A POP-UP food and drink outlet on Grange Hill in the Purbeck Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been refused permission to become a permanent fixture.

The site, near Creech Grange within the Purbeck Ridge Character Area, has been operating since 2021 with pedestrian access via the MoD car park provided for the public to view the Purbeck Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from the top of the hill.

Its operators had asked Dorset Council to remain open from April through to October, 10am until 11pm, selling food and drink, local produce and offering occasional entertainment using trailers, moveable gazebos and wooden chairs and tables.

Dorset Council's senior landscape officer said it was not possible to support the use, commenting: " Given the highly sensitive landscape and visual characteristics of the site I would advise that the proposed development would give rise to locally significant adverse effects for six months of the year which would negatively impact on the special qualities of the AONB and that would conflict with a number of national and Local Plan policies."

Similar comments were made by the AoNB team and other consultees.

Said a summary from the planning case officer: "The proposal, by means of changing the use of the site from agricultural to a restaurant, will have a harmful impact on the undeveloped tranquil character of the area and as a result will cause harm to the Dorset AONB due to the visual impact of the proposals and the loss of tranquillity to the area."