EXTRA time could be allowed for outdoor events at a Tolpuddle farm site which attracts thousands of visitors a year.

Dorset councillors are being recommended to agree an extension at Shakes Hole, off the Southover Farm access road, from two to four days a week, with longer operating hours during the summer.

The business, Max Events, attracts an estimated 11,000 visitors a year from a wide area, including many from visitors staying at Bournemouth and Poole hotels.

If the variation of conditions is allowed activities could be held on the site four days a week, excluding Sundays, with opening hours between 8am and 6.30pm between the start of April and end of September. The extension application does not include clay pigeon shooting.

A report to councillors meeting on Tuesday January 21st suggests approving the changes. Officers say the alteration in conditions would not cause significant noise and disturbance to residents in the surrounding area – adding that they believe the concerns of a previously refused application have been overcome.

Both Puddletown parish council, Affpuddle parish council and the Knightsford group of parishes have objected to the changes to protect residents.

Knightsford’s letter of objection says: “The operation of the site for 4 days a week would result in the amenities that are currently enjoyed by the dwellings being adversely affected by potential noise and general disturbance beyond that which could normally be expected in a rural location.’ There are 23 houses and flats at Clyffe the nearest of which is 500m from Shakes Hole. The potential noise of revving engines for 4 days a week would be intolerable.

“The area is widely used by hikers and horse riders. The latter would be particularly affected by the increase in traffic along the by-ways which access the site.”

Letters of objection were also received from 12 individuals raising concerns about noise and disturbance, including one which supports the contention of Affpuddle parish council that noise monitoring was carried out at the site in a quiet period of the year, September 26 to October 16th and, therefore, did not represent peak, summer use.

Nine people wrote to support the application saying they could rarely hear any noise and that the business brought visitors and money into the area and the chance of further jobs.

The site has been approved for the use of archery, off-road buggy racing, clay pigeon shooting, 4×4 vehicle driving and blind driving through a range of obstacles, since February 2008. At the time condition was granted for no more than two days in a week with the hours limited to 9am to 5.30pm. Clay pigeon shooting is restricted to one day a week.

Agents for the company say the business attracts visitors, mainly from groups staying at Dorset hotels, and has created two full-time jobs and work for 25 part-time staff. It says if the application is allowed more jobs could be created.