New homes are to be built on the site of one of the country’s former best racing pigeon studs.
Seven new homes and a new double garage have been given permission for the site of the Ponderosa UK Stud in Green Lane at Chickerell. Outline permission for three homes on the eastern part of the site had previously been agreed.
The application was supported by statutory consultees, including Chickerell Town Council.
Stud owner Mrs Mary Bartlett said that with the sport was in decline the business had been run down and she and her husband were keen to retire.
The family had asked to convert buildings on the western part of the site by changing and extending the existing buildings to create six one bed flats and a detached 3 bed bungalow with a double garage.
The main stud building was opened in 2009 but the business dates back more than 40 years and has sold racing pigeons around the world, many of them champions, including national winners in the UK and elsewhere.
Dorset Council, which agreed the application, was told that the development is acceptable although outside the normal development area for housing.
A planning officer report said: “The two-storey building on site has domestic scale and is constructed in brick under a tiled roof. It is capable of adaption to its new use without any material alteration to its appearance. The single-storey building will require extensions to create more usable floor space and a double garage is also proposed. It will also maintain a domestic scale and character. “
“The scheme makes efficient use of previously developed land and the impact of the proposed development in the landscape will remain relatively the same. Large areas of tarmac associated with the previous use will be removed to create a communal garden for the proposed flats and a private garden for the bungalow."
