Application for longer camping season at Eweleaze Farm, Osmington is rejected

The site owner, Mr Peter Broatch, had asked to use the site for camping from July 10 to September 3.

He claims the venture brings in around £3million a year for the local economy.

The Eweleaze site – courtesy Kernon countryside consultants

The site has been consistently voted one of Dorset’s top campsite and praised in articles in the national press.

Almost 80 letters had been received by Dorset Council objecting to the longer use with 345 writing to support the proposal. The temporary request for the longer season had been asked for until October 2024.

The Dorset Council decision comes just weeks after it approved a controversial application for an extension of 31 permanent static lodges at the nearby Waterside Holiday Park, which resulted in more than 70 objections.

In a statement to Dorset Council Mr Broatch claimed that his site supported eight full time jobs and 118 part-time, equivalent to 28 full-time posts, and benefitted the local economy by £1.4m, with campers believed to be spending an additional £1.3 to £1.7m locally.

The Eweleaze site – courtesy Kernon countryside consultants

A planning consultant’s report claims that with a growing trend for holidays in the UK the extra four weeks would have helped meet demand and would have had only a short impact on the landscape.

The rolling site stretches north from the coast path between the PGL centre and the Waterside and Seaview holiday parks. Farm buildings on the site are used as shops and a restaurant during the camping season.

Also on the site are compost toilets, solar showers, a laundry service and cycle hire – all of which are cleared away at the end of the season.

The statement in support of the longer use claimed that In 2020 payroll costs amounted to over £540,000 with £510,000 spent on goods for resale and £350,000 in other expenditure, an average of £23 per camper, per night with another £15 t0 £20 per person going into the local economy elsewhere.

“The campsite is run on an eco-ethos, in that all material is recycled, toilets are mostly composting toilets, showers are solar powered, food is all bought locally and organic so far as is practicable and possible. None of the facilities are permanent and none impact on the land. They all sit on the ground, rather than require levelling and digging-in,” said the supporting statement.

A previous application, made in 2018 for longer use, was also rejected.

Dorset’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team said they had objected at that time and maintained the objection to the new application: “The application would result in a large-scale change to the normal permitted development rights, in a particularly sensitive location. Although it is recognised that the proposed change is limited to a temporary period, there are nonetheless valid grounds to consider that the proposal would not serve to conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the AONB,” said a statement to the Council.

Natural England said the intensification of the use of the site was likely to lead to “ a significant increase in recreational pressure on the South West Coast path” but could be mitigated with suitable measures.

Several residents objected to the increase use of the site. One said the increase in traffic had caused safety problems and disturbance: “By allowing 56 days camping per year, you will be accommodating Mr Broatch but ignoring local residents and their quality of life,” said one.

Said another: “The traffic issues at the junction were beyond dangerous, holiday makers walking down the Osmington hill despite there being a coast path and no pavement were treacherous! Not to mention the litter along our beautiful coast, noise pollution and an eye sore.”

Some local residents wrote in support as did many who have camped at the site over the years. Said one Sutton Poytnz resident: “I have never had any problem with the campers in these fields. There has been no loud music or inappropriate behaviour. The site is always well maintained I fully support others being able to come to this beautiful area to enjoy it and to support our local community economically.”

Dorset Council’s reasons for refusal included that the site use failed to preserve or enhance the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Said the conclusion of a report weighing up the application: “The proposed use of this land for the purposes applied for and its large scale and sensitive location would on its own and cumulatively with other campsites result in a seriously detrimental landscape impact on the open character of the Dorset AONB, Dorset Heritage Coast, World Heritage site and the South West Coast path, the character of which should be respected, protected or enhanced for its intrinsic value.”