Application for 'party farm' campsite in Dorset
The farm has been at the centre of complaints
A NEW application has been submitted to continue the use of a campsite at Bredy Farm, Burton Bradstock.
The proposal, which is open to public comment until September 11, comes after the business was refused a certificate of lawfulness for the 3-hectare Orchard campsite earlier this year.
It had been claimed the seasonal site had been in use for tents and caravans since April 2014 without Dorset Council taking enforcement action – making it an established use and exempt from legal action. The argument was rejected and the certificate refused.
The farm has been at the centre of complaints from neighbours about noise from its party nights and mini-festivals held primarily in converted farm buildings in the farmyard area – with many of those taking part staying at the campsite.
The campsite is on the opposite side of the lane from the main farm buildings, about 1.4km from Burton Bradstock on the eastern side of Bredy Lane, and sits within the Dorset National Landscape area using orchard land which dates back to the 1800s.
Among the public comments objecting to the certificate was the claim that: “the emphasis has changed from a small campsite in a beautiful setting with cider sales at the farm to a nightclub and restaurant with camping alongside.”
Dorset Council decided that the use of the site could not be satisfactorily proven to be continuous over a ten year period and refused the certificate.
The business has now lodged a new full planning application to retain the use of land as a seasonal campsite with associated facilities, including toilets and showers, which the site operator says are removed at the end of the season.
The latest application is made in the name of J H Mallison & Partners.
The Wareham planning agent, acting for the business, said the campsite is an important part of the farm diversification helping to maintain its viability and should be approved.
Only one comment has been made on the application so far, from Dorset Police, which is not objecting to the campsite planning proposal.