Film director Guy Ritchie has ignited a bitter dispute with neighbours after securing planning permission to convert staff accommodation into two holiday apartments at his historic Compton Abbas Airfield in Dorset. The airfield, which already features a Texas-style smokehouse restaurant and offers flight training, is now set to offer overnight stays for visitors, prompting accusations from locals that Ritchie is attempting to create an 'aviation theme park'.
Neighbours Voice Strong Opposition
Christopher Dymond, a neighbour, told the Daily Mail: 'Compton Abbas Airfield, until recently, was a polite small grass airfield run for local flying enthusiasts and was managed carefully to reflect the incredibly sensitive location and the proximity of local villages. The airfield now is run on a much more commercial basis and largely by stealth is morphing into an aviation theme park with numerous events, shows and visitor attractions. Often, on a summer weekend, entering your garden is like walking onto a WW2 film set with noisy historic aircraft constantly flying overhead.'
Philip Cayford, a neighbour and member of the Compton Abbas Airfield Monitoring Group, raised concerns that the approval of accommodation would 'constitute one further step in the commercial development of one of the most sensitive rural landscapes in southern England'.
Planning Permission Approved Despite Concerns
Planning Officer Jamie Francis argued that there were no reasons to reject the planning application. He stated: 'The owner has been open that they are seeking to generate additional income streams for the airfield, which would have personal gain, but this is also considered to bring economic benefits to the area. A condition has been applied to ensure that the accommodation is used for short term lets only and not for permanent residential accommodation. The conversion of one unit of staff accommodation and one office unit to two units of holiday accommodation is considered acceptable. Therefore, the Council see no reason to refuse the application on this basis.'
Accommodation Already Being Advertised
The Compton Abbas Airfield website is already advertising the holiday lets, stating: 'Coming soon... your airfield stay! Check in at the Top of the Hill. Perched above the bustling activity of Compton Abbas Airfield, our comfortable accommodation offers unrivalled views across the rolling countryside of North Dorset, and the spectacular landscapes of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.' Visitors are expected to enjoy a 'front row seat' to watch light aircraft come and go. The accommodation is described as combining 'contemporary comfort within vintage styling' and is currently open for registration for provisional bookings.
