An outline application was made in April 2019 but the developers appealed last year on grounds of “non-determination” by Dorset Council. The planning team there have been hard pressed to make planning decisions within the statutory period due to the extra demands of working from home during COVID-19. The village, their Parish Council and the Charlton Marshall Action Group fought a hard campaign to stop this development as the retention of the northern settlement boundary was deemed essential to retain its character as a village, and prevent its coalescence with Blandford St Mary, and thus Blandford. Dorset CPRE provided financial support for the action group’s Transport Consultant to appear at the Appeal, while North Dorset CPRE gave active advice over these two years.

The Inspector stated that the appeal “would conflict with the spatial strategy for the area, would result in unsustainable travel patterns and a reliance on the use of the private car, would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and the setting of the Grade II listed Old Dairy Cottage”. It is excellent news.

Rupert Hardy

Chairman, North Dorset CPRE