Residents near Eype Cliff in West Bay, Dorset are raising alarms over plans to build 12 luxury holiday lodges on a cliff-top site famous for featuring in ITV’s Broadchurch.
Each lodge could be worth up to £725,000, but locals worry the development threatens the fragile cliffs, which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are prone to erosion.
Iconic Cliffs at Risk
The cliffs at Eype stand at 140ft tall and are over 180 million years old, but recent years have seen large chunks of rock fall due to storms and extreme weather.
Campaign group Eype Environment Protection (EEP) argues that the holiday park owners are transforming what was once a low-impact seasonal campsite into a high-density, year-round village, endangering both the landscape and local community.
Scenes from Broadchurch, including moments with David Tennant and Olivia Colman, show land that no longer exists today.
Even the beach chalet where Danny Latimer’s murder took place is now at risk of sliding off the cliff.
Controversy Over Relocating Historical Structures
Local landowners, the Wingfield-Digbys, have owned a cabin near the site since 1930 and attempted to move it inland.
Their proposal met resistance from nearby holiday home owners, who argued that relocating the cabin would block their sea views.
In response to the new lodges, locals launched a petition calling for public consultation to update planning laws.
The petition has already gathered 1,800 signatures, with campaigners warning that this development sets a “dangerous precedent.”
EEP Voices Strong Concerns
A spokesperson for EEP criticized the development, saying: “The owners promise guests the ‘rugged allure’ and ‘untamed nature’ of Eype.
Conversely, this development will clearly have a negative impact on the landscape, on village life, on nature and on our dark skies.”
They pointed out that the site is adjacent to the South West Coast Path, an area where cliff falls are frequent, questioning whether it is suitable for a permanent housing project.
How the Development Was Approved
West Dorset Leisure Holidays, which owns the site, received a certificate of lawfulness in 2022 for having 35 static caravans and 31 camping pitches established for more than a decade.
This certificate allowed the company to begin building lodges under permitted development rights, bypassing the need for further public consultation.
EEP warns this move sets a “dangerous precedent” because it sidesteps public input on a site with high environmental and heritage protection.
Luxury Lodges on Offer
The lodges are being marketed as a “rare opportunity to own a premium lodge in one of the most sought-after locations on the Dorset coastline.” The first lodge is priced at £644,995 and includes:
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A two-bedroom layout, 50ft by 20ft
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Open-plan kitchen and living area
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Master en-suite bedroom and family bathroom with a jet bathtub
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Two-person infrared sauna
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Large wrap-around deck
The advertisement also notes a ten-and-a-half-month season, a licence valid until 2060, and an annual pitch fee of £7,999.
Developers Defend the Project
A spokesperson for West Dorset Leisure Holidays rejected EEP’s criticisms as misleading. They stated that lawful development certificates granted in 2022 allow the construction of lodges without consultation.
The company emphasized its commitment to the environment, citing rewilding projects, woodland planting, and footpath management, as well as £110,000 raised for local Jurassic Coast initiatives.
They maintain the lodges will not negatively impact the area and plan to continue landscaping and planting schemes.
Safety Concerns Amidst Growing Erosion
West Bay cliffs have experienced multiple rockfalls in recent years, sometimes endangering tourists who ignore safety warnings.
Experts, including geologist Richard Edmonds, link the increased rockfalls to global warming, with heavier rainfall and stronger waves accelerating cliff erosion.
A tragic incident in 2012 saw holidaymaker Charlotte Blackman killed by a rockfall at nearby Burton Bradstock, highlighting the dangers of these unstable cliffs.
Dorset Council Confirms Legal Status
A Dorset Council spokesperson confirmed there is no open enforcement case regarding the holiday park.
The council issued certificates of lawfulness in 2022, confirming the site could operate with the existing caravans and camping pitches year-round, and that the layout of the lodges does not require further planning applications.
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