Blackpitts Bungalow – future options

Exmoor National Park Authority is seeking the public’s opinion on the future of the bungalow at Blackpitts which the Authority acquired in November 2006.

Exmoor National Park Authority acquired the detached bungalow at Blackpitts, together with the associated buildings and the land immediately surrounding the bungalow.  As a result, the Authority now owns an extensive area of land on the former Exmoor Forest, including land on both sides of the B3223 from Prayway Head to Brendon Two Gates. This provides an opportunity for the Authority to take proactive steps to ensure that the character of one of the most distinctive parts of the National Park is safeguarded and enhanced

Chief executive of Exmoor National Park Dr Nigel Stone said: There has been such a high level of public interest in the future management of Blackpitts and surrounding landscape that we have commissioned Land Use Consultants to carry out an independent public consultation on 5 options for the future of the area.

We hope that everyone who is interested will take the opportunity to look further at these options and to let their have your views using the response forms at the displays or on the website set up for the consultation.”  

The options range from Minimal change  (where the existing dwelling would be retained and refurbished in its current location with some work to restrict the domestic curtilage and provide additional screening) to Maximum landscape enhancement (where the Blackpitts site would be cleared and a new replacement dwelling constructed at an alternative location in Exmoor Parish)

The consultation period will be from 16 June to 28 July 2008 (when website will be live).  The consultation will be carried out via:-

2 drop-in” consultation events to be held at the Exmoor Forest Inn,  Simonsbath between 10.00am and 6.00pm on  1st July and 17th July

Static displays in Simonsbath and Brendon as well as 3 National Park Centres during the consultation period.

A web site (www.blackpitts.net) which has been set up for the purpose by Land Use Consultants