ALTERNATIVE uses for a barn on a North Dorset farm have been given a mixed response by Dorset Council planners.

A change to flexible commercial use has been given the thumbs up for the building at Marsh Farm, Marnhull Road, Margaret Marsh 5km south west of Shaftesbury – while using the same building for conversion to a home is not considered to be acceptable.

At different farms; at Stalbridge and East Orchard; planners have been happy with the conversion of farm buildings to homes, also approving the conversion of a calf shed at East Stour.

Other north Dorset planning decision from the council include 100 solar panels on a farm building at West Melbury and a timber shed and hardstanding at Blandford United Football Club.

Details of all the applications, and decisions, can be viewed on the Dorset Council website using the references below.

P/PAAF/2024/04254 : Marsh Farm Marnhull Road Margaret Marsh SP7 0AZ. Change of use of agricultural building to a flexible commercial use to provide offices within Use Class E. Prior Approval Granted.

P/PAAC/2024/04255 : Marsh Farm Marnhull Road Margaret Marsh SP7 0AZ. Change of use and conversion of agricultural building into 2 No. dwellings (Class C3). Prior Approval Refused.

P/PASO/2024/04379 : Buddens Farm Buddens Lane West Melbury SP7 0JE. Install up to 80 No. photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of a barn, and up to 20 No. photovoltaic solar panels on the south-face of the pitched roof of another barn. Prior Approval Not Required.

P/LBC/2024/03652 : Stour Hill House West Stour Gillingham SP8 5SE. External alterations to re-point and roof covering renewal to West side of building with associated maintenance work including repairs and redecoration of external joinery items throughout. Granted.

P/FUL/2024/04110 : Blandford United Football Club Pavilion Park Road Blandford Forum DT11 7DD. Erect timber shed and construct hard standing. Granted.

P/LBC/2024/03744 : Home Farmhouse Bryanston Village Bryanston DT11 0PR. Carry out internal alterations to remove ground floor WC and door. Granted.

P/HOU/2024/03428 : Abbotts Barton The Knapp Hilton DT11 0DE. Replace existing conservatory with garden room, erect porch to east elevation and erect rear porch canopy. Re-roof existing dwelling with plain clay tiles, extend and re-roof existing store/workshop. Insert two windows into bathroom. Granted.