Actor
Martin Clunes
has maintained that his 'hippie' neighbors are not travelers, as part of the ongoing bitter dispute over development rights for land situated merely 300 yards from the $5 million farmhouse he shares with his spouse, Phillipa Braithwaite.
The Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly star has fought a long-running battle to try and stop New Age Travellers Theo Langton and Ruth McGill from turning their woodland plot and caravan into an official travellers site.
The pair has resided in the 45-foot by 16-foot mobile home on a periodically renewable permit close to Beaminster, Dorset, for over two decades.
They have submitted an application for planning approval to continue using the land as a private residential traveler site solely for themselves and their family.
However, Clunes has criticized the duo for asserting they are travelers simply because of "their attire" and "attending specific kinds of music festivals."
The pair's proposals encompass utilizing the constructed barn as a multipurpose space for daily activities, crafting, and storage, along with having one mobile home, a touring caravan, and a portable van available.
Clunes had claimed that the current residence did not meet the definition of a mobile home - and described the neighbour's attempts to classify it as one was 'cynical' and 'dishonest.'
The determination of the application, which was scheduled to occur during the previous council meeting, was delayed following concerns over potential flooding.
New submissions have appeared on the council's planning website from Clunes, where he challenges their validity concerning the traveller community.
Previously, the couple depended on proof indicating they attended numerous festivals during the summer season to support themselves financially.
Clunes stated: 'They cannot assert that they are travelers based on how they present themselves, whether through their attire, residing at an un-equipped location, associating with particular groups, or attending specific kinds of musical gatherings.'
It cannot be inferred that the applicants lead a nomadic lifestyle simply because they visit various music and other festivals annually for selling items and assisting with setup.
Clunes stated: "The choice should be based on planning regulations and policies—not emotional responses or how popular the applicant might be."
The applicants are popular within the community, and they along with their location might seem like they embrace a New Age way of life. However, this doesn’t qualify them for preferential treatment since they don’t fit the legal criteria for being considered gypsies or travellers.
The applicants attend festivals just like numerous others do. At these events, they operate a stall where they sell goods crafted by themselves. There isn’t enough information provided to determine whether running these stalls constitutes their main source of income.
'Numerous vendors move from one festival to another, with roadies handling the setup of stages and equipment; collectively they traverse each summer hopping between festivals or fairs.'
They aren’t categorized as travelers, whether they’re of the New Age variety or not. Each summer, these applicants journey to Portugal and Spain via roads, just like numerous other individuals who aren’t considered Travelers.
It cannot be inferred that the applicants lead a nomadic lifestyle simply because they visit various music and other festivals annually for selling items and assisting with setup.
This would imply that numerous, if not all, vendors at these events along with the crew members accompanying the festival organizers, sellers, and musicians would fall under the category of gypsies and travelers according to the planning definition, which evidently isn’t accurate.
Clunes stated that based on his perspective, there were currently just two options available - either deny approval and contemplate enforcement, giving them time to move elsewhere, or approve a provisional permit.
He contended that this should apply solely if it was explicitly stated that "applicants must proactively look for an alternate location, beginning immediately."
He stated: "It is the responsibility of the applicants to adhere to the policy—not for the council to create exemptions."
In his submission, Clunes stated: "Evidence suggests not just the establishment of a precedent but also the emergence of a New Age Traveller community developing on and near the application area."
'Associates of the applicants have purchased the land across from Meerhay Manor, submitted requests for approval to cultivate vegetables using extensive polytunnels, and also sought permission to reside on the property in a shepherd’s cabin.'
There is no question that once permanent planning approval is granted, others will follow the applicants' lead to secure similar approvals, making it challenging for the Council to deny them.
None of the findings emphasized by the officials are strong enough to overcome the recognized damage or withstand examination. Additionally, the evaluation of the harm resulting from the suggested project has been insufficiently addressed and is severely underestimated.
The planning officers at Dorset Council initially suggested approving the proposal, yet the item was removed from the agenda last month following a late communication from Clunes' legal team.
A two-year legal battle has since ensued with the application again pulled from the agenda of a meeting last month where it had again been recommended for approval.
Dorset Council stated regarding the postponement: "This is due to an issue that has been brought to the attention of the officials after the agenda was published and necessitates additional deliberation."
The issue pertains to surface water flooding and must be addressed prior to reporting the application to the committee.
The application will be returned to the committee for review at the earliest opportunity.
In his report destined for the committee, planning officer Bob Burden stated: "The site is deemed fairly sustainable, and the submission is satisfactory regarding both its design and overall visual effect."
'It is not believed that there will be considerable detriment to adjacent residential enjoyment.'
'No significant factors have been identified that would justify rejecting this application.'
In 2007, the Clunes purchased Meerhay Farm, a 130-acre property near Beaminster, Dorset, from Mrs. Langton's mother, who is the landscape architect Georgia Langton.
The land at the heart of the planning row is around 300 yards from the £5m farmhouse where Clunes lives with wife Philippa Braithwaite.
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