Actor Martin Clunes has expressed frustration with Dorset Council's planning department, accusing officers of failing to enforce planning rules. His comments come after a permanent travelers' site was established near his home and amid new plans for an organic farm on adjacent land.
Clunes, known for his role in "Doc Martin," voiced his concerns in a sarcastic letter to council officials. He fears that the approval of a permanent travelers' site and the potential development of an organic farm signal a pattern of lax enforcement of planning regulations in the protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near his £5 million home in Beaminster, Dorset.
This situation follows a four-year planning dispute that Clunes and his wife, Philippa Braithwaite, lost. The dispute centered on a temporary travelers' site adjacent to their property, which was granted permission to become permanent five months ago. The couple involved, Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, had occupied the site for over two decades on a temporary license. Their application to make the site permanent, including space for two additional caravans for visitors, was approved.
Now, new plans have been submitted by neighbors Andy Cream and Grace Burger, who aim to establish an eco-business. Their proposal includes a storage barn, polytunnels, and a greenhouse for growing produce to be sold locally via an e-bike delivery service. Cream and Burger state their project aims to improve local food security, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance biodiversity.
Clunes has voiced apprehension that these new plans could pave the way for Cream and Burger to establish a permanent residence on the land, which is situated approximately 150 yards from his farm. He has criticized the council's planning process, suggesting that applicants can ultimately do as they please by ignoring rulings and conditions, with the expectation that the council will not enforce them. He characterized the council's approach as one where they "circle their wagons and hand-hold the applicants through an acceptance of whatever work or additions they have made to the land."
Braithwaite had previously objected to the initial plans by Langton and McGill, suggesting their intentions might be to eventually convert structures into a dwelling. She also raised concerns that the proposed developments, including a large polytunnel and barn, would detract from the character of the AONB.
The organic farm plans by Cream and Burger have garnered support from some community members, including Langton and McGill, who are advocates for local food security. However, Beaminster Town Council has opposed the plans, stating the structures would be out of character for the rural area. The applicants have emphasized that their market garden will grow over 100 varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers, with produce sold directly to the community and local businesses through a "veg box" scheme, delivered by electric bike.