Dartmoor Training Area

Military Use Overview

History of Military Use

Military Training

Land Used

Management

Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP)

Environmental
Management
System (EMS)

Training within the National Parks

Nationally, approximately 3% of the total area of Britain’s National Parks overlaps military training areas but this area represents almost one third of all military training land in the United Kingdom.  Using a small proportion of the National Parks for military training makes a major contribution to the Country’s defence.

The Government acknowledges that there can be conflict in using National Parks for military training but believes that this can best be resolved locally through co-operation with the National Parks Authority, as has been the case for many years on Dartmoor. The MOD continues to give a high priority to conservation and undertakes to ensure public access whenever it is safe to do so.  MOD, as a relevant authority, is required by the Environment Act 1995 to have due regard for the National Park purposes. This is amplified in the Declaration of Intent between the Association of National Parks Authority and the MOD where it is agreed that ‘Both parties will work together to ameliorate and mitigate any negative effects of military training in National Parks’.