PLANS to convert a former Blandford restaurant into apartments have been approved after an appeal.

In June 2022, Dorset Council refused a bid by Steve Thorne to convert part of 43-43a East Street – formerly Prezzo and Jack Rabbits – into four flats, with a smaller shopfront.

However, the decision was taken to appeal, with inspector JP Sargent allowing the application in November.

The scheme would see part of the main building – including the grade II-listed frontage and outbuilding – as well as another ‘infill’ building to the rear, change use to residential, with the apartments developed.

“The application building is in part a grade II-listed building – the proposal relates to the modern, one-and-a-half-storey infill extension situated to the rear of the listed building, namely the conversion to residential,” the original application said.

“The proposal also relates to the conversion of the current kitchen and toilets with store over within the listed outbuilding into residential.”

An illustration of how the change of use would work. Picture: CL Planning/Dorset Council

It said a “smaller commercial floorspace” would be retained on the ground floor fronting East Street, with no alterations planned to the flat at 43 East Street.

Dorset Council refused the application due to the loss of “retail floorspace in the primary shopping frontage of Blandford town centre”.

However, the planning inspector overruled the refusal, allowing the application.

“The main issue in this case is whether the loss of retail floorspace would harm the vitality and viability of the primary shopping frontage, given the development plan context,” they said.

The decision added: “The external and internal alterations arising because of this proposal are primarily to the modern element and, in my opinion, would not cause harm to the significance of either of these two listed buildings.

“Similarly, any alterations to their older parts would be sympathetic. As such, neither the significance nor the special architectural and historic interest of either would be harmed.”