PLANNING chiefs have deferred judgement on proposals submitted for a popular Purbeck attraction.

Putlake Adventure Farm owners want to use part of their Langton Matravers site as a car park, and set up a new campsite for use between Easter and the end of October.

They also want restrictions lifted on the site shop, so it can be used as a replacement shop and post office for when Langton Matravers' existing village store closes.

Currently the shop at Putlake Farm, which is restricted to 10am-5pm opening hours, can only be used as a pet and garden centre.

Purbeck District Council's (PDC) planning board had been due to debate the issue at a meeting on Wednesday (April 26), but this was deferred so a site visit can take place.

A PDC spokesman explained this site visit will enable members to "assess the impact of the campsite on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)" and obtain further information of the provision of shower facilities. On the shop issue, committee members want to consider planning conditions that would link the proposed shop, on site, to general retail and post office use.

In January planning permission was granted by PDC to allow the current village store and post office in Langton Matravers to change to residential use.

While a number of residents have written to the district council is support of the shop element of the Putlake Farm scheme, some concerns had been voiced over the campsite plans.

PDC planning case office Cari Wooldridge - in a report to the district planning board - had recommended councillors refuse the application.

While the officer deemed extending the existing shop for class A1 use, and change of use as part of Mainhyde field to a car park as acceptable, she did not support the proposed campsite.

Ms Wooldridge explained: "Change of use of the field to the north east of farmyard to use as a campsite from Easter to the end of October annually would have significant adverse impacts on the character and appearance of the local area including the AONB and Langton Matravers Conservation Area.

"Not all significant planning matters have been appropriately and subsequently addressed."

Langton Matravers Parish Council and Corfe Castle Parish Council both fully support the scheme, with Corfe council specifically backing the campsite element - arguing any such campsite would limit traffic going through Corfe and surrounding villages.

Commenting on the application, local resident Adam Garnish said: "I object to the campsite element of this application. It will be seen and heard by the residents of both Hyde and Steppes.

"There are many other campsite locations around Swanage which are less imposing on residents."

Meanwhile, Langton Matravers resident Yvonne Free said: "I have no informed views on the camping aspect of the application, but in the best interests of the village as a whole, and in the best interests of the proprietors of the present village store, I fully support the shop element of the application.

The site visit is likely to take place in May.