Dartmoor National Park Authority is the Local Planning Authority for the 954 square kilometres of upland moorland, river valleys and historic settlements within Dartmoor in Devon. The National Park was designated in 1951, one of the first in England, and is characterised by open granite tors, blanket bog, deep wooded combes and scattered rural villages. Development is tightly controlled, with a strong presumption in favour of conserving and enhancing landscape character, heritage assets and biodiversity. Most proposals relate to agricultural buildings, rural diversification, sensitive residential alterations, replacement dwellings, small-scale affordable housing for local needs, and tourism accommodation. Major housing estates and large commercial schemes are rarely supported. Planning applications are assessed against the Dartmoor Local Plan, National Planning Policy Framework policies specific to National Parks, and statutory duties giving great weight to landscape and scenic beauty. We can advise on residential, rural enterprise and heritage-led schemes within Dartmoor.
In the last year Dartmoor National Park decided 310 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 87% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 55% of applications were decided on time, (slightly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Dartmoor National Park performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
National Parks have stricter protections, with development tightly controlled to safeguard landscape, wildlife, and heritage.
The tors, rivers, and historic villages like Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Chagford mean most new builds are resisted outside existing settlements. Practical development is generally restricted to brownfield sites, barn conversions, or minor infill, with strong emphasis on maintaining archaeological integrity, rural character, and landscape openness.
One of the top reasons National Park applications lacking specialist expertise are refused is failing to conserve or enhance the landscape. We help reduce this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. Our site-specific planning proposals balance creativity with strategic insight. We use the following field-tested work stages to help clients in Dartmoor National Park achieve successful planning outcomes:
We work collaboratively with clients and shape a design that respects local character and meets Planning Policy requirements in order to maximise your chances of winning Planning Permission.
Dartmoor National Park Authority is the Local Planning Authority for the 954 square kilometres of upland moorland, river valleys and historic settlements within Dartmoor in Devon. The National Park was designated in 1951, one of the first in England, and is characterised by open granite tors, blanket bog, deep wooded combes and scattered rural villages. Development is tightly controlled, with a strong presumption in favour of conserving and enhancing landscape character, heritage assets and biodiversity. Most proposals relate to agricultural buildings, rural diversification, sensitive residential alterations, replacement dwellings, small-scale affordable housing for local needs, and tourism accommodation. Major housing estates and large commercial schemes are rarely supported. Planning applications are assessed against the Dartmoor Local Plan, National Planning Policy Framework policies specific to National Parks, and statutory duties giving great weight to landscape and scenic beauty. We can advise on residential, rural enterprise and heritage-led schemes within Dartmoor.
In the last year Dartmoor National Park decided 310 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 87% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 55% of applications were decided on time, (slightly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Dartmoor National Park performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
National Parks have stricter protections, with development tightly controlled to safeguard landscape, wildlife, and heritage.
The tors, rivers, and historic villages like Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Chagford mean most new builds are resisted outside existing settlements. Practical development is generally restricted to brownfield sites, barn conversions, or minor infill, with strong emphasis on maintaining archaeological integrity, rural character, and landscape openness.
One of the top reasons National Park applications lacking specialist expertise are refused is failing to conserve or enhance the landscape. We help reduce this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. Our site-specific planning proposals balance creativity with strategic insight. We use the following field-tested work stages to help clients in Dartmoor National Park achieve successful planning outcomes:
We work collaboratively with clients and shape a design that respects local character and meets Planning Policy requirements in order to maximise your chances of winning Planning Permission.
