ACTIVISTS planning a new eco-settlement in West Dorset claim council planners are refusing to recognise them and their plans.

The eco-warriors took the unusual step in March of delivering their proposals for the environmentally friendly development to West Dorset District Council's offices in Dorchester by boat.

The plans to build the green scheme 170 metres above sea level included a boathouse, jetty and small boat and was designed to have a minimal impact on the surrounding countryside.

Six months on the group, the Chalk Corner Collective, say the council is refusing to communicate with them - a claim denied by planning chiefs - and now the group is planning to set up an eco-camp on the proposed development site at Chalk Court near Hooke, Beaminster, to make their feelings known.

A spokesman for the would-be developers, who are part of Survivors South West, said: "West Dorset District Council are refusing to recognise the Chalk Corner Collective.

"They are refusing to communicate with us concerning our proposed low-impact development and they are refusing to countenance a consultation process concerning the proposed development requested by us."

The spokesman said with the help of climate action group Survivors the group would be moving permanently onto the site on Saturday - the autumn equinox.

They added: "We havedecided to respond by mounting a campaign to raise awareness on the issue and ensure their democratic right to fair and equal treatment as potential developers by West Dorset District Council."

The spokesman said that the site would be used as a low-impact climate camp' in protest over the district council's stance.

But West Dorset District Council's development services manager John Greenslade said the council was not ignoring the group.

He said: "Representatives of Survivors South West have given the district council a number of documents about their wish to live at Chalk Court near Hooke.

"However, they have not confirmed whether the documents are intended as a formal planning application or paid the standard application fee. We would be happy to consider a planning application in the usual way."

He said the council had written to the group explaining the situation and was still awaiting a response. He also said that the council had also taken action to stop any illegal occupation of the site.

He said: "The site is agricultural land in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is safeguarded through planning laws.

"Because there is no planning permission for any development on the land, and to protect its special character, the district council has issued a planning enforcement notice to stop people putting residential caravans plus cars and vans on the land.

Mr Greenslade added: "An appeal has been made against this notice and the matter will be decided by a Government planning inspector following a public enquiry early next year. Any residential occupation of the site, such as the camp, would also be covered by the enforcement notice and the decision of the planning inspector".