About Us
Who we are
Dartmoor Land Use Management Group is an independently chaired management group which brings together farmers, landowners, environmentalists and other statutory bodies.
The Group’s creation was one of the principal recommendations from the independent review of Protected Site management on Dartmoor commissioned by Defra Ministers in 2023, chaired by David Fursdon. This is often referred to as the Fursdon Review.
Phil Stocker has been appointed by Defra ministers to be the independent Chair of the DLUMG, following an open recruitment process. Read Phil Stocker's biography.
The Group’s remit covers the whole of the Dartmoor National Park and all relevant aspects of land-use within its boundaries. Its role in relation to the management of Protected Sites includes ancient monuments and archaeology as well as ecological designations.
The Fursdon report can be read in full on the government website.
The Government response
The review made 42 separate recommendations including the creation of the DLUMG and the DLUMG has itself been charged with implementing the government’s response to 26 of the recommendations.
Objectives
The Group's main objectives are :
- To put into practice the Government's response to the recommendations set out in the Fursdon Review with particular focus on;
- Development of a multi-functional land use framework through a process of co-design with stakeholders, together with a supportive Data Observatory, to support land use and management decision making on Dartmoor.
- To work with stakeholders to investigate, discuss and positively influence land management practices on Dartmoor in a way that achieves nature recovery, climate change resilience, protection of heritage assets and landscapes and wild-fire mitigation whilst supporting viable farming systems.
- To identify where more research is needed to inform thinking and to commission it.
- To support peatland restoration to aid nature recovery and climate resilience.
- To encourage public investment on Dartmoor, including through agri-environment schemes and the three emerging Landscape Recovery Projects.
For Conservation
Dartmoor Land Use Management Group has a core objective to aid nature recovery through supporting progressive land management. We all want to see an abundance of good habitats and species across this wonderful landscape.
Environmental NGOs and individual conservationists bring enthusiasm and expertise to the work of the Group, which includes a work-stream focussed specifically on nature and heritage management.
For Farming, Commoning and Land Ownership
Farming is recognised as the principal land management system on Dartmoort through which nature recovery and the delivery of a wide range of oter public goods can be economically delivered.
Common Land represents over half Dartmoor's land area and its management requires a unique skills-set, often passed from generation to generation. Dartmoor Land Use Management Group understands the importance of this and the need to work closely with those who own and occupy the land to acheve the sustainable management of Dartmoor for the long-term.
For the wider Dartmoor Community
A triving Dartmoor, with successful farms and wider businesses, and abundance of nature and measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change, are vital for local communities, as are opportunities for employment, education and and well-being.
Dartmoor is a living, working landscape, shaped by natural processes, with many exciting places to explore. People live on Dartmoor for a range of reasons and the diversity of interests has never been greater. The interest and passion shown for Dartmoor is fantastic, and the views of all who live and work here are valued in the context of the Group's work.