Controversial Dorset 'refugee village' plans go to appeal

Around a hundred letters were received by the time public comments on the application closed at the end of August – most against the idea although a few had written in support.

Many feared the Deer Park Farm application, on the western edge of the town, could set a precedent for housing on the site.

Others were worried about the potential for the site to flood and the lack of facilities in the town to deal with what some claimed could be at least 160 extra people.

Said Jane Bray: “Blandford does not have the amenities to support this application. The doctors surgeries, hospitals, schools etc are already full to overflowing!!”

Another objector spoke about ‘unsavoury people’ living on the site putting the “safety and security of our children into jeopardy should this be allowed to go ahead.”

Others complained it would ruin the character of Blandford and eventually result in housing on the land.

Bryanston (RFE) Ltd and the Rothemere Foundation, with agents Savills, have now lodged a formal request for the application to be decided by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than Dorset Council which had not come to a conclusion on the proposal.

The appeal documents say the 40 caravan application, for five years only, which would have also seen the conversion of a redundant building to an amenity block and community area, would have been “relatively out of sight from public view”, providing homes for Ukraine refugees.

It says the reason for the decision to appeal is that Dorset Council failed to decide the application within an eight-week period.

The appeal application ask for an Inspector to visit the area to see the relationship between the site and the town but says that the decision could be reached through written representations, without the need for a hearing or inquiry in public.

Said a statement from Savilles on behalf of the applicants: “This application has been prompted by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, as a result of the ongoing conflict.

The fighting in this region has displaced many people, with many forced to flee their homes, including families with children. Many of these refugees have fled west to other European countries such as Poland, as well as some to the United Kingdom, seeking a temporary home away from the fighting.

“It is the intention of the applicants to respond to this crisis through providing aid and safe housing to some of those impacted by the conflict. As such, this proposal seeks to station caravans temporarily on land within the control of The Bryanston Estate at Deer Park Farm. Additionally, it is hoped that by providing accommodation on the edge of an existing thriving, sustainable settlement, that the refugees can be welcomed into the community and take advantage of the existing facilities, employment opportunities and amenities already present within the town.”

When the initial application was lodged Blandford Council said it feared the proposed development, adjoining the sports field at The Blandford School, could ultimately lead to permanent housing on the site- which has been rejected in the past.

Access to the town from the site was proposed Deer Park Lane, Whitecliff Mill Lane and Milldown Street.

Dorset Council leader Spencer Flower, responding to a question, told a council meeting last year that he would not support the idea of having designated housing for any particular group of people.

Cllr Byron Quayle had asked if it was the council’s policy to support large developments being created to house people from the Ukraine.

“It was my understanding that we wanted these people to come into our communities and be part of our communities and not ushered off into single developments as is being proposed in Blandford,” he said at the time.

Illustration – Site of the proposed refugee homes