Martin Clunes Loses Planning Battle as Dorset Council Backs Travellers' Stay
Martin Clunes and his wife attended a meeting in Dorchester on Thursday, where the decision went against them in a long-running planning dispute. The actor, known for his role in the recent Wuthering Heights adaptation, had objected to a family of new travellers living near their Dorset home, but councillors voted to allow the couple to remain on their land.
Council Vote Overrules Actor's Objections
Earlier this month, Martin Clunes was on a red carpet in London for the UK premiere of Wuthering Heights, but on Thursday, he was in the less glamorous setting of a county hall in the English West Country. Dorset council members voted 7-2 to grant permanent planning permission to Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, who have lived on a plot of land near Clunes' home for over 20 years. The site includes a caravan, workshop, and mobile van used for travelling to festivals to sell art, jewellery, and metalwork.
Clunes and his wife, TV producer Philippa Braithwaite, argued that the couple are not entitled to live there and do not qualify as statutory Travellers under the law. Over the years, there have been accusations that the Langton and McGill home negatively impacts the countryside and poses health risks due to the lack of mains water.
Arguments For and Against the Planning Application
At the meeting, planning officer Bob Burden stated that the council was satisfied Langton and McGill are Travellers who journey around the country selling their crafts. He noted the council cannot provide enough spaces for Gypsies and Travellers on its own sites and that the impact on the landscape is negligible, as the spot is largely hidden by trees and far from nearby properties.
Clunes did not speak, but his barrister, John Steel KC, argued that the pair are not statutory Travellers and have refused other pitch offers. He warned that allowing them to stay could set a precedent, encouraging others to bypass planning processes in Dorset. Two neighbours also objected, expressing concerns about opening the gates to more encampments and citing new setups like a foraging business in the woods.
However, support for the couple was stronger. Langton has done volunteer work in the community, and both have run art workshops. The Rev Jonathan Herbert, a chaplain to Gypsies and Travellers, praised their off-grid, low-carbon lifestyle as an example. Their agent, Simon Rushton, emphasised the right to lead different lives, stating, "There is room in our communities for difference."
Broader Implications and Community Impact
A lengthy report on the case covered various topics, from the festivals the couple attends, such as Glastonbury and Boomtown, to their toilet arrangements using charcoal and sawdust. After the vote, Abbie Kirkby of Friends, Families and Travellers highlighted the scarcity of sites for Gypsy and Traveller families across the country. She said, "This uncertainty takes a heavy toll on families who are simply trying to live safely and peacefully on land they own."
The decision underscores ongoing challenges in planning policy and local government, balancing property rights with community diversity in rural areas like Dorset.
