Marnhull PC Tess Square / Butts Close - Appeal

Aim: Fundraising to engage experts to support Marnhull PC to justify the original refusal of the Tess Square & Butts Close planning application.

Marnhull Parish Council is preparing to participate in the planning inquiry into the Tess Square and Butts Close application. This development was refused by Dorset Council in July 2024, but the decision is now being appealed by Mr Crocker.

Within Marnhull, there is strong consensus that this is one of the most significant planning applications the village has ever faced. If the appeal is successful, Marnhull will change beyond recognition. There are two starkly different visions for its future—one shaped by residents through the evolving Neighbourhood Plan and the other put forward independently by our largest landowner.

Marnhull Parish Council believes this proposal is disproportionate to the size of our village and raises serious local concerns. Key issues include highway safety, heritage preservation, and landscape impact. These will affect us all—not only as individuals but also in terms of the viability of cherished local businesses. Our stance is strongly supported by the 2023 Parish Survey, resident representations throughout the planning process, and feedback at Parish meetings.

Planning Inspectors value local perspectives, and parish councils play a crucial role in providing context that may be absent from a Local Planning Authority’s case. As a Rule 6 party in this inquiry, we have the opportunity to present our case and advocate for the village. We submitted our Statement of Case on 3rd January 2025, which is now available on the Parish Council website (P-OUT-2023-02644__MPC_Statement_of_Case_Tess_Sq_Butts_Close_Final.pdf).

However, ensuring that our voice is heard in this process comes at a cost. To present a strong case, we need expert representation, including a barrister and planning specialists who can navigate the complexities of the system. At the Parish Council meeting on 2nd December 2024, the overwhelming majority of attendees backed the proposal to raise funds for this purpose. We are now launching a crowdfunding appeal to help cover these costs.

Please support our campaign by donating. Your contribution will ensure that Marnhull’s voice is heard and that we can defend our village’s future effectively.

Marnhull Parish Council
January 2025