Growing concern over Tarrant Monkton vegetable patch (From Bournemouth Echo)

Growing concern over Tarrant Monkton vegetable patch

9:10am Wednesday 19th August 2009

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VILLAGERS in a tiny North Dorset parish have found themselves in a stew over a vegetable patch.

Barbara Cossins, the landlady of The Langton Arms at Tarrant Monkton, said she has received a letter from her parish council after four months of growing beans, beetroot, courgettes, and lettuces in a field she owns opposite the pub.

“The parish council has written to me saying I may have broken the rules and to speak to the district planning department.

“It’s very sad. You would think that in the current economic climate with pubs going out of business they would support us when we try to diversify and become self-sufficient,” said Mrs Cossins.

But parish councillor, Kate Graeme-Cook, defended the letter, saying residents had contacted the council with concerns that protected land had been fenced off to create the allotment.

“The area is designated as an Important Open or Wooded Area (Iowa) and we have written to Mrs Cossins asking her to clarify with the district council whether planning permission is required to change the use of the land,” said Cllr Graeme-Cook.

“We have not said that she is doing any harm, or that she needs planning permission,” she added.

Nick Fagan, the development control manager at North Dorset District Council, said he could only comment generally as no one had contacted him concerning Mrs Cossins’ field.

“The fact that a piece of land is an Iowa is irrelevant. It’s a matter of fact or degree as to whether a change of use has taken place.

“If the land is agricultural, arable, or pastoral and someone wants to use it for residential or commercial purposes, than that’s a matter for planning permission.

“However, if someone wanted to rent or lease a field for agricultural or horticultural purposes, which would include growing a crop, then planning permission would not be required,” said Mr Fagan.

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