THE latest in a series of planning applications for a former pub site in an East Dorset village has been submitted.

Plans to change the use of the former Kings Arms pub, in Ringwood Road, Longham, into offices have been handed to Dorset Council.

The move would see three offices created on the ground floor of the building.

The application says the move comes as it was no longer viable for the premises to operate as a pub or restaurant.

The plan aims to create offices on the ground floor of the building. Picture: Trade Plans/Dorset Council

“The premises were formerly known as the Kings Arms and although historically used to be a public house and a restaurant, in its later trading years it was operating as a restaurant only,” it said.

“The business was struggling and with the advent of the pandemic, eventually closed it’s doors for good.

“The business was put onto the open market, and advertised as a going concern or for alternative uses, subject to relevant planning consents having been applied for and implemented.”

Two further planning applications to develop the site for housing were withdrawn, the application said, with the latest being submitted by a new owner.

It said the building had been ‘stripped out’ and was in a ‘poor state of repair’.

“The new owner would have had an uphill struggle to re-establish a business here in respect of the old use class, the building required too much investment to return to it’s former state of a restaurant,” it added.

“Additionally, the cost of living increase, and nearby competition meant the whole prospect was completely unrealistic and bound to fail.”

The plan aims to bring the Longham building ‘back to life’. Picture: Google

It said the new owner intended to keep the building in its current form and ‘bring it back to life’.

“The applicant intends to keep the building in its current form, refurbish the interior and fully repair and maintain the exterior to bring this building back to life, and maintain the buildings character and prominent setting in the village,” it said.

For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2023/02906.