Martin Clunes wins extra time in fight with his new age hippie neighbours over claim that they are proper travellers who should be allowed to continue living in their ‘mobile’ home
- Martin Clunes, 61, is one of several neighbours to object to the proposed site
- Lawyers argue the couple are not ‘nomads’ and shouldn’t be seen as travellers
- The planning application is now unlikely to be heard for at least another month
Martin Clunes has won extra time in a row over his ‘traveller’ neighbours as he fights a council recommendation to allow them to live permanently on their land in a ‘mobile’ home.
The decision on whether to approve the plans for a permanent travellers’ site has been postponed after the actor’s solicitors made last-minute objections.
The 61-year-old Doc Martin star from Beaminster, Dorset, is objecting to the application by Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, claiming the couple are not ‘nomads’ and the proposals would set a ‘harmful precedent’.
The couple, who have lived in a 45ft by 16ft mobile home on land they own at Meerhay for 25 years, have applied for planning permission to continue living there permanently.
The site is 300 yards from the Clunes’ property and is hidden by trees, but the actor has said it would be a ‘shame’ if his view was ‘spoilt’. He is joined in his objections by several other neighbours.
Martin Clunes (pictured) has launched a last ditch attempt to stop his new age hippie neighbours building a traveller site below his hilltop manor house by claiming the couple are not real travellers
Theo Langdon and Ruth McGill (pictured together) submitted a planning application for a permanent site next to the Doc Martin star’s home in Meerhay, Dorset
Mr Langton and Mrs McGill own a plot of land 300 yards from the Clunes’ property, hidden by trees (Pictured: Google street view of buildings on the plot owned by Mr Langton and Mrs McGill)
It follows Mr Clunes’ lawyers claiming there is ‘no evidence’ that either Mr Langton or Ms McGill is a Traveller within the meaning of planning policy.
Planning officers at Dorset Council had recommended to councillors on the area planning committee that the application should be granted at its meeting on Thursday April 20.
But now the decision has been postponed, with the matter unlikely to be listed for consideration for at least another month.
A spokeswoman for the council said the reason for the delay is a ‘technical planning issue’ that had to be considered.
Mr Clunes and his TV producer wife, Philippa Braithwaite, 58, bought 130-acre Higher Meerhay Farm near Beaminster from Mr Langton’s mother, the celebrated garden designer Georgia Langton, for £3million in 2007.
They say the proposals would intensify the existing travellers’ site and have an impact on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
They also object to the lack of amenities on the site, such as electricity, water and sewage.
In a letter submitted to the council by Clunes’ solicitors, Kitson Trotman, they argue the applicants do not fit within the definition of ‘travellers’ and that approving the plans for the permanent site would set a ‘harmful precedent’.
The solicitors state: ‘There is no evidence in the application before the council that either applicant is currently a traveller within the meaning of planning policy.
‘All that is said in the officer report is that “The majority of the applicants travelling is to show and sell items at a variety of fairs gatherings and or festivals, often going from one to the next”.
‘This is totally inadequate as no details are given of dates, frequency, locations, or otherwise.
‘Many persons who live in permanent accommodation carry out the same or similar activities each year for a living, hobby or pastime, including travelling regularly to agricultural and equestrian shows and events or concerts, fairs and festivals too, and cannot possibly be classed as travellers.
The Clunes’ first bought a Grade II listed former vicarage in the village of Powerstock, near Bridport, in 2001 before moving into their current home in 2007
The couple have lived on the site for 25 years, but opponents claim their ‘mobile’ home is actually immobile
Martin Clunes as Doc Martin and co-star Caroline Catz as Louisa Glasson in the ITV drama
Read more: Doc Martin star Martin Clunes launches last-ditch bid to stop new-age hippie neighbours building traveller site next to his hilltop Dorset manor house… by claiming the couple are NOT nomads
‘This is not a “nomadic habit of life”, which is entirely different.
‘Without clear evidence the council would be acting unlawfully to class the applicants as travellers. Mode of clothing or hairstyle, or the form, type and location of residence is not relevant.
‘The definition is clear and narrow. Given the policy consequences it must be applied strictly.’
The letter continues: ‘The so-called “mobile home” on the site is not mobile, is not capable of being moved or towed but is a permanent structure or building requiring planning permission for its erection on the site.
‘As it is a permanent building or structure it was unlawfully erected on the site.
‘It cannot therefore be granted planning permission to remain on the site by the current planning application or treated as a mobile home.
‘The grant of permanent planning permission for a proposal which is so clearly contrary to planning policy for a use in the AONB would be totally contrary to proper planning principles and policy.
‘It would also set an unfortunate and harmful precedent which would undoubtedly be sought to be copied by others.
‘This is compounded by the fact that the site has been consistently held by the council to be unsuitable for human habitation and for the erection of permanent buildings on the site.’
In his report, council officer Bob Burden cited the general lack of sites for ‘gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople’ in Dorset as a major reason for why it should go ahead.
He said the demand for such pitches has increased in recent years and insisted the development would not harm the natural beauty of the area.
His report stated: ‘Given the ongoing policy and research background of lack of available site options, coupled with the minimal visual impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is considered that the use of this site as a permanent base for this traveller family is acceptable.
‘It is considered that the scheme is also acceptable in residential amenity terms.
‘The development would also be acceptable in terms of highway safety issues.’
Mr Clunes gave a short comment on the planning row when MailOnline visited his luxury mansion earlier this month.
He said: ‘We are very lucky to have this beautiful view. It would be a terrible shame if it was spoilt. We love living here.’
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