PLANS to develop a dedicated Dartmoor archive should take a step forward tomorrow (Friday), when the National Park Authority is expected to offer support for the scheme.
The project is being spearheaded by the Dartmoor Trust, which hopes to house the archive in the High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown.
The trust hopes to provide an area where local people can donate or lend items, a learning space where research can be undertaken, and a portable computer and scanner, taking the archive to prospective donors, rather than expecting donors to travel to it.
The archive would be available to all the community, including schools, individuals and libraries, providing them with an insight into Dartmoor's people, history, geography and communities.
The Dartmoor Trust anticipates the project will cost about £175,000 for the first three years — this will cover employment of a project manager and part time worker, computer equipment, general running costs and building works, fixtures and fittings.
The archive will be the subject of a Lottery grant application — the Trust is also aiming to set up an endowment fund to run the archive and undertake other fundraising activities.
Nick Atkinson, chief executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority, will recommend the planning committee support the project by offering to let the first floor of the Visitor Centre to the Dartmoor Trust, and to endorse further negotiations to further the scheme.
Dr Atkinson said: 'There is growing interest in all aspects of Dartmoor but there is no one space dedicated to its study, and clear need exists to provide opportunity for people to contribute items of interest and worth currently often lost.'
He said the authority's involvement in the scheme would further its own aims of 'promotion of understanding' and 'conservation of cultural heritage' on Dartmoor.
Dr Atkinson said siting the archive at Princetown's Visitor Centre would have clear benefits, although access for the disabled would need to be created.
'Despite various ventures and endeavours, a valid use for much of the extensive first floor accommodation has yet to be identified, and the archive would be a both welcome and valuable asset,' said Dr Atkinson.
The target date for the opening of the archive is summer 2001.