A PROPOSAL to change the use of a luxurious holiday home near Hardy’s Cottage at Higher Bockhampton has been turned down.

The former tearoom at Greenwood Grange, now known as Henchard, was converted into a holiday home several years ago – with the owner now wanting to remove the condition which prevents any other use, allowing it to be sold, or let, for general housing as a four-bed family home.

Stinsford Parish Council opposed the request to be relieved from the 2003 planning condition saying that to allow a change from a holiday home would ‘dilute’ the original intentions of the Greenwood Grange site.

It told Dorset Council, which decided the application: “The change of use of Henchard to a private residence would fundamentally change the nature of the Greenwood Grange site which is solely designed and intended for provision of holiday accommodation and facilities.”

The large building, made of stone and brick under a thatch roof,  is capable of accommodating up to 12 people although, on average, usually has bookings for 10 with the guest bringing three or more cars.

When the condition was imposed it read “The development hereby approved shall be for holiday use only and not for permanent residential occupation. REASON: The use of the development hereby approved as permanent residential accommodation would be contrary to the local planning authority’s policy for the control of development in the rural areas.”

Pic – Henchard – permission to convert to family home, refused. Pic Greenwood Grange.