Martin Clunes Loses Planning Battle with New Travellers Near Dorset Home
Martin Clunes and his wife attended a meeting in Dorchester on Thursday where the decision went against them, as councillors voted to allow a couple to stay permanently on a plot of land near the actor's Dorset home. This ruling overruled objections from Clunes, who recently starred in the UK premiere of Wuthering Heights, highlighting a stark contrast between red-carpet glamour and local planning disputes.
Long-Running Dispute Over Traveller Status
Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, who define themselves as "new travellers," have lived on the idyllic spot on the edge of Beaminster for over 20 years. The site includes a caravan, workshop, and mobile van used for travelling to festivals to sell art, jewellery, and metalwork. They applied to Dorset Council for permanent planning permission to live on the land they own, but Clunes and his wife, TV producer Philippa Braithwaite, argued that the couple are not entitled to live there and do not qualify as Travellers under the law.
Over the years, accusations have been made that the Langton and McGill home has a detrimental impact on the countryside, with concerns about the lack of mains water posing potential health risks. Clunes and Braithwaite were present at the county hall in Dorchester to hear the council's decision, which came after a lengthy debate involving planning officers and committee members.
Council Decision and Arguments Presented
Planning officer Bob Burden stated that the council was satisfied Langton and McGill are Travellers who journey around the country selling items made on-site. He emphasized that the council cannot provide enough spaces for Gypsies and Travellers on its own sites, and the impact on the landscape is negligible due to tree cover and distance from other properties.
Clunes did not speak at the meeting, but his barrister, John Steel KC, insisted the pair are not "statutory" Travellers and had refused offers of other pitches. Steel argued that allowing them to stay would set a precedent, potentially encouraging others to bypass planning processes in Dorset. Two neighbours also objected, warning that granting permission could lead to more encampments in the area.
Support for the Couple and Broader Implications
Support for Langton and McGill was louder, with community members highlighting their volunteer work and art workshops. The Rev Jonathan Herbert, a chaplain to Gypsies and Travellers, praised their off-grid, low-carbon lifestyle as an example. The couple's agent, Simon Rushton, argued that the case is about the right to lead different lifestyles, stating, "There is room in our communities for difference."
A detailed report on the saga covered various aspects, from festival attendance to toilet arrangements. The vote in favour of Langton and McGill passed seven to two. After the meeting, Abbie Kirkby of Friends, Families and Travellers noted the scarcity of sites for Gypsy and Traveller families, highlighting the challenges they face in finding safe and peaceful places to live on their own land.
This decision underscores ongoing tensions in rural planning and the rights of Traveller communities, with implications for property disputes and local governance in England.
