Tag: england

ENP Consultation

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

ExmoorNational Park Authority (ENPA) has set out its draft ambitions on how it intends to collaborate with partners, people and organisations to help secure a positive future for Exmoor. Views are now being invited on the draft plan for Exmoor, before it is finalised in summer 2025.

In 2023 ENPA asked people to get involved in an extensive Partnership Plan opinion survey to share their honest views. This, along with evidence gathering on the state of Exmoor’s special qualities and workshops with delivery partners, has helped to guide a draft Plan for the next five years and beyond. The Plan is now open for public consultation before it’s formally adopted by the National Park Authority.

The Partnership Plan explains how statutory National Park purposes, to conserve and enhance Exmoor’s natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage, and to promote understanding and enjoyment of these, will be delivered.

Andrea Davis Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority said:

“Being one of a family of 15 National Parks, Exmoor is nationally significant for people and nature. It takes a collective effort to care for this precious landscape and one of our key roles as a National Park Authority is working with our partners to develop a Partnership (Management) Plan for Exmoor every five years. Globally we face a climate emergency and nature is in crisis, with our natural resources – soil, water and air – and cultural heritage, under pressure. Many of these impacts are felt within the National Park. The Plan sets out our bold ambitions for nature recovery, for positive action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, to improve the quality of our natural resources, and to care for our landscape and heritage.”

Sarah Bryan CEO of Exmoor National Park Authority said:

“However you are involved with Exmoor National Park, we really hope you will take the time to look at the draft plan and have your say. It’s an ambitious plan which includes a range of challenging targets to maximise the benefits our National Park can provide. We particularly want to support young people and a wider diversity of communities, to enable everyone to access all that Exmoor has to offer

We know that we can only achieve these ambitions by working with everyone who loves and cares for Exmoor and we really look forward to hearing your thoughts.”

You can find more on ExmoorNational Park Authority’s

Partnership Plan atwww.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/pp-consultation

Deadline for responses is 10am on Monday 10 March 2025

Exmoor National Park Authority storm appeal

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has launched an appeal to help clear the significant damage caused by storm Darragh. Following recent storms, many paths on Exmoor’s 1,000km rights of way network have been battered by fallen trees.

You can donate to the Exmoor Storm Darragh Appeal at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/caremoor

Sections of the South West Coast Path, Two Moors Way and Coleridge Way have been largely blocked and the National Park Field Services Team, along with Teams from ENPA partners including the National Trust and other landowners, are working hard to reopen routes as soon as possible. ENPA warn that it may still be several weeks before some long-distance routes are fully reopen and it’s advising against attempting any affected routes in woodland areas until cleared.

Sarah Bryan CEO of Exmoor National Park Authority said:

“This comes at a time when we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Exmoor’s designation of the National Park as well as the 75th Anniversary of the pioneering National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) which helped ensure access for the nation to some of our most special places. The National Park has a fantastic network of paths that provide great benefits to people and support many of our local businesses. ENPA’s skilled Field Services Team are out working on trees full-time, along with tractors and other machinery to get our most important routes open and safe.

We would encourage members of the public to report any rights of way still blocked by fallen trees via https://roam.somerset.gov.uk or email access@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk with location details and a photo.”

Exmoor National Park Rangers are putting extra time into inspecting routes and liaising with landowners across the landscape. Exmoor National Park Authority Field Services Teams have already cleared over 120 trees from blocked routes including in North Hill, Minehead and the Pinkery outdoor education centre near Simonsbath. Teams are currently working to clear the Coast Path between Porlock Weir and Countisbury and on the Tarr Steps circular walk.

Some popular walks at Dunkery Beacon, Valley of Rocks, Wimbleball and Haddon Hill and Porlock Marsh are still open and Tarr Steps east bank walk is currently open as far as Hinds Pitt Bridge.