Martin Clunes loses council battle as it approves traveller site bid

Doc Martin star Martin Clunes, 61, has reportedly lost a battle with his council after his neighbours’ application for a permanent traveller caravan site next to his Dorset farm has been recommended for approval.

The neighbours have lived in an unauthorised mobile home on land that they own for 25 years and now want to turn it into a permanent private residential traveller site.

The Daily Mail also reports that the council granted the couple a five year temporary licence to live on the site in 2015.

This expired in 2020 and they have reportedly been living there illegally ever since.

The objection claimed that the proposal would ruin the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Their planning agent, Will Cobley, said: “Our clients have lived at their property for many years and are concerned by the proposal, which seeks to authorise and intensify a nearby traveller use on a permanent basis.”

Beaminster Town Council also reportedly said the land was “unsuitable”. 

But Dorset Council has said it should go ahead.  

In his report, council officer Bob Burden cited the general lack of sites for “gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople” and said the demand for such pitches has increased in recent years and would not harm the area’s natural beauty.

He said, in documents seen by Express.co.uk: “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.”

A Dorset Council spokesman told Express.co.uk that the planning application will be considered by the planning committee on April 20.

Martin and his wife have lived in Dorset for more than 20 years and bought their own working farm in 2007.

They run the 130-acre farm which is home to horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats, according to DorsetLive. 

Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for Martin Clunes and Beaminster Town Council for comment.