A wedding venue proposal for a West Dorset farm has been rejected by Dorset Council.
The Wootton Fitzpaine site already operates as a retreat and holiday destination offering various types of accommodation, including shepherd huts and lodges, alongside its own vineyard.
The enterprise argued that utilising a section of the main structure for occasional civil ceremonies wouldn't generate additional traffic since attendees would need to be staying in the farm's accommodation.
A planning representative, speaking on behalf of the enterprise, stated that nuptials would be restricted to 60 guests across 6-8 occasions annually, and since visitors would already be present on the premises, the new function didn't constitute a significant alteration to existing operations and therefore required only acknowledgement that the wedding use would be lawful rather than full planning permission.
The submission originated from Grape Vibes Ltd, operating under the name Louma Farm and Retreat, and pertains to what appears in the documentation as Spence Farm, Spence Lane.
Dorset Council's refusal summary disputed the characterisation of weddings utilising only a portion of the location and stated it was unavoidable that additional traffic would result from deliveries, some attendees, wedding staff and event preparation, plus subsequent cleanup activities.
"The proposal therefore would not be an incidental use but would involve a material change of use needing an application for planning permission," stated a planning officer.
