Martin Clunes hits out at neighbours in row over static caravan

Martin Clunes has accused his neighbours of being 'cynical and dishonest' in the latest salvo in his long-running war over their static caravan. 

The Men Behaving Badly star, 62, was last month dealt a blow in his fight against a traveller site near his £3 million home. 

Self-proclaimed 'new age travellers' Theo Langton and Ruth McGill's plans to convert a static caravan 300ft from Mr Clunes' 130-acre Dorset farm were recommended for approval by Beaminster town council.

But the row has now escalated further with the TV star writing a furious email to the local planning authority to accuse the couple of being 'cynical and dishonest' in describing their home as 'mobile'.   

Mr Langton and Miss McGill have lived on a woodland plot they own for 21 years without running water or electricity.

In that time they have repeatedly been granted a temporary licence to stay on the site and have become popular members of the rural community.

Two years ago they applied for permanent permission to carry on living there by having the plot recognised as a travellers' site.

As well as their 45ft long 'mobile' home, the site would have space for two travelling caravans so family and friends can visit.

Mr Clunes, famed for playing the grumpy GP in Doc Martin, has objected to the plan and wants to see the site cleared.

He and his TV producer wife Philippa Braithewaite say the land is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a travellers' site is wholly inappropriate for the sensitive landscape.

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They have previously questioned whether Mr Langton and Ms McGill are 'bona fide' travellers and therefore do not have the right to a base there.

Mr Clunes has now fired off a furious email to the local planning authority claiming there is nothing mobile about Mr Langton's and Ms McGill's caravan.

Government policy stipulates that a travellers' site should provide space for mobile homes, caravans and utility buildings, as well as parking for people who lead a nomadic lifestyle.

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

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

Rather than be divided into two parts he claims the structure is in hundreds of pieces that would take two weeks to dismantle.

He also claims it would be impossible for a 40ft trailer to negotiate three 90 degree turns on country lanes leading to the site near Beaminster, Dorset.

Mr Clunes rubbished an engineer's report which Mr Langton and Ms McGill submitted to support their case.

The actor said: 'To rely on the findings as evidence that the structure is a mobile home is an attempt to distort the definition of the guidelines.

'It is my belief that this building lacks any ability to be mobile and was not constructed with any intention of mobility and to describe it as a mobile home is cynical and dishonest.'

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His planning agent has also stated that the only reason Dorset Council gave Mr Langton and Ms McGill a temporary licence to live on the site was to give them time to look for a more suitable location elsewhere.

He added: 'The use on a temporary or permanent basis remains inappropriate.'

But Mr Clunes is facing overwhelming opposition in his bid to stop the plans. A Dorset Council planning officer has recommended they be approved but this needs to be voted on at a future meeting.

Mr Langton and Ms McGill are thought to be regarded as valued members of the community who volunteer for multiple initiatives.

Their way of living has drawn high praise from many locals who say their encampment is unobtrusive and sustainable.

Villagers have made barbed comments towards 'protagonist' Mr Clunes who they have accused of drawing out the process over two years.

They point out that Mr Langton and Ms McGill have been there for far longer than Mr Clunes, who bought 130-acre Higher Meerhay Farm from Mr Langton's mother, the celebrated landscape gardener Georgia Langton, in 2007.

Katkin Tremanye said: 'The planning process has been excessively long for this family, much, much longer than it should have been.

'It has been drawn out in every way possible by one single protagonist when there was, and continues to be, overwhelming community support for this couple.'

In another passive-aggressive comment apparently aimed at Mr Clunes, local Emma Gale said: 'I can't imagine how it must feel for them to have their home so precariously balanced due to the opinion of a neighbour.'

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.

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'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.'

Local farmer Mark Rainbow said: 'It is not an application for a terrifying and damaging intrusion on the land and their distant neighbour, as has been put forward by the protagonist of this long-drawn-out process.'

Mr Langton bought his plot of land from his mother. He and his partner survive without running water or electricity and use a compost toilet.

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.'

Several people have also come forward to state the family were legitimate travellers who spend their summer months travelling and selling handmade crafts at fairs and events, including Glastonbury.

But Mr Clunes is not alone in objecting to the planning application.

Dinah Clarke, who lives at nearby Meerhay Manor, said: 'Many people in Dorset would love to develop their own land to accommodate their own families but come up against strict planning permission especially in AONBs.

'Mr Langton has questionable New Age Traveller status and should therefore be subject to the same planning rules as anyone else seeking to develop their own land.'

Retired chartered surveyor James Green said: 'I am very concerned if this application is granted it will stimulate many further applications.

'There are many young people in West Dorset, keeping an eye on this application, who cannot afford to buy a property to live in, or even rent one. Obtaining a piece of land, and setting up as a NAT will be easy to achieve given the only test is to travel in search of seasonal employment or summer shows and festivals.'

Villager Richard Fodder said: 'This proposal is generally inappropriate for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has specific challenges including access to the site and the lack of basic services required for permanent residence and the protection of the environment.'

Dorset Council has not yet set a date for when members will meet to vote on the planning application.