A NEW guide has been produced by Dartmoor National Park Authority to help provide advice to those seeking to carry out development in Dartmoor National Park. 

Encouraging a high standard of design in new development is essential in protecting the special qualities of Dartmoor and the newly published Dartmoor National Park Design Guide is now available.

The guide has been produced in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority by architects and planning consultants, Stride Treglown.

Phil Markham, head of forward planning for Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: 'The main purpose of the document is to provide advice for those seeking planning permission from the National Park Authority and it will be useful for applicants and their agents and architects in developing their proposals.

'The design principles contained in the guide will also be a factor in the Authority's consideration of planning applications. 

'However, it is also hoped that the guide will influence those who are carrying out smaller changes to their buildings that do not require planning permission and encourage a greater interest in Dartmoor's built environment.'

The authority is keen to see the guide reach as wide an audience as possible and it can be viewed and freely downloaded from the authority's web site at http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/designguide ">www.dartmoor.gov.uk/designguide ; A limited number of paper copies are available for purchase from the National Park Authority at a cost of £5 plus postage and packing, while CDs can be obtained from the authority free of charge. If you wish to obtain a paper copy or a CD then contact the forward planning section at [email protected]">[email protected] or phone 01626 832093. Reference copies will be made available at public libraries in and around the National Park as well as at the National Park Authority headquarters at Parke, Bovey Tracey.