Wuthering Heights actor Martin Clunes has lost a four-year-long battle to prohibit the building of a permanent travellers’ site right next to his home in Beaminster, Dorset.
The 64-year-old star of the beloved Doc Martin TV series and some of his nearby neighbours have been protesting plans that would permit the erection of a camp on woodland close to his country residence.
Put forward by Theo Langton, 56, and Ruth McGill, 51, the development was backed by the Dorset council planning committee, who have since voted to approve their application. Planning officer Bob Burgen said that there was a “growing and significant unmet need for sites”. He added: “We simply cannot find sufficient sites for gypsies and travellers”
Ruth and Theo have been living inside a small mobile home on a temporary license about 300 yards away from the actor’s home that he has shared with his wife, TV producer Philippa Braithwaite, since 2007.
They have been situated on the land in the mobile home since 2003 and officially applied to make their status permanent in 2022. The documents reportedly included requests to make space for the mobile home and a mobile van, a touring caravan and permission to erect a “modest” barn that was intended to be used as a workshop.
A losing battle
It was revealed that, after consideration of the individuals’ traveller status was completed, planning officers granted permission for two residential caravans on the site.
It was concluded that Ruth and Theo were travellers and their presence on the sight would cause “no unacceptable overlooking privacy issues with this scheme in my view”.
Planning and property lawyer John Steel KC represented the Cluneses and was reported to have said: “The strong message will be that those with similar lifestyles can get round the planning system in Dorset.
“To grant a permanent planning permission would be unlawful, undermine planning policy and be wholly unfair to law-abiding residents.”
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockAn agent for the applicants, Simon Rushton, revealed that Ruth and Theo had received 47 letters of support for their permanent status on the land and had gained the backing of the town council.
The actor claimed their being on the land would cause harm to the natural, protected landscape that was in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He responded to a report submitted to the committee with a statement labelling Ruth and Theo as “New Age travellers”.
He wrote: “It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up.”
Martin’s estate
The actor and his wife’s idyllic farmhouse is on 130 acres of land and they have been known to loan their space for community events in the local area. Martin’s farm has been previously used to host a special fair to raise funds for the Dorset hospital.
Dubbed the Buckham Fair, it has been running since 2009 and has raised over £500k for charity in the past. Visitors shared the grounds of the estate with the actor’s farm animals that include horses, Shetland ponies, dogs, 50 Dexter cattle, sheep and hens.
The star previously opened up about his unique life away from the glitz and glamour of showbiz in London and told the Daily Express: “It’s my favourite place in the world.”
“I can go for weeks without leaving the farm. I like being connected to the seasons in a real way. Making hay, worrying about the grass, watching the leaves come and go, caring for the animals.”
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