Martin Clunes, best known for his roles in "Doc Martin" and "Men Behaving Badly," is currently embroiled in a contentious legal battle with his neighbors, Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, regarding their plans to transform their woodland plot into a permanent travelers' site adjacent to his 130-acre farm near Beaminster, Dorset. This saga, now dragging on for over two years, has taken a fresh turn as experts have confirmed that Langton and McGill do indeed reside in a mobile home, bolstering their application for planning permission.
The couple has lived in their 45ft by 16ft mobile home under a temporary agreement for more than two decades. They are seeking to officially establish the site for the sole use of their family, incorporating a barn which they intend to utilize for various purposes such as a dayroom, workshop, and store, as well as space for a touring caravan and mobile van.
Clunes, 63, has been vocal in his opposition, characterizing Langton and McGill's attempts to classify their residence as a mobile home as "cynical" and "dishonest." He argues that their habitation does not meet the legal definition of a mobile home, which should be able to arrive at its location in no more than two pieces and be transportable on the back of a 40ft trailer. Once, Clunes remarked, "The current guidelines are useful in that they state that a structure to be considered a mobile home must arrive at its site in no more than two pieces and in this way demonstrate some level of mobility. The building at Wintergreen Barn arrived in hundreds of pieces and took weeks to build and that is what makes it a building."
Despite Clunes' claims, a new report from Penpole Engineering presents evidence that the mobile home can be split into two sections and moved, stating it could be lifted in one piece without permanent connections to the ground. This expert finding complicates Clunes' position, as it suggests their structure might satisfy the mobile home criteria after all.
In response to the expert evaluation, Clunes maintains skepticism. He challenged the possibility of transporting the building by emphasizing the technical difficulties posed by the narrow passageways leading to the site. "There are three 90 degree turns between Bowgrove Road and the site that no truck pulling a 40ft trailer could possibly get around," he has said. This rejection of the engineering report's conclusions stands in stark contrast to the affirmations made by the engineering experts who evaluated the mobile home.
This ongoing dispute has seen its share of legal maneuvers, with planning officers at Dorset Council previously recommending approval for Langton and McGill's proposal. However, Clunes took action, and his lawyers sent a last-minute letter pulling the case from the agenda, leading to a two-year legal standoff with no decisive resolution in sight.
To add to the complexities, Clunes does not simply condemn the neighbors' structural plans; he also questions their status as genuine travelers, arguing they must prove they travel periodically to gain rights to establish a permanent base. Langton and McGill argue their attendance at various fairs and festivals during summer months supports their claim to be bona fide travelers.
Construction of the home and associated structures remain under scrutiny amid this interpersonal and legal conflict. Clunes purchased Meerhay Farm in 2007 from Langton's mother, Georgia Langton, setting the stage for this tumultuous relationship. Now living a mere 300 yards from the site in question, Clunes' family home, valued at £5 million, stands in stark contrast to the simple lifestyle of his neighbors, who reportedly live without running water or electricity.
As the planning authorities wrestle with these conflicting perspectives, Langton and McGill's hopes for their permanent site ride on the outcome of this ongoing conflict. Clunes’ efforts and the neighbors' aspirations remain in a state of limbo, amplified by the complexities of existing planning laws.
In conclusion, this battle illustrates not only the personal strife between Clunes and his neighbors but also reflects broader societal issues regarding the rights of travelers in the UK. As negotiations continue, the implications for both parties will likely ripple through the community and beyond, highlighting the contentious nature of residential planning in areas historically characterized by myriad lifestyles. What remains to be seen is how the latest findings will impact the course of this engrossing conflict.
