Changes have been agreed to a former Piddle Valley farm, near Dorchester, which will see buildings converted for new uses and additional residential development on the site.

Dorset Council planners have approved a refurbishment plan for the Jersey Farmhouse, White Lackington, off the B3143 Piddletrenthide road.

Agents for the owners say the proposals will be a substantial improvement to the main building, tidy up the site, convert some former farm buildings and make the road access safer.

The plans include a front and side extension to the north west and south west of the main building, a new parking and turning area, a greenhouse, the conversion of one barn to create a residential annexe, another barn to be converted to provide a studio/office, and part of another barn to create a garden store.

The consent also includes the demolition of several sheds and outbuildings which are described as being "dilapidated".

The site was previously known as Bellamy's Farm. It is within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but is not listed and not within a conservation area.

The main building dates back to the 19th century with later additions, including the first floor, possibly from the 1920s or 30s.

Said agents acting for the owners: "The treatment of the outbuildings is to retain the rural vernacular by renewing and replicating the corrugated iron roofs with corrugated sheet walls and timber boarding although appropriately insulated.

"Overall the proposals will refresh both the house and outbuildings, but remove some of the modern agricultural buildings clutter that has accumulated, leading to a visually ordered site with no greater impact on the appearance of the countryside."

Included in the plans are proposals to relocate the access to the site to improve visibility and safety, which will also lead to additional landscaping.

Said the agent: "Jersey Farmhouse is an unremarkable house served by a dangerous access onto the road and a number of modern and traditional outbuildings. The proposals seek to extend and improve the appearance of the house and restore the old outbuildings to a beneficial use.

"The new access will improve highway safety and yield an improvement to biodiversity with additional planting alongside.

"The removal of the modern outbuildings will improve the appearance of the site, and the extension to the house will introduce a new and more interesting character to what is otherwise a plain appearance."