Dartmoor Training Area

Dartmoor Steering Group Overview

Dartmoor Steering Group Meeting Minutes

Dartmoor Steering Group Overview

The Dartmoor Steering Group was established in 1978 on the instructions of the Secretaries of State for Defence and Environment following the recommendation of Baroness Sharp's non statutory public inquiry into the Military use of Dartmoor in 1975. It brings together the Ministry of Defence plus the key statuory and landowning bodies that have an interest in the management of Dartmoor Training Area to keep under review the best possible reconciliation of the requirements of military training, conservation and public access.

Its members include representatives of Commander 43 Wessex Brigade and Commandant Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Defence Estates, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Commoners Council, Duchy of Cornwall, English Heritage, Government Office of the South West and Natural England.

The Dartmoor Steering Group is supported by the Dartmoor Working Party. Its purpose is to research issues as directed by the Chairmen, to resolve matters passed to them and to carry out day to day management of the Group’s responsibilities. The alternating chairmen of the Dartmoor Working Party (and also joint secretaries of the Dartmoor Steering Group, are Commander Defence Training Estate South West and the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Chief Executive. Members include the Commandant Dartmoor Training Area, the Defence Estate’s Senior Land Agent South West, the Duchy of Cornwall, the Dartmoor Commoners Council (2), Natural England (2) and English Heritage.

The Dartmoor Steering Group meets annually and since 2007 has published Minutes of its Meetings. The Group reports periodically to the Secretaries of State for Defence and Environment.