'Mega slide' operator wants to make it an annual attraction
The application has already attracted objections
The operator of a “mega slide” in a farm field off the main road west of Wimborne is now seeking to make it an annual attraction.
The application has already attracted objections, several based on fears about road safety and the ‘intrusion’ into open countryside.
The slide, although well used since 2022, had previously attracted fears about the potential danger from cars entering and exiting the site and the attraction distracting drivers.
The operator, a company based in Cornwall, has applied to make the attraction an annual one, opening in future years from mid-June to mid-September to take advantage of the school holidays.
In a planning statement to Dorset Council the business says it is currently allowed to operate for 28 days, under existing planning laws, without a formal consent, but would like to take advantage of the extra weeks each year.
It has been in use since 2022 on land owned by Meadow Farm at Corfe Mullen taking advantage of the natural slope of the land – the operators only needing to erect a small amount of scaffolding and matting.
The site runs directly alongside the A31 between the Vines Close farm shop and the Coventry Arms.
The planning application for the site comes from Nigel Mcalwane of Neat Productions, based in Cornwall, who runs a similar attraction there.
He tells Dorset Council in the application that the site will only accept pre-booked customers to minimise the impact on the road network in the area with a maximum number on site at any one time because of limited parking.
“The attraction offers a safe, family-friendly outdoor activity that supports local tourism and contributes to rural economic diversification. All infrastructure will be fully reversible and removed at the end of the season, with the land returned to agricultural use.
“The site is located in a rural setting and has been carefully designed to respect landscape character, biodiversity, and residential amenity. Access will be via existing field gates, with no permanent alterations to local infrastructure. This proposal represents a low-impact, time-limited recreational use that delivers significant local economic and community benefit, aligns with rural enterprise and tourism policies, and ensures full reversibility with no long-term loss of agricultural land,” he said.
The statement also argues that there is good road visibility in at the site and the attraction will support the diversification of a farm business and attracts visitors to the area, which will benefit other attractions and businesses, including self-catering accommodation, hotels, and campsites.
Early objectors have raised safety concerns about the proposal which remains open for comment on the Dorset Council website until the first week in August.
Said a Corfe Mullen resident: “Traffic in the area can build up pretty quickly as things are due to it being a main route through the area and this will only add to the problem throughout the summer months, also the noise from the events hosted will be a large disturbance for the local residents. The River Stour nearby is also known in the area for being an area where wildlife thrive and this raises potential to negatively impact the local wildlife.”
Similar views have come from a Wimborne resident: “This is a very busy road for traffic turning left and right and dangerous for public. It would be also eye catching to traffic passing which can distract public driving past which could lead to serious traffic accidents. I feel strongly against this application.”
Sturminster Marshall parish council has formally objected, telling Dorset Council: “The proposed development would result in visual intrusion within the Green Belt, particularly the view from the Cranborne Chase area of Outstanding natural beauty, which is contrary to planning policies aimed at preserving the openness and rural character. The highway access is considered hazardous. Should the application be approved, the Parish Council strongly recommends that: Permission is granted for a temporary period of no more than three years, after which a full review must be undertaken. A condition is imposed to ensure there is no further expansion of the site or increase in operational intensity beyond what is currently proposed.”