ECO-RESIDENTS at a woodland community outside Moretonhampstead have lost their fight to stay in the remote haven which has been their home for the last 16 years.

An independent planning inspector has dismissed the Affinity Workers’ Co-operative’s appeal against Dartmoor planners’ refusal to grant planning permission for permanent residential use of land at Steward Wood.

The inspector also upheld national park Enforcement Notices requiring the 22 residents to leave the 32-acre beauty spot and to remove all structures. They have been given a year to leave the place as they found it.

Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) today welcomed the inspector’s decision after April and May’s lengthy public inquiry in Bovey Tracey.

Authority chairman Bill Hitchins said this morning: ‘The inspector has made it clear he does not consider there to be a need to live in the wood, to manage it or that this is a “low impact” residential development.’

He added: ‘DNPA will consider experimental, innovative schemes which are designed to achieve sustainable living and address the causes of climate change by minimising the impact on natural resources, as long as they are carried out in a way that does not harm the special qualities of the national park and have the right permissions in place.’

A spokesman for the authority hoped everyone living on the contentious site would accept the decision and comply with the requirements of the notices.

The inspector ruled that the development harmed the character and appearance of the moor - and further work there would make matters worse.

‘I consider that the development, both existing and proposed, fails to conserve or enhance the natural beauty of Dartmoor,’ he said.