Neighbours have objected to proposed changes to shepherd’s huts and a mobile home at a site at Chalmington, near Cattistock.

They are calling on Dorset Council to uphold the original planning consent claiming that different huts, now being asked for, are too big for the area.

Permission for five shepherd hut holiday homes, a temporary mobile home, a taproom and a farm shop were approved by planners on The Orchard site, earlier in the year.

But now owner Mr Dan Green has asked for a variation in the conditions to allow a different design of huts and the mobile home 3m longer than originally planned. He says the changes will be an improvement on the original permission.

But objectors say that proposed changes to the original scheme at the site, off Chantmarle Lane on the junction with Chalmington Firs, means some buildings will be 20 per cent bigger than originally shown and, as such, much more visible above hedgerows.

One objector says that the change in design of the huts is for the worse : “From the aesthetically pleasing traditional design which was approved in the previous application to a ‘more contemporary design’ which look like a trailer on wheels covered in shiplap. They look ugly, vulgar and more in keeping with a trailer park,” said objector Mr Walter Lashbrook.

He asks Dorset Council as the planning authority: “Will you force the applicant to reduce the mobile home to the size which was previously permitted and reject the ugly design of the shepherds huts? Or will you simply allow this small patch of Dorset to be visually altered and desecrated forever?”

Another objector has complained to the council about what the proposed variation from the original conditions.

Said Mrs Helen Rees of the new buildings: “They are NOT Shepherd’s huts and as such are wholly inappropriate and will have an unacceptable visual impact in this AONB. This issue is something that needs to go back to the planning committee, they need to understand what is going on here,” she said.

Public comments on the application, which is expected to be decided by a planning officer under delegated powers, have now closed.