PLANNING chiefs in Purbeck have ruled against proposals for a new campsite on green belt land which wanted to offer upmarket ‘glamping’ to visitors.

The applicant Lee Allcock, of Newton Farmhouse, Lytchett Minster, wanted to create the camping and caravan site on existing agricultural land.

However, Purbeck District Council’s (PDC) planning board refused the scheme as "it would be harmful to the appearance and character of the landscape" and "harm the setting of the nearby listed building"

A report on the plans for the campsite and associated buildings, written by planning officer Steve Boyt for members of the planning committee before their decision, recommended members refuse the scheme.

Only one person, Andrew Powell, of Clay Cottage, Wareham Road, registered objections before the district planning board met to discuss the campsite.

Mr Powell said the scheme represented "more overcrowding of the area."

Plans for the campsite, which is within the green belt, included a 15.5 metres long reception and shop, a games and laundry building, WC and shower block, bicycle storage and additional bin stores.

Mr Allcock had also proposed two groups of timber glamping pods, one at the north-eastern corner of the site and one at the southern end.

In the report to PDC’s planning committee, Mr Boyt said: "The council considers that the proposed change of use of the land from agricultural to use as a campsite (for tents and caravans) and the proposed operational development associated with such a change of use constitutes inappropriate development which is harmful to the green belt."