The “fine balance” between recreational, environmental or agricultural activity on Dartmoor “has fallen out of kilter”, a Conservative MP has said as he called for an end to the “confusion between successive laws”.

Anthony Mangnall warned at present the “information and understanding around those rights is hazy at best and opaque at worst”.

Speaking in the Commons, the MP for Totnes said his Dartmoor National Park (Access) Bill would “require the Secretary of State to publish proposals for a scheme to incentivise owners of land within Dartmoor National Park to allow enhanced access to that land in certain circumstances”.

He said: “Recreational activity is critically important to human health, but it should not come at the expense or above that of environmental or agricultural activities that are present upon the moorland.

“Unfortunately, in recent years that fine balance between the three areas has fallen out of kilter. Under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 the public have rights and the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) have the responsibilities, although these are discretionary.

“However, the introduction and implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has caused confusion and opaqueness within the law.

“It is rapidly apparent that we need to see Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) responsible for access management and that for this to be successful there needs to be an appropriate level of resourcing.

“Our success yesterday in calling for an independent inquiry in which the minister so gratefully responded into the management of the moor could well serve as a vehicle to consider this matter and many others that affect those who work and live on the moorland, and in doing so end the confusion between successive laws and ensure that clarification and simplification is brought forward.”

Mr Mangnall said that additional support should help new rangers and wardens to look after the land, to promote the Countryside Code and to “prevent fly camping”.

Responding to Mr Mangnall’s Bill, Lib Dem Richard Foord (Tiverton and Honiton) said: “I urge that leave should not be given to bring in such a Bill. It was God who gave the land, God gave the land to the people.”

Mr Mangnall’s Bill was earmarked for a second reading on Friday, November 24, but is unlikely to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.