Tag: exmoor

ENP Consultation

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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

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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.

Dunster Road Closure

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Urgent Road Closure: – ttro114W(WS) – WW – Dunster To Timberscombe, Dunster

Please be aware that we have received a notification of a TTRN (urgent) road closure at Dunster To Timberscombe Road, Dunster which will commence on 4th December 2024 – 5th December 2024 (19:00 – 06:00) for a total of 1 night.

This will enable Wessex Water to renew stop tap. 

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site  is not permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro114W(WS)  Dunster.

Please visit one.network  https://one.network/?tm=141328773 where you will see the map of the affected area (in red), together with the supplied diversion route (in blue).

Please note: this diversion route could be subject to change on review.

With regards
Road Closures Team
Email: ttro@somerset.gov.uk
Traffic Management, Road Safety and Parking Services
Somerset Council
County Hall
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DY
Web: www.somerset.gov.uk

Exmoor National Park Networking Day

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Exmoor National Park Authority is inviting businesses to join a Rural Enterprise networking event on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Lynton Town Hall. The event is open to representatives of businesses and stakeholders from across the Greater Exmoor area who are interested in learning from each other and hearing about the latest initiatives and opportunities for the rural economy.

The event will feature two sessions, with short presentations from representatives of Exmoor National Park Authority, Federation of Small Businesses, Cosmic – a digital training and consultancy company, the South West Visitor Economy Data Hub and Screen Somerset as well as a variety of local business owners and Exmoor National Park representatives.

The first session, from 11am to 1pm will focus on Business on Exmoor (relevant to all sectors) and consider the challenges and opportunities small rural business owners face. Cosmic will also talk about the digital world and how we can use AI to maximise our opportunities.

The second session, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, will focus on Tourism on Exmoor with delegates hearing about Film Tourism, The Tourism Data Hub and an update from our own National Park Centre Managers.  

Both sessions will also include input from local businesses who will be sharing their experiences of working on Exmoor. A networking lunch will be provided for all delegates as part of your ticket price from 1pm to 2.30pm, giving an opportunity to attendees to network, share ideas and learn more.

The cost is just £13 per person which includes a fantastic local produce lunch provided by Lynton eatery The Vanilla Pod.

Dan James, Rural Enterprise and Communications Manager for Exmoor National Park said:“This is a wonderful opportunity to share latest initiatives, to help businesses, nature and communities on Exmoor to thrive. There is no doubt that Exmoor faces some big challenges but also big opportunities. Last year’s event was really well received and drove lots of positive action.

On the day we’ll be sharing ideas on how we can work together and fulfil those opportunities. This is very much a partnership approach and we’re pleased to have so many partners joining us to share their expertise on the day. We’d also like to thank ‘Heart of the SW Growth hub’ who are supporting the event.”

Advanced booking is essential on a first come, first served basis and can be done online via www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/rural-enterprise.

REE is a partnership project facilitated by Exmoor National Park Authority that aims to support and promote rural businesses on Exmoor in harmony with the area’s special status as a National Park.

For more information visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/rural-enterprise or call 01398 323665