Private Traveller site at Wintergreen Barn Higher Meerhay Farm Access Road, Meerhay

“Application Number: P/FUL/2022/02899 Webpage: https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ Site address: Wintergreen Barn Higher Meerhay Farm Access Road Meerhay Dorset DT8 3SB Proposal: Continued use of land as a private residential Traveller site for sole use of the applicants and family, including use of the erected barn as a dayroom/workshop/store, 1 mobile home, 1 touring caravan and a mobile van (Revised description/additional information).”

“This application was deferred in advance of the April 2025 Southern and Western Area Planning Committee meeting in order to address new National Flood Risk Maps and any implications for the site. That matter has now been considered and so the application is being reported to the Committee for decision. Summary of recommendation: Grant permission subject to conditions.”

“Description of Site 4.1 The site lies 2km to the north-east of Beaminster on the east side of a lane. It is within a wooded area with clearings and includes a car parking area adjacent to the lane. The scheme includes an existing barn of natural stone and timber with a pitched slate roof. This is used as a dayroom/workshop/store. On the south-east side of this is a green painted caravan used for residential purposes. An awning extends from this with open sides.”

“The residential-related structures are flanked by wooded surrounds, with a stream in a cutting running north- east/south-west close-by. A public footpath crosses the site from the frontage, passing between hedges before ascending to more open land to the south-east. The area lies in a wooded countryside location with several dwellings in the locality. Opposite - but set back from the lane is Meerhay Cottage.”

“Dorset Council Gypsy Liaison Officer- I am writing to you in support of Ruth and Theo Langton’s planning application. I have been employed as the Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer for Dorset Council since January 2005. I have known Ruth and Theo since approximately 2007 when we used to meet up at the Kushti Bok meetings. Ruth was the chair of this local Traveller group.”

“1.The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Site Location Plan TDA.2509.03A Existing and Proposed site Layout TDA.2509.01C Planting Plan 2015 (received 11/8/2015) Landscape Plan TDA 2509.04A Landscape Specification and Management Plan Rev A (January 2024) Elevations of existing barn TDA.2509.06 Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.”

“Every year following the grant of this planning permission annual woodland management operations shall be carried out in accordance with the details show on the Detailed Landscape Proposals Plan TDA.2509.04A and as set out in the Landscape Specification and Management Plan (Rev A) updated January 2024.”