NFDC gives go-ahead for barn conversion at South Allenford Farm, Damerham, near Cranborne Chase National Landscape dark sky reserve

DIVISIVE plans to convert a Forest barn into holiday accommodation have been approved despite fears over light pollution.

Going against the advice of its officers, NFDC planning chiefs granted permission for the development at South Allenford Farm, Damerham.

The applicant told councillors he submitted the plans as a means of “diversifying” his farm business, adding he has lost millions in revenue in recent years and has had to lay off staff.

Hythe Central Lib Dem Cllr Philip Dowd asked who would be “harmed by a loss of tranqulity” if the scheme went ahead.

Officers replied: “It’s about the overall characteristic of the wider area – introducing commercial activity of this nature into that environment would be detrimental to its tranquility.”

Cllr Dowd replied he was “struggling” to agree with that view.

Hardley, Holbury and North Blackfield Conservative Cllr Allan Glass said having three or four holidaymakers in the converted building would be no worse for the environment than people staying in a shepherd’s hut temporarily.

Downlands and Forest North Green Cllr Janet Richards said: “Not all buildings are equal and I’m concerned about the implications for our dark skies. Because of the design of the building and its position, there’s a lot of floor to ceiling glazing.

“High up on a hill, it can be seen from miles away. At night, when people are in the cottage… it will be shining like a beacon across the valley. The Cranborne Chase National Landscape is designated as a dark skies reserve. It’s quite special, there are only 21 such reserves in the whole world.

“You can actually see the Andromeda galaxy, and there’s not many places you can do that. We could end up destroying the very thing that brings people to national landscape areas if we allow these kinds of conversions to go ahead in the wrong place.”

Cllr Dowd and Lyndhurst and Minstead Lib Dem Cllr Hilary Brand suggested a condition could be added requiring the use of glazing that could limit light pollution from the building.

Officers replied that they could add a condition requiring the council’s approval of the glazing used in the building to “limit light spillage”.

The plans were approved by a margin of seven votes to five, with one abstention.