An Enforcement Public Inquiry appeal is anticipated in the coming months; details are to be confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate. As part of the inquiry the Planning Inspector will consider whether planning permission should be granted for the works that are the subject of the Enforcement Notice. An Environmental Statement has been submitted in support of the appeal which can be viewed here:
Gundrys Farm School Lane, Three Legged Cross, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 6RU
Use of the Land for the stationing of caravans (with and without awnings), motorhomes, campervans, trailer-tents and tents for the purposes of human habitation.
Use of the Land for the storage of caravans
Associated development comprising:
i. toilet and shower blocks including associated decking and fencing;
ii. electrical hook-up equipment;
iii. fire hydrants;
iv. water / waste water facilities
v. location signs
You can make comments online at Planning Inspectorate Appeals Casework Portal using reference 3313965.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can send them to Case Officer: Tracy Warry
Address : The Planning Inspectorate, C/O Quadient, 69 Buckingham Avenue, Slough SL1 4PN
The contact for Dorset Council appeals administration is Tracey Webley:
Appeal reference number APP/D1265/C/22/3313965.
Please use application reference P/EIA/2026/04147 to view the application and all associated documents on the online planning register.
An appeal by Royale Parks (Dorset) Limited has been made to the Secretary of State against an enforcement notice issued by Dorset Council on 30 October 2020.
It appears to the Council that the above breach of planning control has occurred in the last ten years and as such is not immune to enforcement by virtue of section 171B(3) of the Act.
The presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply for the unauthorised development in this location unless an appropriate assessment has concluded that the project will not adversely affect the integrity of the nearby habitats sites. No such assessment has concluded this is the case.
The location, scale and distribution of the unauthorised development fails to conform to the settlement hierarchy. The unauthorised development is considered as a whole to erode the site’s openness and as such undermines the Green Belt’s essential characteristics increases visitor pressure on the Dorset Heaths and in the absence of any possible or appropriate mitigation the unauthorised development is not acceptable.
The site also lies within a 400m to 5km distance of a number of other protected heathland sites, including other parts of Holt and West Moors Heath SSSI to the north of the site and other protected habitats in the area. The unauthorised development is considered of a type that would have the same impacts as a C3 Residential use, which would not be appropriate in this location, and, therefore, the unauthorised development is not acceptable in this location.
The potential noise, impact upon residential amenity, general disturbance, traffic generation, unlawful works and unauthorised use are considered contrary to policy. The unauthorised development has a harmful impact on the amenity of the area.
Whilst this business site makes a positive contribution to the local rural economy through tourism (many local attractions), such a use of land must not cause harm to the openness of the Green Belt nor have adverse impacts on sensitive habitats. The unauthorised use increases visitor pressure on the Dorset Heaths and in the absence of any possible or appropriate mitigation the development would be contrary to adopted policies.
The unauthorised development is therefore considered contrary to: Policies HE2, HE3,
KS1, KS2, KS3, ME1, ME2, PC4 and PC6 of the Core Strategy; Saved Policy TODEV2 of
the East Dorset Local Plan 2002; policies 84, 137, 148, 149, 174 to and including 182 and 185 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Dorset Heathlands Planning
Framework 2020-2025.
Whilst the imposition of conditions may mitigate some of the harmful impacts identified it is considered that planning permission would not be granted for the unauthorised development as conditions could not overcome all the adverse impacts identified above.
A. Cease* the use of the Land for the stationing of caravans (with and without awnings), motorhomes, campervans, trailer-tents and tents for the purposes of human habitation
*This notice does not affect any existing use rights or uses that are not development of land or any applicable permitted development under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
B. Cease the use of the Land for the storage of caravans
C. Demolish and remove from the Land, all:
i. toilet and shower blocks including associated decking and fencing;
ii. electrical hook-up equipment;
iii. fire hydrants;
iv. water / waste water facilities
v. location signs
Ground (a) That planning permission should be granted
Ground (b) That the breach of planning control alleged in the Enforcement Notice has not occurred as a matter of fact
Ground (c) That there has not been a breach of planning control
Ground (d) That, at the time the Enforcement Notice was issued, it was too late to take enforcement action
Ground (f) The steps required to comply with the requirements of the Notice are excessive
Ground (g) That the time given to comply with the Notice is too short
An Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will hold an Inquiry to decide the appeal. Details will be published once received. Members of the public may attend the Inquiry and, at the Inspector’s discretion, express their views.
An Inquiry is the most formal of the appeal procedures. It usually involves larger or more complicated appeals. These are often cases where expert evidence is presented and witnesses are cross-examined (questioned). It is not a court of law, but the proceedings will often seem to be quite similar. Inquiries are open to members of the public, and although you do not have a legal right to speak, the Inspector will normally allow you to do so.
You can get a copy of one of the Planning Inspectorate’s Guide to taking part in planning appeals booklets free of charge online.
Anyone wishing to participate in the inquiry, must make their interest known to the Planning Inspectorate Case Officer as soon as possible prior to the inquiry, either by email or telephone after reading the inquiry attendance information set out in the full site notice.
The decision on the appeal will be published on the Planning Inspectorate's website.
We will endeavour to post any relevant news or updates, however, please contact the Planning Inspectorate if you have any queries.
