Martin Clunes embroiled in planning row over bid for travellers’ site next to his home

Martin Clunes has ramped up his planning row with his hippie neighbours (Image: Martin Clunes/PA)

The TV actor has spent two years trying to stop New Age Travellers Theo Langton and Ruth McGill turning a woodland plot where they have a caravan into an official travellers’ site.

The land is around 300 yards from the £5m farmhouse where the Doc Martin star lives with wife Philippa Braithwaite.

Mr Clunes, 63, has previously accused his neighbours of being dishonest in their application to Dorset Council for permanent status.

He has also disputed whether Mr Langton and Ms McGill are bona fide travellers and therefore have a right to a base there.

Now his barrister has rubbished the couple’s gypsy and traveller status, saying they have failed to prove they travel for their livelihood.

Under planning law, gypsies or travellers must leave their main base to travel to earn a living.

Mr Langton and Ms McGill have said that they sell handmade crafts at fairs and festivals, including Glastonbury, throughout the summer months.

They have relied on expert evidence submitted by Dr Simon Rushton, a chartered town planner who has worked on gypsy and traveller planning matters for 15 years.

Dr Rushton has stated: “I have reached the view that their travelling linked to their livelihood is sufficiently well-established to demonstrate that they have acquired a nomadic habit of life. They are travellers for the purposes of planning policy.”

But the Clunes’ barrister has issued a withering response to this.

Writing to Dorset Council, which will ultimately rule on the application, John Steel KC said: “The applicants must prove that there is an economic connection between the travelling and the means whereby the persons concerned make or seek their livelihood.

“They rely on very few facts. The sole one which is quantified is that they state that they travel each year in their vehicle to between 9-10 festivals and fairs in the UK, and 5 over 2 months in Portugal and Spain.

“However, there is no quantitative economic information whatsoever provided by the applicants including where, how and what income is obtained to support their livelihood.

“The facts of this case lead to the clear conclusion that they cannot be within the definition of gypsies and travellers.”

The Clunes’ bought 130 acre Meerhay Farm near Beaminster, Dorset, from Mr Langton’s mother, the landscape gardener Georgia Langton, in 2007.

Mr Langton bought his next door plot from his mother and has lived in a 45ft by 16ft static caravan for 21 years on a rolling temporary licence granted by the local council.

He and his partner survive without running water or electricity and use a compost toilet.

They now want to make it permanent and add two spaces for travelling caravans so family and friends can visit.

Government policy defines a travellers’ site as having space for mobile homes, caravans and utility buildings.

The definition for a mobile home is that is a structure that can be divided into two parts and picked up and moved on the back of a 40ft trailer.

Mr Clunes has previously accused his neighbours of ‘cynically distorting’ these guidelines by saying their home was capable of being moved.

The Clunes’ also claim their neighbours’ settlement is causing harm to the protected landscape that is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr Steel said: “Harm is being caused to the National Landscape and the policies for its protection would be breached, as has been demonstrated in the planning reports submitted on behalf of Mr and Mrs Clunes.

“The position is the same - the development is unlawful and unacceptable in planning terms.”

Mr Langton and Ms McGill have plenty of local support for their case, with several people writing letters in their favour.

Neighbour Paul Brader said: “They should not have to go through the stress and worry of having to re-apply every few years, it is nonsensical when they have been there for so long and without causing any problems to anyone else.”

Betty Billington said: “The main objector (Mr Clunes) bought his property knowing that this family already occupied the land for residential use.

“The couple are classed as Travellers for planning purposes as per government ruling, they regularly go travelling for work, as they have always done for many years.

“I can see no reason why they should not be able to carry on living on the land which is causing NO problem to anyone.”

Beaminster Town Council has also told Dorset Council the couple’s application for permanent travellers’ site should be approved.

A Dorset Council planning officer has recommended it be approved but it is now up to the planning committee to decide at a future date.