Residents of Beaminster are opposing plans to develop the historic Parnham House, dubbed the 'Buckingham Palace of Dorset', which is a Grade I-listed Elizabethan mansion.

The proposed development includes building a gated community of 82 homes on 21 acres of the estate, along with amenities like a gym, padel court, and natural swimming pool.Concerns include the impact on the area's biodiversity, as the River Brit is home to otters, kingfishers, and ancient trees.Locals fear the development will disrupt the bucolic landscape, which is featured in Thomas Hardy's novels, and strain local infrastructure.

While the project aims to fund the restoration of the mansion through an 'enabling development' scheme, opponents argue it will destroy the site's heritage.

The plan has sparked over 1,200 planning objections, with residents emphasizing the need to protect the area's natural and historical significance.