Marnhull Parish Council is currently preparing to participate in the planning inquiry into the Tess Square and Butts Close planning application, which was refused by Dorset Council in July 2024, a decision that is now being appealed by Mr Crocker.
The consensus within Marnhull is that this is the single most important planning application regarding the village ever. If the appeal is successful, the village will change beyond recognition. There are indeed two very contrasting and divergent visions for Marnhull’s future – one being drafted in close consultation with residents in the developing village neighbourhood plan and the other independently by our largest landowner.
Marnhull Parish Council believes this proposed application is disproportionate for the size of Marnhull and presents many local issues that need to be surfaced at the inquiry in terms of highways safety, heritage and landscape. These will impact us all individually but will also adversely impact cherished local businesses. This view is widely supported by our 2023 parish survey feedback, by representations from residents during the planning process and by feedback at Parish meetings.
Planning Inspectors like to get local perspective on planning applications and a parish council can provide local context and an informed view on the impact of a scheme on the location that may be absent from an LPA case. We are a Rule 6 party in the inquiry which will give us the opportunity to present our case and be heard and to provide local context in support of Dorset Council. MPC submitted its Statement of Case on 3rd January 2025 which has been published on the Parish Council website (P-OUT-2023-02644__MPC_Statement_of_Case_Tess_Sq_Butts_Close_Final.pdf)
The opportunity to present a local viewpoint at an inquiry is an expensive process. We need to be represented by a barrister and experts who will advise us on navigating the complexities of the planning system in a time of great change. At Parish Council meeting of 2nd December 2024, almost the entire room backed the proposal to raise funds to help us meet these costs. We are now setting up that crowdfunding appeal for that purpose as instructed by the village.
Please help us by donating to our crowdfunding appeal so that we may represent you and the village as best we can.
Marnhull Parish Council January 2025