Dartmoor Commoners' Council

Dartmoor is an upland region of moorland in the county of Devon, in the southwest of England. It covers approximately 368 square miles, and rises to 621m (2037 ft) above sea level. Underlying the moor is Carboniferous granite, which is visible at the surface as tors - rocky outcrops at the summits of many of the hills.

The Moor was designated a National Park in 1951. Nearly 36000 hectares (88900 acres) of the Park is common land, some 37% of the Park's whole area and more than 75% of its moorland. Importantly, the commons form the heartland of Dartmoor and that vast open space which is the main reason for its National Park status.

Under the Dartmoor Commons Act (1985), the Dartmoor Commoners' Council was established to represent the commoners, make regulations about most matters, which concern the management of the commons and the welfare of the stock de-pastured on the commons, and to enforce the Dartmoor Commoners' Council Regulations.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Our Council Members and support staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.  They should be able to carry out their duties and do their jobs without being physically, mentally or verbally abused and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

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Sick & Injured Animals on Dartmoor

Contact Livestock Protection Officer Karla McKechnie on 07873 587561

Road Traffic Incidents Involving Animals on Dartmoor

In the event of an incident or road traffic accident involving animals on the commons, the contact is one of the Quartermen (see below) from the relevant quarter of Dartmoor or Karla McKechnie, the Livestock Protection Officer (mobile 07873 587561).

The Quartermen are hill farmers who graze stock on the commons so they have a good working knowledge of their local area and will be familiar with the animals’ ownership marks.  The owner of the animal can be identified from the coloured marks, ear tags or brands on the body of the animal.

The location of the incident should be given as well as any identifying marks or tag numbers to the Quartermen.  These details will give an indication of the ownership of the animals, which tend to graze in specific areas of the Moor.

The owner should always be informed if the animal is injured or killed and needs to be removed from the road.  The farmer is legally obliged to account for each animal that they own and, if stock is removed without their knowledge, they are unable to justify the missing animals to Defra who record each animal on a national database.

Quartermen

North Quarter

Mr John Cooper, East Okement Farm, Okehampton, EX20 1QR - 01837 840439

Mr Peter Heard, Yelland Farm, Okehampton, EX20 4NB - 01837 52275

Ms Tracy May, Glenwood Farm, Lydford, Okehampton, EX20 4BP - 01822 820273

Mr James Reddaway, Restland Farm, Sampford Courtenay, EX20 2RT - 07814 251969

Mrs Kate Little, Moorlands North, Belstone, Okehampton, EX20 1QZ - 01837 840307

South Quarter  

Mr Phil Cleave, Higher Mill Leat Farm, Holne, TQ13 7RY - 01364 631283

Mr Anton Coaker, Sherberton Farm, Hexworthy, Princetown, PL20 6SG - 01364 631276

Mr James French, Corringdon Farm, South Brent, TQ10 9HN - 07464 239993

Mrs Ann Willcocks, Meads Farm, Harford, Ivybridge, PL21 0JQ - 01752 892312

Miss Ali Webber, Higher Hawson, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0XH - 07727 275813

East Quarter  

Mr Layland Branfield, Moorlands, Princetown, PL20 6SA - 01822 890642

Mrs Charlotte Faulkner, Corndonford Farm, Poundsgate, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7PP - 01364 631036

Mr Robert Jordan, Moortown Gate, Gidleigh, Chagford, TQ13 8HU - 07879 874822

Mr John Shears, Lower Nattadon, Chagford, Newton Abbot, TQ13 8ER - 07899 821004

Mr Ken Edwards, Langworthy Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, TQ13 7UB - 01364 621242
  
West Quarter  

Mr Phil Abel, Higher Godsworthy, Tavistock, PL19 9NY -  01822 810211

Mrs Mary Alford, Moortown Farm, Tavistock, PL19 9JZ - 07850 782443 

Mr Neil Cole, Pew Tor Farm, Sampford Spiney, Yelverton, PL20 6FF - 07812 901985

Mr Mark Radmore, Braunder Farm, Bere Alston, Yelverton, PL20 7EX - 07985 146346

Mr Robert Leigh, Palmer House, Brentor Road, Mary Tavy, Tavistock, PL19 9PY - 07926 364148