CALLS for extended development rights on Dartmoor have been rejected following an independent report into the Dartmoor National Park Local Plan.
Inspector Douglas Machin produced last week?s report as part of a public local inquiry responding to representations received following the plan?s first review in May 2003.
He said: ?In general I find that the local plan is very sound and provides the appropriate context for the conservation and limited development of the National Park in accordance with the purposes of designation.
?The most contentious issue for me to consider has been, not surprisingly, that of housing provision.
?In summary, I endorse and fully support the approach taken by the local plan of severely limiting the amount of new house-building that ought to take place, with the emphasis firmly on providing affordable housing to meet identified local needs.?
The local plan promotes a hierarchical policy of allowing development mainly in ?local centres? such as Tavistock and Okehampton, with limited local need construction in ?selected rural settlements?.
As a result the National Park Authority, which is the planning authority for Dartmoor, will retain tight control over developments in the area.
Inspector Machin endorsed the National Park Authority view that Meavy should be retained in the plan as a ?selected rural settlement?.
The local population will benefit from opportunities for limited development aimed at meeting identified community needs.
However, he rejected calls for the haulage depot site at Moretonhampstead to be allocated in a plan for mixed housing and employment use on the grounds that it would exceed local needs provision.
During the course of the inquiry Inspector Machin considered 827 objections to the local plan, many of which contended that Dartmoor should be less severely regulated with regard to planning applications and building opportunities.
Mr Machin dismissed this view: ?The belief of a good number of objectors that the National Park is a place where a more liberal approach should be adopted is fundamentally wrong.
?Dartmoor is a most precious natural asset and must be protected from all but the most essential development.?
His report recommends a total of 25 alterations to the policies, supporting text and maps included in the local plan, of which 12 result from proposed changes by Dartmoor National Park Authority.
When finally adopted, probably in early summer, the plan will provide the basis for determining all development proposals within the National Park boundary.