AN application to add a caravan and motorhome holiday site at a Dorset village pub has been withdrawn – in the face of opposition from residents and the parish council.

The Green Man at Kings Stag, on the road between Dorchester and Sturminster Newton, said the 11 bays, with electric hook-ups, a communal shower and toilet block in a field behind the pub would have helped it remain viable.

But in a letter to Dorset Council Mr Jack Langmead from the Stock Estate Partnership says: “Having read through all the comments from those that have been submitted to the Dorset planning website and also speaking to members of the community at the parish council meeting, I have made the decision that this application be withdrawn.

“On the contrary to how things may look from outside, the pub is in need of extra income which was the primary aim of this application, however I do not want that to come at the detriment of our neighbours… there may be other ideas for the future use of this space in the near future and I will call the village for constructive feedback on future thoughts so that we can create an idea which works for us all.”

The application to change the use for the hay meadow site, with access off the car park, had attracted negative comments including from the parish council which was worried about possible noise from the holiday development, reducing the number of spaces available for parking and increasing drainage problems in an area where the system is said to already be overburdened.

“Whilst members support the principle of local commerce, they suggest that applicant works with the planners to achieve an improved / scaled down scheme,” said the parish council.

Other letters to Dorset Council made similar comments although at least one resident had written to support the application saying the area had a shortage of suitable sites for caravans and motorhomes.

Several letter writers were worried about any increase in slow-moving traffic near the junction claiming that there has been fatal and serious accidents within a short distance of the junction over the past six years.