FIVE new homes have been approved for the Woodpecker pub site in High Street, Spetisbury.

The village pub ceased trading in early 2019.

Three homes will be created by converting the existing building, with minor exterior alterations, with two new homes in the grounds. Three of the homes will be 3-bed, two 2-bed with parking across the site for ten cars.

Spetisbury parish council supported the proposal saying it was pleased to see the original building retained.

The business shut in February 2019, before the coronavirus outbreak, when it was said that it had been suffering from falling trade for some time. Marketing the property produced some interest, but none for continuing its use as a pub.

An application to nominate the pub as an ‘asset of community value’ had been declined in April 2019.

Two other pubs are nearby – at Charlton Marshall and Sturminster Marshall, both less than a mile away.

The original application for one of the properties, close to the adjoining Marigold Cottage, was amended from the original application by developers Addis Homes to reduce the height of the building to single storey.