A PURBECK farm has been told it will have to go through the full planning process if it wants to change the use of agricultural buildings for recreation uses, including festivals.

Knoll Farm at Soldiers Road, Norden has asked to use the two barns under permitted development rights, avoiding the need for a full planning application.

Dorset Council planning officers have ruled that the route is not appropriate and if the farm wants to go ahead will have to apply under the usual planning process, which will open the application to greater public scrutiny.

The site has been used for camping and small festivals in the past, a use which the owners say is likely to continue, using the Government’s 60-day rules for ‘pop-up’ campsite.

Arne parish council and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team objected to the changes to the barns saying it was likely to have a negative effect on the surrounding sensitive natural environment and nearby residents.

The parish says the site is surrounded on three side by the country’s only Super National Nature Reserve.

Parish councillors said they were also concerned about the inadequate access to the site, along a single-track road, and the risk of fire if visitors were allowed to use barbecues and fire pits.

Full details of the application, together with the views of 16 people who are against it, and ten who wrote in favour, can be seen on the Dorset Council website using the reference below.

P/PAAF/2024/03670 : Knoll Farm Soldiers Road Norden. The change of use of two agricultural buildings to a use comprising outdoor sport or recreation (Class F.2c) under Schedule 2, Part 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 otherwise known as Class R permitted development rights. Prior Approval Refused.

Pics Knoll Farm campsite. TB Farm location Farm site from the air. Google.