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Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The surprisingly posh background of Martin Clunes's ‘fake gypsy' neighbour
With its ancient woodlands, multimillion-pound properties and the Jurassic coastline just a short drive away, Beaminster in west Dorset seems the perfect place for a star to escape the stresses of modern life. But the area's resident celebrity, actor Martin Clunes, 63, has found himself embroiled in a bitter planning row with neighbours seeking to set up a permanent traveller site just 300 yards from his 130-acre farm, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Theo Langton and Ruth McGill have been living off-grid on their woodland plot for more than 20 years, raising two children in a caravan with no running water or electricity. Now, the pair have said they are entitled, as members of the New Age Travellers community, to continue living on the site permanently in their 45ft x 16ft mobile home. They claim there are no other suitable sites in the area in which they could live. Dorset Council appears sympathetic. Officials recommended their plans for approval in April (though the case has been temporarily deferred after concerns were raised about flooding at the site). Importantly, the council's gypsy liaison officer has also suggested Langton and McGill should definitively be considered as 'New Age Travellers' – a nod to a subculture that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s and is characterised by nomadic, counter-cultural lifestyles. For their part, the pair say the fact they earn a living, as artists, from travelling to festivals, proves they are travellers. However, the request has infuriated Clunes and his neighbours, who accuse the couple of playing the system in an attempt to circumvent planning laws. In recent years, the pair have developed the 'Wintergreen Barn' site, which now features a renovated barn and composting toilets. No evidence of 'a cultural tradition of nomadism' When The Telegraph visited Clunes's nearby property – where he lives with his wife, TV producer Philippa Braithwaite, surrounded by their horses and dogs – the actor politely declined to comment. But in a recent submission to Dorset Council, he was scornful of Langton and McGill's application. 'It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up,' Clunes wrote. 'This would mean that many, if not all, stallholders at such festivals, as well as the roadies who travel with the festival organisers, retailers and bands would be classed as gipsies and travellers within the planning definition, which clearly is not the case,' he added. Clunes also argued there 'is no evidence that the applicants have 'a cultural tradition of nomadism or living in a caravan'.' 'The applicants are locally well-liked and they and their site may give the appearance of a New Age lifestyle, but that does not entitle them to special treatment,' he said. 'We are living a lawful way of life' To some, the star's concerns are understandable; the Wintergreen Barn site is just a short drive from Clunes's property, down a narrow country lane, appears to threaten his view and has, in the past, been slammed by the council as 'visually intrusive'. Today, however, the plot appears a peaceful and respectable setting, at least from the road. The renovated barn, which the family are not permitted to live in, sits next to a trickling brook and wild spring flowers. Beleaguered by the ongoing row, a well-spoken Langton tells The Telegraph he does not want to 'inflame' the situation, but stresses his family do qualify as travellers. He points out they are invited each summer to teach sculpture and jewellery-making at a number of high profile festivals. The son of a wealthy Dorset landowner, Langton describes this 'cultural art exchange' as something he is 'very proud' of and does not wish to see 'denigrated'. 'We are living a lawful way of life and have done so since we moved here. All we are doing is seeking recognition of that,' he tells The Telegraph. The family's application is for continued, exclusive use of the land as a private residential traveller site, including a mobile home, touring caravan and van. It also seeks permission for the barn to be used as a workshop. But it seems unlikely that Clunes and his neighbours will abandon their opposition to his plans – given they contend Langton is a man of considerable means, with static roots. 'If you are following planning policy, he shouldn't be there' As a child, Langton reportedly attended a well-known public school in the area, while his mother is the celebrated garden designer Georgia Langton, whose work is popular among the country set. Although he has lived on the site near Clunes's property in a tent since 1997, Langton was gifted the land by his mother – who previously owned several Dorset properties – in 2019. (Clunes himself bought his idyllic farm off Langton's mother in 2007 for around £3 million.) Almost all the time Langton has been on the plot, the row over his presence has bubbled. He has repeatedly refused to leave the site on the grounds that Dorset Council provides few other options for travellers. In 2006, the council issued an enforcement notice against him, with his site described as 'visually intrusive and detrimental to the appearance and character of the area'. But he remained in situ and almost a decade later, in 2015, he was granted five-year temporary permission to remain, while he looked for other suitable traveller accommodation. A local planning expert, who didn't wish to be named, says the decision over his future status is far from straightforward. 'Arguably, if you are following planning policy, he shouldn't be there,' the expert tells The Telegraph. 'But Dorset Council has to balance the fact that the site is his home, and he's lived there for quite a period of time,' they add. 'The council is also under pressure to provide more sites for travellers, as they don't have enough.' 'We simply want the correct application of the law' The protracted nature of the row has split this otherwise genteel community, where both Clunes and Langton have their supporters. Clunes hosts the annual Buckham fair on his land, which raises thousands each year for local charities, while Langton has previously sat on the local council and is an expert forager, respected by many for growing his own food and his sustainable way of life. One local, Diana Clarke, who owns a classic English property, set in acres of land next to the plot occupied by Langton and his family, is adamant the council must not grant approval for it to become an official travellers site. 'Whether you live in a castle or a cottage, planning rules should apply to all,' she tells The Telegraph from her home. 'What homeowner would not wish to prevent an illegal development from being set up next to their own home? We simply want the correct application of the law.' Describing Langton's status as a traveller 'baffling', she adds: 'He is a long-term land owner who visits festivals and wants to live on his own land without planning permission.' Dorset Council appears to take a different view. Paula Clover, the local authority's gypsy and traveller liaison officer, said of the family in a recent report: 'It is very clear they follow and are a part of the New Age traveller community and have been for many years.' 'Although they are not ethnic gypsies, I am more than satisfied they are New Age travellers and have a lot of friends and support in the New Age traveller community,' she added. Other officials have cited the lack of sites for 'gypsies, travellers and travelling show-people' in Dorset as a key factor in their consideration of the plans. 'We need to welcome this diversity in this community' One local resident, who did not want to be named, said some in the community were worried that more travellers may come if the council signs off on Langton's request. Others were quick to quash such fears, however. Paula Tuff, a town councillor and charity director in Beaminster, who has known the Langton family for decades, says she has been appalled at their treatment. 'Theo has been a valued member of the community for years,' she says. 'He has gone to great lengths to protect his identity as a traveller and we need to welcome this diversity in this community. 'He simply wants a home for his family. And the idea that this will attract more travellers to the site is basically untrue.' Another resident took issue with the characterisation of Langton by some of his critics as privileged. 'I believe he left school at 16, and as far as I'm aware, the travelling community has always been a diverse place, full of all sorts,' they said. 'People might say he's living illegally on this site but the council and its planners do not seem to think that anymore, so I think the neighbours are possibly out of step.' As the row continues to rage, the council is yet to say when a final decision will be made. Some contend it can't come soon enough, arguing the issue simply needs resolving – one way or another – to put an end to the years of uncertainty. 'A decision needs to be made so the whole saga can be put to bed and everyone can just get on with their lives,' says local resident and photographer Tim Booth.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Martin Clunes: My planning-row neighbours are not real gypsies
Martin Clunes said neighbours who want to create a permanent travellers' site cannot be classified as such simply 'because they visit festivals to sell items'. The Doc Martin actor and other villagers in Beaminster, Dorset, have fought a long-running battle to try to stop Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, New Age travellers, from turning their woodland plot into an official travellers site. The couple, who have lived in a 45ft by 16ft (13.7m by 4.9m) caravan on land they own at Meerhay for 25 years, have applied for planning permission to continue living there permanently. Dorset council had recommended the plans for approval at a planning committee last month, but the case was deferred after concerns were raised about the risk of flooding at the site. Now Clunes and his wife have written a further submission to the committee expressing their concerns over the proposals, including the recommendation of the council's gypsy liaison officer that Mr Langton and Ms McGill should be considered as 'New Age Travellers'. Theo Langton and Ruth McGill want to turn their woodland plot into an official travellers site - SWNS/William Dax An officer's report to the committee said: 'It is very clear they follow and are a part of the New Age traveller community and have been for many years. 'Although they are not ethnic gypsies, I am more than satisfied they are New Age travellers and have a lot of friends and support in the New Age traveller community.' In response, Clunes wrote: 'It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up. 'This would mean that many, if not all, stallholders at such festivals, as well as the roadies who travel with the festival organisers, retailers and bands would be classed as gypsies and travellers within the planning definition, which clearly is not the case.' He continued: 'Persons cannot claim they are travellers because of the way they project themselves, either by the way they dress, or living on a site without basic amenities or the company they keep, or because they travel to certain types of music festivals or fairs, here or abroad. 'More precisely, there is no evidence that the applicants have 'a cultural tradition of nomadism or living in a caravan'. 'Being on a committee supporting travellers does not mean that they are a traveller either, nor that the local community accepts them as such. 'What is to the point here is that there is no evidence that selling masks and other items at festivals and fairs is the applicants' means of livelihood, as required as a test in law.' The application is for continued use of land as a private residential traveller site for 'sole use of the applicants and family' and to include the use of a barn as a workshop, along with a mobile home, a touring caravan and a van to be based on the site. 'Proposal is acceptable in its design' In a letter submitted to the council by Clunes' solicitors, Kitson & Trotman, in April 2023, they argued the applicants do not fit within the definition of travellers and that approving the plans for the permanent site would set a 'harmful precedent'. The agenda for April's cancelled hearing had recommended councillors approve the scheme. The officers stated in their report: 'The location is considered to be relatively sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact. 'There is not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity. 'There are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application.' The case was previously delayed by the planning committee in April 2023 after a last-minute objection was received from Clunes. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Martin Clunes: My planning-row neighbours are not real gypsies
Martin Clunes said neighbours who want to create a permanent travellers' site cannot be classified as such simply 'because they visit festivals to sell items'. The Doc Martin actor and other villagers in Beaminster, Dorset, have fought a long-running battle to try to stop Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, New Age travellers, from turning their woodland plot into an official travellers site. The couple, who have lived in a 45ft by 16ft (13.7m by 4.9m) caravan on land they own at Meerhay for 25 years, have applied for planning permission to continue living there permanently. Dorset council had recommended the plans for approval at a planning committee last month, but the case was deferred after concerns were raised about the risk of flooding at the site. Now Clunes and his wife have written a further submission to the committee expressing their concerns over the proposals, including the recommendation of the council's gypsy liaison officer that Mr Langton and Ms McGill should be considered as 'New Age Travellers'. An officer's report to the committee said: 'It is very clear they follow and are a part of the New Age traveller community and have been for many years. 'Although they are not ethnic gypsies, I am more than satisfied they are New Age travellers and have a lot of friends and support in the New Age traveller community.' In response, Clunes wrote: 'It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up. 'This would mean that many, if not all, stallholders at such festivals, as well as the roadies who travel with the festival organisers, retailers and bands would be classed as gypsies and travellers within the planning definition, which clearly is not the case.' He continued: 'Persons cannot claim they are travellers because of the way they project themselves, either by the way they dress, or living on a site without basic amenities or the company they keep, or because they travel to certain types of music festivals or fairs, here or abroad. 'More precisely, there is no evidence that the applicants have 'a cultural tradition of nomadism or living in a caravan'. 'Being on a committee supporting travellers does not mean that they are a traveller either, nor that the local community accepts them as such. 'What is to the point here is that there is no evidence that selling masks and other items at festivals and fairs is the applicants' means of livelihood, as required as a test in law.' The application is for continued use of land as a private residential traveller site for 'sole use of the applicants and family' and to include the use of a barn as a workshop, along with a mobile home, a touring caravan and a van to be based on the site. 'Proposal is acceptable in its design' In a letter submitted to the council by Clunes' solicitors, Kitson & Trotman, in April 2023, they argued the applicants do not fit within the definition of travellers and that approving the plans for the permanent site would set a 'harmful precedent'. The agenda for April's cancelled hearing had recommended councillors approve the scheme. The officers stated in their report: 'The location is considered to be relatively sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact. 'There is not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity. 'There are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application.' The case was previously delayed by the planning committee in April 2023 after a last-minute objection was received from Clunes.
BreakingNews.ie
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
British actor Martin Clunes says neighbours in planning row are not ‘Travellers'
Doc Martin star Martin Clunes has said neighbours to his home in England who want to create a permanent Travellers' site cannot be classified as such simply 'because they visit festivals to sell items'. The actor and other villagers in Beaminster in Dorset, southwest England, have objected to the plans by Theo Langton and Ruth McGill. Advertisement The couple, who have lived in a 13.7m by 4.9m mobile home on land they own for 25 years, have applied for planning permission to continue living there permanently. Officers at Dorset Council had recommended the plans for approval at last month's western and southern area planning committee but the case was deferred after concerns were raised about the risk of flooding at the site. Now Mr Clunes and his wife have written a further submission to the committee expressing their concerns over the proposals, including the recommendation of the council's gypsy liaison officer that Mr Langton and Ms McGill should be considered as 'New Age Travellers'. An officer's report to the committee said: 'It is very clear they follow and are a part of the New Age Traveller community and have been for many years. Advertisement 'Although they are not ethnic gypsies, I am more than satisfied they are New Age Travellers and have a lot of friends and support in the new Traveller community.' In response, Mr Clunes wrote: 'It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up. 'This would mean that many, if not all, stallholders at such festivals, as well as the roadies who travel with the festival organisers, retailers and bands would be classed as gypsies and Travellers within the planning definition, which clearly is not the case.' He continued: 'Persons cannot claim they are Travellers because of the way they project themselves either by the way they dress, or living on a site without basic amenities or the company they keep, or because they travel to certain types of music festivals or fairs, here or abroad. Advertisement 'More precisely, there is no evidence that the applicants have 'a cultural tradition of nomadism or living in a caravan'. 'Being on a committee supporting Travellers does not mean that they are a Traveller either, nor that the local community accepts them as such. 'What is to the point here is that there is no evidence that selling masks and other items at festivals and fairs is the applicants' means of livelihood, as required as a test in law.' The application is for continued use of land as a private residential Traveller site for 'sole use of the applicants and family' and to include the use of a barn as a workshop, along with a mobile home, a touring caravan and a van to be based on the site. Advertisement In a letter submitted to the council by Mr Clunes' solicitors, Kitson Trotman, in April 2023, they argued the applicants do not fit within the definition of Travellers and that approving the plans for the permanent site would set a 'harmful precedent'. The agenda for April's cancelled hearing had recommended councillors approve the scheme. The officers stated in their report: 'The location is considered to be relatively sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact. Entertainment Martin Clunes wins award for Doc Martin: 'I though... Read More 'There is not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity. Advertisement 'There are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application.' The case was previously delayed by the planning committee in April 2023 after a last-minute objection was received from Mr Clunes.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Doc Martin star Martin Clunes insists 'hippie' neighbours are 'not travellers' amid acrimonious planning row near his country home
Actor Martin Clunes has insisted his 'hippie' neighbours are not travellers in the latest stage of an acrimonious planning row centering on land just 300 yards away from the £5 million farmhouse he shares with wife Phillipa Braithwaite. The Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly star has fought a long-running battle to try and stop New Age Travellers Theo Langton and Ruth McGill from turning their woodland plot and caravan into an official travellers site. The couple have lived in the 45ft by 16ft mobile home on a temporarily rolling licence near Beaminster, Dorset, for more than 20 years. They have applied for planning permission for continued use of land as a private residential traveller site for 'sole use of the applicants and family.' But Clunes has hit out at the pair for claiming they are travellers based on 'the way they dress' and 'going to certain types of music festivals.' The couple's plans include use of the erected barn as a dayroom, workshop and store, one mobile home, a touring caravan and a mobile van. Clunes had claimed that the current residence did not meet the definition of a mobile home - and described the neighbour's attempts to classify it as one was 'cynical' and 'dishonest.' A decision on the application that was due to be made at a council meeting last month was postponed after flooding fears were raised. Fresh representations have now been made by Clunes on the council's planning portal where he questions their legitimacy as travellers. The couple previously relied on evidence showing them as travelling to various festivals throughout the summer months in order to sustain their livelihood. Clunes wrote: '(They) cannot claim they are travellers because of the way they project themselves either by the way they dress, or living on a site without basic amenities or the company they keep, or because they travel to certain types of music festivals. 'It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up.' Clunes added: 'The decision must rest on planning law and policy - not emotion or popularity of an applicant. 'The applicants are locally well-liked and they and their site may give the appearance of a New Age lifestyle, but that does not entitle them to special treatment as they do not meet the legal definition of a gypsy or traveller. 'The applicants travel to festivals as do many other people. They have a stall at festivals and sell items made by them. No evidence more than this is submitted for it to be able to be concluded that it supports their livelihood. 'Many stallholders travel from festival to festival and roadies set up the stage and equipment, all travelling each summer from festival to festival or fayre. 'They are not classed as travellers, New Age or otherwise. The applicants travel to Portugal and Spain by road each summer. So do many others who are not Travellers. 'It cannot be concluded that the applicants are persons of nomadic habit of life due to them visiting music and other festivals each year to sell items and help set them up. 'This would mean that many, if not all stallholders at such festivals as well as the roadies who travel with the festival organisers, retailers and bands would be classed as gypsies and travellers within the planning definition, which clearly is not the case.' Clunes added that from his view there were now only two ways forward - to refuse permission and consider enforcement, allowing time to relocate, or to grant a temporary permission. He argued this should only be if it was made clear it 'the applicants must actively seek an alternative site, starting now.' He added: 'The onus is on the applicants to comply with policy - not the council to make exceptions.' In his submission, Clunes added: 'There is evidence not only of a precedent being set but the beginnings of a New Age Traveller commune growing up on and around the application site. 'Friends of the applicants have bought the field opposite the Meerhay Manor, have applied for planning permission to start growing vegetables in large polytunnels and have applied to live on site in a shepherds hut. 'There is no doubt that if permanent planning permission is granted then others will copy the approach of the applicants to obtain a planning permission which will be difficult for the Council to resist. 'None of the conclusions to which the officers give weight to outweigh the harm identified or stand up to scrutiny. Further, the assessment of harm which is caused by the proposed development has been inadequately considered and is grossly understated.' Planning officers at Dorset Council had earlier recommended to grant approval for the proposal but the case was pulled from the agenda last month after a last-minute letter from Clunes' lawyers. A two-year legal battle has since ensued with the application again pulled from the agenda of a meeting last month where it had again been recommended for approval. Dorset Council said of the delay: 'This is because a matter has come to the attention of officers since the publication of the agenda which will require further consideration. 'The matter relates to surface water flooding and will need to be considered before the application can be reported to committee. 'The application will be reported back to committee as soon as possible.' In his report that was due to go to the committee, planning official Bob Burden said: 'The location is considered to be relatively sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact. 'There is not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring residential amenity. 'There are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application.' The Clunes' bought 130-acre Meerhay Farm near Beaminster, Dorset, from Mr Langton's mother, the landscape gardener Georgia Langton, in 2007. The land at the heart of the planning row is around 300 yards from the £5m farmhouse where Clunes lives with wife Philippa Braithwaite.
