Guy Ritchie turns a historic Dorset airfield into a tourist destination with Spitfire experiences and holiday apartments; neighbours fear it is becoming an 'aviation theme park'

A historic airfield in the Dorset countryside is taking on a new role as a destination for visitors, with filmmaker Guy Ritchie securing permission to turn existing buildings into holiday accommodation. The development is part of a wider transformation of Compton Abbas Airfield, where flying experiences, food, drinks and public events have brought a growing number of visitors to the site. Not everyone living nearby has welcomed the changes. Some residents have raised concerns about aircraft noise, increased commercial activity and the effect on the surrounding landscape. The latest planning decision has added another element to a dispute over how far the airfield should develop as a tourist attraction.Guy Ritchie secures approval for two holiday apartments at Compton Abbas AirfieldDorset Council has granted planning permission for two holiday apartments at Compton Abbas Airfield, allowing existing staff accommodation and an office building to be converted for short-term visitor stays. The proposed units will have two and four bedrooms respectively, providing accommodation for people visiting the site and taking part in its aviation activities.As reported by The Sun, the decision gives Ritchie another opportunity to develop the business around the historic airfield without constructing an entirely new accommodation complex. Guests will be able to spend the night at the property and take part in flying experiences during their stay. A planning condition requires the apartments to operate as short-term holiday accommodation rather than permanent homes.The approval also changes the permitted use of buildings that had previously served the airfield's operational needs. The airfield had permission to use a flat for live-in staff dating back to 2005. Residents argued that the original arrangement was intended to ensure someone remained on site for security and safety purposes.How Guy Ritchie transformed a 1961 Dorset airfield into a tourist destinationThe BBC reported in January 2024 that Compton Abbas Airfield first opened in 1961, citing the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. For much of its existence, it operated as a relatively modest flying location, serving aviation enthusiasts and private pilots.Ritchie acquired the property in 2022 and began developing its commercial offering. The site now combines aviation-related activities with hospitality and entertainment, attracting people who may not necessarily be visiting to fly an aircraft themselves.Among its attractions are experiences involving historic aircraft, including the opportunity to fly in a Spitfire. The airfield also has a smokehouse restaurant, while visitors can purchase craft beers and ales produced by Ritchie's Gritchie Brewing Company.Its events calendar has expanded too. Classic car gatherings, live music on Fridays and heritage aviation displays have become part of the programme, giving the property a wider appeal beyond its original flying community.The airfield's development has taken place alongside Ritchie's ownership of Ashcombe Estate, which lies close to the Dorset and Wiltshire border. The filmmaker previously shared Ashcombe House with his former wife Madonna. He now divides his time between the countryside property and his London home with his wife, Jacqui. The estate has also provided a setting for visits from well-known figures, including David Beckham and Robert Downey Jr.Residents raise noise and environmental concerns over Compton Abbas AirfieldThe holiday accommodation application has brought existing tensions between the airfield and some nearby residents back into focus. Their objections extend beyond the two apartments, with several arguing that the site's increasing commercial activity is changing the character of an area where development is subject to environmental protections.Compton Abbas Airfield is situated within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, which is also recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve. Residents concerned about the changes say the location requires particular care because of its rural character, wildlife and relatively dark night skies.Christopher Dymond, a neighbour, has complained about the frequency of flying activities and the noise generated by historic aircraft. He described the airfield's earlier operation as a small, carefully managed facility serving local flying enthusiasts.In his objection, Dymond said the scale of activity had increased considerably, with events and visitor attractions contributing to disturbances for people living nearby. He also described the experience of spending time in his garden during busy summer weekends, when aircraft regularly pass overhead.Neighbours question holiday lets as airfield expansion fears growResidents argued that the accommodation was approved because a member of staff needed to live on the premises to provide security and respond to safety requirements. They have questioned whether converting the property into holiday accommodation is consistent with the purpose for which the original permission was granted. Dymond also argued that planning arrangements contained provisions requiring the accommodation's use to cease if the operational need for an on-site employee no longer existed.His objection was that replacing staff accommodation with paid visitor stays would change the purpose of the building without addressing the original justification for allowing someone to live there.Philip Cayford, another neighbour and member of the Compton Abbas Airfield Monitoring Group, raised wider concerns about the site's commercial direction. He said the airfield had originally been a private grass strip capable of accommodating around six small aircraft.The phrase 'aviation theme park by stealth' became one of the most prominent descriptions used by opponents of the development. Their argument is that the accumulation of individual attractions and planning permissions is gradually changing the nature of the airfield.Dorset Council says the holiday apartments are acceptableDespite the objections, the council concluded that there were no sufficient planning grounds to reject the application. Planning officer Jamie Francis acknowledged, “The owner has been open that they are seeking to generate additional income streams for the airfield, which would have personal gain, this is also considered to bring economic benefits to the area.”The planning assessment found that converting the existing buildings into tourist accommodation was acceptable in place of their previous uses. It also concluded that the change was unlikely to have a significant effect on neighbouring residents, air pollution or the airfield's normal flying operations. The council's decision was specific to the proposed accommodation. The short-term letting condition means the apartments cannot be used as permanent residential properties under the permission.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.