Planners have refused the conversion a Dorset pub back into a home – saying a new community use should be explored.

The Sheaf of Arrows, on the Dorchester-Yeovil road at Melbury Osmond had been renovated and improved but by the time the pandemic struck was fighting for survival.

Previously the Rest and Welcome, its owners said in a planning application to Dorset Council for the change of use, that it had struggled financially even after being improved, with the Covid pandemic finishing it off as a business.

The building was originally a house owned by the Melbury Estate, given to a former chauffeur on his retirement.

Dorset Council took eight months to decide that the conversion back to a house should not be allowed. There had been no objections to the conversion plans which would have left the building looking as it now does.

Dorset Council say that its policies seek to retain community facilities unless it can be proven that the business is no longer viable.

A planning officer report concluded: "No marketing exercise has been carried out to ascertain whether there is demand to continue the pub use or evidence that the site is no longer viable as a pub.

"Furthermore, there is no evidence provided that an alternative community use has been explored with local groups. It is therefore considered that the proposal fails to comply with the provision of COM3 (the policy relating to the retention of local community buildings).

"That the applicant has unfortunately been unsuccessful is not in itself sufficient reason to justify the permanent loss of the pub and any type of community use, contrary to COM3. The principle of development is therefore unacceptable."