A WOODLAND site near Tolpuddle has been authorised as a “back to nature” campsite.

The Dorset Council permission allows the site to be used for a single yurt, camping pitches, moveable toilets and shower cubicles and parking for up to 15 cars.

The site is already in use with several local residents complaining about extra traffic and litter generated by visitors and what they see as a restricted access route.

The land is part of a 60-acre family-owned woodland estate.

The owners say the Southover Woods campsite use, which is basic, will help keep the estate viable: “The revenue from the campsite will enable us to manage the woodland sustainably. We will employ people to gradually cut back the rhododendron, fell trees that are dead or unsustainable, and support the traditional fauna and flora to flourish according to our woodland plan.

"We will also employ rangers in the summer period to look after the campers, maintain the washing facilities, and keep the woods free of litter. Prior to offering the camping, maintaining the woodlands has not been financially viable,” said a statement.

Access to the site, off the B3390 at Southover Heath Wood, is via an unmade single lane track to the Max Events site which runs a range of ‘countryside’ activities from a nearby area.

Planning application papers to Dorset Council from Mrs Lucy Knight of the Coach House, Southover say the site is designed for families and seeks to protect the environment with the loos and showers removed at the end of each season. Documents say the site has been in use since April 2021.

Each campsite pitch is provided with a single composting toilet and a composting shower. The toilets are of timber construction and are moved every 7-10 days. Each also has an off ground brasier / fire pit suitable for barbecuing and heating a kettle for hot water. Disposable BBQ are not permitted on site.

Three standpipes on the site give access to cold water and there is no mains electricity available with caravans and campervans not allowed on the site.

Puddletown parish council raised concerns in its comments about litter and the potential for the site to have a negative effect on residents.

Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle parish council asked for an alternative access to be considered, via Southover, as the existing track is used by walkers and horse riders to get to other footpaths and bridleways including a section of the Frome Valley Trail. It also raised concerns about the risk of wildfires and litter.

On resident wrote to Dorset Council to say that meeting traffic on the access track when walking was difficult but when horse riding is more problematic: “There are very few safe places to avoid the traffic as there are ditches either side of the track. The area has become very popular with 4×4’s and trail bikers and enormous damage has been done to the tracks and woods. Now with the added traffic from the campers and Max Events it has become very unpleasant and sometimes dangerous to be in the woods. The increase in visitors has sadly brought about more rubbish being discarded… I feel that if this venture is to be approved, then a more responsible approach should be put in place to collect and deal with rubbish, as I understand that initially campers were asked to take their rubbish home.“