Former Sly Fox and Sunray pub at Osmington to re-open

Dorset Council has agreed a planning application for the former Sly Fox pub site, previously known as The Sunray, at Osmington.

It will allow for a revamped, but smaller pub, with three 1-bed homes and nine 2-bed holiday homes in the grounds with parking for around 40 cars.

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Planning consent had previously been granted, in August 2023, for the conversion of two existing buildings into holiday homes, one a former stable within the grounds and the other a cottage on the main road.

The pub, which once could cope with 180 meal settings, closed in 2019 and had changed hands five times in just eight years.

The building has since suffered from leaks and damp and is said, by architects, to need ‘considerable renovation’ involving several changes to the building, including a new entrance, and to maintain staff accommodation on the first floor.

Sly Fox previously approved alterations (Image: Supplied)

Overall the revamped pub/restaurant will be much smaller than it was with an internal trading area of 185 square metres and a 42 square metre terrace, similar to other pubs in the immediate area.

Longshore Developments Ltd believe that with a smaller footprint the pub should again be viable, needing less staff to run than it did in the past.

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The holiday homes will be partly created by converting existing outbuildings with some new buildings, which will be low-level, with the aim of producing a courtyard-style development.

The former Sly Fox and Sunray at Osmington (Image: NQ)

Osmington Parish Council said it feared that the parking spaces would not be adequate for the pub and holiday homes and raised concerns about the loss of trees.

The Osmington Society said it did not object to the application and supports the developers in their aim to “revive a thriving pub that will hopefully be of benefit to the wider community", but added: “The Osmington Society does however urge the developers to do all that they can to mitigate any adverse effects from the holiday let units especially concerning surrounding properties, related to noise, lighting and sight lines."

The pub dates back to 1948 when for the first time it was shown on maps as a hotel.

Until then it had been recorded only as Hitts Farm. Until recent years the pub was named The Sunray.