AN application to double the season at the “Bincombe Bumps” campsite on the outskirts of Weymouth has been withdrawn.

It follows concerns being raised about the impact of the camp site on the scheduled ancient burial mounds.

The site owners had asked permission to open 56 days each year – double the time currently allowed under planning law.

An application from Mr Joseph Foot to Dorset Council asked for a change of use from agriculture to a pop-up campsite at the eight-hectare Caius Copse site at Bincombe Hill.

Mr Foot said the site provided work for one permanent member of staff and four part-timers.

Using previous Covid regulations it had opened for 56 days but with the lapsing of the legislation is now back to 28 days, closing at the end of August.

In response to questions about the application being withdrawn and whether it might be re-submitted, the campsite said they did not wish to comment.

Concerns about the longer use had been submitted to Dorset Council from Historic England, the Weymouth Civic Society and Winterborne Farringdon parish council.

The parish said that while it was not opposed to farm diversification “this should not be to the detriment of the integrity of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or scheduled ancient monuments.”

It said it was also concerned about the likelihood of increased traffic through Bincombe.

The Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty team said in its submission : “The applicant is known to the AONB as a responsible landowner who has been an active participant in projects that have sought to conserve and enhance the special landscape of which they are custodians. However, despite this positive background, it is very difficult to support the change of use, primarily due to the high sensitivity of the site and the absence of substantive counterbalancing landscape enhancements (notwithstanding the biodiversity mitigation measures). Overall, it is not possible to conclude that permitting the use of this site for an extended period of camping would conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the AONB.

“The AONB Team would be happy to explore opportunities for other less sensitive locations within the wider landholding, should the applicant wish to consider other options for diversification.”

Historic England said that it too had concerns about the longer use, while Highways officers asked for more details including scaled drawings of the road junction.

Said Weymouth Civic Society: “Our particular concern is that the close presence of campsite facilities, as well as visitors’ tents, is seriously harming to the setting of this historic group of ancient burial locations, which should be respected for this significance and their antiquity. Should camping continue on this particular site, we would suggest that a broad width of land closest to Bincombe Bumps should be kept strictly clear of any campsite uses, particularly toilets, but also catering facilities, tents or vehicles.

“We have some concerns also in relation to access of camping site visitors to the ancient monument area, since the doubling of the allowed time to 56 days permanently must also be expected to double footfall on and around the barrows, with direct access allowed from the camp site.”

The Bincombe Bumps campsite was first opened in the summer of 2020 with the site having a temporary office, toilet and shower block, sink washing facilities and loos brought onto the land for the season and then removed.

It also had a cookhouse, bar and food and drinks outlet with local musicians and other entertainers previously performing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

The business is currently advertising holiday spots for up to 99 tents and camper vans for the forthcoming season - and bosts a 98per cent satisfaction rating and positive reviews on its website.