactical training objectives.
Background and Management Implications
The terrain limits the number of routes that vehicles can take and there are a few tracks and roads. Spreading training will increase the number of training objectives that can be achieved, increase variety and even out disturbance. Exercising units need locations in which to lay out tactically the vehicles carrying their logistic support. Commanders need to be able to position radio vehicles to give tactical communications.
The routes, tracks and roads were surveyed in 1993 to determine their traditional line and are currently maintained to allow safe access by military four wheel drive vehicles.
Performance Indicator
Roads and car parks maintained to allow safe use by two wheel drive vehicles.
Objective MIL 4:
To ensure public safety before, during and after military training.
Background and Management Implications
To ensure public safety before, during and after military training.
Military use of Dartmoor, particularly during the Second World War, has
left a legacy of unexploded ordnance. Today hazards caused by use of
the Moor for live firing and dry training have to be practically guarded
against and mitigated.
Notices and warning signals are required to warn, inform and educate the users while livestock and people need to be excluded prior to live firing to prevent injury.
Military debris is removed from the moor to prevent injury.
Lookouts and their horses are provided with purpose built shelters.
Performance Indicator
No deaths or injuries attributable to military activities.
