DARTMOOR National Park Authority has, for the first time, set up a working party to look into the future of military operations on the moor. Members of the authority have welcomed reports by the Council for National Parks (CNP) and the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA), which question the conflict between some military training activities and national parks and assess current impacts and benefits of military training on Dartmoor. At a meeting last Friday members agreed to look into the issues raised and revisit their current position as detailed in the 2001 National Park Management Plan that 'the principle of ultimate withdrawal of military use damaging to national park purposes on Dartmoor be retained as soon as this can be achieved consistent with the nation's defence needs.' They have also agreed that the National Park Forum discuss this issue on June 22. The CNP and DPA have renewed calls for a public inquiry into the future of military operations on the moor. Chief executive of the Dartmoor Preservation Association Jonathan Cardale said: 'Such an inquiry would not only give full consideration to whether it is appropriate for the military to continue using Dartmoor but would also examine ways in which the impact of training might be reduced and public access increased, even if the inquiry decides that there is no alternative but to renew the military training licence in 2012.' In a report to the national park authority members, officers said that nothing had emerged from consultations that would indicate any major shift in the authority's position. 'Whilst polarised views are expressed, the overall impression is that the majority do not see military training as a big issue and are comfortable with the authority's present stance,' officers said. It was appropriate, however, to continue to gauge community opinion, they added.