Plans to build a permanent traveller site next to the farm of Doc Martin star Martin Clunes were recommended for approval.

It is a major blow to Mr Clunes and other residents who are vehemently opposed to the controversial development near Beaminster.

The TV star's neighbours, Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, have lived in an unauthorised mobile home on land that they own for many years.

In 2015 the council granted the travelling couple a five year temporary licence to live on the site.

That expired in 2020 and they have been living there illegally ever since.

The couple want to legalise the settlement and turn it into a permanent private residential traveller site.

This will make their 45ft by 16ft mobile home on slabs legal along with a caravan that is already on site.

It would also allow them to add two more caravans for visitors to stay in.

Mr Clunes, 61, and his wife Philippa have lodged an objection to the plans along with several neighbours.

They say the proposals would intensify the existing travellers site and ruin the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Their planning agent, Will Cobley, said: "Our clients have lived at their property for many years and are concerned by the proposal, which seeks to authorise and intensify a nearby traveller use on a permanent basis."

Mr Cobley said the Clunes' believe that protected countryside is a 'wholly unsuitable' location for a traveller site and pointed out the lack of access to basic services like electricity, water and sewage.

Beaminster Town Council also said the land was 'unsuitable' for a travellers encampment, as have neighbours Diana and Robert Clarke.

But it has now emerged that planning officials at Dorset Council are backing the application made by Mr Langton, 53, and Ms McGill, 48.

In his report, council officer Bob Burden cited the general lack of sites for 'gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople' in Dorset as a major reason why it should go ahead.

He said the demand for such pitches has increased in recent years and insisted the development would not harm the natural beauty of the area.

He said: "Given the on-going policy and research background of lack of available site options, coupled with the minimal visual impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it is considered that the use of this site as a permanent base for this traveller family is acceptable." Members of Dorset Council's planning committee will meet in the near future to vote on whether to go with the recommendations of granting the application approval.

The Clunes' have lived in Dorset for over 20 years.

They first bought a Grade II listed former vicarage in the village of Powerstock, near Bridport, in 2001 before moving into their current home in 2007.