A WOMAN who has been battling planners to be allowed to turn her six-acre field into a small holding has won her fight.

Mary Durling applied to West Dorset District Council to put up three sheds, including a cow shed, hay shelter and two polytunnels on Little Oak Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine.

Miss Durling said she wanted to keep two Jersey cows to produce cheese at nearby Fivepenny Farm, produce juice from her apple orchard, keep chickens for eggs and to eat, polytunnels for the production of vegetables and outdoor beds growing soft fruit and medicinal herbs.

She said: "I bought the land at auction in October 2012.

"My main objective is to create a small but very productive farm providing a living for me and my family.

"I want to see and to show how much can be produced from a small piece of land.

"It will be managed as sustainably as possible following the principles of organic farming and permaculture.

"I want to make top quality cheese and other local food products.

"I want to create a herb garden which other people can come and use for inspiration and healing.

"I want to live in such a way that I'm having the least negative environmental impact that I can, to

facilitate the same for my children, and perhaps inspire some other people too."

In April last year district planners refused on the grounds that the buildings would be unduly prominent and detract from the existing rural undeveloped character of the area. They considered the impact on the landscape quality of the area of outstanding natural beauty outweighed any benefit the development would have on the rural economy.

Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Council and some neighbours also objected because of fears of increased traffic, water run-off, environmental impact and 'creeping back-door' development.

Planning inspector Hayley Butcher did not agree, saying the timber sheds were sympathetic with their surroundings and appropriate to the needs of the land for keeping livestock and growing fruit and vegetables.

Because the site is almost completely surrounded by thick mature hedges views would be very limited, even in winter, she said.

She said: "The appeal site is located at a point where there are scattered houses, farm buildings and various ancillary structures used for purposes incidental to the land, and these farm part of the rural landscape.

"Therefore, the proposed structures would not appeal out of character or unduly isolated.

"I find no harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area or AONB."

She added that National Planning Policy Framework says economic growth in rural areas should be supported.

Addressing neighbours concerns that Miss Durling intended to live on site she said that would need a separate planning application.

She added: "Concern is raised over the compartmentalisation of the site into beds for herbs and vegetables but such operations do not require planning permission,

"Similarly the keeping of chickens and or cows could occur regardless of the outcome of the appeal."

She said there was no requirement in planning to demonstrate whether the enterprise was financially viable.