Doc Martinstar Martin Cluneshas failed in his four-year legal battle to stop apermanent travelers’ site from being set up near his Dorset residence.
TheWuthering Heightsactor, along with several neighbors in Beaminster, hadstrongly disagreed with the suggestions presentedby Theo Langton and Ruth McGill.
The couple, who have lived in a 45ft by 16ft (13.7m by 4.9m) mobile home on their own property at Meerhay for 25 years, hadapplied for official planning approval to set up their long-term residence.
Initially, officers at DorsetThe council had suggested the plans for approval when they were initially brought before its western and southern area planning committee in April 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice was later postponed due to major worries about the possible danger of flooding at the selected location.
A thorough flood risk evaluation was carried out, which eventually determined that the potential for surface water flooding was not considered significant during the projected 100-year “lifetime” of the project.
As a result, the proposals were presented again to the committee for a final determination.
The committee has officially approved the plans with a seven-to-two vote, including specific requirements outlined by the planning officers.
These conditions specifically state that any changes made to the site are allowed only during Mr. Langton and Ms. McGill’s stay, and must be completely removed within four months if they no longer live in the property permanently.
And the requirements would restrict the number of residential caravans on the property to two.
Planning officer Bob Burden informed the committee that the council’s Gypsy liaison officer was content that the couple’s travel and participation in festivals met the criteria ofTravellers.
He stated, “There is an increasing and substantial demand for locations. We are unable to locate enough places for gypsies and Travellers.”
Mr. Burden stated that the effect on nearby properties was minimal and added, “In my opinion, this plan does not present any unacceptable issues regarding privacy from overlooking.”
He stated that the permission would only apply to the couple’s use and said, “If the site stopped being occupied, the structures would have to be taken down.”
John Steel KC, who is acting for Clunes, stated: “The applicants are not considered statutory Travellers, but even if they were, they cannot simultaneously turn down the sites provided to them and also take advantage of exceptions in Traveller policy.”
He stated, “More will come, others are waiting, and there is already proof of this on nearby property.”
The powerful message will be that individuals with comparable lifestyles can bypass the planning system in Dorset.
Mr. Steel added, “To grant a permanent”planning permissionwould be illegal, weaken planning policy, and be completely unjust to law-abiding residents.
Simon Rushton, representative for the applicants who had resided at the location for 21 years, mentioned they received 47 letters of endorsement, along with support from the local town council.
Reverend Jonathan Herbert stated he backed the couple’s intentions and mentioned that they “lived a nomadic life.”
He stated, “They are widely recognized and held in high regard within the new Traveller community, there’s no question that they are new Travellers.”
Councillor Craig Monks stated, “I feel that the officer’s suggestions offer clarity to local residents regarding the intended use of this land for specific purposes, benefiting certain individuals at a defined time.”
Clunes and his wife had previously submitted a statement to the committee outlining their worries about the proposals, including the suggestion from the council’s Gypsy liaison officer that Mr. Langton and Ms. McGill should be classified as “new-age travellers.”
A police report submitted to the committee stated: “It is evident that they are involved with and belong to the modern traveler community, having been part of it for many years.”
Even though they are not of Romani descent, I am very pleased that they are modern-day travelers and have numerous friends and support within the contemporary Traveller community.
In reply, Clunes stated, “It is not possible to determine that the applicants are individuals with a nomadic lifestyle because they attend music and other festivals annually to sell products and assist in setting them up.”
This would imply that numerous, or possibly all, vendors at these events, along with the crew members who accompany the event organizers, shopkeepers, and musical groups, would be categorized as Roma and Travellers under the planning definition, which is clearly not true.
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