DARTMOOR National Park Authority's strategy for local development over the next 20 years has been approved by the planning inspectorate. The core strategy which is part of the Local Development Framework has been passed as 'sound' following an examination in public. The inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, praised the authority on its approach in what he described as 'challenging circumstances.' In his report Alan Foster stated: 'The national park authority is to be commended for its pioneering work in the preparation of the first core strategy for a national park created under the original 1949 act.' DNPA said the strategic vision embodied Dartmoor's special qualities of wildness and tranquillity whilst maintaining and enhancing the vibrancy and sense of place of key villages and towns in the National Park where local development would be focussed. There was a key change in policy in relation to the levels of housing development across the national park with a more restrictive policy to control external demand for market housing combined with a shift in focus towards meeting affordable housing needs arising within Dartmoor. The strategy provided for the delivery of 50 new dwellings per year across the national park over the planned period. Chairman of the authority Nigel Hoskin said the approval by the planning inspector was 'a significant achievement.'