®Planning appeal decision
Unit 5, Little Lions Farm, Lions Hill Way, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH24 2EU
Planning appeal 3363415 at Unit 5, Little Lions Farm, Lions Hill Way, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH24 2EU (Dorset) was dismissed on 18 August 2025 by Inspector Marigold O, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the Lions Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, part of the Dorset Heaths Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
change of use of land and buildings to an animal rescue centre with ancillary offices and storage; the demolition of a hay store and silage clamp; the provision of 2 no. single storey extensions to existing buildings; retention of a mobile home for animal w elfare; parking; and associated works
- Authority
- Dorset
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- community-institutional · Change of use
- Inspector
- Marigold O
- Postcode
- BH24 2EU
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the Lions Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, part of the Dorset Heaths Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
- whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies, including the effect on the openness of the Green Belt
What decided it
The proposal would result in significant risks to the integrity of the protected habitat sites and their qualifying species through increased dog access, footfall and disturbance, which could not be adequately mitigated by planning conditions or management plans, and these adverse effects could not be overcome by the benefits of the animal rescue use.
The significant positive weight given to the local need for animal rescue facilities and the provision of a valuable public service did not overcome the substantial negative weight attributed to the conflict with nature conservation policies and the significant risks to protected sites and species.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ME1 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan Core Strategy
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 187Paragraph 193
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.