Dartmoor National Park Authority

The committee approved a departure from the local plan to convert two historic barns at Town Living Farm, Belstone, into one open market dwelling and one intermediate affordable dwelling. The approval rests on a 20% permanent affordability discount secured through section 106, a local connection cascade, and conservation benefits from removing unsympathetic modern agricultural buildings. This creates procurement/commissioning implications for building conversion works and associated professional services, though no contract value was given.

The Dartmoor’s Dynamic Landscapes partnership programme was described as a five-year programme with roughly £3.1m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a total value of around £5.5m, with the balance made up by partner match funding. This indicates a significant ongoing managed spend across multiple projects and partners.

The committee approved the installation of a 30m mobile telecommunications mast at Greyhound Farm, Postbridge, to support emergency services communications and wider 4G coverage. The scheme includes a compound, equipment cabinet, backup generator, meter cabinet, satellite dish, hardstanding and track upgrades, with landscaping and materials to be conditioned. This represents a likely capital project in the low hundreds of thousands rather than a major contract, but no exact value was stated.

Members were told the Dartmoor’s Dynamic Landscapes programme is entering an early procurement stage for an evaluation specialist, with a draft brief being circulated and the appointment to go out to public procurement. This is a clear near-term contracting opportunity linked to programme evaluation and evidence gathering.

The meeting covered two clear procurement-relevant planning decisions: approval of a new emergency services telecommunications mast at Greyhound Farm, Postbridge, including supporting infrastructure, site access and landscaping conditions; and approval of converting historic barns at Town Living Farm, Belstone, into one open market and one affordable home via a section 106 agreement. Members also reviewed the Dartmoor’s Dynamic Landscapes programme, including its £5.5m budget, current delivery progress, and a forthcoming procurement for an evaluation specialist. The AGM and authority meeting additionally made a wide range of committee, working panel and outside body appointments.