Anti-pollution measures brought in for Dorset campsites
It's to prevent run-offs into water courses towards Poole Harbour
Temporary campsites in Weymouth, Wareham, Swanage and Kingston Maurward are having to comply with new anti-pollution measures this year.
Each is having to ensure they meet rules to prevent nutrients reaching water courses which eventually run into Poole Harbour.
In recent years the harbour waters have increasingly suffered from algae growths which reduce the oxygen levels, potentially harming wildlife.
The growth is accelerated by nutrients in the water, 85% of which comes from farmland fertilisers, but is also generated by human activity close to watercourses.
Two summer-only sites on Portland have already been agreed under the Habitat Regulations with each having to make mitigation payments and put in measures to protect the area, with consent also already granted for a site at Manor Farm, Burton Bradstock and at Innisfree, Burts Lane, Horton.
The sites currently under consideration are at the Weymouth Rugby Club off Monmouth Avenue for a temporary holiday site from August 23rd to September 7th and at Kingston Maurward for a Camping and Caravan Club site from August 18th to September 2nd.
Two Purbeck sites are also asking for Habitats Regulation consent for uses of up to 60 days for no more than 50 pitches.
These are at Trigon Farm, Wareham over the summer period and at Coombe Farm, Coombe Hill, Swanage.
The Dorchester Showground site at Cokers Frome, which will stage the Dorset Balloon Festival, is also having to apply under the regulations – for up to 100 caravans and motorhomes for the two-day event in early May.
Other Dorset temporary holiday sites are also likely to have to meet the regulations prior to the start of the summer season.