Homes and holiday lets proposals at The White Hart, Corfe

Corfe Estates Ltd has submitted two contemporaneous planning applications to Somerset Council for the White Hart Inn, on Pitminster Road, Corfe.

The first proposal is to demolish the skittle alley and to build two three-bedroom houses, while the two-storey, semi-detached  pub building would be converted into two two-bedroom homes, along with associated landscaping and car parking.

The second planning application is for eight holiday lets on the site of the pub, which has been closed since 2020.

However, Corfe Parish Council plans to list the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which could block plans for housing development.

A submission with the planning application says: "The public house was listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) August 2021 following the successful nomination by Corfe Parish Council July 2021.

"However, following a failed attempt to exercise the Community Right to Bid, the Council delisted the public house in 2023.

"The Applicant is aware of Corfe Parish Council’s resubmission of nomination to the Council for it to consider relisting the public house as an ACV.

"The Applicant has instructed legal advisers to engage with the Council in order to ascertain what new or updated evidence has been submitted in support of this repeat nomination, in consideration of the previous failed attempt to purchase the property by the group."

The submission adds: "Whilst there are some concerns regarding the ‘loss’ of the public house, the reality is that the business was not successful throughout its years of operation, and if the community intends to purchase the land to retain the public house, there is no indication that this would be successful.

"The Proposal to bring about new homes to benefit the area and the wider local plan in terms of driving businesses in the local economy, and supporting the provision of homes for local people is the most complementary to the area."