Film director Guy Ritchie has received approval to convert staff accommodation at his Compton Abbas Airfield in Dorset into two Airbnb units. The decision comes after neighbors voiced strong objections, accusing Ritchie of developing an "aviation theme park by stealth" with insufficient regard for the local environment.
Neighbors have expressed fears that Ritchie's ultimate goal is to build a hotel on the site, which is situated within the Dorset National Landscape and the Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve. Since purchasing the airfield in 2022, Ritchie has already introduced several developments, including a smokehouse restaurant and the rerouting of a public footpath. The airfield now hosts events and offers Spitfire flight experiences, transforming it into a visitor destination.
The approved holiday lets, one two-bedroom and one four-bedroom unit, will allow overnight stays for guests participating in flying activities. Critics argue that the conversion of existing staff accommodation, previously justified for security and safety reasons, to commercial holiday lets disregards planning agreements. Neighbor Christopher Dymond stated that the airfield has moved from being a "polite small grass airfield" for local enthusiasts to a more commercial operation, causing disturbance and a "WW2 film set" atmosphere.
Dorset Council, however, approved the application, citing potential economic benefits for the area. Planning officer Jamie Francis noted that the owner's intention to generate additional income streams, while for personal gain, is also seen as beneficial to the local economy. The council concluded there were no planning grounds to refuse the conversion, stipulating that the units must be used for short-term lets only. The impact on neighboring amenities, air pollution, and airfield operations was deemed negligible.
Philip Cayford, a member of the Compton Abbas Airfield Monitoring Group, criticized the decision, suggesting it represents a further step in the commercial development of a sensitive rural landscape. He argued that the application disregards environmental concerns and resident inconvenience, continuing a pattern of expansion by successive owners.
Ritchie's Ashcombe Estate is located near the airfield. He has previously hosted celebrity friends at the estate, including David Beckham and Robert Downey Jr.