CONTROVERSY over live firing on Dartmoor by the military continues to divide parties for and against.

There are three military live firing areas on the moor, at Okehampton, Merrivale and Willsworthy.

Much of the area upon which military training occurs within the Dartmoor National Park is privately owned and training is undertaken under licence. The licence from the Duchy of Cornwall expires in 2012.

In its annual report, the Dartmoor Steering Group, which brings together the Ministry of Defence plus the key statutory and landowning bodies on the moorland, admits 'all parties (including the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Dartmoor Commoners Council and the Government Office South West) accepted the short-term need for continued military training on Dartmoor. However, there was disagreement on the long-term objectives.'

The report says that as part of the re-negotiation of the licence, the Secretaries of State for Defence and for Defra require confirmation there is a clear military need for military training on Dartmoor. It also says the management of Dartmoor training areas for military activities will continue to be sensitive to environmental, farming and public access issues and is thus sustainable in the long term.

The Campaign for National Parks, along with Dartmoor Preservation Association, the Open Spaces Society and the Ramblers' Association, said it was deeply concerned about the impasse reached by the Dartmoor Steering Group and was concerned the Ministry of Defence was intent upon seeking renewal of the licence for live firing on the moor.

Ruth Chambers, head of policy of CNP said: 'We are dismayed the Ministry of Defence is claiming that it has made the case for continuing to occupy the Dartmoor National Park in the long term.  Live firing with all its associated structures and activities is patently contrary to protecting Dartmoor's wildness and quiet recreation. 

'In our view, the competing national interests of protecting Dartmoor's wildlife and enabling our armed forces to train ready for battle need to be looked at in an independent arena, rather than accepting the MoD's assertion that training must continue at the same level, which it is bound to claim.'