CAMPSITE operators, and those hoping to set up sites, are applying early to Dorset Council for the 2025 season.

Several sites were refused consent in 2023 and 2024, often because of planning rules to protect areas where rivers and streams run into Poole Harbour, a RAMSAR designated site.

In other cases similar environmental  considerations came into play as Dorset Council followed Environment Agency guidelines to protect the county’s heathland and other Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Near Tolpuddle a campsite at Shakes Hole, Southover has won consent for the continuing use of up to 10 fixed safari style tents and 5 caravans with the retention of a facilities blocks and raised decking, together with the building of a multi-purpose building for storage and use as a meeting room.

Neighbours had objected to the use of the area and claimed that the narrow road access to the site is inadequate, presenting a risk to walkers and horse-riders from traffic travelling to and from the camping area.

Among the new applications decided by Dorset Council is a 60-day pop up campsite off Fleet Lane, Chickerell which has been approved.

The same number of days over two periods at Ringstead Farm is being requested while a change of use application to camping has been lodged farnland off Chalky Road, Broadmayne.

On Brownsea Island a certificate of lawful use is being requested by the National Trust for two areas of camping for up to a total of 200 people at any one time, taking place between Easter Friday and 30 September each year.

One of the early holiday applications to be refused is a request for a certificate of lawful use at the established Oathill Farm Holiday and Touring Park near Drimpton in West Dorset.

The refusal over changes to the way the site wants to operate is based around the council’s interpretation of a 2008 planning consent and technical and legal arguments over definitions used in that consent.

The decision will not alter the current and continuing operation of the site, but may curtail proposed future changes. The operators have an option of appealing the council decision.

Current new applications - P/PARC/2024/05986 : Dewflock Farm Winterborne Monkton Dorchester DT2 8NP. Notification of intention to hold camping on site for a maximum of 50 tents 23-26 May, 18-20 July, 25-27 July,1-3 August, 8-10 August, 14-17 August and 22-24 August 2025 (23 days).

P/HABR/2024/06156 : Ringstead Farm Ringstead Dorchester DT2 8NF. Notification of intention to hold temporary camp site from 23 May to 9 June and 22 July to 1 September 2025 for 60 days P/VOC/2024/06128 : Chalk Meadow Chalky Road Broadmayne DT2 8PJ. Retain change of use of agricultural land to a mixed-use of agriculture and camping restricted to 58 days in any calendar year together with laying hardstanding and installation of dirty water disposal system and the retention of associated structures to include W/C, shower and wash facilities( with variation to condition 3 of planning permission P/FUL/2022/05619 to allow for campervans less than 6 metres in length to be permitted) P/CLE/2024/05303 : Brownsea Island Outdoor Centre & Campsite Brownsea Island Poole  BH15 1EF. Use of land as outdoor activity centre and campsite (red line area), including two areas for tented camping (green lined areas) with the camping being for up to a total of 200 persons at any one time and taking place between Easter Friday and 30 September each calendar year.

Decided recent application P/HABR/2024/04874 : Manor Farm High Street Burton Bradstock DT6 4QA: Event 1 (Ref: HS1597/2025): Dates inclusive of 10/06/25 to 8/07/25. Maximum number of Units (Caravans/Motorhomes/Trailer Tents Only) is 90 per night. Event 2 (Ref: HS1565/2025): Dates inclusive of 30/07/25 to 27/08/25. Maximum number of Units (Caravans/Motorhomes/Trailer Tents Only) is 150 per night. Granted P/HABR/2024/06110 : 5 Fleet Lane Chickerell DT3 4DF: 60 day pop up camping between 4th July 2025 and 2nd September 2025 at Seaview Farm, Fleet Lane, Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4DF. 50 pitches. Granted P/FUL/2023/00974 : Max Events Land at Shakes Hole Southover Farm Access Road Tolpuddle. Continued use of site for camping (for up to 10. fixed safari style tents & 5 no. caravans) & retention of facilities blocks and raised decking. Erection of multi-purpose building for storage and meeting room. Granted.

P/HABR/2024/01104 : Cokers Frome Farm Cokers Frome DT2 7SD. Regulation 77 Habitats application for permission for up to 100 public campervans at the Dorset Balloon Festival. Response Given.

P/CLP/2024/04070 : Oathill Farm Holiday and Touring Park Oathill Farm Lane To Oathill Farm Oathill. Certificate of lawfulness proposed - Use of redundant farm buildings to holiday accommodation, ancillary facilities and function room; change of use of land to camping and caravanning (comprising 7 tents, 14 touring caravans and 65 holiday static caravans): form terraced camping/caravan pitches; retain static caravans (3 for holiday accommodation and 2no. for washing/toilet facilities) and construct two ponds. Make alterations to vehicular access and driveway. Refused.