Huge increase in applications for new campsites as 'staycationers' flock to Dorset

And for the first time since the 1800s the county is likely to have more shepherd’s huts than when countryside accommodation was needed for those tending flocks.

A rush of planning applications has included yurts, glamping pods, safari tents and tepees.

The bad news is that not all of them are likely to be decided within Dorset Council’s eight-week target.

Many of the applications have been for temporary sites and while most are small-scale will collectively add up to hundreds of additional spaces for people to sleep.

Some of the sites have no need to apply for formal planning permission if they are to be used for less than 56 days - doubled what it used to be after the Government relaxed the rules to help the economy recover from the pandemic.

A rotting shepherd's hut recently went for £16,000 at auction

Dorset Council says it currently has nine planning applications currently under consideration for camping or glamping sites across the Dorset Council area, which includes a mix of applications, with some being for temporary permission for the next few years, others for seasonal use over the summer period only.

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“Our target timescales for determining these applications would usually be 8 weeks but we do unfortunately currently have delays in validating applications which are affecting our decision timescales,” said a spokesman.

Under current rules temporary use of land for camping generally has permitted development rights, so formal planning permission is often not required.

The council offers a fast-track business advice service and would encourage businesses to make use of this if they need prompt advice over planning requirements.

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Recenty considered applications include – Woodfrys Farm, Redmans Lane, Melbury Abbas, eco-friendly campsite for maximum of ten pitches;  Lyde Hill Farm, Stour Provost, use of site for five camping pods; New House Farm, Mangerton Lane, Bridport, five camping pods and a wash hut; Peckmoor Farm, Henley, three holiday lodges; Greenfields, Middlemarsh, four shepherd’s huts; Ranmoor, Thornicombe, six glamping pods; Flintlock Farm, Old Sherborne Road, Cerne Abbas, exempted camp site for a maximum of five units; Portland Bunkhouse, Higher Light, conversion of storage building to holiday accommodation; Lower Abbots Wootton Farm, Abbotts Wooton Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine, notification of certified caravan site; Manor Farm Holiday Centre, The Street, Charmouth, demolish old toilets to provide new area for two additional caravans.

Other application and notifications include - Moor Farm, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, notification of temporary holiday site; Weymouth Rugby Club, temporary site for up to 150 tents and caravans July 20th to August 13th; PGL Holiday Park, Shortlake Lane, Osmington – use site for camping June 24th to July 4th;  Monkton Wylde Farm touring site, temporary holiday site June 29th to July 20th;  Purcombe Farm, Whitechurch Canonicorum, application for exempted camp site; Manor Yard, Symondsbury, change of use for camping and siting eight bell tents; East Shilvinghampton Farm, Portesham, extension of existing camping business; Church Farm Bungalow, Yellow Lane, Loders, use of land for camping and storage of caravans; Ash Farm, Okeford to Shaston Road, Stourpaine, use land for shepherd’s hut holiday accommodation; Land adjacent to Brook Cottage, Brook Street, Shipton Gorge, use of land for siting holiday caravan; Land East of Frome Lane, Frome Vauchurch, use site for caravans and erection of associated wc and wash facilities; Town Hill Farm, Town Hill, Frampton, additional site for storage of caravans, motorhomes and boats.