CHANGES to holiday use for agricultural buildings at a West Dorset farm have been refused by Dorset Council.

The proposals had raised objections from neighbours, the Ramblers, and two parish councils.

In rejecting the changes a Dorset Council planning case officer concluded: “the proposal would significantly harm the peaceful, tranquil and quiet character of the area.”

The owners of Cutty Stubbs Farm off Bluntshay Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum had asked to convert a barn into two holiday cottages, build two tourist eco lodges, build a new home and associated workshop and demolish a number of outbuildings.

The scheme was submitted to include proposals for tree planting and other landscaping which, an agent acting for the owners, claimed would have created a sustainable tourist development which would also enhance the appearance of the site as well as providing a biodiversity net gain.

Dorset Council received several neighbour objections, including one which claimed the proposals to be “a gross over-development of a site in an AONB and is out of character as defined by the NCA ( National Character Area) … as well as in breach of the West Dorset Local Plan. The proposed buildings are huge, intrusive, over-bearing and totally out of character with the neighbouring properties.”

The neighbour added: “This is a change of use for a 10 acre site from agricultural land to holiday use and in creating the precedent of allowing two holiday lodge huts will almost certainly, over time, result in further applications, regardless of any assurances given.”

Another claimed that the farm site was no longer in agricultural use so any changes in the name of farm diversification should not apply.

The neighbour comments were largely reflected by Upper Marshwood Vale Parish Council which said the changes would be detrimental to the surrounding countryside and against the West Dorset Local Plan guidelines : “Whilst understanding possibly why the applicant wishes to undertake this, we believe the proposal would have a negative impact on the area,” said a statement from the parish, with similar comments from neighbouring Char Valley Parish Council which was also concerned with the loss of what it described as good quality agricultural buildings.

The Ramblers Association also objected because of the effects on one footpath, with concerns from the council’s Rights of Way team over the effects of the changes on the same path.

Many of the comments were reflected in the planning case officer’s report, which rejected the application, concluding: “The proposal would significantly harm the peaceful, tranquil and quiet character and appearance of the application site and this part of the Dorset AONB National Landscape.”

Illustration – Ariel view of the site with proposed layout changes in red – Google Existing agricultural buildings on the site