A new planning application has been submitted to continue operating a seasonal campsite at Bredy Farm in Burton Bradstock, sparking renewed debate within the community. The 3-hectare Orchard campsite sits on orchard land dating back to the 1800s and is located about 1.4 kilometers east of Burton Bradstock on Bredy Lane, within the Dorset National Landscape area.
Earlier this year, Dorset Council refused to grant a certificate of lawfulness for the site after concluding that the continuous use claimed by the operators could not be satisfactorily proven over a ten-year period. The farm’s business argued that tents and caravans have been there since April 2014 without enforcement actions, but the council rejected this claim.
The campsite has become a focal point of neighbour complaints regarding noise disturbances from frequent party nights and mini-festivals held mainly in converted farm buildings near the farmyard. Many attendees of these events reportedly use the campsite for accommodation. Critics contend that the site has shifted from a modest campsite set in a peaceful orchard to a venue resembling “a nightclub and restaurant with camping alongside.”
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In response to the certificate’s refusal, the farm—operating under J H Mallison & Partners—has submitted a full planning application to continue the seasonal campsite use, complete with facilities such as toilets and showers, which the operators confirm are removed after the camping season ends. The applicant’s planning agent emphasizes that the campsite is vital for farm diversification and maintaining the farm’s long-term viability.
As of now, only Dorset Police have commented on the new application, offering no objections, while the public consultation remains open until September 11.