A VILLAGE community shop has applied for permission to build a new porch – after the old one was badly damaged in a snow storm.

The volunteer-run East Knoyle Community Shop and Post Office, in Church Road, operates on behalf of the rural community and has been running since summer 2006, 364 days a year.

The land and building is owned by East Knoyle Parish Council and leased to the shop’s Management Committee.

Earlier this year, the shop’s awning, which covers produce on show at the front of the store, was badly damaged in a snow storm, along with stonework.

The stonework was damaged when the original awning came down

“The damage was such that parts of the wall had to be reinstated in local green stone to repair the building in line with the original build of 2005/6,” the plans said.

“Under guidance from a structural engineer it was confirmed that replacing the awning with like-for-like was not possible, due to the weight impact of a replacement awning on the repaired stone work.”

The application details a proposed three-pillar, tiled structure be built to replace the previous awning.

“The shop’s Management Committee decided to explore a permanent slate roofed porch standing on three wooden columns mounted on stone plinths,” the application added.

How the proposed awning at East Knoyle Community Shop could look

“Such a porch would match an existing porch which runs along part of the side elevation.”

It went on: “The proposal would allow the shop, once again, to use the space immediately outside the shop for display, as well as enabling a more effective and attractive approach to the shop and providing shelter for customers.”

For more details, and to comment on the application, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2023/05331.