CHANGES are planned at a vineyard near Portesham to meet its increasing success.

The Little Waddon Vineyard is asking consent to demolish a building used for wine-making and a workshop and to erect a new building with a reception for visitors, workshop and storage.

The Winters Lane business say the new building, if approved, will include solar panels and a small, two-metre, wind turbine. It is planned for the same footprint as the existing building which the business says has reached the end of its life.

A statement with the application says that for two years the vineyard has been increasingly successful with tours and tasting events being run from April to October, attracting visitors from as far away as London.

The business also runs a service where customer order wine online and collect it directly from the vineyard.

Said the statement to Dorset Council “This requires a large amount of customer care; and they need to be looked after and managed when they arrive - They currently do this in one corner of the car park under an umbrella if it’s raining or under the trees if it’s too sunny!”

Comments on the proposal are open to the public until July 5 – reference 2024/02509.