“I DO not believe that this proposal is motivated by philanthropy.”

The words of North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who has entered a row over plans for up to 40 caravans to be installed on land outside Blandford to house Ukrainian refugees.

The scheme, submitted by Savills on behalf of Bryanston (RFE) Ltd and The Rothermere Foundation, would see the units sited on land at Deer Park Farm for up to five years.

However, the plan has prompted fierce opposition from residents, who claim the application is merely a pre-emptive move to allow development of the site in the future.

They point to a previous application for development of the site in 2014, which was rejected after objections from residents, Historic England and the Environment Agency.

A leaflet recently distributed by an opposition group in the town said: “While the planning application is for a temporary period of five years, at the end of the period the present green field site will have become a brown field site ripe for development.

“The Bryanston Estate is using the Ukraine crisis as a Trojan Horse to reverse a planning decision.”

The initial application, which has now been appealed after no decision was made by Dorset Council, said the units would be used to house Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, addressing a ‘national and local shortage in refugee accommodation’.

The application also said see a disused barn converted to provide ‘community space’.

“Furthermore, the site’s location close to the centre of Blandford will enable the refugees to access key services and amenities and encourage their participation within the local community,” it said.

“The proposed development would provide much needed refugee accommodation within Dorset and responds to an ongoing humanitarian crisis,” it added.

Now, MP Mr Hoare (Con, North Dorset) has written to the planning inspector overseeing the appeal to voice is opposition to the scheme.

“The fact that RFE wish to do something to help refugee Ukrainian families is to be applauded,” he wrote.

“Given the horror of that situation any act of philanthropy should be judged on its merits.

“I do not believe that this proposal is motivated by philanthropy. If it were, the foundation could have purchased any number of homes in which to house Ukrainians.

“It would have been a much speedier mechanism to achieve the aim.

“Perhaps I am being overly cynical to reflect that the appeal site has already been through the planning process for residential development and was, perfectly correctly, refused.

“Is this proposal therefore a Trojan Horse, seeking to accrue established land using arguments to augment a flimsy case for any development to take place on this site?

“While not germane to the planning process per se, it does merit passing reflection. I would also contend that the premature and aggressive act of an appeal on the grounds of non-determination also throws light on the modus operandi of the appellant.

“Were a truly local solution being sought to a problem, the appellant should have worked in concert with the planning authority, Blandford Forum Town Council, the Home Office and others.”

Photo: Savills/Dorset Council

He says the appeal should be rejected as it goes against the government strategy for housing refugees in ‘family and community settings’, flood risk, heritage reasons and damage to the landscape and more.

He also highlights the potential for the creation of a ‘ghetto’, which could be attacked by ‘racist extremists’.

“We have neither history nor policy to sustain the creation of housing (permanent or temporary) by designation to a specific nationality,” he wrote.

“It is the planning version of Apartheid. The proposed use of the appeal site to create temporary, racially segregated housing is not supportable.

“Given recent attacks on asylum seekers’ accommodation I do not believe it would be a safe or sensible proposal to create a designated and easily identifiable target for racist extremists.”

He added: “In conclusion, there are clear and compelling planning reasons to dismiss this appeal.”

“The UK has, is and will provide a range of supports to Ukraine as Putin’s aggression is repelled and defeated,” he went on.

“The creation of segregated, isolated, racially distinct accommodation has not, is not and will not be part of that response. It would be a disservice and offensive to our Ukrainian friends and allies to create a caravan ghetto.

“We welcome them with our hearts and our love not a parcel of land, divorced from the community and already deemed inappropriate for residential development.”

The Rothermere Foundation is chaired by Rt Hon Viscount Jonathan Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail newspaper group.

Viscount Rothermere owns the nearby Ferne Park estate and stately home.